WWF Survivor Series 1997 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that continues to push the midgets and wrestlers over 30! It’s WWF Survivor Series 1997, one of the most controversial nights in wrestling history. We are not going to discuss whether it’s a work or a shoot, we are keeping it about the action inside of that ring. The main event is Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart for the WWF Championship, Shawn Michaels is the number one contender thanks to a little help from Kane in the Hell in A Cell match at last month’s Bad Blood. That sets us on a collision course for tonight with a Wrestlemania 12 rematch between two wrestlers who simply cannot stand one another and we are in Montreal, Canada so things are not looking good for Shawn Michaels. Also, we have Kane’s debut in action on PPV with Kane taking on the deranged Mankind and we also have the return of Stone Cold Steve Austin to action as he challenges the man who broke his neck at Summerslam Owen Hart for the WWF Intercontinental Championship as well as some traditional Survivor Series Tag Team Matches.

 

Team Headbangers (Headbangers & The New Blackjacks) vs Team Godwinn (Road Dogg & Bad Ass Billy Gunn & The Godwinns)

The New Age Outlaws are tagging together for the first time on PPV, what a wonderful time it is in the WWF. Meanwhile, Godwinns and Headbangers have been going at it for months. Barry Windham to start with Phineas, they lock-up with a shoulder block from Windham. Make it two, Phineas decides to powder. Windham slaps down Phineas, massive scoop slam and tag to Bradshaw. Irish whip and a powerslam for two, Bradshaw chops, clubs and boots Phineas. Phineas boots Bradshaw in the face, Phineas clubs the crap out of Bradshaw. Phineas tags Henry, lock-up with Bradshaw pushing Henry to the corner. Shoulder block from Henry, big clubbing blows from Henry. Bradshaw sends Henry to the buckle, Russian leg-sweep from Bradshaw. Henry blocks a suplex and suplexes Bradshaw for two.

 

Whip to the buckle and clothesline from Henry, two for Henry. Bradshaw catches Henry with an abdominal stretch into a roll-up and we have our first elimination! Henry Godwinn is gone from this match! Windham comes in and big right hands rock Phineas, beautiful suplex for two. Gut-wrench suplex from Windham for two, flying clothesline from Windham for two. Phineas is rocked, whip to the buckle. Windham runs into a right hand and a big clothesline from Phineas knocks out Windham. Blackjack Windham has been eliminated!

 

Mosh outsmarts Phineas and lands a big elbow, elbows and biting from Phineas. Mosh slides through the legs of Phineas, big dropkick and a drop toehold. Arm-bar from Mosh, Phineas escapes the hold and batters Mosh, double elbow as Billy Gunn taunts and lands massive stomps to the head of Mosh. Billy Gunn stomps all over Mosh, big right hands from Billy. Loud interesting chants from fans, Mosh boots Billy in the face. Big clothesline from Mosh, Mosh tries a hip splash on Billy but Billy drives Mosh into the mat face-first for the elimination. Mosh has been eliminated which leaves us with just Thrasher and Bradshaw.

 

Phineas and Thrasher lock-up, side headlock by Thrasher. Thrasher punishes Phineas with biting and a thumb to the eye, Thrasher almost steals a pin-fall on Phineas but Phineas survives, more lock-ups that aren’t exactly what the crowd wanted there. Shoulder block from Thrasher, hip-toss from Thrasher but Phineas kicks off Thrasher. Thrasher returns the favour and delivers an arm-drag into an arm-bar. Thrasher dodges a scoop slam and sends Phineas into the mat, Stage Dive from Thrasher and Phineas has been eliminated! 2 on 2 now!

 

Road Dogg comes in and eats a hip-toss before Bradshaw comes in and chops the life out of Road Dogg. Short-arm clothesline from Bradshaw, gut-wrench powerbomb hard. Stiff kick to the spine, Billy cheap-shots Bradshaw which allows Road Dogg to roll-up Bradshaw for the elimination. Bradshaw is irate and takes out Road Dogg and Billy Gunn before leaving a very angry man. Thrasher continues the fight alone, smashing Road Dogg over and over with right hands in the corner. Billy kicks Thrasher from the apron, Thrasher ducks his head off an Irish whip and there is no pumphandle slam for Road Dogg. Road Dogg tries it again with a blind tag from Billy Gunn, Thrasher covers Road Dogg countering the pumphandle but Billy nails that top rope leg drop for the win.

 

Mostly flat for an opening match, not a lot of acts that you would want in there to open a pay per view. However, I have voiced that concern before about The Headbangers, I don’t know if people really know how to react to them while The Blackjacks and New Age Outlaws (Even though they ain’t called that yet) are nowhere near the level the WWF need them to be to open a PPV) The finish was also very off with that leg drop not even close to connecting on the head of Thrasher. Very disappointing opening match from the WWF during a time where they are supposed to be turning things around, it seems they are still way off pace.

 

Winners: Team Road Dogg via Diving Leg Drop!

 

The Truth Commission vs DOA (Traditional Survivor Series Style Elimination Match)

Well they are not giving me a good reason to watch this show, Interrogator and Chainz are going to start this match, Chainz hammers Interrogator but Interrogator keeps coming back. Interrogator misses a splash and gets clotheslined twice before landing a brutal looking Sidewalk Slam for the elimination. Skull & 8 Ball batter Interrogator but we have a clean break with the referees restoring control. Recon comes in with boots and a clothesline to one of the Harris twins. Falling mat slam from Recon, tag to The Jackyl who lands a top rope knee drop. Chops seem to have no effect, right hands from Skull. Spinning Sidewalk Slam for the elimination on The Jackyl!

 

Sniper and Skill, reverse elbow from Sniper for two. Side headlock before Sniper lands a flying crossbody. Two for Sniper, Recon is now the legal man. Recon misses a diving axe handle, DOA batter Recon. Elbow and scoop slam, leg drops from Crush. Belly to belly suplex from Crush for two, Recon superkicks 8-Ball. Both men bang heads with Skull swapping places with 8-Ball. Running clothesline from Skull for the elimination on Recon!

 

Sniper batters Skull, Skull lands a swinging neck-breaker. Two for Skull, tag to 8-Ball. Massive double spinebuster for two, Sniper only survives thanks to Interrogator. Interrogator cheap-shots 8-Ball and Sniper lands a running bulldog for the elimination. Skull is in with Sniper, running corner clothesline and an elbow drop. Tag to Crush, Crush uses a triangle choke to try and take down Sniper. Blind tag as Sniper manages to tag in The Interrogator who nails the sidewalk slam for the elimination on Skull!

 

Only Crush remains to take on Interrogator and Sniper, headbutt from Interrogator. Tag to Sniper, boots and right hands from Sniper. Crush reverses the Irish whip and lands a tilt-a-whirl sideslam before Interrogator comes in immediately and delivers The Sidewalk Slam for the win.

 

Awful big men who cannot work trying to work is not really my thing, a surprise I am sure but my god was that bad. Never been a fan of DOA, I will give Crush a pass for his program with Savage and Primetime Brian Lee for his run in Smokey Mountain Wrestling but everyone else in this match can go to hell. One of the most controversial nights in Wrestling history seems more like one of the most unforgettable nights in wrestling history at this point, these are two awful opening matches.

 

Winners: The Truth Commission over DOA via Sidewalk Slam!

 

Team USA (Vader/Goldust/Steve Blackman/Marc Mero) vs Team Canada (British Bulldog/Jim Neidhart/Doug Furnas/Phil Lafon)

A lot of staples of the WWF Attitude Era are making their PPV debuts on this show as well as a lot of returns too with Mero coming back after many months, Steve Blackman making his debut. Phil Lafon and Doug Furnas re-emerge after a PPV hiatus, crazy to wonder where things went wrong for those two in the WWF considering how good their matches were with Bulldog and Owen Hart a year prior.

 

Mero and Bulldog to start, Mero has cut his hair and looks more like a boxer than ever, Bulldog wipes his arse with the USA flag and throws it at Sable. Bulldog shoulder blocks, hip-tosses and dropkicks Mero. Bulldog mocks Steve Blackman, Blackman looks on like a statue. Vader is in, middle rope axe handle from Vader. Hammer blows and a short-arm clothesline from Vader, whip to the ropes and Vader Hammer. Vader tries a middle rope splash, powerslam counter from Bulldog. Delayed vertical suplex on Vader, Lafon goes to work on Vader. Irish whip, Vader splash in the corner. Tag to Mero, rights and lefts. Knee-lift from Mero, spinning heel kick from Lafon. Team Canada batter Mero and Lafon nails a clothesline, tag to Neidhart.

