The Big Five Project: King of the Ring ’96- Episode 328

In this installment of the Big Five Project, the guys pull a bit of double duty here. The Episode begins with a conversation about John Cena's final match and his legacy in professional wrestling. They delve into the GOAT debate, comparing Cena to other wrestling legends like Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin. At the tail end of the Episode, Dave breaks down how the final match went and addresses its more controversial aspects. In between all that, though, the discussion transitions to the King of the Ring 1996 tournament, highlighting its significance in wrestling history, including the impact of Mankind's debut on the Undertaker's career and the first true emergence of Stone Cold Steve Austin. The King of the Ring 1996 event marked a pivotal moment in WWE history, showcasing the rise of Stone Cold Steve Austin and the beginning of his iconic persona with the famous Austin 3:16 promo. But, the event featured several other memorable matches, including the beginning of a legendary rivalry between Mankind and Undertaker, as well as Ahmed Johnson's historic win as the first black Intercontinental Champion. The main event saw Shawn Michaels retain his title against the British Bulldog, while the chaotic post-match scene set the stage for future storylines. Overall, the event highlighted the downturn of WWE's business compared to WCW, yet it also provided a platform for rising stars and iconic moments that would shape the future of professional wrestling.