WWF Royal Rumble 1997 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that continues to bring the noise! It’s WWF Royal Rumble 1997! Headlined by one Shawn Michaels challenging for the WWF Championship against Sycho Sid, we also have the return of Ahmed Johnson against the man who took him out Faarooq, The Leader of The Nation of Domination. Other notable matches include Goldust vs Hunter Hearst Helmsley for the WWF Intercontinental Championship and Vader vs Undertaker so I guess the Mankind feud is done then? However, the main attraction is The Royal Rumble match itself, who will be heading to Wrestlemania? The Hitman? Stone Cold Steve Austin? Who knows?

 

(WWF Intercontinental Championship Match) Hunter Hearst Helmsley © vs Goldust W/ Marlena

Helmsley had survived Mero which led to Goldust turning babyface as Helmsley went after Marlena so the Intercontinental Championship still revolves around this three but hopefully, this match will be something special. Helmsley is a very-good worker, bringing a quality to his matches since debuting in 1995. This match gets a promo package so that’s an improvement already, adding to this match. Goldust pummels Helmsley in the ramp before we get into the ring, Goldust pummels Helmsley. Helmsley is thrown to the floor, Helmsley is dropped on the guardrail hard. Helmsley meets the buckle, ten punches in the corner from The Bizarre One. Helmsley lands an inverted atomic drop, right hand from the champion.

 

Early pedigree attempt with Goldust catapulting Helmsley to the floor, Goldust picks up the steel steps and drops them across the back of the champion. Helmsley hot-shots Goldust before Goldust blocks off Helmsley with a boot, big clothesline from Goldust. Helmsley hides behind the referee, low blow from Helmsley. Goldust is dropped to the floor, Helmsley lands an axe handle to the floor. Helmsley wanted a knee but Goldust dodged, Helmsley smashes his knee off the guardrail. Goldust drops the steel steps on the knee of Helmsley. Knee drop from Goldust, Helmsley crawls to the ropes but Goldust yanks Helmsley to the middle of the ring. Elbow drop from Goldust who works the leg, figure-four leg-lock from Goldust.

 

Helmsley makes it over to Mr. Hughes, chop-block from The Bizarre One. Goldust drops Helmsley knee-first onto the steel steps, Goldust ducks a clothesline and misses a flying crossbody in the ring. Goldust spills to the floor, Helmsley whips Goldust into the guardrail. Helmsley takes Marlena’s chair, the referee takes away with the chair. Knee drop from Helmsley in the ring, a foolish manoeuvre from Helmsley. Goldust is crotched on the top rope after fighting back, Helmsley pushed the referee into the ropes to build to this moment. Goldust headbutts Helmsley away, Goldust misses a diving top rope elbow drop. Mr. Hughes has thrown the championship to Helmsley who kisses Marlena but Goldust has the championship and clocks Helmsley. Hughes pulls Helmsley out of the ring, Hughes is arguing with the referee. Goldust clocks Hughes but eats a clothesline from Helmsley. Pedigree and it’s over!

 

Not my idea of a hot opening match but let’s take a look at the arena here: it’s a stadium arguably the biggest place the WWF has ran in quite some time. The feud may be heated but the action is not, Goldust and Helmsley spend a lot of time on the floor brawling and it’s kind of dull. As Goldust the character has been a lot of fun but the wrestler just ain’t blowing me away in the ring, it will be interesting looking back on his WCW work where Rhodes showed how good he could be. They worked hard on this night, just didn’t connect with the crowd or reach that next level.

 

Winner: Hunter Hearst Helmsley over Goldust via Pedigree!

 

Faarooq W/ Clarence Mason/Crush/PG-13/Associates vs Ahmed Johnson

Faarooq injured Ahmed, Ahmed has been sorely missed and they waste fuck-all time reminding you why Ahmed was so much fun to watch. Ahmed pummels the bejesus out of Faarooq, I would have opened with this. Faarooq is rammed off the ring apron, Faarooq is tossed back in the ring. Ahmed kicks Faarooq in the ribs, Ahmed is looking down on Faarooq. Eye rake by Faarooq, Faarooq goes to the kidneys, Faarooq is thrown something by Crush but cannot use it, Ahmed lands a massive flying clothesline. Ahmed grabs the item and whips Faarooq like a dog, Faarooq meets the ring-post and the steel steps. Faarooq uses one of the Nation’s member to blind-side Ahmed with a massive clothesline, Faarooq grabs a chair. Kidney shots from Faarooq, back-breaker onto the chair from Faarooq. Chair to the kidneys, no DQ from the referee? Massive kicks to the ribs, Faarooq is large and in charge.