 

Rake across the top rope, tag to Lafon. Mero counters and drills Lafon to the back of the head, Pump Kick from Blackman. Dropkick from Blackman, hot-shot from Blackman. Elbow drop for two, knee to the gut from Lafon and a DDT for two. Crucifix for two, throat thrust from Blackman. Kicks to all of Team Canada, Lafon is elevated to the floor. Furnas and Team Canada go after Blackman, Steve Blackman gets counted out due to being a moron.

 

Neidhart and Mero restart the action, Irish whip to the buckle with Mero dodging. Schoolboy for two, Neidhart nails a clothesline but misses a middle rope splash. Vader eats a clothesline from Neidhart, shoulder block too. Vader bounces back with a clothesline, elbow drop to the lower regions and a big splash with Neidhart being eliminated. Lafon comes in and chops Vader, big superkicks from Lafon. Spinning heel kick knocks Vader to the floor, Vader meets the steel steps. Vader sends Lafon across the ring, corner clothesline and a belly to belly suplex. Middle Rope Splash and Lafon is eliminated, Furnas comes in with a great dropkick! Furnas stomps all over Vader, Vader holds onto the ropes to avoid the hurricanrana. Mero pummels Furnas with right hands, Merosault goes very wrong but we get out of it, clothesline from Furnas for two.

 

Bulldog comes in and batters Mero off the buckle, sunset flip from Mero but Bulldog blocks and almost nails the powerslam. Mero shoves off Bulldog, big right hand and an elbow to the face. Tag to Furnas, rights and lefts from Mero with Furnas showing his boxing process before Mero turns the tide once more. Corner sunset flip from Mero for two, Furnas reverses and pulls the tights for the elimination. We are down to 2 on 2! Furnas nails a flying clothesline, Bulldog comes into the match. Vader lands a massive suplex on Bulldog, Furnas comes in and attacks Vader but Vader lands a belly to back suplex on Furnas. Low blow from Furnas, Bulldog comes in and eats a boot and a clothesline from Vader. Goldust jumps down off the apron, Furnas unloads on Vader. Belly to belly suplex from Furnas on Vader for a close two.

 

Furnas scoops up Vader, Irish whip and a hurricanrana from Furnas for a close two. Vader clotheslines Furnas down and Vader slaps the shit out of Goldust pulling him into the ring. Goldust walks away and walks out on Team America as Vader looks on, Vader clubs back on Furnas. Corner splash, Vader Hammer on Bulldog. Scoop slam from Vader, Bulldog has the ring-bell. Vader-Bomb on Furnas, Bulldog cracks Vader in the back of the head for the win.

 

A match where 85% is Vader hurting people? Well that’s fun but not enough to sustain my interest for the length of time that match lasted. Steve Blackman’s debut was interesting to say the least, the classic lets protect the new guy with a count-out strategy well I wish Blackman got a bit more to do in the match and got to show off a little more, it was not meant to be though. Interesting angle with Goldust but have I been blown away by Goldust’s work in the WWF at any point? No so while the character continues to be interesting, I am not looking forward to the future matches of Goldust. I guess we are going to get Vader vs Goldust going forward, that could be fun but it’s another match that I am not going crazy for. Maybe the gimmick isn’t appealing to me anymore or rather the action is just not hitting that sweet spot.

 

Winners: Team Canada over Team USA via Ring-bell to The Face!

 

Kane W/ Paul Bearer vs Mankind

Kane made his debut at Bad Blood and destroyed The Undertaker, having destroyed jobbers, minis and I believe Ahmed Johnson too. Mankind looks to take on Kane who took care of Dude Love, Kane wrestles with red lighting which must be interesting for the fans, I always wondered if that was a great hinderance to the fans in attendance. Mankind rushes Kane which is a bad idea, Mankind bounces off the steel steps and is battered around the ring. Mankind begins kicking back at the monster, time and time again with headbutts. Cactus Jack clothesline but Kane lands on his feet and lands a clothesline. Steel steps are thrown at the head of Mankind, Kane continues to land big right hands and a big boot from The Big Red Machine.

 

Kane boots Mankind to the floor, Mankind flapjacks Kane onto the steel steps. Kane is right back up, a chair-shot from Mankind which is brutal but Kane is still up. Pulling piledriver from Mankind, Mankind calls for The Mandible Claw. Mandible Claw delivered to Paul bearer at ringside, Paul Bearer almost passes out at ringside but Kane sits-up, Mankind has no idea. Kane chokeslams Mankind who is on the apron and through the announce table at ringside. Kane tosses the announce table on the head of Mankind. Kane continues smacking Mankind with pieces of the table. Kane stalks the fallen Mankind, Chokeslam on the ramp? Mankind goes low and DDTs Kane on the concrete, Cactus Jack elbow to the floor from Mankind. Kane sits up and jumps up and slams Mankind from the top rope onto the floor, Kane may have broken Mankind. Mankind crawls back into the ring, using Kane to pull himself up with Kane picking up Mankind and drilling Mankind with The Tombstone Piledriver for the win.

 

Very good showing for Kane on PPV, Mankind does what he does best and that is destroy his own body to make his opponent look like a beast, Kane destroys Mankind here while keeping it competitive for the first enjoyable match of the night, strong showing for The Big Red Machine while Mankind looks tough in defeat! Mission accomplished as far as I am concerned!

 

Winner: Kane over Mankind via Tombstone Piledriver!

 

The Nation of Domination (Faarooq/The Rock/D’Lo Brown/Kama Mustafa) vs Team Shamrock (Ken Shamrock/LOD/Ahmed Johnson)

Finally, Shamrock returns to my screen on PPV, how I have missed Ken who has been explosive in his previous showings and speaking of explosive, my boy Ahmed Johnson returns to our PPV screens after months of absence, it might have been KOTR 97, the last time I saw Ahmed who has slid down the card while LOD are your tag team champions, the one title change that I was waiting for on PPV and they did it on Raw or a house show, I am guessing RAW but damn it really?

 

D’Lo Brown and Hawk kick off, shoulder blocks from D’Lo have no effect with a clothesline knocking D’Lo down. Piledriver has no effect on Hawk, hangman’s neck-breaker on D’Lo. Rocky comes in and Hawk chops the life out of Rocky. Kama nails Hawk with a massive kick to the back of the head, Rock Bottom for the elimination. Hawk is gone right away, can you believe it? In comes Ahmed and lands a big reverse elbow, Rocky tags in Kama. Kama punches Ahmed over and over, clothesline from Kama. Tag to Faarooq, kicks to the ribs. Back-breaker, Ahmed is whipped with a belt behind the referee’s back. Big right hand from Faarooq, Ahmed slips out of The Dominator. Pearl River Plunge from Ahmed and Ahmed gets revenge on Faarooq with the elimination.

 

D’Lo nails a spinning heel kick on Ahmed, Lo Down from D’Lo. D’Lo nails massive right hands but Ahmed shakes it off, sit-out suplex from Ahmed. Rocky tags in and runs into a spinebuster, Faarooq trips and holds down the legs of Ahmed so Rocky gets the pin on Ahmed. Faarooq gets his revenge and Ahmed chases off Faarooq. They brawl to the back, it’s 3 on 2. Animal clotheslines Rocky hard in the corner, tag to Shamrock. Clothesline from Shamrock, dropkick from Shamrock. Eye poke and tag to Kama, Shamrock begins fighting back before Kama eye-rakes Shamrock. Foot choke in the corner, whip to the opposite buckle. Kama misses a splash and Shamrock tags in Animal, LOD chants ring-out in the arena. Big gut punch and clubbing blows from Kama who applies a front chancery before Animal tosses off Kama. Clothesline by both men who collide in the middle of the ring. Belly to back suplex by Animal for two, whip to the buckle and Kama boots Animal in the face.

