On This Day in Pro Wrestling History – Stone Cold Steve Austin Delivers the Famous Austin 3:16 Promo at WWE King of the Ring 1996

On this very day in pro wrestling history, ”Stone Cold” Steve Austin cut one of the most historic promos, ever, at the 1996 edition of WWF (now WWE) King of the Ring. This very promo, in addition to having Steve Austin win the King of the Ring tournament, set off a chain of events that would help WWE grow back into a wrestling powerhouse and eventually reclaim the throne from World Championship Wrestling (WCW) whose New World Order (NWO) storyline was beginning to take the world by storm. Think about how crazy the wrestling world was back then… Within WEEKS of each other, the New World Order storyline and Austin 3:16 promo happened and both would change the business significantly afterward.

For the Austin 3:16 promo, though, it was an instant hit with wrestling fans. Immediately, “Austin 3:16” signs were all over the arena for Monday Night RAW. Then, when WWE made “Austin 3:16” t-shirts, they sold out quickly. YET, it took the WWE about a year to fully embrace Steve Austin as their top star, as WWE would spend the rest of 1996 and most of early 1997 clinging to the idea that Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels were their top stars. Though both men are great, neither man had the drawing power of what Austin would eventually obtain thanks to the personality that was beginning to hatch in 1996.

Why was “Austin 3:16” such a great promo?

For one, it’s a play off one of the most known Bible passages, John 3:16. It reads, and I quote: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Going to sporting events, many fans held up a “John 3:16” sign or placed it on a wall at football stadiums. It was very common to see a sign at literally every sporting event. From every ranking service that I could find, John 3:16 appears to be the most known Bible verse ever as many publications suggest that this one verse spells out the meaning of Christianity as a religion. In other words, believe in Jesus Christ as the son of God and you’ll get into heaven. It’s efficient, precise, and right to the point and it’s an easy phrase to memorize as well.

Now you can see why Austin “struck a nerve” by declaring what “Austin 3:16” says.

During 1996, Jake “the Snake” Roberts returned to the WWE and he was pushing a “sober” gimmick while often citing that Christianity helped him become sober. Roberts would quote bible verses or other Christian themes in his promos, including one after winning an earlier match in the night during the King of the Ring tournament. Steve Austin defeated Jake Roberts in the final and before he cut his famous promo, Austin asked the interviewer Michael P.S. Hayes (then “Doc Hendrix”) what Jake has said earlier. Hayes mentioned that Roberts mentioned stuff about religion and that was all that Austin needed.

And here’s the famous promo cut on this day in pro wrestling history, 6/23/1996: “The first thing I want to be done, is to get that piece of crap out of my ring. Don’t just get him out of the ring, get him out of the WWF because I’ve proved son, without a shadow of a doubt, you ain’t got what it takes anymore! You sit there and you thump your Bible, and you say your prayers, and it didn’t get you anywhere. Talk about your Psalms, talk about John 3:16. Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!”

Instantly, the fans in Milwaukee, host of KOTR 1996, popped! They knew that they heard magic and the reaction from Michael P.S. Hayes also sold the boldness of the phrase.

From there, a star was born… Austin even said his “and that’s the bottom line cause Stone Cold said so” during this promo, too. Steve later said he hit “two grand slams” on creating 2 copyright phrases in one night.

For many who watched Steve Austin for years, we all knew he was great. His run in WCW as “Stunning” Steve Austin gave WCW the perfect midcard heel as he proudly defended the TV Title and later the United States Title. During 1993, he teamed up with Brian Pillman to form the Hollywood Blonds, which was a stupid tag team name, but the two were a perfect and very effective tag team. That team ended abruptly with a promise of Austin receiving a singles push. With Ric Flair back in charge of creative for the first half of 1994, that seemed to be happening… But then, WCW made a massive signing of Hulk Hogan and with Hogan, all of his buddies like Brutus Beefcake, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Honky Tonk Man, and others soon joined. Austin was the odd man out and formed resentment against WCW Executive Producer Eric Bischoff and later cursed out Tony Shiavone when Tony called Austin to inquire about his status when Austin was out with an injury. WCW promptly fired Austin, via Fed Ex letter, after that incident.