 

Camel clutch from Faarooq, Ahmed bridges up and electric chair drops Faarooq. Faarooq wanted a shoulder block from the top but Ahmed counters for a powerslam. Ahmed gets caught with a spinebuster by Faarooq, Faarooq wastes too much time talking trash, spinebuster from Ahmed. Crush is in the ring and gets dumped on the floor, Ahmed starts punching everything in sight. The match is thrown out, Ahmed continues wiping out everything in sight before wanting to powerbomb a Nation member through a table and damn, Ahmed destroys the table with The Pearl River Plunge!

 

Fun end of story, love Faarooq trash-talk have no idea why but that voice and the way he carries himself is simply awesome. Two big bastards kicking the shit out of each other as well, it starts perfectly with Ahmed destroying Faarooq and if you have to have a DQ finish, Ahmed makes it worth it by decimating everything in sight and hurling that guy through the table. Faarooq went for the injured ribs, that’s all good with me that’s what I want to see. They live to fight another day, these two will brawl again and I will be looking forward to it.

 

Winner: Ahmed Johnson over Faarooq via DQ!

 

Vader vs The Undertaker

So I have no idea why these are two fighting, things have not been good for Vader since Summerslam but that’s what happens when you have to deal with mid 90s Shawn Michaels and his politicking ways. It begins with a brawl, Vader and Taker throw hands before Taker ducks his head off an Irish whip. Clubbing blow by Vader but no effect, The Deadman is coming back into this before Vader lands an elbow and clothesline. Taker sits-up, Vader Hammer from the big man. Taker continues to get up, Vader powders and is upset with these events. Axe handle from the apron by The Deadman, hot-shot from Vader to derail the Taker train. Vader ducks his head off an Irish whip, leg-drop guillotine style from The Deadman. Vader manages to stop Old-School by dropping Taker on the top rope.

 

Vader pummels Taker in the corner, clothesline from Vader. Middle rope clothesline from Vader, two for Vader. Vader clamps on a rest-hold, Taker fights back with lefts and rights. Vader eats a belly to back suplex, Vader regains control and poses for those in attendance. Taker counters the middle rope shoulder block for a powerslam, Undertaker ducks off an Irish whip and Vader plants Taker with a Vaderbomb. Taker kicks out at two and is on his feet, rights and lefts. Flying clothesline from Taker, Old School from The Deadman. Chokeslam from Taker, Paul Bearer is here at ringside staring down Taker. Vader is clotheslined to the floor, Taker pummels Paul Bearer with a massive right.

 

Paul Bearer is begging for mercy, crawling around the ring on his knees. Taker is going to chokeslam the big man, Vader is up though. Right hand for Paul Bearer, clothesline over the top rope. Taker and Vader brawl by the guardrail, Taker has set up the steps for something. Taker wanted a running clothesline but Paul Bearer pulled Vader free, Vaderbomb and it’s over!

 

What? After months of doing nothing after his match with Shawn Michaels, Vader defeats The Undertaker thanks to Paul Bearer? Well I am in utter shock, I did not see that coming at all. It was what I expected from these two, some big looking spots but neither known for their selling prowess so the match lacks in that department and the finish just comes out of nowhere to me. I guess this is the next chapter in Taker vs Paul Bearer.

 

Winner: Vader over The Undertaker via VaderBomb!

 

Fuerza Guerrera/Heavy Metal/ Jerry Estrada vs Perry Aguayo/Canek/Hector Garza

Heavy Metal and Garza to start, they trade holds with both trading control. Heavy Metal has a side headlock on Garza, Garza lands a belly to back suplex. Aguayo is slapped twice by Estrada, Aguayo continues to out-smart Estrada before Estrada lands a big shoulder blocks. Aguayo sends Estrada to the floor, tag to Canek. Canek and Guerrera, hip-toss by Canek. Guerrera lands a corner clothesline, middle rope crossbody from Canek. Scoop slam by Guerrera, Canek dodges the senton bomb. Canek lands a diving crossbody, Guerrera tags in Heavy Metal. Canek tags Garza, lots of theatrics here. Metal lands a handspring elbow, Garza lands a diving arm-drag. Tilt-a-whirl back-breaker by Garza, more theatrics.

