On this day 22 years ago, Stone Cold Steve Austin cut one of the most iconic promos in the history of professional wrestling in the wake of his victory over Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts at King of the Ring 1996. Austin defeated Marc Mero and Roberts on that night in Milwaukee, kickstarting a run that would lead him to the top of the company as arguably the biggest star of all-time.
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Stone Cold Steve Austin
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Actor/wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austin attends the premiere of "The Expendables" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on August 3, 2010 in Hollywood, California.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin performs for WrestleMania XXVII at Georgia Dome on April 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin attends WrestleMania XXVII at Georgia Dome on April 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin performs for WrestleMania XXVII at Georgia Dome on April 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO -- Episode 3882 -- Pictured: (l-r) Professional wrestler and actor "Stone Cold" Steve Austin during an interview with host Jay Leno on August 13, 2010 (Photo by Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 06: (L-R) Actor Tom Arnold, musician Jason Aldean, and former professional wrestler Steve Austin attend the 2012 CMT Music awards at the Bridgestone Arena on June 6, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 15: Actor/former pro wrestler Steve Austin (L) and WWE wrestler Dolph Ziggler attend WWE & E! Entertainment's "SuperStars For Hope" at the Beverly Hills Hotel on August 15, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for WWE)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
BEVERLY HILLS, CA- AUGUST 15: Actor/former pro wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austin attends WWE & E! Entertainment's 'SuperStars For Hope' at the Beverly Hills Hotel on August 15, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Pro wrestling Hall of Famer Steve Austin united with other celebrities under a common cause to join Wendy's in the effort to spread the news that good BBQ is now available to everyone with Wendy's new BBQ Pulled Pork offerings. As part of Wendy's #bbq4Merica campaign, celebrity spokespersons Austin, actor and dancer Alfonso Ribeiro and actor and filmmaker Ralph Macchio created a series of humorous public service announcements videos launching today. (Photo by Moses Robinson/Getty Images for Wendy's)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Pro wrestling Hall of Famer Steve Austin united with other celebrities under a common cause to join Wendy's in the effort to spread the news that good BBQ is now available to everyone with Wendy's new BBQ Pulled Pork offerings. As part of Wendy's #bbq4Merica campaign, celebrity spokespersons Austin, actor and dancer Alfonso Ribeiro and actor and filmmaker Ralph Macchio created a series of humorous public service announcements videos launching today. (Photo by Moses Robinson/Getty Images for Wendy's)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Pro wrestling Hall of Famer Steve Austin united with other celebrities under a common cause to join Wendy's in the effort to spread the news that good BBQ is now available to everyone with Wendy's new BBQ Pulled Pork offerings. As part of Wendy's #bbq4Merica campaign, celebrity spokespersons Austin, actor and dancer Alfonso Ribeiro and actor and filmmaker Ralph Macchio created a series of humorous public service announcements videos launching today. (Photo by Moses Robinson/Getty Images for Wendy's)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Pro wrestling Hall of Famer Steve Austin united with other celebrities under a common cause to join Wendy's in the effort to spread the news that good BBQ is now available to everyone with Wendy's new BBQ Pulled Pork offerings. As part of Wendy's #bbq4Merica campaign, celebrity spokespersons Austin, actor and dancer Alfonso Ribeiro and actor and filmmaker Ralph Macchio created a series of humorous public service announcements videos launching today. (Photo by Moses Robinson/Getty Images for Wendy's)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Pro wrestling Hall of Famer Steve Austin united with other celebrities under a common cause to join Wendy's in the effort to spread the news that good BBQ is now available to everyone with Wendy's new BBQ Pulled Pork offerings. As part of Wendy's #bbq4Merica campaign, celebrity spokespersons Austin, actor and dancer Alfonso Ribeiro and actor and filmmaker Ralph Macchio created a series of humorous public service announcements videos launching today. (Photo by Moses Robinson/Getty Images for Wendy's)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Pro wrestling Hall of Famer Steve Austin united with other celebrities under a common cause to join Wendy's in the effort to spread the news that good BBQ is now available to everyone with Wendy's new BBQ Pulled Pork offerings. As part of Wendy's #bbq4Merica campaign, celebrity spokespersons Austin, actor and dancer Alfonso Ribeiro and actor and filmmaker Ralph Macchio created a series of humorous public service announcements videos launching today. (Photo by Moses Robinson/Getty Images for Wendy's)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Pro wrestling Hall of Famer Steve Austin united with other celebrities under a common cause to join Wendy's in the effort to spread the news that good BBQ is now available to everyone with Wendy's new BBQ Pulled Pork offerings. As part of Wendy's #bbq4Merica campaign, celebrity spokespersons Austin, actor and dancer Alfonso Ribeiro and actor and filmmaker Ralph Macchio created a series of humorous public service announcements videos launching today. (Photo by Moses Robinson/Getty Images for Wendy's)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 22: Professional wrestler "Stone Cold" Steven Austin in attendance during UFC 170 inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center on February 22, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
FILE : Steven Williams, better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin giving the middle finger. This "salute" is one of his signature taunts. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 27: Writer/director Christopher Bell (L), WWF wrestler Steve "Stone Cold" Austin, and producer Jim Czarnecki pose at the premiere of "Bigger, Stronger, Faster" at the Egyptian Theater on May 27, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)