1996 in professional wrestling

none 1996 professional wrestling 1996 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling. List of notable promotions These promotions held notable events in 1996. Promotion NameAbbreviationNotesCatch Wrestling AssociationCWAConsejo Mundial de Lucha LibreCMLLExtreme Championship WrestlingECWFrontier Martial-Arts WrestlingFMWLucha Libre AAA WorldwideAAAThe "AAA" abbreviation has been used since the mid-1990s and had previously stood for the promotion's original name Asistencia Asesoría y Administración.New Japan Pro-WrestlingNJPWWorld Championship WrestlingWCWWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCWorld Wrestling FederationWWF Calendar of notable shows January DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventJanuary 4 NJPWWrestling World 1996Tokyo, JapanNobuhiko Takada defeated Keiji Mutoh (c) in a Singles match for the IWGP Heavyweight ChampionshipJanuary 5 ECWHouse PartyPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesThe Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated The Gangstas (Mustafa Saed and New Jack) in a tag team street fightJanuary 21 WWFRoyal RumbleFresno, California, United StatesThe Undertaker defeated Bret Hart (c) by disqualification in a Singles match for the WWF Championshiphttps://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble.html#96 Royal Rumble 1996 results 2008-03-29 Pro Wrestling HistoryJanuary 23WCWClash of the Champions XXXIIParadise, Nevada, United StatesRic Flair and The Giant defeated Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage in a tag team match(c) – denotes defending champion(s) February DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventFebruary 3 ECWBig Apple Blizzard BlastQueens, New York, United States2 Cold Scorpio and the Sandman defeated the Gangstas (Mustafa and New Jack) by pinfall in a tag team matchFebruary 3 N/A First Annual Eddie Gilbert Memorial ShowCherry Hill, New Jersey, United StatesDan Severn (c) defeated Al Snow in a Singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipFebruary 11 WCWSuperBrawl VISt. Petersburg, Florida, United StatesHulk Hogan defeated The Giant in a Steel Cage matchFebruary 17 ECWCyberSlamPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesRaven (c) defeated The Sandman in a Singles match for the ECW World Heavyweight ChampionshipFebruary 18 WWFIn Your House 6Louisville, Kentucky, United StatesBret Hart (c) defeated Diesel by escaping the cage in a Steel Cage match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipHistorical Cards: In Your House 6 (February 18, 1996. Louisville, Kentucky) PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanach and book of facts Kappa Publications 150 2007 EditionFebruary 23-March 1 CMLLLa Copa Junior TournamentMexico City, MexicoLa Fiera defeated Scorpió Jr. in a 1996 La Copa Junior first round matchhttps://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/second.html#1996 Copa Junior Tournament 1996 February 23 – March 31, 1996 October 20, 2012 Pro Wrestling HistoryFebruary 23 ECWJust Another NightGlenolden, Pennsylvania, United StatesRaven (c) defeated Shane Douglas by pinfall in a Singles match for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s) March DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventMarch 8 ECWBig Ass Extreme BashQueens, New York, United StatesNight 1: Raven (c) defeated The Sandman by pinfall in a Singles match for the ECW World Heavyweight ChampionshipNight 2: The Gangstas (Mustafa and New Jack) defeated The Headhunters (Headhunter A and Headhunter B) and 2 Cold Scorpio and the Sandman by pinfall in a three-way tag team elimination matchMarch 22CMLLHomenaje a Salvador LutterothMexico City, MexicoRambo defeated El Brazo in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas, Hair vs. Hair matchLucha Libre: Masked Superstars of Mexican Wrestling Distributed Art Publishers, Inc. 2005 Los Lutteroth / the Lutteroths 20–27 968-6842-48-9March 24 WCWUncensoredTupelo, Mississippi, United StatesHulk Hogan and Randy Savage defeated Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Meng, The Barbarian, Lex Luger, The Taskmaster, Z-Gangsta and The Ultimate Solution via Pinfall in a Doomsday Cage matchMarch 31 WWFWrestleMania XIIAnaheim, California, United StatesShawn Michaels defeated Bret Hart (c) 1–0 in sudden death overtime in a 60-minute Iron Man match for the WWF Championshiphttp://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania20/WrestleMania12.html https://web.archive.org/web/20150429201511/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania20/WrestleMania12.html dead April 