After leaving WCW, he immediately signed a contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he began competing under his real name because WCW acquired the rights to the Johnny B. Badd name.
He debuted in WWF as a fan favorite at WrestleMania XII, on March 31, 1996, where he rescued his wife, Rena "Sable" Mero from Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
Mero made his in-ring debut, the following night on Monday Night Raw, where he defeated Isaac Yankem DDS.
Beginning with the April 15 episode of Raw, Sable began accompanying Mero to the ring during his matches and he adopted the nickname "Wildman".
Mero defeated Helmsley in his pay-per-view debut at In Your House 8.
Mero qualified for the King of the Ring tournament by defeating Skip on the June 10 episode of Raw.
He defeated Owen Hart in the quarter-final, the following week on Raw, but lost to eventual winner Stone Cold Steve Austin in the semi-final at King of the Ring.
Mero began a rivalry with Goldust after Goldust won a match between the pair on the July 1 episode of Raw.
Mero faced Goldust in a losing effort at the SummerSlam pay-per-view.

On the September 6 episode of Raw, Mero participated in a tournament for the Intercontinental Championship, which was vacated by Ahmed Johnson due to injury.
Mero defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin, Owen Hart and Faarooq to win the title on September 23 episode of Raw.
Mero successfully defended the title against Goldust, with the assistance of Mr. Perfect at In Your House 10.
He dropped the title to rival Hunter Hearst Helmsley, the following night on Raw after Perfect goaded Mero into defending the title against Helmsley and hit him with a steel chair.
Mero led a team of Jake Roberts, The Stalker and newcomer Rocky Maivia against Helmsley, Crush, Goldust and Jerry Lawler in a four-on-four elimination tag team match at Survivor Series.
Mero was eliminated by Crush but his team won the match.
Mero faced Helmsley for the Intercontinental Championship at In Your House 12, where Mero won by count-out.

Mero participated in the 1997 Royal Rumble match as the #16 entrant.
He was eliminated by the eventual winner Stone Cold Steve Austin.
On the February 3 episode of Raw, Mero received his last opportunity for the Intercontinental Championship against Hunter Hearst Helmsley, where he failed to win the title.
Later that month, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, and spent six months rehabilitating his ring attire and gimmick was inspired by Tiger Ninja (Milton Bradley Karate Fighters) .
After leaving WCW, he immediately signed a contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he began competing under his real name because WCW acquired the rights to the Johnny B. Badd name. He debuted in WWF as a fan favorite at WrestleMania XII, on March 31, 1996, where he rescued his wife, Rena "Sable" Mero from Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Mero made his in-ring debut, the following night on Monday Night Raw, where he defeated Isaac Yankem DDS. Beginning with the April 15 episode of Raw, Sable began accompanying Mero to the ring during his matches and he adopted the nickname "Wildman". Mero defeated Helmsley in his pay-per-view debut at In Your House 8. Mero qualified for the King of the Ring tournament by defeating Skip on the June 10 episode of Raw. He defeated Owen Hart in the quarter-final, the following week on Raw, but lost to eventual winner Stone Cold Steve Austin in the semi-final at King of the Ring. Mero began a rivalry with Goldust after Goldust won a match between the pair on the July 1 episode of Raw. Mero faced Goldust in a losing effort at the SummerSlam pay-per-view.
On the September 6 episode of Raw, Mero participated in a tournament for the Intercontinental Championship, which was vacated by Ahmed Johnson due to injury. Mero defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin, Owen Hart and Faarooq to win the title on September 23 episode of Raw. Mero successfully defended the title against Goldust, with the assistance of Mr. Perfect at In Your House 10. He dropped the title to rival Hunter Hearst Helmsley, the following night on Raw after Perfect goaded Mero into defending the title against Helmsley and hit him with a steel chair. Mero led a team of Jake Roberts, The Stalker and newcomer Rocky Maivia against Helmsley, Crush, Goldust and Jerry Lawler in a four-on-four elimination tag team match at Survivor Series. Mero was eliminated by Crush but his team won the match. Mero faced Helmsley for the Intercontinental Championship at In Your House 12, where Mero won by count-out.
Mero participated in the 1997 Royal Rumble match as the #16 entrant. He was eliminated by the eventual winner Stone Cold Steve Austin. On the February 3 episode of Raw, Mero received his last opportunity for the Intercontinental Championship against Hunter Hearst Helmsley, where he failed to win the title. Later that month, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, and spent six months rehabilitating his ring attire and gimmick was inspired by Tiger Ninja (Milton Bradley Karate Fighters) .
Marc Mero