 

Aguayo and Estrada, Aguayo tags in Canek. Canek and Estrada trade arm-drags with Canek landing multiple dropkicks. Canek misses a corner splash, schoolboy for two. Tag to Guerrera who dropkicks Aguayo, rights and kicks before Aguayo chops down Guerrera. Guerrera lands a big elbow, Guerrera misses the dropkick with Aguayo lands a big hip-toss. Guerrera is on the floor, Aguayo tags out to Garza. Metal and Canek come in though, Canek lands a clothesline and a figure four. Canek tags Garza who lands a slingshot splash, flying clothesline by Garza. STF from Garza, Estrada makes the save but Garza attacks the leg again. Tag to Aguayo, Samoan drop and senton but Estrada interferes again.

 

Canek and Guerrera end up in the ring, military press slam by Canek. Aguayo brawls on the floor with Guerrera, Canek presses Estrada to the mat. Garza misses a splash, Estrada is on the floor. Garza lands a corkscrew splash. Aguayo double-stomps Metal for the win.

 

Flat as a pancake and if you are trying to hype the fans up, having your older talent in the ring is probably not the best idea. Would have made a more of an impact with Garza and Heavy Metal I imagine. As it stands, a nothing match that was killing time.

 

Winners: Perry Aguayo/Hector Garza/Canek over Heavy Metal/Jerry Estrada/Fuerza Guerrera via Double Stomp!

 

The Royal Rumble Match

30 men in an over the top battle royal with the winner main-eventing Wrestlemania against the WWF Championship, we know the match and we know the rules. Both feet have to touch the floor, the higher the number the better your odds of winning the match. Let’s do this!

 

Entrants 1 to 5

I break them into blocks of five so that they are easy to follow for everyone, number one is Crush with all his Nation buddies while number two is Ahmed Johnson so the feud continues, Clarence Mason is freaking out because Ahmed wants blood. Crush goes for the ribs, over and over from Crush. Ahmed fires up, massive right hands with a clothesline. Crush and Ahmed are rolling around the ring brawling, Crush is waffling Ahmed. Stomps by Crush, Crush attempts to dump out Ahmed but it does not go to plan. Number three is Fake Razor Ramon, Razor throws rights and lefts at Ahmed. Ahmed dumps out Razor immediately! Bad times for The Bad Guy!

 

Razor Ramon has been Eliminated by Ahmed Johnson!

 

Ahmed dumps Crush to the apron, Crush hangs on though with Ahmed Johnson seeing Faarooq on the ramp, Ahmed eliminates himself and chases after Faarooq!

 

Ahmed Johnson Eliminates Himself!

 

Number four is Phineas Godwinn, Phineas is attempting to throw out Crush but Crush is not giving up just yet, Crush takes down Phineas and lands big boots. Number five is Stone Cold Steve Austin, business has just picked up! Phineas goes after Austin with stomps, clothesline from Phineas. Crush lands a big right to Phineas, headbutt to the kidneys as Austin slowly pulls himself up using the ropes. Middle rope clothesline from Austin who decks Crush and Phineas dumps out Crush before Austin nails his Stunner and dumps out Phineas.

 

Crush has been Eliminated by Phineas Godwinn

 

Phineas Godwinn has been Eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin

 

Bart Gunn has been Eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin

 

Entrants 6 to 10

Number six is Bart Gunn who Austin dumps out rather quickly but in at number seven we have Jake Roberts who tosses the snake at Austin. Right hands by Roberts, arm-wrench from Roberts. Austin staggers Roberts with right hands but Roberts won’t let go of the arm. Number eight is The British Bulldog, Austin dumps out Roberts who wanted his DDT with a big back body-drop!

 

Jake Roberts has been Eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin

 

Bulldog comes in and waffles Austin with a clothesline and stomps in the corner, Running Powerslam from Bulldog. Number nine is Pierroth, spinebuster from Bulldog. Snap-mare and elbows from Bulldog, clothesline from Pierroth. Austin and Bulldog start hammering Pierroth, number ten is The Sultan. Bulldog and Austin are brawling in the corner, Bulldog wants to punish Austin as Sultan and Pierroth square off in the opposite corner.

