10 Things You Learn From Watching 1996 On WWE Network
2. Strain On Shawn Michaels Is Clear
In the man's own autobiography, Shawn Michaels told of the immense pressure he felt upon becoming WWF Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania XII. It had been a long road to the top for Michaels, and now he had to deliver consistently, carrying entire pay-per-views on his back as the top draw in the company.
By the end of 1996, Shawn Michaels was a different performer than he had been at the beginning of the year. Carefree and jaunty during his Royal Rumble appearance and win, Shawn looked tired and in need of a break by the time he faced Sycho Sid at Survivor Series.
It's fair to assume that Michaels felt overwhelmed as WWF Champion. Feeling that strain, matches against The British Bulldog at King Of The Ring and Vader at SummerSlam weren't as good as they should have been. It wasn't until Michaels was faced with Mankind at In Your House 10 in September that he truly looked like the top performer in the WWF again.
What should have been a natural progression for Michaels turned into a journey as champion fraught with stress. That's eerily visible with each passing performance when watching 1996 play out.