29, 2015 Iron Man Match highlights WrestleMania 12 Powell Jason Slam! Sports Canadian Online Explorer October 24, 2014(c) – denotes defending champion(s) April DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventApril 4 FMWYamato Nadeshiko IIIOsaka, JapanChigusa Nagayo and Combat Toyoda defeated KAORU and Megumi Kudo in a tag team matchApril 13 ECWMassacre On Queens BoulevardQueens, New York, United StatesThe Gangstas (Mustafa and New Jack) defeated the Headhunters (Headhunter A and Headhunter B) and 2 Cold Scorpio and The Sandman by pinfall in a Three-way tag team elimination match for the number one contendership to the ECW World Tag Team ChampionshipApril 19 CMLL40. Aniversario de Arena MéxicoMexico City, MexicoRayo de Jalisco Jr., Mil Máscaras and Tinieblas defeated Dr. Wagner Jr., Canek and Emilio Charles Jr. in a Six-man "Lucha Libre rules" tag team match Lucha 2000 Staff Arena México: 50 anos de Lucha Libre Lucha 2000 Especial 28 April 2006 SpanishApril 20 ECWHostile City ShowdownPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesRaven (c) defeated Shane Douglas in a Singles match for the ECW World Heavyweight ChampionshipApril 28 WWFIn Your House 7: Good Friends, Better EnemiesOmaha, Nebraska, United StatesShawn Michaels (c) defeated Diesel in a No Holds Barred match for the WWF Championshiphttps://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1990s.html#7 Good Friends, Better Enemies info Pro Wrestling History 2010-11-23(c) – denotes defending champion(s) May DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventMay 5 FMWFMW 7th Anniversary ShowKawasaki, Kanagawa, JapanMr. Pogo and Terry Funk defeated Hayabusa and Masato Tanaka in a One Million Yen No Ropes Exploding Barbed Wire Double Hell Exploding DeathmatchMay 11 AAATriplemanía IV-AChicago, Illinois, United StatesKonnan and Perro Aguayo defeated Pierroth Jr. and Cien Caras in a Lumberjack matchMay 11 ECWA Matter of RespectPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesTommy Dreamer and the Gangstas (Mustafa and New Jack) defeated Brian Lee and The Eliminators (John Kronus and Perry Saturn) by pinfall in a Six-man tag team matchMay 19 WCWSlamboreeBaton Rouge, Louisiana, United StatesThe Giant (c) defeated Sting in a Singles match for the WCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipMay 26May 28 WWFIn Your House 8: Beware of DogFlorence, South Carolina, United StatesNorth Charleston, South Carolina, United StatesMay 26: Shawn Michaels (c) vs. The British Bulldog ended in a no contest in a Singles match for the WWF ChampionshipMay 28: Goldust (c) defeated The Undertaker in a Casket match for the WWF Intercontinental Championshiphttps://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1990s.html#8-A Beware of Dog info Pro Wrestling History 2010-12-01https://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1990s.html#8-B Beware of Dog 2 info Pro Wrestling History 2010-12-01(c) – denotes defending champion(s) June DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain Event June 1 NJPW CMLL NWA WCW Michinoku Pro AAA AJWWWorld Wrestling Peace FestivalLos Angeles, California, United StatesAntonio Inoki (NJPW) and Dan Severn (NWA) defeated Yoshiaki Fujiwara and Oleg Taktarov in a tag team match ECWFight the PowerPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesThe Eliminators (John Kronus and Perry Saturn) (c) defeated the Gangstas (Mustafa and New Jack) by pinfall in a tag team match for the ECW World Tag Team ChampionshipJune 7 N/A First Annual Ilio DiPaolo Memorial ShowBuffalo, New York, United StatesThe Giant (c) defeated Sting by disqualification in a Singles match for the WCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipJune 7CMLLTorneo Gran AlternativaMexico City, MexicoChicago Express and Bestia Salvaje defeated Atlantico and Atlantis in a tournament final matchhttps://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#3 CMLL Gran Alternativa #3 June 7, 1996 September 3, 2009 Pro Wrestling HistoryJune 15 AAATriplemanía IV-BOrizaba, Veracruz, MexicoLa Parka, Octagón, and Máscara Sagrada defeated Killer, Cien Caras, and Heavy Metal in a Lumberjack matchJune 16 WCWThe Great American BashBaltimore, Maryland, United StatesThe Giant (c) defeated Lex Luger in a Singles match for the WCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipJune 22 ECWHardcore HeavenPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesSabu defeated Rob Van Dam in a Singles matchNote that this was an internet pay-per-view event (iPPV)June 23 WWFKing of the RingMilwaukee, Wisconsin, United StatesShawn Michaels (c) defeated The British Bulldog in a