WWE Planning To Celebrate 30-Year Anniversaries Of Austin 3:16 Promo & Formation Of The NWO

WWE are reportedly planning to celebrate the 30-year anniversaries of two major moments in the history of professional wrestling.

WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select has reported that WWE will release merchandise to commemorate "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's King of the Ring 1996 win and his post-victory promo which saw him invent his famous "Austin 3:16" catchphrase. The formation of the nWo through Hulk Hogan's heel turn at WCW Bash at the Beach 1996 will also be commemorated with new merchandise.

As part of the initiative, WWE, in addition to merchandise, are expected to release art prints, as well as carry out a social media campaign to celebrate both major moments.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin won the 1996 King of the Ring tournament by defeating Jake Roberts in the final. Following the win, Austin used Roberts' outspoken faith against him, saying: "Talk about your psalms, talk about John 3:16 - Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!"

At WCW Bash at the Beach, meanwhile, Hulk Hogan was unveiled as the third man after he gave a leg drop to Randy Savage during the main event of the pay-per-view, before famously cutting a promo alongside Scott Hall and Kevin Nash to form the "New World Order of wrestling, brother."