4 WWE Superstars who weren't actually supposed to receive a top push (and the reasons why they still got it)

#3 Stone Cold Steve Austin

In 1996, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall - also known as The Kliq - broke kayfabe when they hugged each in front of the crowd. ‘What's wrong with that?’ you might ask.

Back then, kayfabe was a sacred thing in WWE. Nobody was supposed to break it and those who did - intentionally or unintentionally - received their punishments accordingly.

Nash and Triple H were heels in 1996 whereas Michaels and Hall were the good guys. Nobody expected them to hug each other, which is a sign of friendship when they were supposed to rip each other apart.

Nash and Hall left WWE after this incident and joined WWE’s rival promotion, WCW. Michaels was the WWE Champion which made him immune to McMahon's anger (and punishments). Finally, Triple H was left, who not only derailed his own push but Vinnie Mac turned him into a jobber from an upcoming wrestling sensation.

The Game was originally set to become the King of the Ring that year but the Chairman was so angry with him that he took a chance and made Stone Cold Steve Austin win instead. Austin’s speech, famously known as the 3:16 promo he delivered after this tournament, changed pro-wrestling forever as he ascended to become the face of this corporation.