FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Looking back at WWE Survivor Series 1997

Welcome one and all to another edition of Flashback Friday right here on WrestlingNewsSource.com, I am your host as always Sean and we are edging ever so close to another Survivor Series. The WWE has always been a company of controversy. We have had controversial gimmicks, controversial angles and controversial business decisions. We are two weeks and a couple of days away from Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar II which will more than likely headline the Survivor Series pay per view and this match has attracted controversy due to its billing as a dream match when the last time these two faced off in a ring, they were booed out of the building at Wrestlemania 20. Interesting how perception can change after a number of years but you know what they say absence makes the heart grow fonder. However, my point remains, the WWE is covered in controversy and one night sticks out particularly in the minds of many as a controversial moment in the company’s history and I think you know where I am going with this, I am of course talking about the 1997 Survivor Series where The Montreal Screwjob occurred. My goal here today is take you back on a nostalgic trip while trying to answer the question was the 1997 Survivor Series all that memorable apart from the main event? The time for talking is done so sit back and enjoy or hate on Survivor Series 1997!

Opening Promo

We have a recap of the feud between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, Michaels defeated Hart at Wrestlemania 12 for the WWF Championship in a sixty minute Iron Man Match. These two men hate one another, no respect for one another, Hart regained the WWF Championship after Michaels accidently helped Hart win the WWF Championship by smashing Undertaker’s brains in with a chair. Two different lifestyles, two different wrestlers, this is personal and these two cannot stand one another. The tagline for this event is Gang Rulz, ah the times when Z represented something being cool! JR and Jerry Lawler welcome us to the action where both men build up that Hart and Michaels are going to tear one another apart in that very ring.

(Traditional Survivor Series Match) The Headbangers/New Blackjacks vs The New Age Outlaws/ The Godwinns

The ring announcer gives the introductions in French (A nice little touch). Road Dogg runs down The Headbangers and The Blackjacks with some questionably non-PG comments. Barry Windham and Phineas Godwinn AKA Mideon kick us off, Windham knocks Phineas all around the ring before Phineas powders to the floor. Road Dogg gives Phineas a pep talk before Phineas re-enters the ring. Windham smashes Phineas with a straight right, tag to Bradshaw. Powerslam on Phineas for a two count, Bradshaw pummels Phineas in the corner, Phineas counters Bradshaw with a boot, clubbing blows by Phineas. Phineas tags in Henry, lock up, side headlock by Henry, huge shoulder block and clubbing blows by Henry Godwinn. Bradshaw fights back and nails a Russian legsweep, Bradshaw was looking for a supple, Godwinn counters and plants Bradshaw with his own suplex. Clothesline by Henry but moments later Bradshaw eliminates Henry with an abdominal stretch into a rolling clutch pin. Windham suplexes Phineas and nails a gutwrench suplex for another two count. Leaping clothesline by Windham for two again, Phineas nails Windham with a clothesline out of the corner and it is 3 on 3.

