The 10 Biggest Events of 1996

Well, 1996 was a year filled with many, many big events. When I sat down and made my list, I cam up with 29 things that had a big impact on the sport this past year. Narrowing it down to ten was very tough. Actually, it is eleven, because number 10 was a tie. Anyhow, here they are:

10. The WWF air[Ds Billionaire Ted skits. This had two qualities that made it important. First, it showed the WWF was in some trouble, as they had never before mentioned other federations or wrestlers in other federations. It also, however, signaled a new era in wrestling, as it didn't stop there. Now things like Raw Magazine, Livewire, and soon a website are present in the WWF.

10. (Again) ECW shows up at In Your House: Mind Games. This was important, basically, because of all the rumours it has started. I read in newsletters and such as they said ECW would be at Buried Alive. It didn't happen. Then they were sure that ECW guys would be at The Survivor Series. Again, it didn't happen. Then, some said that they would have to be at IYH: It's Time, because Shotgun Saturday Night was less than a month away. But of course, it didn't happen. So, at least for now, ECW's presence at IYH: Mind Games will be remembered as a one time only event.

9. Brian Pillman pulls a gun on Raw. This was the first time that a gun had ever been used in wrestling, and boy did it cause a ruckus! Some hated it, but many loved it. The bottom line was, it was new, it got Steve Austin over, and gave the WWF an excuse for Brian Pillman not to be seen for awhile.

8. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin wins The King of The Ring Tournament. This gave Austin the push he needed, and marked the beginning of the "Stone Cold" that we now know. After winning The King of the Ring, Austin has been able to draw major heat, and really become a force.

7. The Ultimate Warrior returns to the WWF. With one of their biggest stars, Diesel, preparing to leave, along with Razor Ramon, the Warrior's return was much needed. And the question of whether he would still be popular was answered on April 7. On a TAPED Raw, he made his Television return. Raw got a 4.7, the highest rating ever for a cable wrestling program. The Ultimate Warrior certainly had the drawing power that the WWF needed.

6. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper shows up unexpectedly at Halloween Havoc. This, despite many net fans not caring much, caught a majority fans off guard. It also led to a number of face to face confrontations between Piper and Hogan, before Piper beat Hogan at Starrcade. It, too, helped tone down the return of Bret Hart to the WWF, as well as giving the NWO a new whipping boy with the Macho Man's dissappearance.

5. The Ultimate Warrior is suspended indefinately. Perhaps the biggest draw for the WWF, the Warrior didn't show up for a couple of house shows, and didn't inform the WWF as to why. His suspension couldn't have come at a worse time, either, because the NWO was just forming. At a time when Vince needed every big gun he could get, he had to suspend one of his biggest.

4. Mr. Perfect leaves the WWF. This was a major blow to the WWF. Just as things seemed to be turning around with Bret Hart's return, Hennig left and ruined the young Perfect Alliance angle. He also left Hunter Hearst Helmsley to fend for himself as the I-C champion, which he couldn't do.

3. WCW starts a cruiserweight division. This turned into a fantastic idea, because great high flyers from Mexico such as Rey Mysterio, Jr., Juventud Guerrera, and Super Calo came to WCW. Lightweights from Japan like El Ultimo Dragon and Jushin "Thunder" Liger, as well as Americans such as Dean Malenko, Chris Jericho, and even The Disco Inferno have all combined to put out superb matches to go along with the heavyweight's storylines.

2. Bret "Hitman" Hart returns to the WWF. In a desperate time when the WWF couldn't afford to lose another star, Bret Hart decided to come back to the WWF. His popularity, at least for now, is neck and neck with Sid for most popular. His return has certainly helped, and his first match back, against Steve Austin at the Survivor Series, was the best on the card.

1. The NWO is formed as Hulk Hogan turns heel. Was there any doubt that this was number one? The NWO is the main reason that Nitro didn't lose to Raw from Mid-July to the end of the year. It captured everyone's attention, as Hulk Hogan, once the ultimate babyface for so many years, was now the most hated man in wrestling. Alongside were former WWF star Scott "Razor Ramon" Hall and Kevin "Diesel" Nash. Throughout August and the first half of September, people pondered who would join next. After The Giant, Syxx, and "Sting" became NWOites, they continued their quest to take over the WCW. Lately, many more have become members, and this angle shows no signs of slowing down.

Go Back To The Wrestling Outbreak