 

Headbutt by Kama, right hands to the face. Animal ducks the clothesline and lands a flying shoulder block, scoop slam by Animal. No count for Animal, D’Lo gets smacked before Kama lands his martial arts kick. Animal dropkicks Kama into Rocky for a schoolboy and the elimination. The Supreme Fighting Machine has been eliminated as Animal clotheslines D’Lo down. Standing dropkick and gut punches by Shamrock, whip to the buckle and clothesline by Shamrock. Eye poke by D’Lo and D’Lo smacks Animal for good measure, Rocky comes in behind the referee’s back and smashes Shamrock in the nuts for two. Snap-mare and leg drop from D’Lo for two. Reverse chin-lock from D’Lo with Shamrock breaking out before D’Lo cut off Shamrock with a nice knee to the ribs.

 

 Back-breaker by D’Lo, middle rope moonsault and D’Lo misses by a country mile. Animal and Rocky receives tags, dropkicks from Animal. Powerslam from Animal, Road Dogg & Billy Gunn are here which leads to Animal attacking both and being blinded, the referee continues counting and guess what, Animal has been counted out which means Shamrock is all alone against both Nation members. Can Shamrock beat the odds? Crowd starts chanting Shamrock as Rocky and D’Lo begin stalking The World’s Most Dangerous Man. Boots and right hands by D’Lo, clothesline by D’Lo. Rocky refuses the tag from D’Lo, Rocky decides to come in and both men miss their clothesline. Shamrock throws out Rocky, belly to belly suplex on D’Lo and an Ankle Lock makes D’Lo tap-out. Rocky has a chair though, chair-shot to the back of Shamrock.

 

Rocky covers Shamrock and Shamrock kicks out, Rocky cannot believe it. Rocky begins stomping away at Shamrock, big right hands from Rocky who continues choking and stomping Shamrock. Rocky threatens the referee, Shamrock begins firing back with massive rights before Rocky drills Shamrock with a thumb to the eye and a float-over DDT. Close two for Rocky, scoop slam and people’s elbow from Rocky. Two for Rocky, Shamrock fires up with rights and lefts. The DDT is countered this time, Shamrock lands the northern lights suplex. Hurricanrana from Shamrock, arm-bar into The Ankle Lock and Shamrock wins the match!

 

Ken Shamrock had the greatest month of his life during this time, defeating Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels before winning this match, it was always a great what-if about putting that championship on Shamrock. Anyways, this was easily the most enjoyable Survivor Series match of the night, I could have easily skipped on the first two which were awful while this one was quite interesting. A lot of interesting elements with Rocky garnering the biggest reaction for his team and Shamrock doing the same for the babyfaces. Will always be curious about the treatment of LOD since returning, seemed they were always treated as second-rate despite their appeal but make no mistake about it, things could be getting very interesting for Rocky and Shamrock in the coming months.

 

Winner: Team Shamrock over The Nation of Domination via Ankle Lock!

 

(WWF Intercontinental Championship Match) Owen Hart © vs Stone Cold Steve Austin

A broken neck: Owen Hart broke the neck of The Rattlesnake at Summerslam, causing Austin to miss three months of action. Austin arguably became more popular while being unable to compete but those three months, Austin could not wait to get his hands on Owen Hart. Austin helped Owen Hart win the Intercontinental Championship to setup this rematch, The Rattlesnake is ready to strike but can Owen Hart manage to stop Austin once more? This feels big, Austin comes to a great reaction for someone who is going up against a true Canadian in Owen Hart. Owen comes down to the ring with The Hart Foundation and Furnas & Lafon, such a simple act but great heel work. Also crazy to think that Owen could play such a callous character considering he was one of the nicest guys in the history of the business, you almost expect him to burst out laughing.

 

The match starts with Austin stunning Neidhart which allows Owen to jump Austin, Owen rakes the face of Austin across the top rope. Austin reverses Owen with right hands in the corner, gut kick from Owen. Austin blocks the piledriver but drags Austin down by the ring-post. Austin’s knee is sent into the ring-post before Austin yanks Owen into the ring-post. Austin chases after Owen who was thinking of leaving early to beat traffic, Owen meets the guard-rail. Owen continues to run from Austin, low blow from The King of Harts. Owen shoves Austin into the announce table, Owen continues to dish out punishment with a camera cable around the neck of Austin. Owen is trying to get disqualified, Owen chokes Austin in the ring. Owen takes at the face of Austin, shots to the ribs. Austin turns the tide and stomps the bejesus out of Owen, Irish whip and eye poke into an awkward exchange and a Stunner, Austin wins the championship and stuns Team Canada while we are at it!

 

Hold on a second, where was my breath-taking back and forth contest between the two? I wanted to see Owen go after the neck, the drama, the struggle, definitely comes out of nowhere but the match is over before it begins? Why? Austin’s neck? A refusal to work a long match with the man who broke his neck? Seriously, I feel I was robbed of the match that I truly wanted to see, how can this be? Disappointed is an understatement!

 

Winner: Stone Cold Steve Austin over Owen Hart via Stone Cold Stunner!

 

(WWF Championship Match) Bret Hart© vs Shawn Michaels

The match 18 months in the making, Shawn Michaels defeated Bret Hart at Wrestlemania 12, Bret Hart took a number of months off returning at Survivor Series 96, the plan at the time was for Bret Hart to recapture the WWF Championship from Michaels at Wrestlemania 13 but Michaels walked away citing an injury and losing his smile. The legitimacy of this injury has been in question for years at this point but all you need to know was Shawn Michaels was quoted as saying he would never ever put over Bret Hart. Now it’s Survivor Series 1997 and Bret Hart is leaving for WCW but the WWF Championship is still around the waist of The Hitman and the WWF needed to get the championship off of The Hitman but Bret refused to put over HBK because of how much of a prick Shawn Michaels was, this leads us to this match between two individuals who’s real life hatred fuelled their on-screen rivalry.

 

Both men arguably have done the best work of their career during this year, it will always be a great what-if to see how both men would have continued their rivalry the following year in the WWF but it was not meant to be. The match has a massive big fight feel, the camera follows both men to the ring with their entourages following them. Michaels is on the floor, giving the spotlight to The Hitman. This is intense for sure, Bret kisses the championship before handing it over as he often does, a little touch but it means quite a lot.

 

Michaels jumps Bret, Bret wins the fist-fight though. Multiple right hands and a headbutt from Bret, clothesline to the floor. Michaels meets the ring-post, Bret lands two massive rights to the face of HBK. Bret throws Michaels into the crowd, the referees are trying to maintain control but this is madness. Patterson, Slaughter and Mcmahon is here too. Michaels regains control bouncing Bret Hart off the announce table, HBK chokes Hart with an American flag. Michaels brings Bret into the crowd, more chaotic crowd-brawling. Michaels wants a piledriver but Bret reverses and Michaels lands hard on the floor. Low blow from Bret, Michaels is back-dropped on the rampway by The Hitman.

 

Bret Hart suplexes Michaels on the floor, Michaels pulls Bret into a referee. Bodies everywhere, this is a brawl! Bret tosses Michaels over the stage, fire extinguisher to the ribs. Michaels is knocked down once more by an irate Hitman, Michaels meets the guardrail hard. Bret chokes Michaels with the Quebec flag, leg-drop to the back of the neck. Inverted atomic drop from the champion, Michaels ducks the clothesline and nails his flying forearm. Kip-up and boot to the head from HBK, stomp to the face and Michaels chokes Bret with the Quebec flag.

 

Fist drop from HBK, Michaels taunts the fans. Bret is dumped to the floor, right hands from Michaels. Michaels front suplexes Bret onto the steel steps and stomps The Hitman on the back of the head. Michaels is on the top rope, double axe handle to the neck. Front chancery from the challenger, Bret tosses off Michaels, Bret goes after that leg. Elbow to the knee, Michaels grabs and rakes the face of Bret. Bret blocks the back-drop attempt with a boot but Michaels rakes the eyes again, Bret meets the buckle hard. Scoop slam, diving crossbody from Michaels but Bret rolls through for a close two. Bret kicks Michaels’ leg over and over, Michaels’ leg meets the ring-post and we have an apron figure-four. Impressive leg work from The Hitman, figure-four in the middle of the ring.

 

Michaels reverses the hold which switches the pressure onto The Hitman, Hitman has to break the hold. Mean right hands from Bret, Michaels is sent to the buckle and eats a Russian leg-sweep for two. Headbutt to the lower regions and a snap suplex from Bret, back-breaker from The Hitman. Bret’s Rope Elbow drop coming up but Michaels pulls the referee in front of The Hitman, Earl Hebnar is down as Bret and Hebnar clash heads. Eye rake from Michaels, HBK slaps on The Sharpshooter and the referee rings the bell and chaos ensues, The Montreal Screwjob takes places as Bret Hart gobs on Vince Mcmahon. HBK leaves the ring irate as The Hitman spells out WCW!