Mosh comes in to battle Phineas, Mosh wrenches the arm but Phineas bites Mosh. Mosh slips out and delivers a dropkick and a drop toe hold. Mosh regains the control on the arm, Phineas makes Mosh release the hold after a nasty shot to the face of Mosh. Billy Gunn is in the ring, reverse elbow to the face of Mosh. Right hands and Billy stomps Mosh in the corner. Billy whips Mosh into the corner but Mosh comes out swinging with a clothesline. Billy catches Mosh in the corner and faceplants Mosh into the mat and Billy gets the pin on Mosh. Thrasher and Bradshaw are the only two left on their team while Phineas, Road Dogg and Billy Gunn remain on the other team. Side headlock by Thrasher on Phineas, arm wringer by Thrasher. Phineas reverses the hold before Thrasher gains control and almost pins Phineas. Lock up and side headlock by Thrasher one more, shoulder block and hip toss by Thrasher. Deep arm drag by Thrasher who continues working the arm. Phineas shoves Thrasher into the corner and elbows Thrasher in the back of the head. Thrasher slams Phineas face first into the canvas and climbs to the top rope. Stage Dive and Thrasher eliminates Phineas Godwinn. Road Dogg tries a sneak attack and immediately pays for it as Bradshaw chops the seven shades of shit out of Road Dogg’s ass. Short arm clothesline floors Road Dogg, Gutwrench Powerbomb by Bradshaw, Billy Gunn cheap shots Bradshaw and Road Dogg rolls up Bradshaw, we are down to 2 on 1 as The Outlaws battle Thrasher. Thrasher tees off on Road Dogg in the corner, Gunn kicks Thrasher from the apron. Road Dogg whips Thrasher off the ropes, Pump Handle Drop is blocked by Thrasher with a hiptoss. Billy Gunn blind tags himself into the match, Road Dogg attempts a Pump Handle Slam on Thrasher who reverses by falling on top of Road Dogg. Meanwhile, Billy Gunn comes off the top rope with a leg drop across Thrasher’s neck and we have your winners as The Outlaws survive! Good opening match with a lot of crowd heat, action was fine throughout the match, there was a decent amount of time between eliminations which helps the match and The Outlaws would have a bright future ahead of them.

Winners: The Outlaw’s Team over The Headbanger’s Team via leg drop!

The Truth Commission W/ The Jackal vs The Disciples of Apocalypse

Right so we have Truth Commission which is comprised of Sniper, Kurrgan and Bull Buchanan along with The Jackal who most fans remember as ECW’s Cyrus The Virus while DOA is comprised of The Harris Brothers, Brian Lee and Crush. Brian Lee goes after Kurrgan and Kurrgan quickly eliminates Brian Lee after a Sidewalk Slam. Bull Buchanan and one of The Harris Brothers go at it, clothesline by Buchanan. Falling slam by Buchanan and The Jackal tags into the match. Diving knee drop by The Jackal but big man Harris no-sells and crushes The Jackal with a Sidewalk Slam. Sniper comes in and bullies Harris with a reverse elbow, crossbody by Sniper. Jackal returns to ringside and does commentary. Crush and Buchanan receive tags, series of leg drops by Crush. Belly to belly by Crush for a two count on Buchanan. Don Harris bangs head with Buchanan. The identical twins trade places and Ron clotheslines Buchanan and eliminates Buchanan. Sniper and Ron do battle with Ron nailing a swinging neckbreaker. Tag to Don, double spinebuster by The Harris Brothers, Kurrgan distracts the referee so Sniper does not take the pin. Kurrgan smacks Ron in the back of the head and Sniper scores with a two -handed bulldog for the elimination. Don is in the ring with Sniper, corner clothesline by Don. Snapmare and an elbow by Don, tag to Crush. Crush nails a double axe handle, suplex with a floatover for a two by Crush. Headscissors choke by Crush, Sniper is worked over as Don smashes Sniper with a right hand. Don is in Kurrgan’s face, blind tag to Kurrgan. Don spikes Sniper with a DDT but Don does not see Kurrgan who nails a Sidewalk Slam for another elimination. Kurrgan headbutts Crush into next week, tag to Sniper who kicks Crush right in the ribs. Titlt a whirl slam by Crush on Sniper and we are down to one on one but Kurrgan comes right into the ring and kills Crush with a…..you guessed it…. Sidewalk Slam. Decent match with Kurrgan looking like a beast, that did not last long as Kurrgan would be dancing with The Insane Clown Posse six months later. Bull Buchanan would be repackaged as Bossman’s protégé before finding his niche in the Right to Censor while Jackal would join ECW as Cyrus The Virus and I am not sure what happened to Sniper. As for DOA, they stayed around for another year in the WWF being managed by Paul Ellering at one point against LOD before most of the stable joining WCW. (The Harris Brothers would become Creative Control, a team that supported Vince Russo and Jeff Jarrett while Crush would form Kronik with Wrath aka Adam Bomb).

Winners: Truth Commission over DOA via Sidewalk Slam!

