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The If Factor: Vader Defeats Shawn Michaels for WWF Title in 1996

Posted: Jun 3rd 2026 By: Brian Damage - RingTheDamnBell.com

The ‘If Factor’ are a series of articles that takes a look at real scenarios in pro wrestling that at one point or another were suggested, planned, considered…but did not get the green light to continue. What would the landscape of professional wrestling look like if these ideas came to fruition.

The If: Vader Defeats Shawn Michaels at Survivor Series ’96

At the Survivor Series in November of 1996, Sycho Sid defeated Shawn Michaels for the WWF title at Madison Square Garden. On that night, the heel Sid was cheered loudly as the babyface, while the babyface Shawn Michaels was treated more like the heel. According to Sid, that wasn’t what was originally planned by Vince McMahon. Sure, Vince didn’t expect the New York City fans to turn on Shawn the way they did, but that scenario would have never happened if Vince went in another direction.

Sid claimed that the original plan was Vader was to beat Michaels for the title at Survivor Series ’96. The booking was done months in advance, but something changed along the way. First and foremost, Shawn did not get along well with Vader behind the scenes. Secondly, the character of Sycho Sid was gaining momentum. Not only in arenas with fans, but with TV ratings every time Sid was on. Sid was getting over, regardless if he was wrestling a heel or a face. The decision was made a couple of months before Survivor Series to switch things up. Vader was out and Sid was in. The rest was WWF history. What would have been if Vader was made WWF champion instead of Sycho Sid? Would Vader’s legacy be any different if he had added the WWF title to his already Hall of Fame resume?