 

Incredible how The Network version goes off the air, leaving anyone who knows nothing about this match in the dark about the true nature of what might/did take place. I am not here to give my opinion on the screwjob though, God knows it has been done to death and I could add nothing new to that conversation so let’s talk about the match. It does feel incomplete, you don’t get much of your typical Bret Hart match, not a lot of leg-work and HBK does not control the action for very long which is disappointing because knowing what these two were capable of and with an insanely hot crowd like they had, this could have been magical for all the right reasons instead of the wrong reasons. I do enjoy the big fight feel though, from the entrances to having all the referees following the action, you are sucked into the drama and you cannot help but believe these two want to kill one another. Brawling can go two ways you can see as art that adds to the drama in the ring or you can see it as lazy/a cheap way to pop the fans by taking the action to them, this was definitely a case of the former here. It’s just so good watching these two brawl around the arena and I do wish this match had a couple more minutes and a definitive ending because for the year that both these men had, they deserved to have had that classic.

 

Winner: Shawn Michaels over Bret Hart via The Montreal Screwjob!

 

That was WWF’s Survivor Series 1997, a night of infamy for sure but a rather boring WWF PPV when all was said and done. The traditional Survivor Series matches on this card were largely uninteresting especially the two opening matches, they provided little reason for the fans to care or react and overstayed their welcome. Things improve with the two matches featuring bigger stars like Vader, Bulldog and Shamrock but the action is still not great, perhaps I am tired of the formulaic layouts of these matches but I am glad I won’t have to see anymore of these for a while. Kane vs Mankind is solid, Kane looks unstoppable while Mankind gives a good accounting of himself showcasing his willingness to torture himself for the sake of his art. Disappointed would be my reaction to the two championship matches on the card, I would like to know more about Austin vs Owen because if Austin was 100% healthy and cleared to go, I felt they could done so much more with this match. Owen could have gotten so much heat, could have gone after the neck but it seemed more like a joke to have Owen in there with Austin like it was a foregone conclusion that Austin was going to wipe the floor with Owen, very disappointing from a viewing standpoint. Meanwhile, I loved where the main event was heading but same thing like the Intercontinental Championship match, it seemed to end before it got going and I can’t help but think how fun a longer match between those two would have been but it was simply not meant to be. Only one more PPV to go for 1997, what a ride it has been! Survivor Series 1997 may have been a controversial night in wrestling history but this was not a fun card by any stretch of the imagination, thanks for taking the time to check this review out! And remember: there’s always another night!

WWF Summerslam 1997: Hart & Soul Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that continues to confuse you more than an episode of Monday Night Raw! It’s time for WWF Summerslam 1997 where Bret Hart looks to capture his fifth WWF Championship against the seemingly unstoppable Undertaker! We also have Stone Cold Steve Austin taking on the Intercontinental Champion Owen Hart, Brian Pillman vs Goldust and British Bulldog vs Ken Shamrock! Lots of drama involved in this one, Shawn Michaels is the special referee for the main event which creates a massive obstacle for The Hitman. Meanwhile, this night will go down in infamy for one moment and one move that would change the wrestling business dramatically for sure. Can Summerslam be a home-run like Canadian Stampede? Let’s find out!

 

(Steel Cage Match) Hunter Hearst Helmsley W/ Chyna vs Mankind

This all kicked off at The King of The Ring, these two despise one another with Mankind looking to destroy Helmsley who cost him the chance to be the king of the ring. They battled to a double count-out at Canadian Stampede and things have escalated week after week so now we have to settle the score inside a steel cage match.

 

Helmsley starts the match by trying to dive out the cage door, Mankind grabs onto Helmsley and yanks Helmsley back into the middle of the ring. Right hands from Mankind, Helmsley tries to escape again but Mankind is not going to let that happen. Helmsley is raked against the cage before landing massive right hands in the corner. You know what’s next, Mankind lands his running knee. Pulling piledriver that looks nasty from Mankind, Chyna prevents Mankind from leaving through the door. Mandible Claw but Chyna chokes Mankind through the cage with her belt, the crowd voices their disapproval at this interference. Irish whip by Helmsley, Helmsley avoids a boot but eats a discuss clothesline from Mankind. Chyna is climbing the cage and low-blows Mankind who is on top of the cage.

 

Helmsley climbs up and suplexes Mankind to the mat from the top of the cage, that looked so nasty. Helmsley crawls towards the door and decides that Helmsley wants to beat up Mankind. Mankind is rammed into the cage wall multiple times, Mankind’s head is banged off the cage wall multiple times. Helmsley shows that mean-streak again while smashing Mankind repeatedly and Mankind grabs the foot of Helmsley who has almost escaped the cage. Helmsley is almost free, Helmsley boots down Mankind but Mankind comes back and drags Helmsley back into the cage. Mankind tees off on Helmsley with repeated right hands, Irish whip to the corner and a knee to the head. Chyna lands a forearm through the cage.

 

Both men land inverted atomic drops before Mankind lands a stiff clothesline, Irish whip and Helmsley counters with a face-buster. Mankind blocks the suplex and sends Helmsley into the cage who is in a tree-of-woe like position before Mankind lands a huge running elbow. Helmsley meets the cage hard, again Helmsley meets the cage with Mankind in control. Headbutt by Mankind, Helmsley back-drops Mankind into the steel cage. Helmsley is climbing high, Mankind is battling with Helmsley on the top rope. Mankind batters Helmsley who crotches himself on the top rope, Chyna looks on concerned at ring-side. Helmsley is also caught in the top rope, Chyna is trying to free Helmsley while Mankind crawls towards the door. Chyna rushes to the door and smacks it off the head of Mankind before wiping out the referee.

 

Chyna has a chair and she throws it to Helmsley, Pedigree is the plan but Mankind reverses and catapults Helmsley into Chyna who was climbing the cage wall. Chyna is down, Mankind lands a massive Double Arm DDT on the chair. Chyna is in the cage, Helmsley is not moving. Mankind rips off his mask not wanting to win by escaping the cage just yet. Mankind sits on top of the cage, Diving Elbow from the top of the cage. Right into the heart of Helmsley, Chyna crawls in trying to pull out Helmsley but Mankind is too fast and Mankind is your winner of this absolute war.

 

Fantastic opening match, it’s what you want from a cage match with two people who despise one another beating the hell out of one another inside of that cage. Great violence, great intensity from Helmsley and Mankind. So many great spots, the superplex from the top to the catapult into Chyna into that diving elbow, this match packs quite the punch and it’s a great way to cap off the feud if that is it for these two but I have a feeling it’s going to continue. One of my favourite matches of this era, a great feud that just gets better and better. Happy for both men, this is what they needed to get back on track!

 

Winner: Mankind over Hunter Hearst Helmsley via Escape!

 

Goldust W/ Marlena vs Brian Pillman

Goldust continues his babyface run against The Loose Cannon Brian Pillman, two men who met at Canadian Stampede in that awesome 10-man tag. Happy to see Pillman in a singles match, curious to see how Pillman does after his ankle injury. Pillman was more of a spectator in the main event of Canadian Stampede, this match starts with Pillman jumping Goldust. Pillman bites the head of Goldust, Goldust is whipped to the buckle and explodes out with a middle rope elbow. Ten punches in the corner from Goldust, Pillman tries the inverted atomic drop but Goldust dodges and kisses Pillman who powders at this atrocity. Pillman goes low with a boot and chops The Bizarre One, side headlock on the ropes from Pillman.

 

 Irish whip and elbow from Pillman, Pillman stalks Marlena. Goldust nails Pillman hard with a clothesline, chop and back rake from Goldust. Pillman begs off with Goldust landing jabs, Pillman takes advantage of Goldust lowering his head. Snap suplex from Pillman, Pillman climbs high and is crotched on the top rope. Marlena blows her cigar in the face of Pillman before Pillman uses Marlena as a shield and DDTs Goldust on the floor. Diving clothesline from Pillman for two, Pillman clamps on a sleeper. Goldust fires back, back-slide for two but Pillman is up first and lands a massive clothesline for two. Goldust ducks a clothesline and lands a flying clothesline of his own. Both are trading massive blows, Goldust wins the exchange. Running bulldog is countered by Pillman, shoulder thrust from Goldust and a sunset-flip but they botch it. They recover well with Marlena walloping Pillman in the head and Goldust getting the sunset-flip for the win.

