MEAN MIKE RICHARDSON
Intercontinental Champion
Oct. 17, 1997 - Dec. 13, 1997
Days prior to this bout, Steve Austin made comments on NOWF TV that there were no real challengers left for him, and that until he got a real match, he'd just kick the ass of a Horsemen every day. Mike Richardson, just coming off a tremendous victory over the Sandman, overheard Austin on his way back to the locker room, and took exception, challenging him to a title match. Austin accepted and the two got into a brawl, ending with Richardson superkicking Austin and walking off with the belt. The match itself was the first official meeting between the New Era and the Kings of the Ring, but while Austin appeared to have Richardson put away, it was a former New Era member, Goldust, who turned the tide, hitting the ring and nailing Austin with the Curtain Call, leaving Richardson on top for the three count.