WWE: 18 Most Important Decisions In History Of WrestleMania

11. Changing The Guard From Hart To Michaels - WrestleMania 12

The big decision to come in 1996 was transitioning the number 1 guy role from Bret Hart to Shawn Michaels. The WWF had fluffed their choice to have Diesel as a year long Champion at Mania in 95, HBK was now seen as the new breed of star to re-ignite the company fortunes. It proved a bad decision. Bret Hart had hardly set the world on fire as Champion, but the decision to put the belt on Michaels at Mania 12, resulted in even more reduced WWF business. It should hardly have been surprising, just what exactly would the WWF young male demograph see in the pretty boy Michaels dancing to the ring? His babyface 'sexy boy' was a disaster. In this respect, Vince's decision to build Mania 12 around Michaels was poor and his judgement was probably clouded by his personal friendship with HBK. However, from a personal standpoint, you could say it was a good decision. Michaels is the best in-ring worker of all time, he deserved this moment in history.