Singles match for the WWF Championship with Mr. Perfect as special outside enforcerPower Slam Magazine, issue 26 Martin Finn 1996-09-15 International Incident (In Your House 9) SW Publishing 24–25June 30 N/A First Annual Rikidozan Memorial ShowYokohama, JapanGenichiro Tenryu and Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Koki Kitihara and Riki Choshu when Tenryu pinned Kitihara in a tag team match(c) – denotes defending champion(s) July DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventJuly 5CMLLInternational Gran PrixMexico City, MexicoEl Hijo del Santo defeated The Great Sasuke in a 1996 International Gran Prix final matchhttps://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/g-prix.html#1996 Gran Prix Tournament 1996 July 5, 1996 August 30, 2009 ProWrestlingHistory.comJuly 6CWAEuro Catch Festival in GrazGraz, AustriaLudvig Borga (c) defeated August Smisl in Round 6 in a Singles match for the CWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipJuly 7 WCWBash at the BeachDaytona Beach, Florida, United StatesThe Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) and Hulk Hogan fought Randy Savage, Sting and Lex Luger to a no contest in a Six-man tag team matchhttps://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#96 Bash at the Beach 1996 Pro Wrestling History 2008-03-29July 13 ECWHeat WavePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesThe Sandman, Terry Gordy and Tommy Dreamer defeated Raven (c), Brian Lee and Stevie Richards in a Steel cage match for the ECW World Heavyweight ChampionshipJuly 14 WWCWWC 23rd AniversarioCaguas, Puerto RicoInvader #2 and #3 defeated The Southern Posse (Rick Thames and Sonny Trout) by disqualification in a reverse decision in a tag team matchJuly 15 AAATriplemanía IV-CMadero, Tamaulipas, MexicoHalcón Dorado Jr. lost to Karis la MomiaAlso in the match: Los Payasos (Coco Rojo, Coco Verde and Coco Amarillo) and Los Junior Atómicos (Máscara Sagrada Jr., Tinieblas Jr. and Blue Demon Jr.)July 21 WWFIn Your House 9: International IncidentVancouver, British Columbia, CanadaCamp Cornette (The British Bulldog, Owen Hart and Vader) defeated The People's Posse (Ahmed Johnson, Shawn Michaels and Sycho Sid) in a Six-man tag team match(c) – denotes defending champion(s) August DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventAugust 1 FMWSummer SpectacularTokyo, JapanTerry Funk defeated Mr. Pogo via knockout in a No Ropes Exploding Barbed Wire Glass Crush Spider Net Double Hell DeathmatchAugust 3 ECWThe Doctor Is InPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesSabu defeated Rob Van Dam in a Stretcher matchAugust 6 NJPWG1 ClimaxTokyo, JapanRiki Choshu defeated Masahiro Chono in the finalsAugust 10 WCWWCW Hog WildSturgis, South Dakota, United StatesHollywood Hogan defeated The Giant (c) in a Singles match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championshiphttps://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#96 Hog Wild August 10, 1996 Pro Wrestling History September 2, 2015August 15WCWClash of the Champions XXXIIIDenver, Colorado, United StatesRic Flair defeated Hollywood Hogan (c) by disqualification in a Singles match for the WCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipAugust 18 WWFSummerSlamCleveland, Ohio, United StatesShawn Michaels (c) defeated Vader in a Singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipAugust 23 ECWRequiem for a PitbullReading, Pennsylvania, United StatesRob Van Dam defeated Tommy Dreamer by pinfall in a Singles matchAugust 24 ECWNatural Born KillazPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesThe Gangstas (Mustafa and New Jack) (c) defeated the Eliminators (John Kronus and Perry Saturn) by pinfall in a Steel cage weapons match for the ECW World Tag Team ChampionshipAugust 24WWFXperienceToronto, Ontario, CanadaShawn Michaels (c) defeated Goldust in a Ladder match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipCanoe – Slam! Wrestling – the Big Event 21 years later(c) – denotes defending champion(s) September DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventSeptember 13 ECWUnlucky LotteryJim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, United StatesSabu defeated Rob Van Dam by pinfall in a Singles matchSeptember 14 ECWWhen Worlds CollidePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesBrian Lee and the Eliminators (John Kronus and Perry Saturn) defeated the Miracle Violence Connection (Steve Williams and Terry Gordy) and Tommy Dreamer by pinfall in a Six-man tag team matchSeptember 15 WCWFall BrawlWinston-Salem, North Carolina, United StatesnWo (Hollywood Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and nWo Sting) defeated Team WCW (Lex Luger, Ric Flair, Arn Anderson and Sting) in a WarGames matchSeptember 20September 27CMLLCMLL 63rd Anniversary ShowMexico City, MexicoSeptember 20: Rayo de Jalisco Jr. (c) defeated Gran Markus Jr. in a Best two-out-of-three falls match for the CMLL World Heavyweight ChampionshipSeptember 27: Emilio Charles Jr. defeated Silver King in a Best two-out-of-three falls Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair match https://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/anniversary75.html#63 63rd Anniversary Show September 20, 1996 February 19, 2010 ProWrestlingHistory1996 Especial! Box y Lucha Magazine 2–28 issue 2280 January 10, 1997 SpanishSeptember 22 WWFIn Your House 10: Mind GamesPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesShawn Michaels (c) defeated Mankind by disqualification in a Singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipHistorical Cards: In Your House 10 (September 22, 1996. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts Kappa Publications 151 2007 Edition(c) – denotes defending champion(s) October DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventOctober 5 ECWUltimate JeopardyPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesThe Sandman and Tommy Dreamer defeated Stevie Richards and Brian Lee by pinfall in an "Ultimate Jeopardy" tag team match for the ECW World Heavyweight ChampionshipOctober 20 WWFIn Your House 11: Buried AliveIndianapolis, Indiana, United StatesThe Undertaker defeated Mankind in a Buried Alive matchHistorical Cards: In Your House 11 (October 20, 1996. Indianapolis, Indiana) PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts Kappa Publications 151 2007 EditionOctober 26 ECWHigh IncidentPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesTommy Dreamer defeated Brian Lee in a Scaffold matchOctober 27 WCWHalloween HavocParadise, Nevada, United StatesHollywood Hogan (c) defeated Randy Savage in a Singles match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship(c) – denotes defending champion(s) November DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventNovember 15CMLLTorneo Gran AlternativaMexico City, MexicoRey Bucanero and Emilio Charles Jr. defeated Héctor Garza and Mr. Niebla in a tournament final matchhttps://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/grand.html#4 CMLL Gran Alternativa #4 November 15, 1996 September 3, 2009 Pro Wrestling HistoryNovember 16 ECWNovember to RememberPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesTerry Funk and Tommy Dreamer defeated Shane Douglas and Brian Lee in a tag team matchNovember 17 WWFSurvivor SeriesNew York, New York, United StatesSycho Sid defeated Shawn Michaels (c) in a Singles match for the WWF ChampionshipNovember 24 WCWWorld War 3Norfolk, Virginia, United StatesThe Giant won by last eliminating Lex Luger in 60-Man World War 3 battle royal for a future WCW World Heavyweight Championship match(c) – denotes defending champion(s) December DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventDecember 7 ECWHoliday HellPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesRaven defeated The Sandman (c) by pinfall in a Barbed wire match for the ECW World Heavyweight ChampionshipDecember 11 FMWYear End SpectacularTokyo, JapanAtsushi Onita, Mr. Pogo, Masato Tanaka and Tetsuhiro Kuroda defeated Funk Masters of Wrestling (Terry Funk, Hisakatsu Oya, Headhunter A and Headhunter B) in a Texas Tornado Street Fight DeathmatchDecember 15 WWFIn Your House 12: It's TimeWest Palm Beach, Florida, United StatesSycho Sid (c) defeated Bret Hart in a Singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipHistorical Cards: In Your House 12 (December 15, 1996. West Palm Beach, Florida) PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts Kappa Publications 151 2007 Edition December 21 CWA Euro Catch Festival in Bremen Bremen, Germany Rambo defeated Ludvig Borga (c) in Round 12 in a Singles match for the CWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipDecember 29 WCWStarrcadeNashville, Tennessee, United StatesRoddy Piper defeated Hollywood Hogan by submission in a Singles match(c) – denotes defending champion(s) Notable events Mass Transit Incident The "Mass Transit incident" was an infamous event in professional wrestling that occurred at an Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) house show on November 23, 1996 at the Wonderland Ballroom in Revere, Massachusetts in the United States.Hardcore History Williams Scott 106–111 Sports Publishing LLC 2006 978-1-59670-021-5The Rise and Fall of ECW