Wrestlemania XII

release year: 1996
genre: vintage wrestling pay-per-view
viewing setting: home DVD, 10/17/12

synopsis: This 12th annual wrestling mega-event culminated in an hour-long

where it happened: Anaheim, California

impressions: As always, I won't go into great detail, but mention the highlights: a 3-vs-3 tag team match to kick things off...Roddy Piper taking offense to Goldust's advances and beating the hell out of him in a backlot brawl, then chasing him away in a white Bronco...the WM debut of Steve Austin before he was a big star...the WM debut (and quick loss) of Triple-H before he was a big star...the Undertaker beating Diesel in a match of the 7-footers...Piper beating Goldust some more and revealing him wearing womens' undergarments...the big hour-plus final match between Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart. No guest celebrities were on hand for this one, and there were only six matches.

fun quote #1: Jerry Lawler: "If the Undertaker's hair gets any longer, he's gonna look like Crystal Gayle!"

fun quote #2: Jerry Lawler: "We're in overtime, McMahon!"

final word: Good, but it was also the first Wrestlemania that felt short, despite the long final match.

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