5 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE WrestleMania XII
2. Vader's Time?
This failed attempt at a midcard blockbuster saw Vince McMahon attempt to save his big banter battle between Yokozuna and Vader for a follow-up Monday Night Raw without having to remove them from the 'Show Of Shows' altogether. The decision to book the battle (with a babyface stipulation, no less) in favour of the heels was thus baffling in the extreme.
The six-match main card offered ample time for all the outings even with a one hour main event, but 13 minutes still felt like a lifetime waiting for the former WWE Champion to claim five more alone in the ring with Jim Cornette as per the pre-match agreement. Especially when he failed!
The match sort of helped Vader's ascension, though not as much as his original Rumble debut. A disappointing maiden 'Mania regrettably foreshadowed the bulk of his run.