WWE Hall Of Famer Says He Was A Better King Of The Ring Than Steve Austin

June 11, 2026

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T recently shared an interesting opinion on why he believes he was a better King of the Ring than Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Austin won the tournament back in 1996. His victory became legendary after the famous Austin 3:16 promo. Booker T won the crown in 2006 that victory later led to his popular King Booker character.

Both moments remain memorable among WWE fans. However, Booker T feels his reign had a bigger impact overall.

Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T discussed the King of the Ring tournament. He agreed with a fan who preferred the old one-night format. The WWE Hall of Famer also reacted to a recent poll ranking him fourth among King of the Ring winners.

Booker T compares his King of the Ring run to Steve Austin’s

Booker said he understood why Austin ranked highly. Still, he questioned what fans actually remember from Austin’s reign as King of the Ring.

“You know, I understand Steve Austin. You know, Austin 3:16 was born on that night, but that was it. What do you remember Steve Austin doing as King of the Ring? Not very much. Not very much at all.

“Macho Man Savage, I give him his props. I think number three was Shawn Michaels or Bret Hart. Might have been Bret Hart, you know what I mean? he was number three. And I’m like, I love all these guys. I love them all.”

He said only he and Randy Savage truly elevated the King of the Ring gimmick after winning the tournament. “But if I’m going to put anybody over me as far as the man who took that crown and took it to another level, myself and Macho Man Savage.”

Bret Hart is recognized as winning the first King of the Ring tournament to air on pay-per-view in 1993. However, WWE held the tournament at live events before that event, with Hart also winning in 1991. Savage won the crown in 1987; other past winners include Don Muraco (1985), Harley Race (1986), Ted DiBiase (1988) and Tito Santana (1989).