Loverro Thom 175–180 Pocket Books 2006 978-1-4165-1058-1 registration https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom/page/175Sex, Lies, and Headlocks Assael Shaun Mooneyham Mike 199–200 Crown Publishers 2002 978-0-609-60690-2 registration https://archive.org/details/sexliesheadlocks00shau/page/199 It involved Eric Kulas (1979 – May 12, 2002), an aspiring professional wrestler using the ring name "Mass Transit", being bladed too deeply by New Jack of The Gangstas during a tag-team match. Two of Kulas' arteries were severed; he bled profusely and passed out, and needed to be escorted out of the arena with medical attention. Further controversy arose when it came to light that Kulas had lied to ECW owner and booker Paul Heyman about his age and professional wrestling training. The incident led to a future ECW pay-per-view being cancelled (until Heyman negotiated otherwise), a lawsuit from Kulas' family, and went down as one of the most notorious moments of lore in professional wrestling history. IWRG created On January 1 – Mexican promoter Adolfo Moreno created the International Wrestling Revolution Group (IWRG) which held its debut show on this date in Arena Naucalpan.Arena Naucalpan SuperLuchas Issue 466 June 11, 2012 18 Spanish Formation of the nWo In the main event of World Championship Wrestling (WCW)'s Bash at the Beach pay-per-view on July 7, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash (both of whom had recently defected to WCW from the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and been presented on-screen as "outsiders") indicated that they would enlist a mystery partner against the team of Randy Savage, Sting, and Lex Luger. Their partner ended up being Hulk Hogan, who surprisingly attacked long-time Mega Powers partner Savage to conclude the match, thus turning heel for the first time in nearly two decades. In his post-match promo, Hogan indicated his decision to lead the villainous stable which he christened as the New World Order (nWo). The nWo would be the main focus of WCW programming for the better part of the next three years and led to WCW Monday Nitro defeating WWF Monday Night Raw in the Monday Night War ratings battle for eighty-three consecutive weeks. These developments in WCW are often credited with ultimately pushing the WWF toward producing the "edgier" content which would become the hallmark of the Attitude Era. Accomplishments and tournaments AJW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes Japan Grand Prix 1996Aja KongAugust 30Rookie of the Year Decision TournamentMomoe Nakanishi Tag League The Best 1996Manami Toyota and Rie TamadaDecember 1 AJPW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesAsunaro Cup 1996Tamon HondaJanuary 28Champion Carnival 1996Akira TaueJanuary 20World's Strongest Determination League 1996Toshiaki Kawada and Akira TaueDecember 6 Jd' Star AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesRookies TournamentYoko TakahashiDecember 292023 Jd' Star Cagematch https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=104589 12 April 2023 WCW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesLord Of The Ring TournamentDiamond Dallas PageMay 19World War 3The GiantNovember 24WCW United States Championship TournamentEddie GuerreroDecember 29WCW Women's Championship TournamentAkira HokutoDecember 29 WWF AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesRoyal RumbleShawn MichaelsJanuary 21WWF Tag Team Championship TournamentThe Bodydonnas (Skip and Zip)March 31Kuwait CupAhmed JohnsonMay 12King of the RingStone Cold Steve AustinJune 23WWF Intercontinental Championship TournamentMarc MeroSeptember 23Middle East CupBret HartDecember 2 WWF Hall of Fame WWF Hall of Fame CategoryInducteeInducted byIndividual"Baron" Mikel Scicluna Mikel SciclunaGorilla Monsoon"Captain" Lou Albano Lou AlbanoJoe FranklinJimmy "Superfly" Snuka Jimmy SnukaDon MuracoJohnny RodzArnold SkaalandKiller KowalskiHunter Hearst HelmsleyPat Patterson Pat Patterson (wrestler)Bret HartVincent J. McMahon Vince McMahon Sr.Shane McMahonGroupThe Valiant BrothersTony Garea Slammy Awards Slammy Award PollResultsBest Buns Sunnyhttp://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/MatMatters/2008/12/07/7661906.html https://web.archive.org/web/20151018030637/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/MatMatters/2008/12/07/7661906.html dead October 18, 2015 Bringing back Slammy Awards – a good, bad idea Bishop, Matt and Matt Mackinder December 7, 2008 SLAM! Wrestling 2008-12-09Best Slammin' Jammin' Entrance Shawn Michaelshttp://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/slammy.htm