Video: The First Ever Stone Cold Stunner

It’s old enough to drink. Every great wrestler has a signature move (or two). You can name almost any of all time greats and immediately associate them with a move. One of the best of all time though is Steve Austin and the Stone Cold Stunner. What is really just a simple jawbreaker has become one of the most well known wrestling moves ever.

Twenty one years ago today, on June 17, 1996, Austin debuted the Stunner for the first time (at least on television) when he used it to drop Savio Vega on an episode of “Monday Night Raw”. The move would become much bigger just six days later when Austin used it to become King of the Ring.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin debuts the Stunner: WWE Superstars, June 17, 1996

Opinion: This move is a great example of something simple that was turned into something special because of who used it. The Stunner isn’t anything new (Michael Hayes taught it to Austin) and it’s been used many times since (Disco Inferno and the Mack among others use it) but Austin made it famous. This was the first of thousands over the years, once again proving that you never know what you might see for the first time.

What is your favorite wrestling finisher? What was Austin’s best Stunner? Let us know in the comments below.