10 Things You Learn From Watching 1995 On The WWE Network
WrestleMania XI felt archaic even with celebrity stars like Pamela Anderson...
Seeking any opportunity to offset the fact that business wasn't exactly red hot, Vince McMahon decided to introduce a budget series of pay-per-view events in May, 1995. Titled 'In Your House', these shows would sell at a lower price than established titans like Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, King Of The Ring, SummerSlam and Survivor Series.
1995 would be the first year that the then-WWF took the plunge and ran monthly pay-per-views. It was a bold move, one heightened by a near year-long stint as WWF Heavyweight Champion for Diesel. A comparative rookie compared to the likes of Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, Diesel was nonetheless crowned in November of the previous year, holding the title for 358 days.
McMahon elected to try some different things in '95, which is precisely why names such as 'King' Mabel and Kama were handed pushes near the top of the card. These decisions didn't really work out in the long run, marred by a lack of fan interest and some terrible performances.
Looking back on 1995 is often eye-opening. Here are ten things learned when analysing the pay-per-view output that year...
10. The Roster In The Royal Rumble Was Seriously Depleted
In 1994, the WWF allowed wrestlers to compete in individual matches and the actual Royal Rumble bout itself. This is something fans take for granted now, making it more interesting that it took until '94 for it to happen. If that hadn't happened the year before, Vince McMahon would surely have triggered such a decision in 1995.
Simply put, the WWF roster was seriously thin on the ground. Of the 30 men involved in the Rumble, only Shawn Michaels, The British Bulldog and possibly either Owen Hart or Lex Luger could be considered realistic winners. It was Michaels who ended up emerging victorious, being the first man in history to come out as number one and be there at the end.
Seemingly looking to cover up the fact that there wasn't much else happening, the WWF had wrestlers come out every minute. Vince McMahon said this made the '95 Rumble the fastest ever, however it was hard to talk up names like Kwang, Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese, Aldo Montoya and Timothy Well as exciting entrants.
Even the ageing Dick Murdoch was handed a spot in the match, meaning this Rumble had one of the weakest rosters yet.