 

Number 11 to 15

Number eleven is Mil Mascaras, the size of his upper body is tremendous, big rights on Sultan and flying headbutt from Mascaras. Headbutts from Sultan, number twelve is Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Helmsley hammers Bulldog, Sultan and Helmsley work together. Mascaras begins battering Helmsley, Bulldog clotheslines Sultan out of this match!

 

The Sultan has been Eliminated by The British Bulldog!

 

Number thirteen is Owen Hart, Bulldog and Owen Hart are in the ring together, Owen takes his time making it to the ring. Owen goes after Austin, they are squaring off in the corner. Bulldog saves Owen, Austin is a constant target for Bulldog and Owen tries helping out. Owen dumps out Bulldog by mistake, does Bulldog believe Owen?

 

British Bulldog has been Eliminated by Owen Hart!

 

Number fourteen is Goldust, Goldust goes after Helmsley. Number fifteen is Cybernetico, Cybernetico goes right after Mascaras. Goldust takes off the head of Helmsley with a clothesline, Mascaras wants the mask of Cybernetico. Owen stomps the life out of Austin, Helmsley is smacking around Pierroth.

 

Number 16 to 20

In a moment of madness, Mascaras dumps out Pierroth and Cybernetico before diving to the floor with a Diving Crossbody so he’s gone as Goldust dumps out Helmsley, revenge for earlier on in the night.

 

Cybernetico & Pierroth have been Eliminated by Mil Mascaras

 

Mil Mascaras has been Eliminated

 

Hunter Hearst Helmsley has been Eliminated by Goldust

 

Number seventeen is Latin Lover who lands a massive superkick on Owen Hart, Goldust almost dumps out Owen but Owen survives, Owen clotheslines Goldust out of the match!

 

Goldust has been Eliminated by Owen Hart

 

Number Eighteen is Faarooq, Latin Lover punches Faarooq in the face but Faarooq knocks Latin Lover over with a big back body-drop. Faarooq briefly brawls with Austin before Ahmed comes down with a massive 2X4 and wallops Faarooq out of the match. Owen Hart and Mero are dumped out by Austin, Austin is all alone.

 

Latin Lover has been Eliminated by Faarooq

 

Faarooq has been Eliminated by Ahmed Johnson

 

Owen Hart & Marc Mero have been Eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin!

 

Number nineteen is Savio Vega, these two know each other quite well. Savio goes right after Austin, tonnes of punches from Savio. Catapult to the buckle, Spinning Heel Kick from Savio. Stun-gun from Austin and Austin clotheslines Savio out of this match.

 

Savio Vega has been Eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin

 

Number twenty is Jesse James, haven’t seen James in over a year I imagine with Jarrett gone from the WWF. Corner clothesline from James, Austin dumps out James by throwing him to the apron and elbowing The Roadie to the floor.

 

Jesse James has been Eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin

 

Entrants 21 to 25

Number twenty-one is The Hitman Bret Hart, Austin knows it’s game on! Austin says bring it but can he match The Hitman, Bret lands right after right with Austin in deep trouble. Inverted atomic drop and clothesline, corner punches from Bret. Bret hits a big clothesline, rocking Austin. Number twenty-two is Jerry Lawler as Bret Hart applies The Sharpshooter on Austin. Lawler jumps in immediately and Bret knocks Lawler over with two right hands.

 

Jerry Lawler has been Eliminated by Bret Hart

 

Bret continues torturing Austin, middle rope elbow and a headbutt. Back-breaker, number twenty-three is Fake Diesel. Diesel hammers Bret, elbows in the corner and some knees for good measure. Number twenty-four is Terry Funk, left hands from Funk. Bret stomps on Diesel while Funk goes after Austin, Austin almost dumps out Funk right away but Funk hangs on, left hands from Funk on The Hitman. Texas Piledriver, number twenty-five is Rocky Maivia. Rocky pummels Austin, Rocky goes after Diesel. Rocky tries dumping out Austin, Bret tosses Funk at the ropes but Funk holds on again. Diesel elbows and boots Rocky in the head.

