What the World Was Watching: King of the Ring 1996

Vince McMahon and Jim Ross commentate, live from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. According to thehistoryowwe.com, the show drew a sellout crowd of 8,762. According to wrestlenomics.com, the card drew a 0.60 buyrate (158,000 buys). The number of domestic buys was an increase from the 139,000 buys of the previous year’s King of the Ring and the highest number of buys for the show since 1993.

Prior to the Free for All match, the Bodydonnas introduce their new manager. It is Cloudy, independent wrestler James Haney, dressed up in Sunny’s Bodydonna gear and wearing a blonde wig. The crowd is unimpressed, remaining silent or jeering the introduction. That is bad news for the gimmick but also bad news for the Bodydonnas, who are not over.

Free for All: The Bodydonnas (w/Cloudy) (10-4) beat the New Rockers (2-2-1) when Skip pins Leif Cassidy after Cloudy interferes at 8:06:

The Rockers have new ring gear, wearing a singlet with a tan and purple pattern. That is more appealing than their gaudy black and green look. The broadcast quickly goes to Sunny backstage, who is disgusted with Cloudy and calls her a beast. Distractions continue as Todd Pettengill calls in because he has a kidney stone. His daughter thinks that Shawn Michaels will win tonight’s main event. Pettengill also does a hard sell for tonight’s show, thereby finding a way to fulfill his contractual obligations. Both teams do try to make something of a match that the crowd treats more as a heel vs. heel encounter. The Rockers double suplex Skip to the arena floor and then Cassidy has a fun duel with Skip, planting him with a dragon suplex for a near-fall. Marty Jannetty comes in and does a Rocker Dropper and gives Skip a superduperbomb. Skip does not sell that for long, though, as Zip gets a hot tag and backdrops Skip onto Jannetty on the arena floor. A Rocket Launcher on Cassidy in the ring misses and Cassidy appears to have the match won with a sit-out spinebuster. However, Cloudy comes into the ring, gives Cassidy a long kiss, and Skip rolls up a dazed Cassidy for the win. Both teams found a way to get the crowd invested even if the Cloudy bits were something they disliked. Rating: **¼

Brian Pillman arrives on crutches and Dok Hendrix talks to him. Pillman is mad that he is not featured on the marquee and promises to make his presence known tonight.

When the pay-per-view starts, Owen Hart joins the broadcast crew for commentary, providing a heel voice since Jerry Lawler is wrestling tonight. Owen immediately embraces the role, claiming that he tripped off the apron when he knocked Marc Mero out with his cast on Monday Night RAW.

Opening King of the Ring Semi-Final Contest: Steve Austin (16-2-1) pins Marc Mero (w/Sable) (10-1) after the Stone Cold Stunner at 16:50:

Austin handed Mero his only loss in the WWF before this show, beating him by disqualification on the May 20 edition of RAW. Mero does not get a lot of shine early and any time that he shows some life, Austin bails to the floor. Austin even uses a unique move, gorilla press dropping Mero on the concrete after ripping away the arena mats. Mero kicks out of a second rope elbow drop and backbreaker, making the crowd bite on a fluke small package after he uses his leg strength to break a Liontamer. That also happens when he flips Austin into a pinning combination to break a Boston crab. A reverse victory roll, which punched Mero’s ticket to the semi-finals, busts open Austin’s lip and gets a close near-fall as well. That injury would later require Austin to go to the emergency room and get 16 stitches. Mero quickens the pace, nearly beating Austin with a flying double axe handle. Mero continues going aerial, throwing Austin over the top rope, doing a tope, and then following with a suicide dive when Austin gets in the ring and slides out the other side. This climaxes with a missile dropkick for two and Mero’s super hurricanrana. However, even though that move has recently been sold as Mero’s finish, Austin kicks out. When he stands up, Austin stun guns Mero from a powerbomb position for another close near-fall and then he hits his own finishing move to win, which McMahon and Ross dub the “Stone Cold Stunner.” Even though both men have strong win-loss records, the result is surprising as Mero was getting a healthy babyface push and many expected him to reach the finals. Rating: ****

Hendrix interviews Jake Roberts, who says that the Lord is giving him strength to face Vader in the next match.

King of the Ring Semi-Finals: Jake Roberts (8-1-1) defeats Vader (w/Jim Cornette) (11-0) via disqualification when Vader pushes the referee at 3:29:

Owen maintains a funny bit, arguing that Roberts is really “51 or 61 years old” to counter McMahon and Ross’s discussions of Roberts being 41. Roberts is able to take Vader off his feet with a knee lift but is otherwise dominated by his bigger opponent. That beatdown causes the crowd to cheer for Vader. When Vader misses a body avalanche, Roberts hits the DDT. As Vader goes down in the move he pushes the referee, resulting in a weak disqualification and another surprising result because of the four finalists Vader was a favorite to win. The loss is Vader’s first in his WWF career. Rating: *

After the bell, Vader avalanches Roberts against the turnbuckles several times when Roberts tries to get Revelation. Vader also does a Vader Bomb and thinks of doing another but several referees step into the ring to stop that. The assault appears to injure Roberts’ ribs and he limps back to the locker room with assistance.

Marc Mero and Steve Austin are shown cutting promos on the WWF Superstar Line.

Hendrix chats with WWF Tag Team Champions the Smoking Gunns and Sunny. Sunny repeats her disgust with Cloudy. She is also confident that Phineas Godwinn will not be able to keep his eyes off of her. When Sunny starts talking about a future Bodydonna match and how she does not want to be around Cloudy, McMahon sends Hendrix a signal to cut the interview off, saying that the champions are stalling.

WWF Tag Team Championship Match: The Smoking Gunns (Champions w/Sunny) (8-0) defeat the Godwinns (w/Hillbilly Jim) (10-4-1) when Billy pins Phineas after Bart hits Phineas in the back of the head with a boot at 10:10:

Bart gets a jump on Phineas to start when Billy grabs the mic and taunts Phineas about how he pleases Sunny more. In the split screen, Cloudy talks about how she fills out the Bodydonna outfit better than Sunny. Cloudy blows a kiss to Ross, causing Owen to laugh and Ross to insist that Cloudy is not his type. Henry is placed in peril when Billy knees him in the back as he runs the ropes and the Gunns work the back. A missed flying leg drop by Bart allows Phineas to get the hot tag and the Godwinns do a nice dosey do when whipped into each other to floor the champions. The referee forces Henry from the ring afterward and when that occurs, Bart blasts Phineas in the back of the head with his boot when Phineas fights Billy, allowing Billy to secure the winning pin and retain the titles. While there was nothing special about the contest, it was well paced. Surprisingly, Sunny was not a focal point. Rating: **¼

After the match, the Godwinns beat up the Gunns and force them to flee. But the Gunns are still the champions and that is what matters.

Hendrix interviews the British Bulldog, Jim Cornette, Diana Hart Smith, and Clarence Mason. Cornette argues that no amount of presidents are going to stop the Bulldog from winning the WWF Championship. Mr. Perfect is shown in the background in referee garb, causing McMahon and Ross to question his impartiality. The Bulldog shouts about how Shawn Michaels is his tonight.

Jerry Lawler comes out for the next match, inspecting the garb for the winner of the King of the Ring Tournament. He grabs the scepter before cutting a promo on the way to the ring, insulting the Milwaukee Brewers and fans. His best joke is aimed at two female fans, who he says have faces “That turn men into people like Goldust.” The promo does a great job putting heat on Lawler.

The Ultimate Warrior (3-0-1) pins Jerry Lawler (3-1) after a flying shoulder block at 3:50:

Lawler attacks the Warrior with the scepter during the Warrior’s entrance, acting like he is Randy Savage from the 1991 Royal Rumble. Then, Lawler uses his wrist tape to choke his opponent and does the phantom object trick. Lawler delivers the piledriver but the Warrior does not sell it and starts shaking the ropes. Lawler is unable to stop the Warrior’s comeback of clotheslines and soon succumbs to a flying shoulder block off the ropes. Lawler’s promo beforehand was the highlight of this quick, inoffensive contest. Rating: ¾*

Hendrix talks to WWF President Gorilla Monsoon. In the background, a doctor tapes up Roberts’ ribs. Monsoon says he is going to let Roberts compete but he will intervene to stop the King of the Ring finals if he has to. Owen thinks Monsoon is making a bad decision because Roberts is “80 or 90 years old.”

There is a quick recap of the Undertaker-Mankind feud.

Mankind (7-0) defeats the Undertaker (w/Paul Bearer) (6-2-1) via submission to the Mandible Claw at 18:21:

