1996 Match of the Year

1. Bret Hart defeated Steve Austin (28:36)
Hart pinned Austin after reversing a Million Dollar Dream into a pinfall.
This was the return match for Bret Hart after an 8 month absence.
*****

2. Shawn Michaels (w/Jose Lothario) defeated Mankind (w/Paul Bearer) to retain the WWF Championship (26:25)
Mankind was disqualified after Vader interfered and attacked Michaels. Sycho Sid made the save by brawling with Vader to the backstage area.
After the match, Mankind and Bearer tried to stuff Michaels in a casket, but found The Undertaker waiting to attack.
****3/4

3. Shawn Michaels (w/Jose Lothario) defeated Bret Hart in an Iron Man match to win the WWF Championship (1:01:52)
Michaels pinned Hart after two Sweet Chin Musics.
The match originally ended in a 0-0 draw until WWF President Gorilla Monsoon entered the ring and ordered the match to continue under sudden death rules.
****1/2

Honorable Mention:
Shawn Michaels defeated Diesel in a No Holds Barred match to retain the WWF Championship (17:53)
Michaels pinned Diesel after striking him with Mad Dog Vachon's prosthetic leg and the Sweet Chin Music.
****1/4

Savio Vega defeated Steve Austin (w/Ted DiBiase) in a Caribbean Strap match (21:27)
Vega won after Austin deliberately made Vega touch the final turnbuckle.
An added stipulation stated that if Savio Vega won the match, Ted Dibiase must leave the WWF.
****1/4

Vader, Owen Hart, and The British Bulldog (w/Jim Cornette) defeated Shawn Michaels, Sycho Sid, and Ahmed Johnson (w/Jose Lothario) (24:32)
Vader pinned Michaels after a Vader Bomb.
Jim Cornette had promised prior to the match that everyone in attendance would receive a refund if the opposing team won.
The Ultimate Warrior was replaced by Sycho Sid on Michaels's team.
The team name of Michaels, Sid, and Johnson was "The People's Posse"
****1/4

Shawn Michaels (w/Jose Lothario) defeated Vader (w/Jim Cornette) to retain the WWF Championship (28:59)
Michaels pinned Vader after a Moonsault.
Vader had originally won the match twice, first by count-out and then by disqualification, but because WWF championships can only change hands by pinfall or submission, Cornette demanded the match restart both times. WWF President Gorilla Monsoon allowed this when Michaels agreed.
****