 

Number 26 to 30

Number twenty-six is Mankind, Mankind goes after Funk. Funk is almost dumped out again but Funk will not let go, Austin suplexes Bret and lands big right hands to the head. Number twenty-seven is Flash Funk, Bret piledrives Austin in the middle of the ring. Funk crossbodies onto Funk and Diesel, Diesel boots down Funk. Number twenty-eight is Vader, things are about to get interesting. Vader pummels Bret with big claws, Funk tees-off on Vader but Vader just clubs down Funk. Austin goes after Vader, Vader lands his Vader Hammer on Austin.

 

Bret tries going after Vader, Bret uses rights to the head and ribs. Eye poke from Vader slows down Bret, number twenty-nine is Henry O. Godwinn. Henry clotheslines Vader, Diesel and Rocky almost go over but they hold on. Funk chops Rocky in the corner, Mankind and Henry are brawling while Vader hammers Funk in the corner. Austin goes after Bret again, number thirty is The Undertaker. The crowd erupts for The Deadman, things should be interesting now as that ring has to empty soon.

 

Taker goes right for Vader, Vader is decked. Undertaker wants Mankind, the two men who have been a thorn in his side for months, Chokeslam to Austin. Chokeslam to Vader, Taker decks Flash Funk and Diesel. Flash Funk is thrown to the floor by Vader after Flash Funk attempted a crossbody.

 

Flash Funk has been Eliminated by Vader!

 

Bret and Austin are still brawling, Henry Godwinn is with Taker and Funk and Mankind brawl once more. Rocky almost dumps out Bret but Bret is saved by Austin. Godwinn is tossed to the floor by Undetaker after Godwinn tried one too many times to battle The Deadman.

 

Henry O. Godwinn has been Eliminated by The Undertaker

 

Rocky Maivia has been Eliminated by Mankind!

 

Rocky tries a crossbody but Mankind blocks with The Mandible Claw and throws out Rocky, Mankind nails his Cactus Jack Clothesline on Funk but neither man goes over before Mankind boots Funk to the floor. Undertaker boots Mankind out who was still on the apron after the suplex.

 

Terry Funk has been Eliminated by Mankind

 

Mankind has been Eliminated by The Undertaker

 

Bret Hart dumps out Austin but because Terry Funk and Mankind were brawling, the referees were pre-occupied. Austin sneaks back into the ring and dumps out Undertaker and Vader, Bret Hart dumps out Diesel only for Austin to come back in and toss out The Hitman, Austin is going to Wrestlemania.

 

This Rumble match was hit and miss for a few reasons, I do like the way Austin was booked throughout this match. Dominant as it should be considering Austin is in the rise and nobody is more interesting than Austin in the WWF during this time. The AAA talent added nothing to the match, nobody was excited to see them and it’s like the additions of Tenryu or Dick Murdoch in prior Rumbles. I think the trio of rumbles ranging from 95 to 97 might be my least favourite. Also, I think the rumble should always be last there is nothing better simple as that and it builds so much intrigue I mean, what could be a better hook for Monday Night Raw than Austin stealing the rumble from Bret Hart? Nothing that’s what but this did not happen so no point in complaining about that further. I think my real problem is the lack of urgency for this match, not even when Taker comes in at number thirty do the bodies start to fly, it never happens. An intriguing ending that would be gripping for sure if it closed the show but as it’s not the end note for the night, it’s not as impactful.

 

Winner: Stone Cold Steve Austin

 

(WWF Championship Match) Sycho Sid © vs Shawn Michaels W/ Jose Lothario

Sycho Sid had great momentum as a babyface and returned to the WWF as a friend of HBK but Sid always wanted the championship. They clashed at Survivor Series and Sid committed the despicable act of attacking Shawn’s mentor Jose Lothario with a camera. Sid was now the most hated man in the WWF unapologetic as he stood atop the mountain but Shawn Michaels would come for his revenge, Michaels is here in his home-state of Texas to attempt to recapture the WWF Championship.

 

They stare into one another’s eyes, talking trash with Sid shoving down Michaels with ease. Twice HBK is dumped on his ass, Sid goes right after HBK. Gut punches from Sid, Michaels lands a crossbody ramming Sid’s head into the mat, boot from Michaels with Sid landing on the floor. Michaels lands big rights on the floor, Sid sends Michaels into the ring-apron. Michaels rakes the eyes to survive a gorilla press slam, Michaels tries a diving crossbody but Sid lands a powerslam for two. Sid goes right after the back with a camel clutch, Sid misses a splash but sends HBK to the buckle. HBK counters with a boot to the face, Sid sends Michaels to the buckle which leads to Michaels flipping to the floor. Sid smashes Michaels into the ring-post back-first before applying a reverse chin-lock. Michaels breaks free before Sid lands a massive clothesline, bearhug from the champion.

