I disagree that the character would necessarily have come out. Part of the magic of Austin 3:16 is that he basically hadn't said a damn word since joining the company, and he went from silence to a mind-blowing promo that was an instant classic.

He was "Stone Cold Steve Austin" when he was fighting Savio Vega in a strap match with DiBiase still in his corner. The name change didn't necessarily portent what was to come.

No, you don't get Austin 3:16, but I think he still gets to that Bret match at the Garden at SS '96 (which I was at incidentally) with a similar trajectory from there.

Obviously you could be right, but to me it's an open question as to whether Austin 3:16 was necessary to the rise as a whole. I think it's clear that Bret saw a lot in Steve and was happy to try to elevate him, but he wasn't going to just take on some midcarder in his return match. Seems that Austin needed to start getting some free reign on the mic in order to get where he was going (see: Mind Games IYH promo with Pillman and Owen), and it's not automatic that he would have.

One point in favor of your argument, I think, is that Austin was somehow on the damn pre-show for SummerSlam '96, so it's not like KOTR succeeded in fully launching him all by itself.

When you step back and realize the chronology of events that need to happen for Austin's rise to go like it did, it is pretty amazing.

First, Hall and Nash have to leave, not only inciting the Curtain Call, which takes HHH's KotR spot, but also opens up spots higher on the card in the first place.

Then Jake has to be in the finals against Austin (with his reborn Christian character) so he can hit his 3:16 promo.

Then Bret has to take a shining to Austin and want to work with him.

Then the NWO has to happen to force Vince into moving more towards and edgy product that is tailored towards someone like Austin.

The potential butterfly effect of any of these things not happening could significantly change wrestling history.

What if fans don't **** all over Rocky Mavia...who also debuted on that Survivor Series 96 card.

I definitely wonder what the chances were on the morning of BATB '96 that Hogan would back out on the heel turn. Intuitively feels really non-negligible, like at least 25% that he would get cold feet and veto the move in the end. The whole industry changed because he followed through.

Regarding guys that never got to shine, my pick is always Mike Awesome.

It's like the opposite of some of the scenarios described above-- the pieces never fall into place and the choices never work out, and he never gets a major run in the WWF/WCW.

Awesome's on the short list, for sure.

I still think Scott Steiner is the one who could have been huge (not just physically), but between being a bit of a nutjob that promoters couldn't fully trust, and ... well, muscling up a little too much and losing the athleticism that made him a freak in the first place, it just didn't happen.

I am such a mark for late 1980s-early 1990s Scott Steiner.

Magnum TA always comes up in these discussions. He was just before my time so I can't personally make the case.

Peak Steiner vs Peak Lesnar would have been fun

Certainly would’ve been the closest we’ll ever see to a true Strong Style match in North America.

Wonder if anyone could do the math for me on how that may have turned out.

Not too hard to figure out, unless you add Kurt Angle to the mix, then it all goes to hell.

The cast of an upcoming sitcom on Netflix: "The Big Show Show".

RIP Harley Race.

WWE posted this a few minutes ago:


and a great Harley promo:

RIP

RIP Harley. Reminds me of one of the greatest stories ever, courtesy CM Punk’s Livejournal:

https://cmpunk.livejournal.com/2005/01/13/

RIP Harley.

I love the absurd thought of him actually getting so riled that he retrived his stun gun to go after Owen Hart because Owen poured hot sauce in his batch of chili.

Spoiler for Ziggler's SS opponent:


Spoiler for Reigns's SS opponent:


I can get behind both of those matches. Ziggler's match will be short and that's . and a rematch of a fondly remembered 2015 match...though I wasn't a fan, I still have high hopes

I got to meet Harley when he acted as process server when Ford sued me over a van.

Really nice man even when I revealed one of my relatives was representing someone suing him.

Sad to hear of his passing.

RIP Harley. He's a real legend.

In other news. TripleMania is on and Cain Velasquez can actually do things.

Reminds me of the GOAT athlete crossover performance

Riddle trashes Jericho...among others:
https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/20...ericho-658142/

Jericho responds:
https://twitter.com/IAmJericho/statu...89635217190912

Winner: Jericho

That promo (I guess) was the most I've enjoyed Riddle by a lot. He should really be a douchey heel instead of a face.

Considering I can't stand his act already, I'd sign for that.

Rock Riddle > Matt Riddle

NXT to FS1 soon?

Good News: That much closer to being able to save $9.99 per month.

Bad News: Vince rumored to become more involved.