 

Solid at the end of the day, Pillman’s cheating tactics are good fun and Goldust is getting good reactions between the ropes, wish there could have been a bit more to the match. It never left second gear for me, they just got on with it which is not a problem sometimes but I just didn’t care when all was said and done.

 

Winner: Goldust over Brian Pillman via Sunset Flip!

 

The Godwinns vs The Legion of Doom

LOD broke Henry Godwinn’s neck so The Godwinns came back with a vengeance and now we have this match between the two. It looked as if LOD would be tag team champions by this stage in the WWF but with Owen Hart being a singles champion, it seems plans have changed. The Godwinns have been part of some of my most hated matches of this era with simpleton Phineas being among my most hated gimmicks of the time so as heels, I am interested to see what the duo can do as I have long since lost my trust in The Godwinns as babyfaces.

 

We start with a brawl, LOD clothesline The Godwinns. Hawk lands an apron clothesline, Animal lands a shoulder block on Phineas who powders to catch his breathe. Henry works on Animal who missed a corner clothesline, Animal back-flips out of a belly to back suplex and lands a clothesline to both Godwinns. Hawk wipes out Phineas on the floor, lock-up and Henry clubs on Hawk. Hot-shot from Henry, Hawk dodges an apron leg drop. Hawk nails Henry on the floor and sends Henry into the steel steps. Snap-mare into a leg drop from Hawk for two, Henry goes low with a headbutt and a tag to Phineas. Headbutt from Phineas, neck-breaker stretch from Phineas.

 

Hawk tags in Animal, lock-up and Animal wrenches the arm. Irish whip with Phineas attacking Animal with a knee, Henry wipes out Animal with a clothesline to the floor. Animal is bumped into the guardrail, scoop slam for two. Tag to Phineas, bearhug from Phineas. Phineas tags Henry but Henry misses a clothesline, Phineas comes in and gut punches Animal. Phineas tries a middle rope clothesline, Animal nails Phineas and tags Hawk. Powerslam from Hawk, Hawk is battering both. Corner clothesline to Henry, clothesline to Phineas. Neck-breaker to Henry, Phineas makes the save. Animal wipes out Phineas, LOD clothesline Henry. Hawk wipes out Phineas with a diving clothesline before a Spike Piledriver puts down Henry.

 

Watchable but not much heat to it from the fans, Hawk receives a lukewarm reaction to his hot-tag. And I do not want to speculate on the personal life of Hawk at this point considering what would be coming in terms of angles in The Attitude Era but Hawk seemed all over the place at times here, timing was off and it made a little sloppy but that’s it now. I imagine this feud is done and dusted, no harm done.

 

Winners: LOD over The Godwinns via Spike Piledriver!

 

The British Bulldog vs Ken Shamrock

Continuation of The Hart Foundation antagonizing every babyface in the WWF, Bulldog covered Shamrock with dog food on Raw which leads us to this match. Shamrock comes down intense as always and belly to belly suplexes Bulldog to begin, Bulldog meets the steel steps. Irish whip, heel-hook from Shamrock but Bulldog makes it to the ropes immediately. Clothesline from Shamrock for two, forearms and knee-lift from Shamrock. Bulldog puts up a knee and clotheslines Shamrock down, headbutt from Bulldog. Suplex for two, reverse chin-lock from Bulldog. Shamrock escapes but Bulldog goes low, headbutts from Bulldog. Shamrock is being rocked, small package from Bulldog for two.

 

Reverse chin-lock from Bulldog, Shamrock is hurled into the ring-post hard. Hard Irish whip into the steel steps, Bulldog has the steel steps but the referee stops this act of violence. Shamrock punches and kicks back into the match before Bulldog lands a low blow. Into the ring we go, right hands from Bulldog who continues teeing off on The World’s Most Dangerous Man. Another chin-lock, Bulldog throws dogfood at Shamrock and Shamrock loses his mind and batters Bulldog with the dogfood can. Shamrock gets disqualified but gets over big-time as a loose cannon as he chokes out Bulldog and body-slams about 5 referees.

 

Brief and still I had 3 chin-locks from Bulldog, amazing how that man can go from a phenomenal entertaining performer in spots but when Bulldog is in there by himself, it can be torturous at times. Shamrock gets over big time which was tremendous, glad to see how they are handling Shamrock in the WWF. Great reactions from the fans, a success for sure despite the disappointing match itself.

 

Winner: British Bulldog over Ken Shamrock via DQ!

 

DOA vs Los Boricuas

So both Crush and Savio Vega had caused problems within The Nation due to their hatred of one another, this brings us to this match between the two groups. Like something out of The Warriors but I guess a more appropriate reference would be to perhaps capitalize on the feuds that rappers were having at the time, we have Gang-Warfare brother!

 

Crush is the babyface leading a tattooed biker gang against Savio and his Puerto Rican brothers, this match starts with a brawl and DOA control the rings like babyfaces. Skull and Jose, clothesline from Skull. Jose blocks with a boot and a diving clothesline to the back of the head before a boot from Skull. 8-Ball lands a massive sidewalk slam, here comes Crush who lands two leg drops. Miguel and Crush are in, Crush lands a tilt-a-whirl slam for two before we have Chainz and Jesus. Chainz lands a back body-drop and three elbow drops before tagging in Skull who lands punches and tags in 8-Ball. Jesus is rammed into the buckle before Savio Vega lands a corner spinning heel kick on 8-Ball. Jose and Miguel batter 8-Ball, Miguel rams 8-Ball into the turnbuckle and lands a corner clothesline.

 

Los Boricuas batter 8-Ball behind the referee’s back, Savio misses a clothesline and eats a clothesline from 8-Ball. The Nation of Domination are here, Jesus and 8-Ball are going at it, both men are down with Jesus keeping control. Triple beat-down behind the referee’s back, Savio is now legal. Hip-toss out of the corner, reverse chin-lock from Savio. Savio continues to wind up DOA as Miguel and Jose batter 8-Ball. Missile dropkick from Miguel, more dropkicks and double teaming on 8-Ball. Reverse chin-lock from Jose, 8-Ball fights out but Jose holds onto the leg. Miguel and Savio beat down 8-Ball, Savio misses a corner splash. Tag to Chainz, military press slams and boots all around. The match falls apart as the referee has no clue what to do, Chainz clocks Ahmed. Pearl River Plunge on Chainz, Chainz is thrown back in the ring and pinned off an elbow drop.

 

That heat segment on 8-Ball went on way too long, match should have descended into chaos the second we saw The Nation of Domination, crowd only cared for Ahmed in The Nation anyways. Easily the worst match on the card, dragged and accomplished nothing.

 

Winners: Los Boricuas over DOA via Elbow Drop!

 

(WWF Intercontinental Championship Match) Owen Hart © vs Stone Cold Steve Austin

Owen Hart managed to beat Stone Cold Steve Austin at Canadian Stampede which kicked off this feud between the two, Austin will kiss Owen’s ass if he cannot beat him inside of this ring. Now this match going in we all know is going to be infamous for all the wrong reasons but could these two work with one another? Was this a great match before the piledriver? Let’s see!

 

Owen Hart jumps Austin with a chop-block, Owen works the knee with kicks and sends Austin into the ring-post from the get-go. Austin fires back with right hands, Lou Thesz Press from Austin. Owen Hart takes the sternum-bump, Austin yanks Owen down by the hair. Austin chokes Owen with the middle rope, Owen dodges Austin who puts on the brakes at the last second and lands a clothesline for two. Austin works the arm, snap-mare and knee drops onto the arm. Owen has the hammerlock, Austin counters with both men countering before Austin drops Owen on the arm he has been working over. Arm-bar from The Rattlesnake, flying elbow counter from Owen. Austin drops Owen but Owen pulls Austin into the ring-post. Owen rams Austin’s arm into the steel steps, Owen steps all over the arm.

