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Vader- WWE in summer/fall 1996
Before he came to WWE, Vader had run roughshod over WCW in the early nineties. He was the epitome of the “monster heel," and he had multiple reigns as a world champion. He personified the “Mastodon” moniker, and that was the star WWE thought they were going to get when they signed him in late 1995. Vader debuted in the WWE at the 1996 Royal Rumble and appeared destined for big things as a top heel for the company.
According to multiple accounts in shoot interviews and podcasts by the likes of Bruce Pritchard, Jim Ross, and even Vader himself, the plan was to have an ongoing storyline and series of matches between himself and then-WWE Champion, Shawn Michaels. The idea was to have a trilogy of matches where the stars would trade the title back and forth.
But things didn’t go according to “the plan” for various reasons. Michaels reportedly hated working with Vader, and their match at SummerSlam was not received well. Vader was working with a bum shoulder at the time that was limiting his work rate.
As a result, his conditioning to suffered, and he gained some weight. So he wasn't nearly the athlete he once was. Plus, Sycho Sid, a new (and old) face that was quickly becoming one of the most “over” talents on the roster.
The rest, as they say, is history. Vader’s push and subsequent feud with Michaels was squashed. Sid replaced Vader in the planned trilogy. In fact, Sid beat Vader in a Number One Contender’s Match at In Your House: Buried Alive to both literally and figuratively signify that the former was taking the mantle.
Vader would go on to have, at best, a lackluster run in the WWE until he was released in 1998. He never came close to the main event scene again. Had things fallen into place for Vader in the summer of 1996, his tenure could have been remembered quite differently.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