Austin went to ECW where he wrestled some, but was more inspired to cut promos freely by Paul Heyman. There, the “Stone Cold” character was born, as he was real, authentic, and had a personality that fans wanted to believe in and live vicariously through. HOWEVER, that character was muzzled briefly when WWE signed him and made him the “Ringmaster” as a protégé of Ted Dibiase. After that gimmick failed, WWE actually gave Steve Austin some creative freedom to change his name and change his look. Austin said that he watched some documentary on a serial killer and from that, he changed his look and personality as a really focused and diabolical character. His hair was balding anyway, so he shaved his head and grew out a goatee. Went with the all black tights for intimidation, kind of like Johnny Cash embraced the color.

But then, Stone Cold’s wife said that if he didn’t drink his hot tea immediately, it could become “stone cold”. Boom, just like that, Austin had his new name: Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Great question: If Steve Austin didn’t win King of the Ring 1996 to cut this “Austin 3:16” promo, would he get over?

To us astute fans who watched Austin for years in WCW, I’d say eventually YES. The talent was always there and the promo cutting ability was unleashed in ECW. The “Austin 3:16” promo just rushed his appreciation with the WWE fanbase, who didn’t see him in WCW, and many younger kids looking for something cool to watch. “Austin 3:16” expedited the inevitable, as Shawn Michael was going to eventually crash out, anyway, and maybe Bret Hart’s contract would be deemed too expensive by late 1997 anyway.

You know, that’s an interesting conundrum… If there’s no “Austin 3:16” and Austin has to keep working on his character throughout 1996-1997, would WWE have opted out of Bret’s 20-year contract? The momentum of Austin’s character allowed him to obtain that Wrestlemania 13 spot in place “lost smile” Shawn Michaels. Maybe without Austin 3:16, he doesn’t get that match at WM 13? Maybe Austin doesn’t obtain that Survivor Series 1996 match, either? Oh boy, major can of worms has just been opened!

Point being, you see the IMPACT of Austin cutting this promo.

And here’s a BIG POINT that I really want to make with “Austin 3:16” back during June of 1996. No WWE script writer handed that to Austin and ordered him to say it, word for word. No, Austin 100% came up with that on his own. If this same Steve Austin worked in today’s WWE environment, he would never get a chance to freely cut such a promo. For one, the script writers of the WWE would give him something else to say, word-for-word, and there’s no way in today’s corporate or political environment that he’d be even allowed to poke fun at Christianity in a promo. Not a chance! If Austin cut that promo now, here in 2026, WWE and TKO would reprimand him, release a statement, and you’d see a thousand apologies being thrown out.

But in June 1996, WWE was a different environment. Nothing was scripted. The Creative Team led by Vince McMahon gave general ideas on what to do, but then the wrestlers would work within that space to make it happen. Everything was on the wrestler to succeed because after all, if they do terribly with a segment or a match, they’d lose money. No guaranteed money back during 1996, so if you fumbled on a promo, they’d use you less in the future. Have a bad match, you’d get depushed down the card. Used less or be lower on the card, less of a payout from a particular event. You didn’t get paid!

Let’s go further into this story, for many of you younger fans who don’t know… Steve Austin was NOT the WWE’s choice to win the King of the Ring 1996 tournament. In fact, Triple H was set to receive the big push that year and eventually be built up into a big heel for babyface champion Shawn Michaels to wrestle later during 1996. WWE management liked HHH’s work, liked his character, and felt that he had potential to do big things. Plus, Shawn Michaels was heavily vouching for him and Vince listens to his top stars.

However, the famous “Curtain Call” incident from May 1996 happened at Madison Square Garden.

The Curtain Call involves Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Scott Hall (Razor Ramon), and Kevin Nash (Diesel) doing a salute to the New York City fans after the main event of a houseshow at Madison Square Garden. This houseshow was both Hall and Nash’s LAST WWE event before they were going to join WCW to begin the New World Order invasion angle. During the show, Triple H (heel) wrestled Razor (babyface) on the midcard while the main event was Shawn Michaels (babyface) versus Diesel (heel) in a blue steel cage match. After Shawn and Nash’s match, Triple H and Hall both ran into the ring and all 4 guys saluted each other like buddies.