 

Owen wrenches and bites the arm of Austin, Austin is tied up in the ropes as Owen rips at the ringers. Stomps from the champion, stun-gun counter from The Rattlesnake. Powerbomb from Austin who clotheslines Owen to the floor, Owen calls for a timeout and tries to leave the arena. Austin clotheslines Owen down, Owen begs for mercy in the ring. Owen lures in Austin, big scoop slam and elbow drop for two, Irish whip to the buckle but Austin explodes out with a clothesline. Owen kicks off Austin to avoid the sharpshooter and lands a clothesline + a leg drop to the neck for two. Hard whip to the buckle, headbutt from Austin. Austin rolls through a middle rope crossbody for two, German suplex by Owen for two and a half. Camel clutch from the champion, anything to wear down the neck of Austin.

 

Austin escapes but lowers his head on an Irish whip, vicious DDT from Owen Hart for a close two. Reverse chin-lock from The Rocket, Austin escapes and applies his own sleeper. Owen reverses for his own, jaw-breaker from Austin. Austin goes to the middle rope, Owen cuts off Austin. Russian leg-sweep for two, Owen applies a sleeper while using the ropes for leverage. Referee Earl Hebnar catches Owen Hart cheating, right hands from Austin. Irish whip, Owen counters and piledrivers Austin and breaks his neck there and then. Owen starts walking around the ring stalling and we can see something is very wrong. You can hear the concern of Mcmahon in his voice, Owen continues stalling as Austin is in a bad, bad way. Austin struggles his way into a roll-up and pins Owen Hart, Austin is your WWF Intercontinental Champion.

 

What a professional Owen is, Owen knew shit was not good and did not stomp or try and work a different body part. Injuring one of the top stars in the WWF when they are white-hot, could you imagine how Owen must have felt at that time? The match was quite good before the abrupt ending, Austin was so explosive inside of the ring, things will not be the same from this point onwards but it was almost a blessing in disguise as Austin would become more popular in the months where he was injured.

 

Winner: Stone Cold Steve Austin over Owen Hart via Roll-Up!

 

(WWF Championship Match) The Undertaker © vs Bret Hart (Shawn Michaels = Special Guest Referee)

If Bret loses, Bret will never wrestle in the US again! Quite the stipulation for Mr. Canada himself The Hitman. Bret has said many times that he has been screwed in the WWF, things could not be more clear with Shawn Michaels being the special guest referee in this match. Undertaker’s WWF Championship reign has been quite good so far beyond his match with Faarooq but these two have faced off before, WWF Royal Rumble 1996 and it was nothing to write home about at all with one spot sticking with me all these reviews later and I will be so pissed if they do not replicate it during this match.

 

Bret jumps Taker who had not taken off his jacket, Bret tees off with right hands but Taker is shaking it off. Taker grabs Bret, rights and lefts from The Deadman. Irish whip and clothesline from The Phenom, Bret powders but Taker rams Bret into the guardrail. Bret lays against the ring-post, Bret ducks the clothesline and Taker hurts his arm. Bret sends Taker into the steel steps, Taker sends Bret into the steel steps. In the ring, back-breaker from Taker who stretches Bret across his knee. Headbutt from Taker, Bret meets the turnbuckle. Bearhug from The Deadman, Bret bites his way out but eats a big boot. Taker misses an elbow drop, Bret goes after the leg of Taker. Repeated stomps, Bret stretches the leg over and over. Eye rake to Taker’s eyes, Bret drops all his weight on the ankle of Taker. Taker fights back before another eye rake, Bret stomps the hamstring of Taker over and over. Taker attempts to club The Hitman but Bret is relentless going after the leg. Figure four from Bret, Paul Bearer is waddling down to ringside, what could this mean?

 

Undertaker’s brother is still alive but can Paul Bearer be trusted? Is Kane alive? Taker reverses the figure four and Bret breaks the hold, Taker works Bret’s leg by driving it into the mat. Taker decks Paul Bearer with a right-hand, Bret Hart chop-blocks Taker hard. Ring-post figure-four from The Hitman, The Hart Foundation are at ringside while Michaels and Bret Hart are having words. Taker collapses to the mat as Bret continues working the leg, elbows to the knee with a grapevine from the challenger. Taker grabs a headlock but Bret continues to maintain control, Taker uses his good leg to kick Bret in the face. Taker beats up Pillman & Owen at ringside, HBK takes the duo to the back. In the ring, Chokeslam from Taker. Michaels does not see the pin, Taker is not pleased by Michaels not seeing the pin-fall.

 

Roll-up from Bret for two, Taker clotheslines Bret down and has words with Michaels. Bret pulls out Taker, Taker is rammed spine-first into the ring apron. Bret slams Taker into the ring-post, Bret lands headbutt to the spine of The Deadman. Back-breaker from Bret, two for The Hitman. Taker sits-up, suplex from the challenger and Bret’s Rope Elbow Drop. Two for Bret, Taker sits up again. DDT from Bret for two, headbutts from Bret. Taker stun-guns The Hitman, Bret answers with a Russian leg-sweep. Bret wants the sharpshooter but Taker has Bret by the throat, Taker pummels Bret in the corner. Hard Irish whip, Bret kicks away at Taker but Taker avoids the chop-block. Both men brawl with Taker getting the victory in that contest, flying clothesline by Taker.

 

 Sternum-turnbuckle bump from Bret, two for Taker. Boot by The Deadman and a leg drop for two, Taker Chokeslams Bret from the apron back into the ring. 1…2.. Bret kicks out! Bret crotches Taker who was going for Old School, Bret wants the superplex. Bret lands the superplex, Sharpshooter from The Hitman. Taker muscles out of the hold, sending Bret to the floor with his powerful leg strength.

 

Bret tees off with right hands, clothesline from Taker. Tombstone is avoided by Bret who pulls Taker into the ring-post, Bret locks in the Sharpshooter using the ring-post before Taker shoves off Bret into HBK. Bret grabs a chair from ringside, Bret clocks Taker in the head with the chair. Michaels is at ringside on one knee, Bret covers Taker for a close two. Michaels spots the chair, Bret and Michaels are having words, Bret spits on HBK. HBK swings the chair and waffles Taker in the head by mistake. Michaels has no choice but to count and Bret wins the WWF Championship.

 

So this one actually was lacking for me which is almost blasphemous for me to say considering how much I enjoy Bret’s work and his 1997 work has been excellent but this feels a step down from his matches with Austin and Taker is not the best when being worked on, always hard to feel for the giant 6 foot 10 beast. And they did not repeat my favourite spot of the crossbody counter into the Tombstone. Regardless, it just didn’t come together in this match for me and that’s a shame because there were elements that made it entertaining like Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart bubbling over and resulting it Michaels costing Taker the WWF Championship. It’s great to see another feud come out of this match but will either man be the one to dethrone The Hitman? Maybe not, could it be The Rattlesnake who takes the championship from Bret Hart? Of course all speculation at the time if we only knew how much the WWF would change in the next several months.

 

Winner: Bret Hart over Undertaker via Steel Chair to The Skull!

 

That was WWF’s Summerslam 1997, a good PPV showing from the WWF. It will be hard to top Canadian Stampede but this had many moments during this show where I was really enjoying the action. Helmsley vs Mankind in the cage could be considered a classic, it is a hot feud and the fans are invested 100% which makes for matches with big reactions to all the big spots. Foley tortures himself in the name of performance and is rewarded with huge cheers when he leaves the steel cage. The likes of Pillman vs Goldust & LOD vs The Godwinns are solid matches that do not overstay their welcome, they give you the result they want and move on, my knock would be both feuds have very good reasons to be heated but for one reason or another, we don’t get to see those fireworks come out during the matches. The DOA vs Los Boricuas match drags, it’s awful and I hate it. However, we have a big moment for Ken Shamrock who looks like a star with his wild man attitude of destroying everything thin sight, we have Austin vs Owen showing they can have a good match albeit the ending is all that will be spoken about for the next number of months and a main event that while it may not be a masterpiece or exciting affair, the ending will have major effects on feuds going forward and you definitely want to tune into RAW to see what happens next! The WWF without Austin until Survivor Series 1997 sounds bleak but HBK is back, could the WWF continue its good streak of PPVs? Join me next time to see, thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WWF In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another wrestling review on the only wrestling review series on the internet that is more controversial than an old veteran going over a young talent! It’s WWF In Your House: Canadian Stampede! We are in bizarro world King as Canada plays host to the World Wrestling Federation. This PPV is main-evented by a massive 10-man tag between The Hart Foundation and a team led by Stone Cold Steve Austin! We also have Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs Mankind, The Great Sasuke vs Taka Michinoku and Undertaker defending the WWF Championship against the man they call Vader! This is a stacked card especially with The Michinoku Pro talent which I am sure will be quite the experience.

