By Octavio Fierros

It’s that time again! I strongly encourage Torch readers to vote for the top 10 greatest matches and moments from 10 years ago. I will give you a brief analysis of each and every match and moment of your Top 10 next week as we wrap up 2006. I’m going to list 25 candidates for each match and moment. All you have to do is vote for your Top 10. Please rank your matches and moments so we can determine a legit Top 10 list. Your top ranked match and moment will receive 10 points and your #10 ranked will get 1 point. The match and moment with the most points will be the greatest of 1996. Please rank them as you list them.

CANDIDATES FOR BEST OF 1996 GREATEST MATCHES (Feel free to copy & paste your picks to your e-mail for faster process. Feel free to add your personal favorite match if you don’t see the match listed here.)
1. Bret Hart vs. The Undertaker (Royal Rumble 1996, January 21, 1996)
2. Royal Rumble Match (Royal Rumble 1996, January 21, 1996)
3. Shawn Michaels vs. Owen Hart (In Your House 6, February 18, 1996)
4. Shawn Michaels vs. The 123 Kid (Monday Night Raw, March 4, 1996)
5. Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XII, March 31, 1996)
6. Diesel vs. The Undertaker (WrestleMania XII, March 31, 1996)
7. Diesel vs. Shawn Michaels (IYH: Good Friends, Better Enemies, April 28, 1996)
8. Shawn Michaels vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley (Monday Night Raw, May 13, 1996)
9. Steve Austin vs. Savio Vega (IYH: Beware of Dog, May 28, 1996)
10. Shawn Michaels vs. British Bulldog (King of the Ring 1996, June 23, 1996)
11. The Undertaker vs. Steve Austin (Monday Night Raw, July 24, 1996)
12. Michaels, Ahmed Johnson, Sid vs. Bulldog, Vader, Owen (IYH: International Incident, July 21, 1996)
13. 11-man Battle Royal for No. 1 Contender for WWE Title (Monday Night Raw, August 5, 1996)
14. The Undertaker vs. Mankind (SummerSlam 1996, August 18, 1996)
15. Shawn Michaels vs. Vader (SummerSlam 1996, August 18, 1996)
16. Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind (IYH: Mind Games, September 22, 1996)
17. Smoking Gunns vs. Owen Hart & British Bulldog (IYH: Mind Games, September 22, 1996)
18. Marc Mero vs. Faarooq (Monday Night Raw, September 23, 1996)
19. Shawn Michaels vs. Steve Austin (Monday Night Raw, October 14, 1996)
20. The Undertaker vs. Mankind (IYH: Buried Alive, October 20, 1996)
21. Smoking Gunns vs. Owen Hart & British Bulldog (IYH: Buried Alive, October 20, 1996)
22. Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Marc Mero (Monday Night Raw, October 21, 1996)
23. Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart (Survivor Series 1996, November 17, 1996)
24. Shawn Michaels vs. Sid (Survivor Series 1996, November 17, 1996)
25. Bret Hart vs. Sid (IYH: It’s Time, December 15, 1996)

CANDIDATES FOR BEST OF 1996 GREATEST MOMENTS (Feel free to copy & paste your picks to your e-mail for faster process. Feel free to add your personal favorite moment if you don’t see the match listed here.)
1. Billionaire Ted skits begin to air on Raw (Monday Night Raw, January 1, 1996)
2. Shawn Michaels wins the Royal Rumble (Royal Rumble, January 21, 1996)
3. Vader makes WWE debut at the Rumble, then attacks Gorilla Monsoon next night (Royal Rumble & Raw, January 21-22, 1996)
4. The Undertaker comes from under the ring to attack Diesel (In Your House 6, February 18, 1996)
5. Roddy Piper becomes Interim President; announces Bret-Shawn Iron Man match (Monday Night Raw, March 11, 1996)
6. Diesel turns heel on Shawn Michaels at MSG (MSG House Show, March 17, 1996)
7. The Huckster and Nacho Man wrestle to a draw when both men died (Free For All, March 31, 1996)
8. The Ultimate Warrior returns! (WrestleMania XII, March 31, 1996)
9. Shawn Michaels’ dream comes true as he wins the WWE Title (WrestleMania XII, March 31, 1996)
10. Mick Foley debuts as Mankind and attacks Undertaker (Monday Night Raw, April 1, 1996)
11. British Bulldog accuses Shawn Michaels of hitting on Diana Smith (Monday Night Raw, April 29, 1996)
12. The infamous Clique farewell between Michaels, Razor, Hunter, and Diesel (MSG House Show, May 19, 1996)
13. Lights go out on PPV, only two matches are featured on live feed (IYH: Beware of Dog, May 26, 1996)
14. Goldust gives Ahmed Johnson CPR after losing his first WWE match (Monday Night Raw, May 27, 1996)
15. Steve Austin wins King of the Ring; Austin 3:16 is born! (King of the Ring 1996, June 23, 1996)
16. Sid replaces Ultimate Warrior in six-man tag team match (Monday Night Raw, July 21, 1996)
17. Ron Simmons debut as Faarooq Asad and attacks Ahmed Johnson (Monday Night Raw, July 22, 1996)
18. Paul Bearer turns heel on The Undertaker after five years together (SummerSlam 1996, August 18, 1996)
19. Jim Ross turns heel on Vince McMahon; brings in Diesel & Razor Ramon (Monday Night Raw, September 23, 1996)
20. Jesse Jammes (The Real Double J) reveals that Jeff Jarrett was lip synching at IYH 2 PPV (WWF Superstars, October 13, 1996)
21. Bret Hart returns to WWE after turning down WCW (Monday Night Raw, October 21, 1996)
22. Mr. Perfect turns on Marc Mero (Monday Night Raw, October 21, 1996)
23. Steve Austin attacks Brian Pillman; re-injured his ankle (WWF Superstars, October 27, 1996)
24. Brian Pillman-Steve Austin gun angle (Monday Night Raw, November 4, 1996)
25. Shawn Michaels cost Bret Hart a chance to win the WWE Title (IYH: It’s Time, December 15, 1996)

Send your picks to: octaviofierros@yahoo.com - Deadline: Saturday, December 30, 2006. Thanks for your feedback!

We suggest these recent related articles...

10/5 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Natalya vs. Paige, Owens vs. Cara, Stephanie McMahon, Sasha Banks, Xavier Woods

COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: The History of Foam Hands in Pro Wrestling

9/28 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Kane's Split Personality, Divas Revolution, Heyman & Big Show, Reigns vs. Wyatt