10 WWE Moments That Weren't Supposed To Happen

4. Steve Austin Is Accidentally Eliminated From The Rumble (Royal Rumble 1996)

Steve Austin Royal Rumble 1996
WWE Network

Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Steve Austin in the 1996 Royal Rumble. Firstly, he was working the 'Ringmaster' gimmick, not the significantly-more-over 'Stone Cold'. Secondly, he accidentally eliminated himself upon being clotheslined over the top rope by Fatu after around 10 minutes in the ring.

This is a mistake Austin has since owned up to on his podcast.

Austin said he was meant to hold on to the ropes and haul himself back into the ring, but he was so oiled up that he couldn't get a good grip. Amusingly, he slipped and both feet hit the floor. Recognising what had happened, he and the officials around ringside were left with no choice but to move on, and Austin walked sheepishly to the back.

In fairness to Austin, Fatu was smothered in baby oil too, so some of that may have rubbed off onto him. Oil or not though, this was a damn embarrassing debut in one of the WWF's biggest annual matches. Oh well, he'd fare better the next year.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.