Guide note: The centerpiece of WrestleMania XII was the 60-minute iron man match between champion Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, who was making a comeback after recovering from a concussion (according to storyline). The two wrestled for an hour, and the person who scored the most decisions (pinfalls, submissions, count outs or disqualifications) in that time period would be declared the winner. By the time the 60 minutes were over, neither had scored a fall, and a controversial "sudden death" was ruled until a decisive victory was won.
Other highlights included the "Hollywood Backlot Brawl" between Roddy Piper and Goldust, which humorously used stock footage of the O.J. Simpson freeway chase, and the Ultimate Warrior's return, defeating Hunter Hearst Helmsley in under two minutes.
Fast Facts:
- Date: March 31, 1996
- Venue: Arrowhead Pond
- City: Anaheim, California
- Attendance: 18,853
- Commentators: Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler
- Shawn Michaels made his entrance on a zip-line
- Sable made her debut as HHH's escort
Main Event:
- WWE Title Iron Man Match
- Shawn Michaels def. Bret Hart
Undercard:
- *Roddy Piper def. Goldust
- *Undertaker def. Diesel
- *Ultimate Warrior def. Triple H
- *Steve Austin def. Savio Vega
- *Vader/Owen/Smith def. Yokozuna/Roberts/Ahmed Johnson
