Date: January 21, 1996
Location: Selland Arena - Fresno, California
The Rumble Match:
Entrants and Eliminations:
1. Hunter Hearst Helmsley (Entry #1, eliminated by Diesel)
2. Henry O. Godwinn (Entry #2, eliminated by Jake Roberts)
3. Bob Backlund (Entry #3, eliminated by Yokozuna)
4. Jerry Lawler (Entry #4, eliminated by Shawn Michaels)
5. Bob Holly (Entry #5, eliminated by The Ringmaster)
6. King Mabel (Entry #6, eliminated by Yokozuna)
7. Jake Roberts (Entry #7, eliminated by Vader)
8. Dory Funk Jr (Entry #8, eliminated by Savio Vega)
9. Yokozuna (Entry #9, eliminated by Shawn Michaels)
10. 1-2-3 Kid (Entry #10, eliminated by Shawn Michaels)
11. Takao Omori (Entry #11, eliminated by Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Jake Roberts)
12. Savio Vega (Entry #12, eliminated by Vader)
13. Vader (Entry #13, eliminated by Shawn Michaels)
14. Doug Gilbert (Entry #14, eliminated by Vader)
17. Owen Hart (Entry #17, eliminated by Diesel and Shawn Michaels)
18. Shawn Michaels (Entry #18, Winner)
19. Hakushi (Entry #19, eliminated by Owen Hart)
20. Tatanka (Entry #20, eliminated by Diesel)
21. Also Montoya (Entry #21, eliminated by Tatanka)
22. Diesel (Entry #22, eliminated by Shawn Michaels)
23. Kama (Entry #23, eliminated by Diesel)
24. The Ringmaster (Entry #24, eliminated by Fatu)
25. Barry Horowitz (Entry #25, eliminated by Owen Hart)
26. Fatu (Entry #26, eliminated by Isaac Yankem DDS)
27. Isaac Yankem DDS (Entry #27, eliminated by Shawn Michaels)
28. Marty Janbetty (Entry #28, eliminated by The British Bulldog)
29. The British Bulldog (Entry #29, eliminated by Shawn Michaels)
30. Duke Droese (Entry #30, Diesel and Kama)
Thoughts on the Match:
The 1996 Royal Rumble witnessed a controversial yet thrilling victory for Shawn Michaels, who overcame adversity to secure back-to-back Rumble triumphs.
Full Event Card:
1. Ahmed Johnson vs. Jeff Jarrett (Ahmed Johnson wins by disqualification)
2. The Smoking Gunns vs. The Bodydonnas for the WWE Tag Team Championship (The Smoking Gunns win)
3. Goldust vs. Razor Ramon for the WWE Intercontinental Championship (Goldust wins)
4. Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Duke "The Dumpster" Droese (Duke Droese wins)
5. The Undertaker vs. Bret "Hitman" Hart for the WWE Championship (The Undertaker wins by disqualification )
6. Royal Rumble (winner - Shawn Michaels)
Highlights and Aftermath:
- Shawn Michaels' controversial victory sparked tensions within the WWE roster, setting the stage for future rivalries.
- The Intercontinental Championship bout between Ahmed Johnson and Jeff Jarrett showcased the intensity of their ongoing feud.
- The Undertaker's successful title defense against Bret Hart further solidified his dominance in the championship scene.
Impact on Storylines:
- Shawn Michaels' consecutive Royal Rumble wins propelled him into the main event spotlight, laying the groundwork for significant storylines.
- The outcomes of various matches fueled feuds and alliances, adding layers to ongoing narratives within the WWE.
Conclusion:
The 1996 Royal Rumble was a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by Shawn Michaels' controversial victory and pivotal moments that shaped the course of WWE storylines. The event left an indelible mark on the wrestling landscape, setting the stage for WrestleMania XII and beyond.
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