 

Hunter Hearst Helmsley W/ Chyna vs Mankind

King of The Ring rematch with Mankind teeing off on Helmsley, running bulldog from Mankind. Scoop slam and leg drop, Double Arm DDT right off the bat. Mankind mocks the pose of Helmsley, Irish whip but Helmsley counters with a massive facebuster. Picking up steam, Helmsley is dumped to the floor. Cactus Jack elbow drop off the apron, close two for Mankind. Irish whip with Helmsley taking his tumble to the floor, Mankind is on the middle rope but Helmsley escapes the elbow drop this time. Mankind chases Helmsley up the ramp and lands a massive clothesline. Mankind wants a suplex and it connects! Helmsley is knocked off the apron to the floor with Chyna encouraging Helmsley to get back in the ring, shoulder thrust and sunset flip but Helmsley gets caught in The Mandible Claw before Chyna makes the save.

 

Mankind is not happy, getting in the face of Chyna. Helmsley tries a sneak attack but Mankind sees that coming with a massive kick, the referee takes a punch though. Helmsley whips Mankind and Chyna powerslams Mankind into the steel steps, Helmsley has a chair and waffles Mankind in the ankle that smashed into the steel steps. Massive chop block from Helmsley, big stomps to the knee of Mankind. Elbow drop onto that injured knee, Helmsley brings his knees down on that leg in the corner. Big right hands in the corner, Helmsley continues to punish Mankind with a figure four. Helmsley uses the ropes for leverage until the referee catches Helmsley, Mankind fires back with right hands. Irish whip to the buckle, Pedigree is blocked by Mankind who drops a low headbutt on Helmsley. Running knee in the corner and elbow to Helmsley who was in the tree of woe. Stump piledriver from Mankind but Mankind’s knee does not allow Mankind to use all his weight on the pinfall. Mankind charges in for the Cactus Jack clothesline, Mankind clutches his knee once more though.

 

Chyna steals the chair from Mankind, Helmsley cracks Mankind with the chair and Chyna lands a clothesline, all behind the back of the referee. Helmsley is on the top rope, Mankind crotches Helmsley. Mandible Claw, Chyna trips up Mankind as Helmsley distracts the referee. Mankind is rammed into the ring-post groin-first which looks very painful. Mankind is bashed off the guardrail, and the two brawl into the crowd for the double count-out.

 

Well I was going to say that this was a great opening match, Mankind is very popular as a babyface and Helmsley’s snob character is at its peak with Chyna adding so much to Helmsley. They have their spots down, Helmsley gets a chance to look aggressive while Chyna looks devastating constantly being a thorn in the side of Mankind while Mankind comes off as very sympathetic and lovable due to Chyna’s interference and Foley’s willingness to take some of the most brutal bumps I have ever seen. Would have loved to see Mankind get a little more retribution but things are only getting started and I am all in for this pay per view!

 

Double Count-Out!

 

Taka Michinoku vs The Great Sasuke

WWF giving their answer to WCW’s cruiserweight division, it’s crazy to hear The Great Sasuke’s theme on the WWE Network. Regardless, these two have been tearing it up for years in Michinoku Pro while Sasuke tasted greater success with Sasuke mixing it up in NJPW and capturing the J-Crown. Both men are tremendous wrestlers and they had earlier had a phenomenal six-man tag at ECW’s Barely Legal so while I think the crowd may be lukewarm to the action at first, this match is going to be simply insane.

 

Lock-up and clean break from Taka, Sasuke grabs the wrist and wrenches the arm. Taka trips the leg, Sasuke goes for the cross arm-breaker before trading pinfalls. Spinning sole butt from Sasuke, snap-mare into a reverse chin-lock before a headscissors cover for two. Taka wriggles free into a headlock. Taka stretches Sasuke, elbows from Taka. Arm-breaker from Taka, Sasuke locks on a sleeper before Taka runs right into a spinning sole butt. Single leg Boston crab from Sasuke before Taka reaches the ropes. Big kicks from Sasuke before Taka palm thrusts Sasuke, dropkick to the back of the head. Low dropkick to the face, Sasuke sends Taka to the floor. Sasuke lands a diving thrust kick to the floor.

 

Sasuke works over Taka with massive kicks and a spinning sole butt before dropping Taka with a massive kick. Sasuke asks for Taka to stand up, more big kicks before Taka lands a dragon screw. Taka low dropkicks the knee, Taka springboard planchas onto Sasuke. Crowd appreciates that for sure, it looks beautiful. Taka flips out of the German suplex for a hurricanrana, two for Taka. La magistral for two, handspring elbow from Sasuke. Asai Moonsault from Sasuke to the floor, Taka regains control in the ring with a kick to the face and a springboard dropkick. Taka calls for the finish, Michinoku Driver for a close two!

 

Sasuke is still alive, Taka climbs high. Sasuke counters the crossbody with a beautiful dropkick, springboard moonsault for two. Massive powerbom with a Tiger Suplex for the win, Sasuke is your winner.

 

Like I said it would be, the crowd was lukewarm when the match started and once those two started flying, it was incredible. Despite Taka being the heel in Japan, the fans were huge fans of the smaller athlete here and Taka to his credit did the bigger dives and spots. I love watching these two during their days in Japan. Kaientai DX vs The Michinoku Pro stars like Sasuke and Super Delphin were always amazing matches. Great stuff here, very fun to watch as the crowd warmed up to the incredible action.

 

Winner: Great Sasuke over Taka Michinoku via Tiger Suplex!

 

(WWF Championship Match) The Undertaker © vs Vader W/ Paul Bearer

And now the match at Royal Rumble makes sense as Vader finally has his chance at the WWF Champion The Undertaker. Honestly, this should have come before Austin and Faarooq but I do enjoy the continuity. As for Paul Bearer being back in Vader’s corner, they haven’t really discussed why Taker no longer cares about the supposed secret.

 

Paul Bearer is cowering at ringside, the question on everyone’s mind is how will The Undertaker deal with Vader. The bell rings and Taker goes to work with big right hands and kicks, massive clothesline. Taker continues to dish out the pain to Vader, Paul Bearer is not a fan of any of this. Old School time, Vader is wiped out but it’s a close two. Vader is whipped to the buckle and explodes out with a hammer, Vader goes to work with rights and lefts. Taker ducks the clothesline and lands his flying clothesline for two, eye poke from Vader. Side headlock from Vader, Taker escapes and sends Vader to the floor. Brawling at ringside time, Vader sends Taker into the steel steps with Paul Bearer talking trash to Taker. Vader eats a hot-shot from The Deadman, Taker stalks Paul Bearer who is in a panic while Vader clubs Taker in the back of the head.

 

Paul Bearer wallops Taker with his shoe, short-arm clothesline from Vader. Middle rope clothesline from Vader for two, suplex from Vader. Big splash for two, Vader has a nerve hold but Taker battles out with those rights and lefts. Eye-poke and clothesline to Taker, Taker tees off in the corner with rights and lefts. Vader is wobbling, Chokeslam but Vader goes low as Paul Bearer distracts the referee. Vader runs into a tombstone attempt but Taker floats-over for a quick cover, Vader is whipped to the buckle. Elbow by Vader, big crushing hammer from Vader. Vader wanted a Vader Bomb but Taker goes low and lands a massive middle rope Chokeslam for two. Another Chokeslam with Vader kicking out again, they are putting Vader over big in this one. Taker calls for the finish, Tombstone Piledriver and Taker retains.

 

Considering how bad I thought this was going to be, this was one of the most pleasant surprises I have experienced while watching the WWF during this era. The fans love Taker and react big to everything he does, same with Vader when he lands a massive move. Plenty of big moves, big spots that are fun too and Vader comes off like a beast surviving the chokeslams only to eat that tombstone at the end. People love to criticize Vader in the WWF but the man had his moments even in defeat where he simply kicked all sorts of ass. Pleasantly surprised by this match, another good match in Taker’s WWF Championship reign.

