Just one night after losing the WWE Championship to Kane in a first blood match at King of the Ring, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin challenged the new champion to a rematch and won.

Austin held on to the title for three months before being forced to vacate it in controversial fashion. Austin defended his WWE Championship against Undertaker and Kane in a Triple Threat match at Breakdown. Undertaker and Kane delivered a double-chokeslam to Austin and both brothers covered for the pin. Since a true winner could not be determined, Mr. McMahon rushed off with the WWE Championship and declared it vacant.