9 Things We Learned From Bruce Prichard's In Your House 8: Beware Of Dog Podcast

6. The Caribbean Strap Match Solidified Steve Austin's King Of The Ring Win

The decision to make Steve Austin the 1996 King Of The Ring one month later had been taken before In Your House 8: Beware Of Dog. Hunter Hearst Helmsley's indiscretions during the infamous 'Curtain Call' incident on May 19 had changed plans. Vince McMahon was keen to punish Triple H by replacing him in the 'King' role.

Stone Cold was his next choice, but Prichard claims McMahon hadn't 100% committed to that idea until witnessing Austin's performance against Savio Vega in a Strap Match. Having already told Bruce he was enjoying the bout, the WWF owner couldn't help but remark on Austin's fire and skill.

Vince decided that Steve Austin was his man for King Of The Ring right there and then, because he loved his work in difficult circumstances at In Your House 8.

Austin had to redo the match with Vega 48 hours later; this was so that pay-per-view customers could see a bout that had previously been played solely for the live house in South Carolina. As painful as the Strap Match was, it was vital in securing Austin's push.