Steve Austin Explains How “Austin 3:16” Became Wrestling’s Unofficial Holiday

TLDR

Steve Austin appeared on the Busted Open Podcast for 3:16 Day and explained how his famous "Austin 3:16" catchphrase came together organically through audience reaction rather than as a planned branding move. Austin revealed that he improvised the iconic King of the Ring promo in 1996 after rushing back from the hospital where he received stitches, and added "And that's the bottom line, because Stone Cold said so" at the last second when he heard the segment wrapping up. More than thirty years later, Austin expressed gratitude that wrestling fans still celebrate the phrase as an unofficial holiday.