Today in Pro Wrestling History (June 23): Stone Cold Uncorks 'Austin 3:16', And Ignites a New Attitude

Today in Pro Wrestling History: On June 23rd, 1996, Steve Austin defeats Jake Roberts to win the 1996 King of the Ring tournament.

Today in Pro Wrestling History (June 23): Stone Cold Uncorks ‘Austin 3:16’, And Ignites a New Attitude

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Discarding the traditional “good guy” persona, Austin delivered a scathing and confrontational tirade, famously declaring “Austin 3:16″ says I just whipped your ass!”. He went on to denounce Roberts’ religious preaching, telling him to “talk about your Psalms, talk about John 3:16… Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!”.

This bold and unapologetic promo instantly struck a chord with fans who were growing tired of the cartoonish, family-friendly WWF product. Austin’s rebellious attitude and brash demeanor resonated with a new generation of wrestling fans, ushering in the “Attitude Era” – a period defined by edgier storylines, more adult-oriented content, and anti-heroes like Stone Cold himself.

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