Now, again, we’re in a different era… While many fans knew wrestling was scripted, the promotions themselves were advertising it yet. After the main event, you had 2 babyfaces with Shawn and Razor (who had their own rivalry) fraternizing with 2 heels with Triple H and Diesel. While the fans in Madison Square Garden popped because they never saw characters breaking like this before, backstage management and wrestlers in the locker room erupted. Reportedly, the Clique (group name given to HHH, Nash, HBK, Hall, and Sean Waltman) asked Vince if they could do the salute and he green lit it. However, with all of the road agents and wrestlers showing outrage backstage, Vince likely joined in on the chorus.

Shawn Michaels was WWE champion, so there was no punishing him for this incident. Madison Square Garden’s houseshow was Scott Hall and Kevin Nash’s very last date on their WWE deals. Thus, you couldn’t punish wrestlers no longer under contract. That left Triple H to feel the full force of Vince McMahon’s wrath, as Vince wanted to make an example of him to disallow any other wrestlers from trying something similar to the “Curtain Call”. As Triple H has put it, Vince said “you’re going the eat a crap sandwich and start liking the taste of it” or something to that effect.

If you look at the rest of 1996 for Triple H, he went from winning consistently for the first 5 months to losing often. Right after that MSG event May 19, 1996, he is constantly losing the Marc Mero… 8 straight losses! Just non-stop losing on the houseshow circuit and on Monday Night RAW, with occasional wins for jobber matches on syndicated shows. It wasn’t until October 1996 when HHH turned his fortunes around and gained the trust back with WWE, defeating the “deadly” Marc Mero and winning the Intercontinental Title. And you know where the story goes from there.

IN MY OPINION, a slower push for Triple H was needed for him and a rushed push during 1996 could have harmed his character, long-term. Plus, the “Curtain Call” incident gave HHH’s character nightmare fuel to yell about during 1999 as a main event character. It also gave Degeneration X something to laugh about, as well, when they were mocking Vince McMahon in a segment.

Isn’t that amazing how the WWE seriously lucked into Austin 3:16?

It took a while for Steve Austin to be seriously pushed as the #1 wrestler, though, as Vince McMahon wasn’t a fan of his new character and in-ring work. He’s the one resisting pushing Austin during 1996 and during early 1997. Austin lucked into that Wrestlemania 13 match because Shawn Michaels, again, “lost his smile” and that caused panic mode to rebook WM 13. This caused Sid vs. Undertaker and Bret vs. Steve Austin as the newly booked matches for possibly the weakest drawn Wrestlemania of all time. WWE is at the bottom of the barrel during the Spring of 1997, as all of that capital spent on pushing Shawn Michaels goes down the drain.

However, Bret Hart and Steve Austin saved the WWE… Their PERFECT match and idea of a double turn (Bret becomes heel, Austin turns babyface) set the WWE on a path to glory. Austin didn’t give up from the Sharpshooter, despite losing gallons of blood, while Bret Hart soured on American fans not giving him respect. Austin now had the handcuffs removed and the push was on, while Bret Hart formed the heel Hart Foundation stable. WWE was now set right and now Austin had a heel group to overcome. Shawn Michaels found his smile and briefly paused that Steve Austin push, as he formed DX and feuded the Undertaker and Bret Hart.

Again, LUCK drives the wrestling industry! With WWE focused on Bret vs. Shawn or Shawn vs. Undertaker, that gave Steve Austin the opportunity to have a run as Intercontinental Champion (broke his neck winning it, too). Guess who he feuded with as “something to do” as he awaited his turn at main eventing? The very young Rock, who found his character as a heel operating within the Nation of Domination. Their late 1997 was MAGICAL and planted massive seeds into the ground that would create one of the greatest rivalries of all time. Rock was made into an instant star while Austin won over fans when he disregarded the Intercontinental Title by tossing it into a freakin’ river.

AND THEN, Steve Austin gets to shove Mike Tyson on the RAW following Royal Rumble 1998. HOLY COW! Kaboom!

So, Wrestlemania 14 is massive and a big shot in the arm, but what was there to do afterward? Who would Austin feud with?