 

Team Austin (Animal/Hawk/Goldust/Ken Shamrock/Stone Cold Steve Austin) vs The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart/Owen Hart/Jim Neidhart/Brian Pillman/British Bulldog)

While I may understand Austin & LOD’s deep-rooted problems with The Hart Foundation, Goldust and Ken Shamrock are interesting additions to the feud for sure but yes this is going to be a massive brawl. The biggest heel faction in the WWF against the babyfaces of the WWF. I wonder why HBK was not part of this show, what a team it would have been then right? Anyways, this is going to be a brawl and with a Canadian crowd firmly in the corner of The Harts, I wonder just how good this match is going to be, the crowd goes absolutely ballistic the second Pillman appears on the ramp.

 

Pillman’s first match on WWF PPV? I believe so, what a match to make your debut in, another big reaction for Neidhart. Bulldog comes off to a massive ovation and it gets bigger for Owen Hart. Buzzcut Owen Hart and just wait for what is coming next, it’s going to be the biggest pop of the night by far. Let it be known on this night, Bret was a Canadian Hero and I believe it!

 

Everyone is squaring off, this feels big. I do believe we will kick it off with Austin and Bret, we are not messing about on this night. Bret wins the war, Austin is pegged back to the corner. Right hand and stomps from Bret Hart, the arena is shaking it is unbelievable. Austin rakes the eyes and tees off with right hands. Whip to the buckle, Bret clotheslines Austin down and lands a headbutt. Inverted atomic drop and a clothesline, Bret rakes Austin’s face off the ropes. Low blow from Austin, knee to the face from The Rattlesnake. Austin stomps away on Bret, the fans do not like it one bit. Million Dollar Dream from Austin, Bret tries the WM VIII counter but Austin has it scouted. Austin misses his knee attack on the ropes, tag to Anvil. Boot from Anvil, Irish whip and Austin lands a Thesz Press on Neidhart.

 

Tag to Shamrock, Shamrock floors Anvil and goes for The Ankle Lock. Pillman makes the save, arm-drag from Shamrock. Anvil lands big forearms, Anvil tries a hip-toss but Shamrock rolls through for the heel hook. Shamrock and Pillman wrestling now, eye rake from Pillman. Pillman bites the head of Shamrock, chops from Pillman. Whip to the buckle and a back-breaker for two, Pillman starts slapping and stepping on the face of Shamrock. Whip to the buckle and Shamrock explodes out with a clothesline, Shamrock lands a belly to belly suplex. Tag to Owen, large Owen chants ring throughout the arena. Goldust comes in, right hands by Owen but Goldust lands a back body drop. Owen answers with an enzuigiri, eye rake by Goldust.

 

Ten punches by Goldust, tag to Hawk who slaps and chops Owen. Gut-wrench suplex and leg drop for two, scoop slam and fist drop from Hawk. Hawk goes high, diving body splash for two. Hawk misses a dropkick, Owen wants the sharpshooter but Animal makes the save. Bulldog comes in, delayed suplex on Hawk for two. Forearms and it looks like it’s time for a Running Powerslam, Goldust makes the save. In comes Bret, in comes Animal. Lock-up, headbutts and shoulder thrusts from Animal. Whip to the buckle, Bret blocks with a knee and a clothesline. Goldust wants in, test of strength with Bret going low with a big kick. Elbow to the head, Bret puts Goldust in the tree of woe as The Hart Foundation batter Goldust before we have a brawl between the two teams. Owen is now legal, back-breaker from Owen. Whip to the buckle, Owen misses a corner spear as Goldust dodges and Animal comes in for massive kicks.

 

Owen lands his spinning heel kick on Animal, Owen goes high and lands his missile dropkick and kips-up. Animal reverses an Irish whip, powerbomb from Animal. Beautiful powerslam, Animal calls for Doomsday. Doomsday Device and Anvil makes the save, everyone is brawling once more with Austin smashing Owen’s knee into the ring- post. Austin grabs a chair and waffles the knee of Owen. Bruce Hart tries attacking Austin, Bret makes the save as Austin scrambles away. We are unsure if Owen can continue while Austin and Anvil battle, kicks by Austin before a bearhug from Anvil. Austin is in the corner of The Hart Foundation, more war as Austin is battered. Austin fights back, Pillman is dragged into the ring. Stone Cold Stunner on Pillman, Bret pulls out Austin and wraps Austin’s leg around the ring-post.

 

Bret pulls out a fire extinguisher and smashes Austin’s knee before we see an apron Figure-Four but Hawk makes the save and batters Bret. Bulldog is with Austin, Bulldog stomps away as Hawk comes in now against Bulldog. Hawk slams Bulldog, Hawk goes high but Bulldog crotches Hawk on the top rope. Two for Bulldog, tag to Anvil. Double clothesline, tag to Bret. Anvil and Animal will continue the match, Austin is being taken to the back. Test of strength, Animal wins at first before rallying, massive kicks before a tag to Bret. Back-breaker and middle rope elbow combination, Bret ducks his head off an Irish whip and Animal lands a kick to the head. In comes Pillman who smashes Shamrock with a clothesline, Bret is going to work Shamrock now.

 

Shamrock sends Bret to the buckle, sternum-first goes Bret. Shamrock doesn’t want to go low on Bret, Bret clubs Shamrock and dumps Shamrock to the floor. Pillman spills Shamrock over the announce table as LOD come to the rescue of The World’s Most Dangerous Man. Russian leg-sweep on Shamrock in the ring, Goldust saves the match. In comes Bulldog with massive forearms, Shamrock is rocked and stomped by an irate Bulldog. Low blow behind the referee’s back from Shamrock, in comes Goldust. Massive clothesline, whip to the buckle with a running bulldog. Pillman stops the curtain call, big save from Pillman again! Goldust is up though, middle rope dive is stopped as Bulldog climbs back and nails a superplex. Hawk makes the save, Austin is coming back to the ring on one leg. Austin gets the tag and Bret gets the tag, they tee off on one another with Austin stomping away on Bret. Sternum-first bump as Austin is cooking, suplex from Austin for two.

 

 Bret lands a neck-breaker from a lowered head Austin, back-breaker and Bret’s Rope Elbow Drop for two! Irish whip and a sleeper from Bret, Austin counters with a jaw-breaker. Bret kicks out and avoids a scoop slam attempting a sharpshooter but Animal makes the save with a clothesline. Austin applies the sharpshooter but here comes Owen Hart with the save. Tag to Owen with right hands to Austin, Owen lowers his head and eats a boot and a clothesline to the floor. Austin stomps Owen in front of The Harts, Austin grabs Stu and starts battering Harts at ringside, Bruce is in there. Owen rolls-up Austin with a handful of tights, can you believe it? Massive brawl with all Harts before The Hart Foundation stands tall to close us out!

 

What a match, what a crowd. That has to be up there with the Kobashi/Kikuchi vs Furnas/Kroffat tag match crowd, I mean they love The Hart Foundation and the match is just perfection. Everybody plays their roles so well and I love Owen getting to shine, Owen is so good and was given nothing for so long in the WWF. To see this match when he hits that dropkick and the place explodes, it’s beautiful. Austin and all the USA talent ramp up the heel factor, the crowd buys in and this might be Bulldog’s most energetic performance in years. You cannot watch this match and not get excited, it’s chaos from opening bell to end and when that finish comes, the fans are all for it. Maybe it could played out a little stronger with Owen coming out on one-leg and gutting it out, the finish was a little abrupt considering the little scuffle beforehand but this is one of my favourite matches of all-time.

 

Winners: The Hart Foundation over Team Austin via Handful of Tights!

 

That was WWF’s In Your House: Canadian Stampede, possibly the best WWF in Your House of all-time. The show is short but every match packs some sort of punch and there’s no dull moments. Helmsley vs Mankind is already becoming one of my favourite feuds with sympathetic glutton for punishment Mankind getting over big time against the snobby Helmsley and his bodyguard Chyna. The chemistry is there, these two need one another at this moment and time, it’s just working so well. We mix things up with a light heavyweight match and to nobody’s surprise, having two of the best talents in the world at that time tearing it up in the ring gets over by the end. I love these two, big fans of both and the crowd is lukewarm at first but the second Taka starts flying around, it’s a game-changer and it’s an entertaining and exciting match. Vader pulls out a great WWF performance vs Taker, this crowd helped for sure but the finishing stretch between these two alone was so much fun I could not help get sucked in along with the crowd. The main event has one of the hottest WWF crowds you will see on PPV, they react big to everything and this match just builds and builds until a very satisfying conclusion. Great PPV, the high point of 1997 so far and I would say watch this PPV because it is well worth checking out! Thanks again for coming to the blog and remember: there’s always another night!