Slammy Awards History Wrestling Information Archive 2008-02-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20110908073222/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/slammy.htm 2011-09-08 deadhttps://www.twnpnews.com/information/WWE/slammys1996.shtml WWF Slammy Awards (1996) TWNP News 2008-02-22https://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/slammy.html#96 WWF Slammy Awards (1996) Pro Wrestling History 2008-02-22"Put A Fork in Him, He's Done" (Best Finisher) Bret Hart – SharpshooterCrime of the Century Vader's assault on WWF President Gorilla MonsoonNew Sensation of the Squared Circle Ahmed JohnsonI'm Talking and I Can't Shut Up for Biggest Mouth Jerry LawlerBest Threads Shawn MichaelsBlue Light Special for Worst Dresser Jim CornetteWWF's Greatest Hit The Undertaker drags Diesel into the abyssMinds Behind the Mayhem for Manager of the Year SunnyLifetime Achievement Award Freddie BlassieMost Embarrassing Moment Jerry Lawler kisses his own footSquared Circle Shocker Shawn Michaels collapses (Owen Hart accepts the award for making Shawn collapse)Master of Mat Mechanics Shawn MichaelsBest Music Video Bret HartUS West Match of the Year Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon in a ladder match from SummerSlam '95Which WWF World Heavyweight Champion, past or present, in attendance, is Hall of Fame bound? Bret HartLeader of the New Generation Shawn Michaels Awards and honors Pro Wrestling Illustrated List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards CategoryWinnerPWI Wrestler of the YearThe GiantPWI Tag Team of the YearHarlem Heat(Booker T and Stevie Ray)PWI Match of the YearBret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XII)PWI Feud of the YearEric Bischoff vs. Vince McMahonPWI Most Popular Wrestler of the YearShawn MichaelsPWI Most Hated Wrestler of the YearHollywood HoganPWI Comeback of the YearSycho SidPWI Most Improved Wrestler of the YearAhmed JohnsonPWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the YearJake RobertsPWI Rookie of the YearThe GiantPWI Lifetime AchievementDanny HodgePWI Editor's AwardSunny Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame CategoryInducteeIndividualAbdullah the ButcherPerro AguayoAndré the GiantBert AssiratiGiant BabaJim BarnettRed BerryThe DestroyerFreddie BlassieBlue DemonNick BockwinkelPaul BoeschBobo BrazilJack BriscoBruiser BrodyMildred BurkeEl CanekNegro CasasRiki ChoshuJim CornetteThe CrusherTed DiBiaseDick the BruiserAlfonso DantésDynamite KidJackie FargoRic FlairTatsumi FujinamiDory FunkDory Funk, Jr.Terry FunkVerne GagneCavernario GalindoEd Don GeorgeGorgeous GeorgeFrank GotchKarl GotchBilly GrahamEddie GrahamRené GuajardoGory GuerreroGeorg HackenschmidtStan HansenBret HartStu HartBobby HeenanDanny HodgeHulk HoganAntonio InokiRayo de Jalisco, Sr.Tom JenkinsDon Leo JonathanGene KiniskiFred KohlerKiller KowalskiErnie LaddDick LaneJerry LawlerEd LewisJim LondosSalvador LutterothAkira MaedaDevil MasamiMil MáscarasDump MatsumotoEarl McCreadyLeroy McGuirkVincent J. McMahonVincent K. McMahonDanny McShainRay MendozaToots MondtSam MuchnickBronko NagurskiPat O'ConnorKintarō ŌkiAtsushi OnitaPat PattersonAntonio PeñaJohn PesekRoddy PiperHarley RaceDusty RhodesRikidōzanYvon RobertBilly RobinsonAntonino RoccaBuddy RogersLance RussellBruno SammartinoBilly SandowEl SantoJackie SatoRandy SavageThe SheikHisashi ShinmaDara SinghGordon SolieEl SolitarioRicky SteamboatJoe StecherTony StecherRay SteeleRay StevensNobuhiko TakadaGenichiro TenryuLou TheszSatoru SayamaJumbo TsurutaFrank TunneyMaurice VachonBig Van VaderJohnny ValentineFritz Von ErichWhipper Billy WatsonBill WattsJaguar YokotaStanislaus ZbyszkoGroupThe Dusek familyThe Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello, Roy Heffernan, and Don Kent)The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards CategoryWinnerWrestler of the YearKenta KobashiMost OutstandingRey Misterio Jr.Feud of the YearNew World Order vs. World Championship WrestlingTag Team of the YearMitsuharu Misawa and Jun AkiyamaMost ImprovedDiamond Dallas PageBest on InterviewsStone Cold Steve Austin Title changes ECW ECW World Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – The SandmanDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 27RavenLive eventOctober 5The SandmanUltimate JeopardyDecember 7RavenHoliday Hell ECW World Television ChampionshipIncoming champion – Mikey WhipwreckDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 52 Cold ScorpioHouse PartyMay 11Shane DouglasA Matter of RespectJune 1Pitbull #2Fight the PowerJune 22Chris JerichoHardcore HeavenJuly 13Shane DouglasHeat Wave ECW World Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – Cactus Jack and Mikey WhipwreckDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 3The Eliminators(Kronus and Saturn)Big Apple Blizzard BlastAugust 3The Gangstas(Mustafa and New Jack)The Doctor Is InDecember 20The Eliminators(Kronus and Saturn)Hardcore TV FMW FMW Double ChampionshipIncoming champion – The GladiatorDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 5VacantFMWFebruary 23Super LeatherFMWMay 27The GladiatorFMW FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – Lethal Weapon (Hisakatsu Oya and Horace Boulder)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 5The Faces of Dead(Super Leather and Jason the Terrible)FMWMarch 30The Headhunters (A and B)FMW FMW Independent World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Koji NakagawaDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)May 5Taka Michinoku7th Anniversary Show FMW Women's ChampionshipIncoming champion – Combat ToyodaDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)May 5Megumi Kudo7th Anniversary Show FMW World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team Championship(Title created)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)May 5Puerto Rican Army(Super Leather, Headhunter A and Headhunter B)7th Anniversary ShowJune 28Masato Tanaka, Koji Nakagawa and Tetsuhiro KurodaFMWNovember 16Funk Masters of Wrestling(Hisakatsu Oya, Headhunter A and Headhunter B)FMW IWRG Distrito Federal Trios ChampionshipIncoming champions – Los Oficiales (Maniac Cop, Oficial and Virgilante)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)UncertainLos Super Payasos (Bruly, Circus and Rody)IWRG ShowRoyal Duncan & Gary Will Wrestling Title Histories MEXICO: Districto Federal Trios Title 401 Archeus Communications 2000 0-9698161-5-4December 14Judo Suwa, Shiima Nobunaga and Sumo FujiIWRG Show NJPW IWGP Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Keiji MutohDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 4Nobuhiko TakadaWrestling World 1996April 29Shinya HashimotoBattle Formation IWGP Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – Junji Hirata and Shinya HashimotoDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)June 12Kazuo Yamazaki and Takashi IizukaBest of the Super Jr. IIIJuly 16Cho-Ten(Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Masahiro Chono)Summer Struggle 1996 IWGP Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Koji KanemotoDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 4Jushin Thunder LigerWrestling World 1996April 29The Great SasukeBattle FormationOctober 11Ultimo DragonLive event WCW WCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Ric FlairDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 22Randy SavageNitroFebruary 11Ric FlairSuperBrawl VIApril 22The GiantNitroAugust 10Hollywood HoganHog Wild WCW Cruiserweight Championship(Title created)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 20Shinjiro OtaniHyper Battle 1996Defeated Wild Pegasus in tournament final to determine the new WCW Cruiserweight Champion.This was a New Japan Pro-Wrestling event.May 2Dean MalenkoWorldWideJuly 8Rey Misterio, Jr.NitroOctober 27Dean MalenkoHalloween HavocDecember 29Ultimate DragonStarrcade WCW United States Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – One Man GangDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 29KonnanNitroJuly 7Ric FlairBash at the BeachNovember 25VacantNitroVacated due to Ric Flair suffering a shoulder injuryDecember 29Eddie GuerreroStarrcadeDefeated Diamond Dallas Page in a tournament final WCW Women's Championship(Title created)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)December 29Akira HokutoStarrcadeDefeated Madusa in a tournament final to become inaugural champion WCW World Television ChampionshipIncoming champion – Johnny B. BaddDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 17Lex LugerHouse showFebruary 18Johnny B. BaddHouse showMarch 6Lex LugerSaturday NightAugust 20Lord Steven RegalSaturday Night WCW World Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 22Sting and Lex LugerNitroJune 24Harlem Heat(Booker T and Stevie Ray)NitroJuly 24The Steiner Brothers(Rick and Scott Steiner)House showJuly 27Harlem Heat(Booker T and Stevie Ray)House showSeptember 23The Public Enemy(Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock)NitroOctober 1Harlem Heat(Booker T and Stevie Ray)Saturday NightAired on tape delay on October 5.October 27The Outsiders(Kevin Nash and Scott Hall)Halloween Havoc WWF WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Bret HartDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s) March 