1995-96 WWE MVP

[The Fabulous Rougeau's]

We are entering one of the worst time periods for the WWE for the 95-96 MVP we look at the time between the day after WrestleMania XI up till WrestleMania XII. This one can go a number of different ways so I look forward to hearing some of the responses.

For me the MVP is Diesel. Yes his title reign is considered one of the worst and he is also considered one of the least selling champs of all time, but that doesn't take away his importance to this time period. He was involved in all the top stories and major angles while Shawn was still working his way up, Bret was stuck with mid carders and Taker was missing for the first few months. Diesel's best work wouldn't come until he dropped the title to Bret at the Survivor Series and turned heel. It really is a shame that he left the WWE shortly after Mania XII as his character was really starting to get interesting and was probably the first guy with attitude before the attitude era began.

 

[Jonyboyuk2]

For me it was more Bret Hart. His match at WM11 was dire because he was in there with bob backlund. But after that; Bret had some in ring wonders that year. He was great against Hakushi, Isac Yankum (Kane), Diesel, Bulldog and the Undertaker. This kept going on until his blinder at WM12 with HBK.

HBK was a growing star; but he was not ready to lead that year; he needed a years build up. Keep in mind his angle with Sid wrote him off TV for a couple of months, and his matches with Dean Douglas sucked when he returned. His one golden match was the Ladder Match rematch at Summerslam 1995. He did wonders in the Royal Rumble 1996 win; and despite how good the ladder (re)match was - HBK didn't step up until after mania 12. This was Bret's year. Diesel did not even come close.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

There are a couple of candidates here and they're not the ones you would expect.

Bret was pretty average in this time, while his opponents were not always the best, neither was his work... this was the only period of his career where he genuinely appeared bored a lot of the time.

Diesel wasn't the most valuable either... nor Razor or Shawn... The Kliq in general were going through the motions a lot of late 1995 and early 1996, only Shawn was really making any effort cos he knew he was locked into his deal and wasn't going anywhere. Once Razor and Diesel handed notice, they stopped caring and it showed.

The candidates:-

Owen Hart: Owen was the reigning KOTR during early 1995 and played a part in major storylines all the way through. His tag team with Yokozuna was interesting and effective and he played a crucial role in Bret losing the title the year prior.

Jerry Lawler: During 1995, Jerry was a major part of WWE TV, the force that introduced several new talents to face Bret in their feud. Most notably Hakushi who was, involved in 3 match of the year candidates during that time... it is only poor booking that prevents "The White Angel" being on this list or the winner. But Lawler was arguably one of the better heels of that era and made you believe the hatred of Bret enough that he would be driven to destroy him. Sadly Bret didn't do his best work against said opponents but Jerry more than carried his end.

Savio Vega: The one time Kwang was somewhat of a surprise package during this time, they used the "cinderella push" at King Of The Ring and got in return a very solid midcarder that lasted several years and put on some great matches. He was an interesting partner for Scott Hall and replacemed Waltman as the sidekick of Razor well. Personally I feel they could have gone all the way at KOTR, but they were despereate for a "giant" challenger to Diesel.

The winner however for me is...

Davey Boy Smith: Davey had returned at Summerslam 94 with his newly "long" locks and "won" the Rumble from number 2 before Shawn's "skin the cat" escape...they even played his music... from there it got a bit dicey with the Allied Powers but it was clear after their poor Mania showing that it wasn't going anywhere and once Lex left it freed Davey to begin the most fruitful and best period. Go back and look at his heel turn on Diesel... it was VERY well done... the cutting of the hair, change of attitude all lent themselves to a main event heel being created. He challenged for the title at IYH 4 and 5, against Diesel and Bret respectively and it is one of the great sadnesses that he wasn't given the belt from Diesel to drop to Bret. The reason sadly was his involvment in outside issues, both the Marine fight with Shawn (where he arguably saved his skin along with Kid) and attacking the guy who hit on Diana... both those probably did for Davey as a champion... When Owen was unable to compete he filled in for him, dropping the straps and began the alliance with Jim Cornette that led to he an Owen teaming and his title matches against Shawn the following year. For all his backstage problems, this was Davey's best period in the ring, he not only embraced the heel turn but thrived on it and never went back to being a "good guy" in the WWF unless he was in the UK. His performances were among the best of that time in what was becoming an increasingly diluted talent pool... he didn't get his full due, but what he did here was clearly noticed... in the years that followed he held several titles... in this era, he was definitely the Workhorse rather than "The Bulldog".

 

[Loveless]

I really don't see any legitimate argument for this not being HBK as everything from Survivor Series 94 was building Shawn up to be the main man. He wins the Rumble from #1, main events Wrestlemania, wins the IC belt, Summerslam ladder rematch, wins the Rumble again, Iron-Man match, then a series of pretty good title defence until losing to Sid at the end of 96.
Only 3 people held the belt in those 2 years. Nash was gone by the middle of 96, Bret bitched off after Wrestlemania 12. As much as people criticise Shawns reign, without it the WWF does actually go out of business.

 

[Goldie]

It would have to be Bret or Shawn, maybe Bret just edges it as Shawn was still operating at IC level with the occasional world title challenge.

Diesel may have held the belt for the majority of the year (From Wrestlemania to Wrestlemania)... but at the '95 Rumble, where they put him in a babyface vs babyface match with Bret, it was Bret who got the greater share of cheers (even if Todd Pettingail et al tried to make it look as though opinion was even).

True Bret was lumbered with numerous midcard fueds, but he did get the title back near the end of 1995, and held it for 5 of the 12 months of the year (as these threads roll from wrestlemania to wrestlemania I believe?).
As champ Bret did have a scorcher with Davey Boy at IYH, a forgotten classic that's just as good as their Summerslam 92 masterpiece.

Though Bret was never truly satisfied with his 3rd title reign.... what he did was more significant than Diesels 7 months with the title (within the timeframe- yes Nash did hold it for a year in total).

 

[Mac]

To me the mvp was Diesel. Say what you want to say but he had a solid WWF Championship reign, he was very over and had the look and charisma and brought some stability to the championship scene while they were grooming Shawn and taking a break from Bret in the title scene. Plus Diesel's reign provided another much needed star during this dreadful time period.

Then you have his tweener/heel run after he lost the belt which was something that was never done before. You look at the dynamics of his character, he was teaming with babyfaces like Shawn and Razor and going against heels like Owen (for injuring his friend) and Bulldog and Yokozuna, while challenging babyfaces like Undertaker and Bret. His character was the first to flip the bird on WWF television, the first the put someone through an announce table, and the first to swear. Diesel's tweener character was the beginning of the direction the company was about to head in.

 

[HBKperfect23]

I have to go with Shawn Michaels. The rumble performance, 11 with Desil was MOTY. Iyh2 with Jarrett is one of Shawns most underrated matches and probably JJs best match ever. Ladder match with razor saved Summerslam. Rumble 96 wasn't as enjoyable as 95 but it was still a good performance with a pretty good ending. Obviously the iron man match was 5 star as well. The whole build around Shawn from the Fall of 95 to WM12 was awesome