List of WrestleMania XII Aftermaths and Post-Event Storylines

Bret Hart's Eight-Month Hiatus

Hart Left WWF for Planned TV Acting Role — Returned to Changed Landscape

Bret Hart departed WWF following WrestleMania XII for a planned role in a television series — the Lonesome Dove western show — that ultimately did not materialise as expected. His eight-month absence from WWF television allowed Shawn Michaels' star to rise enormously as WWF Champion, reshaping the promotional landscape completely. When Hart returned in late 1996, he found himself working back into main event position in a company whose roster and audience had changed significantly. His return set the stage for 1997's most significant storylines.

Shawn Michaels' WWF Championship Reign

Successful Initial Reign Ended at Survivor Series 1996

Shawn Michaels' first WWF Championship reign ran through the summer and fall of 1996 — including successful defences at events throughout the year. The reign ended at Survivor Series 1996 on November 17 when Michaels lost the title to Sycho Sid due to an injury to his left knee. However, Michaels regained the championship from Sid in January 1997 before his second reign ended with his infamous 'lost his smile' promo and title forfeiture in February 1997 — one of the most controversial moments of the era.

Steve Austin Drops 'The Ringmaster' — Becomes Stone Cold

WWF's Biggest Star in History Emerged from WM12's Most Forgettable Debut

Within months of his anonymous WM12 debut, Steve Austin abandoned the Ringmaster gimmick and began his transformation into 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin — the anti-authority rebel working-class hero who would become the most commercially successful figure in professional wrestling history. His King of the Ring 1996 win in June, complete with the '3:16' promo on Steve Austin's crown moment, launched the persona that would define the Attitude Era. The contrast between his WM12 debut reaction and his WM13 crowd response — in his submission match against Bret Hart — is one of wrestling's most extraordinary year-over-year character transformations.

Diesel Departed for WCW — Became Kevin Nash in the nWo

Joined Scott Hall — nWo's Most Significant Acquisition After Hogan

Kevin Nash departed WWF for WCW in the summer of 1996, rejoining Scott Hall — who had left as Razor Ramon — to form the founding members of the nWo alongside Hulk Hogan. The nWo's July 1996 debut at WCW Bash at the Beach was the most seismic moment in the Monday Night Wars and contributed enormously to WCW's ratings domination of WWF through 1996-97. Nash's WM12 loss to Undertaker was his final WWF pay-per-view performance.

Ultimate Warrior Departed Again — By July 1996

Third WWF Run Ended Within Months of WM12 Return

The Ultimate Warrior's WM12 return proved to be another brief chapter in his turbulent relationship with the WWF. By July 1996, Warrior had departed again — replaced by Sycho Sid in a scheduled main event. His WM12 return, spectacular as the entrance was, produced minimal lasting impact beyond the squash of Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Warrior would return to WWE once more in 1996 for a very brief appearance before his career effectively concluded. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in April 2014 and died three days later.

Hart vs. Michaels — Road to the Montreal Screwjob

WM12 Was Act One of the Greatest Rivalry's Final Chapter

The real-life animosity between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels that had simmered through WM12's build exploded into genuine hostility in 1997. A planned King of the Ring 1997 match was cancelled when a backstage fight between the two men erupted. Their Survivor Series 1997 WWF Championship match became the Montreal Screwjob — Vince McMahon ordering referee Earl Hebner to call for the bell while Hart was in Michaels' Sharpshooter, against Hart's agreement. Hart left for WCW. Michaels left with the championship. The Montreal Screwjob's roots trace directly to the barely-concealed real-life friction visible throughout WM12's build.