31Shawn MichaelsWrestleMania XIIIt was a 60-minute Iron Man match that went into sudden death with the score 0-0. November 17Sycho SidSurvivor Series WWF Intercontinental ChampionshipIncoming champion – Razor RamonDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 21GoldustRoyal RumbleApril 1VacantRawHeld up when a title defense against Savio Vega ended in a no contestApril 1GoldustRawDefeated Savio Vega in a rematch for the vacant titleJune 23Ahmed JohnsonKing of the RingAugust 12VacantRawAhmed Johnson forfeited the title after being attacked by the debuting Faarooq after winning an 11-man battle royalSeptember 23Marc MeroRawDefeated Faarooq in a tournament finalOctober 21Hunter Hearst HelmsleyRaw WWF Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – The Smoking Gunns (Billy and Bart Gunn)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)February 15VacatedHouse showVacated when Billy Gunn suffered a neck injuryMarch 31The Bodydonnas(Skip and Zip)WrestleMania XIIDefeated The Godwinns in a tournament finalMay 19The Godwinns(Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn)House showMay 26The Smoking Gunns(Billy and Bart Gunn)In Your House 8: Beware of DogSeptember 22Owen Hart and The British BulldogIn Your House 10: Mind Games Million Dollar ChampionshipIncoming champion – The Ringmasterunsanctioned championshipDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)May 28AbandonedN/A Debuts thumb|120px|right|The Rock Uncertain debut date Mari Apache Miyuki Okada (SPWF)2023 SPWF Cagematch https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=307653 12 April 2023 Rumi Sekiguchi (All Japan Women's)2023 Rumi Sekiguchi Cagematch https://www.cagematch.net/?id=112&view=search&sParticipant1=Rumi+Sekiguchi&sParticipant2=&sParticipant3=&sParticipant4=&sEventName=&sEventType=&sDateFromDay=01&sDateFromMonth=01&sDateFromYear=1995&sDateTillDay=31&sDateTillMonth=12&sDateTillYear=1996&sPromotion=&sLocation=&sArena=&sRegion=&sMatchType=&sConstellation=&sWorkerRelationship=Any&sFulltextSearch= 12 April 2023 Yoshikazu Taru January 4 - Sayuri Okino (LLPW) March 10 – The Rock March 20 - Masakazu Fukuda April 14 - Aya Koyama (Jd' Star) April 23 - K-Ness April 29 - Rina Ishii (GAEA)1996 Rina Ishii COMC https://www.comc.com/Cards/Wrestling/1996/BBM_Pro_Wrestling_-_Base/315/Rina_Ishii/12069502 12 April 2023 May 2 – Sachie Abe May 16 - Adam Pearce July 14 - Momoe Nakanishi and Nanae Takahashi July 28 – Miho Wakizawa and Yachiyo Kawamoto (All Japan Women's) July 30 - Yuko Kosugi (Jd' Star) August 8 - H. C. Loc August 12 – Sakura Hirota September 15 - Fugofugo Yumeji September 16 - Miyuki Fujii (All Japan Women's) September 20 - Mark Henry October 5 - Nobuyuki Kurashima October 17 - MIKAMI October 20 - Keiichi Kawano November 2 - Tomohiro Ishii November 24 - Miyuki Sogabe (Jd' Star) September 15 – Takashi Sasaki December 28 - Sari Osumi (JWP) Births January 20 - Dante Chen February 13 - Chris Bey February 22 – Rabbit Miu March 2 – Kosuke Sato March 15 – Maxwell Jacob Friedman March 20 – Blair Davenport March 27 – Pom Harajuku March 31 – Sareee May 7 – Mike D Vecchio May 11 – Laurance Roman May 13 Wakana Uehara Brutus Creed June 2 – Jacy Jayne June 20 – Rhio July 15 – Konami July 30 – Marko Stunt July 31 – Nightshade August 17 Adrian Alanis Indi Hartwell August 28 - Colby Corino September 13 – Aya Sakura September 26 - Brandi Lauren October 11 – Rhea Ripley October 23 – Taishi Ozawa October 28 – Will Kroos October 29 - Tatum Paxley November 12 – Tatsuya Hanami November 28 – Saya Kamitani December 12 – Yoshiki Kato December 30 - Charlie Dempsey (wrestler) Retirements Akio Sato (1970–1996) Billy Jack Haynes (1982–1996) Damian Kane (1980–1996) Tom Zenk (1986–October 1996) Tyler Mane (1986–1996) Dick Slater (1972–October 1996) Dynamite Kid (December 24, 1975 – October 10, 1996) Espanto Jr. (1971–January 1996) Jerry Stubbs (1970–1996, return to wrestle for a match in 2019) Mr. Fuji (1965–1996) Steve Regal (1977–1996) Wahoo McDaniel (1961–July 1996) Rocky Iaukea (1981–1996) Tom Lister, Jr. (1989–March 1996) Tiger Conway Jr. (1971–1996) Deaths January 23 - Art White, 80 May 3 – Ray Stevens, 60WWE Encyclopedia Shields Brian Sullivan Kevin 244 Dorling Kindersley 2009 978-0-7566-4190-0 June 15 – Dick Murdoch, 49 June 26 - Octavio Gaona, 94 July 20 - The Missouri Mauler, 65 July 23 – Herb Abrams, 41 August 23 - Neil Superior, 33 September 11 – Sapphire, 61 See also List of WCW pay-per-view events List of WWE pay-per-view events List of FMW supercards and pay-per-view events List of ECW supercards and pay-per-view events References professional wrestling