WWE Pay-Per-View Season 12 Episode 7 King of The Ring 1996
- June 23, 1996
On June 23, 1996, the WWE held its annual King of the Ring tournament, and in this episode, viewers get to relive all the action and drama from the event. The King of the Ring tournament is a prestigious competition in the WWE, and the winner receives not only a crown but also a significant boost to their career.
The tournament featured eight wrestlers, including former champions like Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Ultimate Warrior, and Jake "The Snake" Roberts, as well as up-and-comers like Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Marc Mero. In addition to the tournament matches, the event also featured several non-tournament bouts, including a match between WWF Champion Shawn Michaels and challenger Davey Boy Smith.
The tournament kicked off with a match between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Marc Mero, and from the start, it was clear that Austin was on a mission. He came out swinging and took control of the match early on, ultimately defeating Mero with a Stone Cold Stunner. Austin would go on to defeat Savio Vega and then face Jake Roberts in the semi-finals.
The match between Austin and Roberts was one of the most memorable of the night, as it saw the return of Roberts' famous snake, a boa constrictor named Damien. As the match wore on, Roberts appeared to have the upper hand, but Austin was eventually able to gain the advantage and deliver a devastating piledriver to secure his place in the finals.
On the other side of the bracket, Hunter Hearst Helmsley faced off against Ahmed Johnson in the quarterfinals and then faced off against Vader in the semis. Helmsley used his technical skills to overcome both opponents and set up a final showdown with Austin.
The final match between Austin and Helmsley was hard-fought, with both men landing powerful blows and executing impressive maneuvers. In the end, though, it was Stone Cold who emerged victorious, solidifying his status as one of the WWE's top stars.
In addition to the King of the Ring tournament matches, the event featured several non-tournament bouts. One of the most anticipated of these was the match between WWF Champion Shawn Michaels and Davey Boy Smith. Michaels was still in the early stages of his legendary championship run at the time, and Smith was a popular challenger who had previously held the title.
The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both wrestlers showcasing their skills and fighting tooth and nail for the victory. Ultimately, Michaels was able to come out on top, retaining his championship and sending Smith home empty-handed.
Overall, the 1996 King of the Ring was a landmark event in the WWE's history. It not only featured some of the company's top stars but also showcased the emergence of new talent like Stone Cold Steve Austin and Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Fans of the WWE and professional wrestling in general won't want to miss this classic event.