 

Inverted atomic drop from HBK, middle rope first works the first time but the second time Sid counters for the bearhug. Sid gets a two and lands a massive leg drop for two. Michaels slides out of a scoop slam, HBK slams Sid. Flying forearm from Michaels, diving elbow drop and Michaels wants the finish. Sid blocks the superkick, Sid tries a clothesline but Michaels ducks. This leads to Michaels being back-dropped to the floor, Sid Powerbombs Michaels on the floor. Sid has got both Lotharios but stops himself to go after Michaels, Michaels sends Sid to the buckle. The referee is wiped out, Chokeslam from Sid. 1…2… new referee counts two which Sid is not happy about at all. Sid clubs down Michaels in the corner and knocks down the second referee. Lothario is on the apron, Michaels waffles Sid with the camera twice. Can you say déjà vu? 1….2………Sid kicks out of the camera, Sid is a monster and this monster still lives so Michaels throws everything into an almighty Sweet Chin Music and we have a new WWF Champion!

 

Not as dramatic as I would have imagined for a babyface looking to win the WWF Championship in his home-state but listen to that crowd, they were pro-HBK on this night, no doubt about that and when Michaels was on offense, they were loud and when that camera was wrapped around the head of Sid, it was beautifully poetic and one thunderous superkick later Sid was thwarted and the hometown here had slain the dragon. Fun main event, not the most satisfying in terms of story-telling and psychology but more than serviceable and a happy end to the night.

 

Winner: Shawn Michaels over Sycho Sid via Sweet Chin Music!

 

That was WWF’s Royal Rumble 1997, a solid way to kick off 1997. Let’s be fair: it would be hard to kick off the year badly with a Royal Rumble, it would be even harder to have worse Rumbles than the two previous years which saw a severely reduced roster and rumbles lacking star-power. Not on this night, everyone was in that rumble in terms of big names bar the two competing for the WWF Championship. That is the way it should always be, I don’t care if you have competed earlier in the night, the only reason you should not be in a rumble is if you challenged for the championship on that night. Anyways, we kick off with Goldust vs Helmsley, decent opening match I would have went with Ahmed vs Faarooq because while both matches had interesting angles, Ahmed captured the intensity and energy needed for his feud while Goldust as a babyface isn’t hitting the right spot for me as of now and the match was nothing special.

 

Faarooq vs Ahmed Johnson brings the pain, it’s brief and the finish is disappointing but you know they are going to clash again and the feud continues into the Rumble which is nice considering there was not a whole lot going on in terms of little personal battles in the rumble this year. Vader vs Undertaker was genuinely shocking, I thought Vader was dead in the water based on the booking and based on what you hear from the likes of Cornette or WWF fans who talk about this era. Vader vs Shawn was the peak and it was all downhill from there yet here is Vader beating Undertaker relatively clean in the middle of the ring, a continuation of Paul Bearer vs Undertaker with Vader as Bearer’s prodigy. I can dig it, Vader will be smashing people before he’s fed to The Deadman.

 

The Rumble itself has some fun moments in there but it’s lacking the urgency I want from the rumble, it never picks up even the finish comes at you so fast you barely have time to take it all in. The addition of AAA talent drags it down as well as nobody wrecking house except for Austin for the middle portion of the match. I don’t think many superstars got to shine or have little moments to reflect on or advanced their push/careers on this night. The match seemed to do two things: elevate Stone Cold Steve Austin to that main event level by adding more credibility to his career while maintaining his dastardly heel persona and continue the downward spiral of Bret Hart who is continuing to be screwed by unfair officiating and things out of his control going wrong. The Hitman is going to snap and it’s coming and I am all for it. The main event is not the dramatic triumph you would imagine but it’s a fun match with Sid destroying Michaels and Michaels selling appropriately leading up to Michaels using the camera like Sid had used previously and ending with the hometown hero being victorious and capturing the WWF Championship. Good and bad coming out of this rumble but I would call this a successful night for the WWF and if it’s a sign of things to come, 1997 will be a good year! Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!