🔥 Former WWE Champion Blasts WWE for Killing His “Austin 3:16” Moment — “That One Promo Could’ve Changed Everything”
A former WWE Champion has opened up about what he believes was the biggest missed opportunity of his career — and he’s putting the blame squarely on WWE.
Mr. Kennedy recently revealed that WWE shut down a promo idea he truly believes could have been his own legendary “Austin 3:16” moment.
Speaking on René Duprée’s Café de René podcast, Kennedy explained that the idea was born years earlier while he was in OVW. He had been working on a catchphrase inspired by the way fans used to chant at Vince McMahon, something edgy and raw that felt completely natural to him.
The line?
“Nice guys finish last… thank God I’m an ahole.”**
When Kennedy finally pitched the idea to Vince McMahon, the response was instant — and crushing.
According to Kennedy, Vince shut it down immediately, reminding him how strict WWE’s content rules were at the time. Kennedy even joked that the company wouldn’t allow words like “darn” because they sounded too close to something stronger.
But the real heartbreak came at WrestleMania 23.
After winning the Money in the Bank briefcase, Kennedy was told WWE wanted a massive post-match promo — something to officially launch him as the next big star. One WWE legend reportedly told him backstage that this was supposed to be his “Austin 3:16 moment.”
Kennedy knew exactly what he wanted to say.
Confident the WrestleMania stage was big enough to take the risk, he planned to finally unleash the catchphrase. But instead of just going for it, he made a decision he still regrets to this day — he asked for permission.
The answer came back fast.
Absolutely not.
With the green light denied, Kennedy was forced to deliver a toned-down promo, and in his eyes, the moment was never the same. He believes the energy was gone, calling the final result a complete letdown compared to what it could have been.
What makes the story even more painful?
The idea worked perfectly once he left WWE.
After jumping to TNA, Kennedy finally used the exact same line WWE had rejected — and fans instantly loved it. Crowds chanted along, signs appeared in the arena, and the catchphrase took off almost immediately. Not long after, Kennedy went on to become a two-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion.
Looking back, Kennedy believes talent was never the issue — trust was.
Had WWE backed him and put their full marketing power behind the idea, he’s convinced that promo could’ve changed the trajectory of his career forever.
One moment. One line. One missed chance. đź’Ą
