That being said, while McMahon was an integral part of Austins rise to the top, Austin himself is deserving of the most credit. And much like McMahons Bret screwed Bret speech, if Austin hadnt delivered his own ground-breaking promo then he too may never have developed into the superstar that he became. For the Rattlesnake, the promo in question came at King of the Ring 1996 after a victory in the final over Jake the Snake Roberts. The line Austin 3:16 says I just whooped your a** needs little explanation, as its probably the most famous sentences ever to be uttered on WWE programming. In one fell swoop, Stone Cold blasphemed his way to the forefront of viewers minds. This edgy television would prove to be the foundation for the Attitude Era, resulting in some of the best entertainment that the company has ever provided. While others like Triple H used such nicknames as part of their gimmick, Austin rarely alluded to Austin 3:16 again. But that didnt stop fans from forgettingAustin 3:16 merchandise became truly iconic, and there was rarely an audience without a sign emblazoned with the phrase. As far as promos go, this one was as ground-breaking as it getsand it certainly changed Austins career forever. He literally announced his arrival on the big stage, and went on to win multiple world titles, help the WWE survive the Monday Night Wars and become the biggest draw in pro wrestling. The fact that his achievements extend beyond the realms of mere championship glory is a testament to his overwhelming success. Though weve seen many a great promo over the years, few had the impact of Austins King of the Ring effort. And Austin so often put it himself, that is indeed the bottom line. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQhlaWxMbTg
