King of The Ring 1996

King of The Ring

June 23rd 1996

Mecca Arena

Milwaukee  WI

 In a King of the Ring tournament semifinal match, Steve Austin pinned Marc Mero (with Sable) after the Stone Cold Stunner. During the match, a kick from Mero busted open Austin's lip. After the match, Austin went to a local hospital and received 16 stitches to close the wound.
- In the other King of the Ring tournament semifinal, Jake Roberts defeated Vader (with Jim Cornette) by disqualification, when Vader grabbed the referee and pulled him into Roberts as Roberts hit the DDT. Vader attacked Roberts after the match, hitting him with several Vader Bombs.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Smoking Gunns (Billy and Bart (with Sunny)) defeated The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas (with Hillbilly Jim)), when Billy pinned Phineas after Bart hit Phineas with one of his boots, to retain the title.
- The Ultimate Warrior pinned Jerry Lawler after a flying tackle, after no-selling Lawler's piledriver.
- Mankind defeated The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer) by referee stoppage with the Mandible Claw, after Bearer accidentally hit Taker with the urn.
- Ahmed Johnson pinned WWF Intercontinental Champion Goldust (with Marlena) with the Pearl River Plunge to win the title, ending Goldust's second reign.
- Steve Austin pinned Jake Roberts after the Stone Cold Stunner to win the King of the Ring tournament. As Roberts was helped backstage, Austin was interviewed by Dok Hendrix, where Austin coined his most famous slogan: "Austin 3:16 says I just whooped your ass."
- WWF Champion Shawn Michaels (with José Lothario) pinned The British Bulldog (with Jim Cornette and Diana Smith) after Sweet Chin Music to retain the title. Mr. Perfect was the referee outside the ring.