This Week In WWE History (June 22-24)

The grand chapter of professional wrestling is woven with moments that didn’t just change the landscape of the business but also shattered the boundaries of pop culture and WWE. Every single week of the calendar holds the hidden anniversary, whether it be an anniversary of a legendary championship triumph, a heartbreaking tragedy, or a single promo that shifted the industry on its axis.

As we turn back the clock, this edition of “This Week in WWE History” revisits some of the most notable moments that unfolded during this period. From the birth of pop culture phenomena that rewrote the rule book to the brutal, unforgiving match that pushed human bodies to their absolute limits, the events unfolding this week in history are truly nothing short of mythic.

Let’s take a look at the events that unfolded in WWE history this week:

#5. The Ultimate Warrior bid his final farewell to PPV

The Ultimate Warrior is one of the most legendary names in the world of professional wrestling. However, on June 23, 1996, he walked down a WWE pay-per-view ramp one final time, leaving behind an indelible legacy in the squared circle. The iconic farewell took place at The King of the Ring PPV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the late great icon battled Jerry Lawler.

The match was really a classic showdown of The Ultimate Warrior’s incredible powerhouse style. He overcame Jerry Lawler’s early cheap shots and underhanded tactics, which eventually led him to secure a massive victory over the veteran. While fans at the MECCA Arena roared for Warrior, nobody in attendance knew that they were witnessing the end of an era.

#4. 25 years of the iconic Kurt Angle vs. Shane McMahon

Pro wrestling has seen several brutal matches, but none can match quite like the legendary Street Fight between Kurt Angle and Shane McMahon at King of the Ring 2001. July 24, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of this iconic showdown. The two superstars delivered one of the most brutal and unforgettable matches in the history of WWE. It was a match that transcended the level of typical sports entertainment.

It involved the infamous glass-shattering moment in which Kurt Angle suplexed Shane McMahon through a large plate-glass window set piece. The bout highlighted McMahon’s daredevil reputation and Angle’s versatility as a performer. It therefore remains a benchmark for hardcore matches in that era. Fans still regard it as a classic for its violence and incredible physicality.

#3. Ahmed Johnson won the WWF Intercontinental Championship

Thirty years ago this week, the landscape of the mid-card division shifted drastically when Ahmed Johnson battled Goldust for the WWF Intercontinental Championship. He entered the arena with an explosive blend of raw intensity and was ready to shine in the bright lights. That rivalry had reached a fever pitch following several personal remarks between them.

Ahmed Johnson dominated the match in front of the passionate Milwaukee crowd. He hoisted Goldust into the air and executed a devastating Pearl River Plunge to capture the coveted title. The victory made history, solidifying Johnson as the first African-American Intercontinental Champion in WWE history. It was a monumental milestone that promised a bright future for the dominant star.

#2. The Chris Benoit tragedy marks 19 years

Nineteen years ago, the wrestling world was shocked by the tragic events involving Chris Benoit, which occurred over the weekend of June 22 to 24. The dark, heartbreaking tragedy involving him and his family forever altered how the world viewed the business. It forced WWE and every other promotion in the wrestling industry to look into a mirror and evolve.

The horrifying reality of the situation cast a permanent shadow over the ring, completely shattering the illusion of the larger-than-life characters fans watch on television. The industry underwent a massive cultural shift following that incident, which also prompted the mandatory Wellness Policy. Today, it remains a somber anniversary that fans remember with melancholy.

#1. Austin 3:16 was born on this day in WWE

The wrestling landscape was permanently reshaped 30 years ago this week at King of the Ring 1996, and the man to create that revolution was Stone Cold Steve Austin. After defeating Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts to win the tournament, The Texas Rattlesnake took to the coronation stage and grabbed the microphone and the rest was history. His promo gave birth to the iconic Austin 3:16 catchphrase that became a pop-culture phenomenon overnight.

That single iconic promo saw the inception of the legendary Attitude Era, turning Stone Cold Steve Austin into a global megastar. He became a phenom overnight right after that moment. That was not all. It also propelled WWE to unprecedented heights. What he uttered on the mic thirty years ago remains the most influential monologue in the history of the business and it was the exact moment the protesting world tilted on its axis.