1996 is not going well for the Undertaker as he has already taken more televised losses than any previous year in the WWF. The Undertaker’s long entrance only sees Bearer come down the aisle but when the lights come on the Undertaker is perched on the top rope, which he flies off of to topple Mankind with a flying clothesline. The crowd pops for the Undertaker beating on Mankind mercilessly in the corner and it takes three minutes for Mankind to go on the offensive. That features some Mick Foley specials, like the Cactus elbow drop from the apron, charging with a chair and having said chair booted into his face, and taking a backdrop bump in the aisle. Mankind avoids the Tombstone by sliding off the Undertaker’s shoulders eight minutes in but he waits too long to try for the Mandible Claw and has to settle for several nerve holds. More brawling outside follows as Mankind smashes the Undertaker’s head into the ring steps with his knee, slams the Undertaker in the aisle, and tries another Cactus Elbow but has a chair held up to block him. Back in, Mankind counters a backdrop with a pulled piledriver but that only gets a two count and Mankind throws a tantrum. He has a fight with Bearer over the urn, with Bearer getting it back. When the Undertaker and Mankind fight in the corner, Bearer goes to hit Mankind but hits the Undertaker instead. Mankind pounces with the Mandible Claw and the Undertaker passes out, causing the referee to call for the bell. The crowd is shocked at the result – the Undertaker’s third-straight televised loss – as they were conditioned to seeing the Undertaker slay his opponents at major pay-per-views. The outcome establishes Mankind as one of the promotion’s top heels and someone to take notice of. As for the match, it was a really good brawl as Mankind’s physicality took the Undertaker out of his element and kept him off-balance. Rating: ***½

After winning, Mankind chases Bearer to the locker room with a chair but stops his chase at the entrance, preferring to hug the chair he is holding to relish his victory.

Hendrix interrogates Mr. Perfect, asking if he is colluding with the British Bulldog. Perfect denies it. WWF Champion Shawn Michaels tells Perfect to call the match down the middle. Perfect insists that is what he is going to do.

Intercontinental Championship Match: Ahmed Johnson (13-1) pins Goldust (Champion w/Marlena) (9-5-2) after the Pearl River Plunge to win the title at 15:35:

There is a great opening as Ahmed bursts through the entrance doors, sending the attendants manning them flying, and runs into the ring to beat up the champion. When Goldust powders, Ahmed planchas after him, not connecting much and almost driving his own head into the concrete floor. Goldust weathers Ahmed’s physical onslaught and surprisingly responds in kind, focusing on the back by tossing the ring steps on the challenger after Ahmed misses a blind charge and goes over the top rope. The pace slows down with rest holds and psychological taunting, causing Owen to criticize Goldust for only wanting to fondle Ahmed. Goldust gets too cocky and releases a sleeper hold early after Ahmed’s hand drops twice. He gives Ahmed mouth-to-mouth but that revives Ahmed, who pops the crowd by beating Goldust to a pulp in the corner. It only takes a spinebuster and Pearl River Plunge to put the champion away, making Ahmed the first Black wrestler to win the Intercontinental Championship. The match was paint-by-numbers affair but fans were excited at the historic result. Rating: **

The next pay-per-view, In Your House 9: International Incident, is announced as taking place from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on July 21.

Brian Pillman walks down the aisle to be interviewed by Ross. Pillman insults the fans; talks about how he does not care about his family; and how he plans to “rape, pillage, and plunder” the WWF. As Austin walks to the ring, Pillman appears to encourage him, a nod to their past as WCW Tag Team champions.

King of the Ring Finals: Steve Austin (17-2-1) defeats Jake Roberts (9-1-1) after the Stone Cold Stunner at 4:37:

To emphasize Roberts’ injury, he drags the bag containing Revelation to the ring rather than carrying it. Austin shows no sympathy, attacking Roberts before the bell and targeting the veteran’s ribs. That turns the match into a squash as Roberts cannot sustain an offense. WWF President Gorilla Monsoon comes into the ring at the three-minute mark to talk with Roberts and tease ending the match but Roberts insists on it continuing. Roberts reels off some punches but Austin blocks the DDT by ramming Roberts into the corner. Lots of shoulder thrusts devastate Jake the Snake and Austin finishes him with the Stone Cold Stunner. Rating: ½*

Austin gets the customary victory promo afterward, conducted by Hendrix. Austin refuses to put on the king garb and insists that Roberts, who is being taken to the back by referees, is past his prime. Then Austin says the phrase that will launch his career: “Talk about your psalms, talk about John 3:16. Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!” Like the Stone Cold Stunner, Austin credits that idea to Hendrix, who told him about Roberts’ promo before he faced Vader and Austin thought of people taking John 3:16 signs into sports events in the past. Austin closes this promo by issuing notice to the WWF locker room that he is looking to run through them. Austin curses more in this promo, dropping a few “damns,” and he finds a great way to close it, something that he has been searching for: “And that’s the bottom line because Stone Cold said so!” With this, Austin’s ever evolving character since his debut in January 1996 is complete.

Before the main event, Gorilla Monsoon has ring announcer Howard Finkel relay that Mr. Perfect will be an outside official and that Earl Hebner will be the in-ring referee. Bait meet switch!

WWF Championship Match with Mr. Perfect as Special Outside Guest Referee: Shawn Michaels (Champion w/Jose Lothario) (11-0-1) defeats the British Bulldog (w/Jim Cornette & Diana Hart Smith) (6-3-2) after Sweet Chin Music at 26:25:

Not surprisingly, the match has better effort than last month’s In Your House. Michaels pops the crowd early by skinning the cat, headscissoring the Bulldog to the floor, doing a flying hurricanrana off the apron, and then grabbing Cornette’s tennis racquet and giving the manager a spanking with it. The match also has the good speed and power counters the Michaels and Bulldog matches are known for, which lead into submission holds that Ross makes interesting by explaining how they fit into the strategic plans for the match by each man. The Bulldog has his best offensive run after dropping Michaels over the top rope from a gorilla press position and vertical suplexing him on the floor. There is also a nod to their double pin finish from a bow and arrow submission even though the announcers miss talking about it. One criticism of the Bulldog’s offense is his copious use of chinlocks instead of trying to diversify ways to save his wind. There is a nice spot where each man tease their finishers and escape the others, resulting in a double KO when the Bulldog clotheslines Michaels. Another double KO follows when the Bulldog tries a flying headbutt and misses. That looks bad too because Michaels was too far away from the corner and the Bulldog was not close to hitting him. When action resumes the Bulldog crotches Michaels on the top rope with a dropkick and a superduperplex almost gives him the title. When the Bulldog tries a super back suplex, Michaels crashes onto him in a callback to how Michaels beat the Bulldog for the Intercontinental Championship in 1992 but the Bulldog kicks out. Then the Bulldog nearly wins the title again with a sit out powerbomb counter to a hurricanrana. There is a brief referee bump of Hebner during Michaels’ comeback as the Bulldog’s boots hit him but Hebner recovers to see Michaels do a flying elbow drop and hit Sweet Chin Music. Perfect, who has done very little in the match, slides in and insists on counting three simultaneously with Hebner. Owen pulls Perfect out at two but Hebner keeps the count going and Michaels retains the championship. The match had great action and once again, was much better than their effort at In Your House. Perfect was not needed at all and his insertion was a nothingburger as the WWF ditched the Diana accusation part of the feud, pushed Perfect as a potentially biased official, and then opted not to do anything with it. Still, it is another great title defense on pay-per-view from Michaels this year. Rating: ****

Owen tries to attack Michaels after the bell rings but that sneak attack does not work. Michaels brawls with the Bulldog and Owen alone until Owen catches him with a spinning heel kick. The double teams stop when Ahmed Johnson evens the odds. Vader puts the odds back in the heels favor by rushing in to attack Ahmed. But the heels do not win the day as the Ultimate Warrior heeds the chants of the crowd by racing to the ring to stop Vader from doing a top rope splash to Michaels.

The Last Word: This was easily the WWF’s best pay-per-view effort of the year so far. The opening and closing matches were fantastic and the Undertaker-Mankind match was a physical war that gave fans something that they were not used to seeing in the Deadman’s matches. Steve Austin winning the King of the Ring Tournament was a surprising result as many believed that title would go to Vader but Austin made the most of his opportunity, earning two clean victories and using his post-match promo to add more dimensions to his character. Historically that would matter much later and other history was made at the show as Ahmed Johnson became the first Black Intercontinental champion which, at the time, seemed to be the first of many steps he would take to permanent main event status.

Backstage News*: On June 20 the WWF took legal action against WCW for allegedly engaging in unfair competitive and deceptive business practices related to the Razor Ramon gimmick and the NWO angle. The WWF argues that the latter is attempting to mislead viewers that it has the WWF’s blessing. The legal complaint also cites WCW circulating false rumors that the WWF is on the verge of bankruptcy. To compensate, the WWF wants WCW to forfeit revenue from The Great American Bash and Bash at the Beach pay-per-views along with paying other penalties. The WWF also wants legal action that would compel WCW to mention multiple times on its broadcasts that Scott Hall and Kevin Nash are under WCW contract, as well as tell viewers they can watch WWF talent on Monday Night RAW. The judge overseeing the case is Peter Dorsey of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut and he refused to grant an immediate injunction.

-The WWF will have its first house show at the Moulson Center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on August 2. One of the big attractions will be a boxing match between Ray Rougeau and Owen Hart, who had an angle on January 12 at the Montreal Forum. George Chuvalo, a former Canadian Heavyweight champion, will be in Owen’s corner, while Jacques Rougeau, Sr. and middleweight boxer Dino Clavet will be in Ray’s corner.

-A dark match before the Free for All saw Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeat Aldo Montoya at 3:00.

*Backstage news is provided courtesy of Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer for June 24.

Up Next: Monday Night RAW for June 24!

And if you would like to read a compiled breakdown of 1990-1995 WWF, 1993-1995 ECW, or of various promotions in 1995, check out my Amazon author page to purchase e-books or paperback copies!