10 Most Memorable WWE Mystery Opponents

8. Jimmy Snuka (Survivor Series 1996)

The Undertaker Debut Survivor Series 1990
WWE

Another colossal disappointment of mystery opponents occurred when WWE returned to Madison Square Garden for the 1996 edition of Survivor Series. While the two premier matches were among the best of 1996, the undercard had one big, gaping disappointment.

To compliment the headlining duo of Shawn Michaels vs. Sid for the WWF Championship and the in-ring return of Bret Hart as he battled Stone Cold Steve Austin, the World Wrestling Federation was promising to present a mystery partner for one of their traditional Survivor Series elimination matches.

Due to the nature of the wrestling industry in the Fall of 1996, fans were rabid with anticipation and excitement for just exactly who the mystery opponent would be revealed as. Many believed it would be the Macho Man Randy Savage, whose contract with the rival WCW had been rumoured to have just expired.

Considering the match's other participants involved the fake Razor Ramon and Diesel as well as two upper-card talents like Vader and Faarooq, surely, their mystery opponent would be a potential main eventer.

Right?

So when "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka was announced to the New York crowd, the air immediately went out of the arena. Snuka had been inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame the night before, but that couldn't save the decision as WWE failed to deliver on the much-anticipated mystery opponent.

As big of a letdown as it was, fans still remember that disappointment that was Jimmy Snuka at Survivor Series 1996.

Contributor
Contributor

A former stuntman for Paramount Pictures, Matt enjoys sports, water skiing, driving fast, the beach, professional wrestling, technology, and scotch. At the same time, whenever possible. Having attended many famous (and infamous) shows including WrestleMania XV, In Your House: Mind Games, and the 1995 King of the Ring, Matt has been a lifelong professional sports and wrestling fan. Matt's been mentioned in numerous wrestling podcasts including the Steve Austin Show: Unleashed, Talk Is Jericho, and Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard. As a former countywide performer, Matt has been referred to as Mr. 300 for his amazing accomplishments in the world of amateur bowling. He is also the only man on record to have pitched back-to-back no hitters in the Veterans Stadium Wiffle Ball League of 2003.