Well, as MORE LUCK would have it, the fan perception of Vince McMahon SOURED after he “screwed” Bret Hart at WWE Survivor Series 1997. Bret Hart’s escape clause was enacted after 1 year from his 20-year contract signed with WWE and thus his match with Shawn Michaels at Survivor Series 1997 was supposed to be his last before heading off to WCW. Bret refused to put over Shawn Michaels, however, citing personal problems and not willing to let an unprofessional jerk defeat him in Canada. WWE wanted him to put over Shawn, no substitutes… Bret’s contract stated that if WWE opted out of it early, he had “creative control” over his last 30 days.

Vince didn’t want Bret to join WCW as WWE Champion, so he ordered and threatened referee Earl Hebner to call for the bell during the spot where Shawn Michaels had Bret in a Sharpshooter (which Bret was supposed to reverse). Afterward, Vince McMahon tried to paint himself as the babyface by insisting that “Bret screwed Bret” but none of the fans bought it. Vince was booed anywhere he went, and thus a lightbulb went over his head and other creative team member’s head. They now had the ultimate heel to face Steve Austin after Wrestlemania 14.

Thus, Austin vs. Vince drew tons and tons and tons of money as the feud after Wrestlemania 14.

Funny how luck can just change the industry… COVID happens and Roman Reigns has to sit-out because of the danger it poses to his immune system. As he’s out, the WWE Creative Team and Vince figure out a better way to use him. Roman returns and has Paul Heyman by his side. Boom, industry grows! Vince McMahon gets exposed during June 2022 for his NDA stuff, steps down, and Triple H returns only to give Sami Zayn a chance to work with the bloodline.

Pro wrestling is nuts, man… Opportunity is always knocking and anytime someone goes down, the next man up has to seize that opportunity.

On this day in pro wrestling history, Steve Austin did indeed seize on an opportunity.

30 years ago, I’m old…

I remember chipping in with friends to buy the Pay Per View, as we’re like 20-30 people deep and huddling around a 30 inch television to watch this Pay Per View. We legitimately popped when we heard it, as all of us were church going kids and knew full well that John 3:16 was plastered everywhere at sporting events.

We were also very impressed at the GUTS that Steve Austin showed at that event. Marc Mero (eventual “owner” of Triple H) busted open Austin’s top lip during the event, requiring him to get stitches as the show is happening. If you look at Austin’s upper lip during that promo, it’s all mangled from taking a potato by Mero.

Watching it live, you just FELT IT… Steve Austin just made a lasting impression and I remember all of us marking out on the next few Tuesdays after RAW when those “Austin 3:16” signs began appearing. And then they appeared at the next Pay Per Views we watched. The shirts were everywhere.

But damn, you had to be patient because there was a metric ton of BAD WWE to watch between June 1996 and Wrestlemania 13 when WWE refused to push him hard. However, that Survivor Series 1996 stuff was absolutely great between Bret and Austin, as was the match.

Then, Wrestlemania 13 happens and it’s sweet vindication… As a longtime WCW fan and loving “Stunning” Steve Austin, I was always of the belief that he’d be a big star. It pissed me off when Jim Duggan had his way with Austin, repeatedly, but I was overjoyed when the “Ringmaster” appeared in WWE. I knew who that was, insert Leonardo DiCaprio meme here…

You know, I always feel blessed to witness wrestling when I did… I got to see the peak years of WWE and NWA, and then see the rise of WCW with their New World Order angle. Then, I saw WWE’s epic regrowth thanks to Steve Austin and the new cast & characters surrounding him during 1997-1999.

NOTHING was better than the late 1990s for wrestling fans. WCW peaking, WWE’s rebirth, and ECW gave you that additional, yet crazy, alternative.

Nothing was scripted, either, or influenced by corporations… Well, WCW became more corporate and that helped drive nails into their coffin, along with Eric Bischoff’s eventual incompetence. And then WWE became a corporation itself and becoming increasingly corporate with time. Here we are today, and another corporation, TKO, owns them.

Anyone who says that 2020s era WWE is better than late 1990s era WWE is completely wrong. Austin made his character, while everybody in today’s WWE is told what their character shall be and when.

30 years ago to this day, Steve Austin cut the Austin 3:16 promo at WWE King of the Ring 1996

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