WrestleMania XII
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WrestleMania XII was the twelfth WrestleMania event promoted by World Wrestling Entertainment (then known as the World Wrestling Federation). It was held in Anaheim, California, on March 31, 1996. It was commentated by Vince McMahon and Jerry "The King" Lawler.
Match results
- The Bodydonnas w/Sunny defeated The Godwinns w/ Hillbilly Jim to win the vacant WWF World Tag Team Titles in a Free For All match
- Nacho Man and Hulkster knock each other out in a Free for All match
- Vader, British Bulldog and Owen Hart defeated Yokozuna, Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Ahmed Johnson (Vader pins Jake The Snake)
- Steve Austin w/ Ted DiBiase defeated Savio Vega
- Ultimate Warrior defeated Hunter Hearst Helmsley w/ Sable
- The Undertaker defeated Diesel
- Roddy Piper defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Goldust in a Backlot Brawl
- Shawn Michaels defeated Bret Hart in an Iron Man Match; becoming the new WWF Champion
Memorable quotes
- "The boyhood dream has come true for Shawn Michaels!" - Vince McMahon
- "Unbelievable! What a ride!" - Vince McMahon
Trivia
- The match between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels is the longest match in the history of WrestleMania. It was named No. 1 on the TV Special "The 10 Greatest WrestleMania Matches," which aired the night before WrestleMania XX.
- This was Kevin Nash's last match at WrestleMania and also his last Wrestlemania using the name Diesel. He returned and accompanied Scott Hall to ringside at WrestleMania X8 during Hall's match against "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
- The Hollywood Backlot Brawl originally was scheduled for Razor Ramon against Goldust for the WWF Intercontinental Title, but the match was changed due to backstage issues with Scott Hall (Ramon) signing a contract with WCW. Hall would return at next month's "In Your House" Pay-Per-View and do "the job" to Vader on his way out.
- This was the first time The Undertaker won using the Tombstone Piledriver since WrestleMania VIII.
- This was Rowdy Roddy Piper's first WrestleMania match since WrestleMania VIII and would also turn out to be his last. He later returned at WrestleMania XIX when he interfered in the Street Fight between Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon. He also returned at WrestleMania 21 to host Piper's Pit with special guest "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
- The Nacho Man and Huckster were parodies of "Macho Man" Randy Savage, and Hulk Hogan after they left for WCW. Others were "Scheme Gene" and "Billionaire Ted".
- This was the Ultimate Warrior's first WrestleMania appearance in four years, his first WWF match in nearly four years, and his last WrestleMania appearance overall.
- This was Triple H and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's first WrestleMania appearance.
- According to Triple H, this was his worst WrestleMania ever.
- Portions of the Hollywood Backlot Brawl used stock footage of the LAPD Freeway Chase involving O. J. Simpson.
- It is rumored that prior to the Ultimate Warrior's return, Warrior insisted that he defeat Triple H in minutes and even kick out of his finisher. WWF Management butted heads with the Warrior until Triple H surprisingly accepted and allowed the Warrior to destroy him in mere minutes at the show.
- Shawn Michaels' second WrestleMania main event. His first was at WrestleMania XI against Diesel for the WWF Championship, although the WrestleMania XI Main Event match was followed by Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Lawrence Taylor.
- After Shawn Michaels title victory, it was claimed by several sources that Michaels told referee Earl Hebner to kick his manager, Jose Lothario, and Bret Hart out of the ring so he could have his "moment." Bret Hart later claimed in his 2005 DVD that Shawn actually told Bret to "Get the fuck out of my ring -- it's my moment."
- This was the last WrestleMania appearance for Yokozuna and Jake "The Snake" Roberts.
- Triple H is the only competitor from WM XII to return to the Arrowhead Pond for WrestleMania 2000. There, he would retain his WWE Championship in a Fatal Four Way match against The Rock, Big Show, and Mick Foley.
- This was also the debut of Sable, who acted as Triple H's valet.
- The WrestleMania XII logo is a play on the 20th Century Fox logo.
- The WWF Intercontinental Championship was not defended at WM XII, marking the first time the belt was not defended at Wrestlemania. Reigning champion Goldust was defeated by Rowdy Roddy Piper in a non-title Hollywood Backlot Brawl.
- This is the only WrestleMania to feature only one championship match. The only title on the line was the WWE Championship (a tournament final for the WWF Tag Team Championship took place before the start of WrestleMania).
- This WrestleMania ended a WrestleMania streak of title matches ending in a DQ or count-out. The streak went for five WrestleMania shows (VII through XI). However, it is worth noting that only one title was defended on the Pay-Per-View and it ended in a draw before sudden death overtime was ordered.
- This was the first WrestleMania featuring no guest celebrities. All previous WrestleMania events had at least one.
References
External links
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