The WWF: Laying the Foundation 1996 & 1997 Quiz

Answer: "The Ringmaster"

"The Ringmaster" was Steve Austin's first gimmick upon his WWF arrival and was very different than what we have become accustomed to. He was managed by Ted Dibiase, wore "The Million Dollar Belt" and was pushed as a technical genius inside the ring. Austin's first finishing move was even Dibiase's "Million Dollar Dream" sleeper variation.

In March 1996 "The Ringmaster" gimmick was ditched, in May 1996 Ted Dibiase left, and by June he was "King of the Ring" and on his way to legendary status.

Answer: Vader

Leon White aka Vader was given a monster heel push upon his January 1996 debut and immediately thrust into a feud with Yokozuna. In a classic case of in with the new and out with the old Yokozuna was ousted from "Camp Cornette" and replaced with Vader who would dominate him in a subsequent feud.

In the summer Vader became the top heel, challenging WWF Champion Shawn Michaels at "Summerslam '96".

Answer: A Roman Gladiator

The character of Faarooq Asad was that of a Roman Gladiator, complete with centurion style armor and an embarrassing sky blue helmet. Thankfully in the fall he was repackaged with the surname Asad being dropped, Sunny being replaced with Clarence Mason and Faarooq being portrayed as the militant leader of "The Nation of Domination".

Answer: Hunter Hearst Helmsley

Triple H at the time was still being portrayed as the Greenwich snob Hunter Hearst Helmsley was the original choice to win the 1996 "King of the Ring". On May 19, 1996 in a now famous incident called "The Curtain Call" Helmsley, Razor Ramon, Diesel and then WWF Champion Shawn Michaels all embraced in the middle of the ring at Madison Square Garden.

This was a flagrant breach of character and done because Ramon and Diesel had just performed their last match for the company. Livid, Vince McMahon took his anger out on the only one he could, Helmsley, with his push being given to Steve Austin.

Answer: Jake "The Snake" Roberts

In early 1996, after a four year absence, Jake "The Snake" Roberts made a return and his persona reflected the struggles that he had been through. Roberts was portrayed as a recovering substance abuse addict that had seen the light and embraced Christianity.

Although he still had his reptile mascot, the snake was now called "Revelations". The change was lukewarm with the fans and Jake never achieved the same level of success he had from 1986 thru 1992.

Answer: The Ultimate Warrior

The Ultimate Warrior made his last run with the WWF from March to June 1996 and typically vanished after awhile. He was given a decent push considering his past reputation, battling top stars as The British Bulldog and Owen Hart. The Warrior even challenged Goldust for The Intercontinental Title at the "In Your House 7: Good Friends, Better Enemies" Pay Per View.

Although he was the subject of a DVD in 2005 and has received multiple action figures, he has never been on WWF television in person since 1996.

Answer: Vader, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog

At that time, July 1996, "Camp Cornette" was comprised of Vader, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog. This talented trio emerged victorious with Vader even scoring the pin on WWF Champion Shawn Michaels thus furthering their intense rivalry.

Answer: The Smokin Gunns

Owen Hart and The British Bulldog defeated The Smokin Gunns at "Mind Games" to win the titles. The Gunns had been in the WWF since mid 1993 and their gimmick were two storyline cowboy brothers. The Gunns looked the part wearing genuine hats, boots and six shooters which they would fire off before matches.

This was the third and final reign for Bart Gunn, however, "brother" Billy was repackaged and played an integral part in "The Attitude Era" winning numerous titles. The team of Owen and The Bulldog was one of the few solid duos to hold The WWF Tag Team Titles during that era.

Answer: "The Loose Cannon" Brian Pillman

During his WWF tenure Pillman was known as "The Loose Cannon" Brian Pillman and played a completely over the top character. In June 1996 Pillman was involved in a serious motorbike accident and as a result his ankle was fused into a stationary position. Before that Brian was known as "Flyin" Brian Pillman and his style was primarily high risk and aerial moves. Showing his tenacity Pillman completely changed his style into a total mat based attack. Sadly, Pillman wrestled with constant pain in his ankle and died on October 5, 1997 at age 35.

Answer: Paul Bearer

In order to get a psychological advantage, if that is possible, against The Undertaker Vader revealed his manager to be Paul Bearer. Bearer had been the longtime manager of The Undertaker appearing with him from 1991 thru 1996 when he betrayed him for the deranged Mankind.

Answer: Justin Credible

In September 1997, Justin Credible made his ECW debut and was a hit with the south Philadelphia fans. He later formed a tag team with Lance Storm known as "The Impact Players" and alone Justin was one of the final ECW Heavyweight Champions before the company folded in 2001.

In early 2001 Credible returned as a member of XPac's "X Factor" faction alongside the brawny Prince Albert. He played a minor role in "The Invasion" angle of 2001 and hung around until late 2002, primarily as a jobber.

Answer: A Gauntlet Match

Johnson faced The Nation of Domination at the time consisting of Faarooq, Crush and Savio Vega in a "Gauntlet Match". This match is sort of a modified handicap match in which one wrestler faces each member of the opposing team. When one foe is defeated another enters and so on until all members of the team have been beaten or one beats the lone opposing wrestler. Johnson was successful in beating Vega and Crush but ultimately fell to Faarooq. If Johnson had been the winner The Nation would have had to disband.

As it was the following month Faarooq booted Crush and Vega, elevated D Lo Brown and recruited Kama Mustafa and ironically Johnson.

Answer: Henry had his neck broken

During a match against The Legion of Doom in April 1997 Hawk executed "The Doomsday Device" on Henry who subsequently took a bad bump and cracked several vertebrae. When he returned he was in a sour mood and soon cousin Phineas also took on a more dour disposition. That summer The Godwins engaged The Legion of Doom and the following year were repackaged as Southern Justice.

Answer: Pillman had to wrestle in a dress for a month

The special stipulation was that if Pillman lost he had to wear a dress when he wrestled for one month. The following month at "Ground Zero" Pillman defeated Goldust in a return encounter which allowed him to have Goldust's manager Marlena as his personal slave for a one month. This sadly was the last hurrah for Pillman as he died whilst still in the midst of the Goldust angle.

Answer: Kane

For weeks on WWF telecasts The Undertaker's former manager Paul Bearer had been taunting him about a dark family secret. Finally Bearer revealed that as a child The Undertaker had accidentally started a fire which killed his entire family except for his brother who was left scarred. Finally at "Badd Blood" Kane made his long hyped debut and a subsequent brother against brother feud was on.

The brothers have had a tumultuous relationship over the subsequent sixteen years.