WWE Pay-Per-View Season 12 Episode 1 Royal Rumble 1996

The Royal Rumble is a highly anticipated event in the world of professional wrestling and the 1996 edition was no exception. As the first pay-per-view event of the year, fans were eager to see their favorite wrestlers compete in this high-stakes battle.

The main event of Royal Rumble 1996 was the Royal Rumble match itself. This match features 30 wrestlers, who entered the ring at set intervals, with the goal of being the last one standing. In addition to the title of Royal Rumble champion, the winner is awarded a shot at the World Championship at WrestleMania.

Some of the biggest names in wrestling at the time participated in the Royal Rumble match, including Shawn Michaels, Triple H, The Undertaker, and Yokozuna. However, the rivalry between Bret Hart and Diesel was the focal point of the match.

In the opening match, Ahmed Johnson faced Jeff Jarrett for the Intercontinental Championship. Johnson was a fan favorite and his high-energy moves quickly won over the crowd. The two wrestlers put on a solid performance, but it was Johnson who ultimately emerged victorious, winning his first Intercontinental Championship.

The second match of the night featured Vader, representing Camp Cornette, and Razor Ramon, representing The Kliq. Vader dominated Ramon for most of the match, but Razor was able to come back and secure the win, much to the delight of the crowd.

Next up was the Tag Team Championship match, pitting The Smoking Gunns against The Bodydonnas. This match was notable for the debut of Sunny, who would go on to become a popular figure in the WWE. The Smoking Gunns were able to retain their championship belts with a win over The Bodydonnas.

The final match before the Royal Rumble featured Goldust taking on Razor Ramon's replacement, The 1-2-3 Kid. This match was full of twists and turns, but Goldust ultimately emerged victorious, cementing his status as one of the top villains in the WWE.

As the main event of the night approached, tensions were high among the wrestlers. Diesel was seeking revenge against Bret Hart, who had defeated him for the World Championship a few months prior. Meanwhile, Shawn Michaels was looking to become the first wrestler to win back-to-back Royal Rumble matches.

The Royal Rumble match featured a number of exciting moments, including The Undertaker's elimination of Mabel, and Shawn Michaels' impressive performance, lasting more than 40 minutes in the ring. However, it was the Diesel-Bret Hart rivalry that stole the show.

The two wrestlers had an intense showdown that saw both men go over the top rope at the same time. After a brief discussion, it was announced that they would both be declared co-winners of the Royal Rumble. This decision was controversial among fans, who were hoping for a clear winner.

Overall, Royal Rumble 1996 was a memorable event for wrestling fans. With a mixture of established stars and up-and-comers competing in an array of exciting matches, it was a night to remember for the WWE universe.