Promo with the Fans

The WWF had asked the fans the question on everyone’s mind: who was walking away with the WWF Championship? Bret Hart or Shawn Michaels? Seems support was split 50/50 between the two men, Lawler asks if it is Halloween, insulting the looks of the Montreal fans. I miss heel Lawler.

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

Blackman made his debut by attacking Team Canada on Raw to save Vader. The story goes that Vader bailed Blackman out of jail to have Blackman on his team. The Americans are heel obviously because we are in Canada, there is much focus on Goldust as it seems Goldust is not interested in this match in the slightest. Team USA enter to The Patriot’s theme aka Kurt Angle’s theme. Vader was wasted in the WWF, should have been champion at least one or twice. Mero is no longer the Wild man but is a serious boxer, his career would soon be overshadowed by Sable. Goldust was about to enter his most controversial phase with Luna as The Artist formerly known as Goldust and Steve Blackman was just beginning in the WWF. Team Canada are cheered as expected. Lafon and Furnas are better known as The Can-AM Express who competed in All Japan winning The All Asia Tag Team Belts on a number of occasions. They also competed in one of the best tag team matches of all time against Tsuyooshi Kikuchi and a young Kenta Kobashi. Bulldog and Neidhart are members of The Hart Foundation, Neidhart never really went anywhere once Jim stopped teaming with Bret while Bulldog was always treated well in regards to his WWF career. Multiple time champion including his main event match against Bret at Summerslam 1992 for the Intercontinental championship, first-ever European Champion and tag team champion. Mero and Bulldog kick us off, Bulldog wipes his ass with an American flag because screw The United States. Bulldog dropkicks Mero to the floor and mocks Blackman. Lock up and Vader is in, massive double axe handle by The Mastodon. Short-arm clothesline by Vader, Vader hits Bulldog like a train, Vader goes to the second rope and runs into a powerslam. Bulldog suplexes Vader, unbelievable power. Lafon comes in and Vader squashes Lafon in the corner. Tag to Mero, Mero eats a spinning heel kick and a clothesline for a two count. Neidhart is legal, throat thrusts to Mero before Lafon is legal once more. Blackman axe kicks Lafon, dropkicks and chops to Lafon. Elbow by Blackman, knee to the ribs and a DDT by Lafon. Crucifix pin by Lafon for two, shoulder block by Blackman, side kick to Furnas, Blackman wipes out Team Canada. Brawl on the floor and Blackman has been counted out. That is a lame debut but at least he was not pinned so maybe not the worst debut of all-time. Mero pummels Neidhart briefly, clubbing blows in the corner. Mero almost rolls-up Neidhart but gets a two count. Neidhart knocks down Mero but misses a middle rope elbow. Vader is legal, Neidhart knocks Vader with two shoulder blocks, Vader clubs and splashes Neidhart for the elimination. Lafon attacks Vader, superkicks and spinning heel kicks by Lafon. Furnas puts the boots to Vader on the floor, Lafon tries to whip Vader. Vader manhandles Lafon, splash in the corner and a belly to belly suplex. Vader splash and Lafon is eliminated, Furnas goes after Vader with a huge dropkick. Mero jabs Furnas all over the place, Mero has floored Furnas. Botched turnaround moonsault by Mero, Furnas rescued the move but he looks hurt. Spinebuster to Mero and Bulldog is in the ring. Mero is rammed into the turnbuckle multiple times, sunset flip by Mero but Bulldog counters into The Running Powerslam. Mero slips out and floors Bulldog with a right, reverse elbow by Mero. Furnas takes a pounding from Mero,  sunset flip roll up by Mero, two count as Furnas rolls out and grabs the tights for the pinfall. We are down to two on two with Vader and Goldust taking on Furnas and Bulldog. Furnas nails a leaping clothesline, Bulldog roughs up Vader with forearm shots. Vader drills Bulldog with a suplex, Vader looks for the tag from Goldust. Goldust points to his taped up hand, Vader folds up Furnas with a back suplex. Vader reaches for the tag but Goldust avoids tagging in, Furnas nails a low blow behind the referee’s back. Vader clotheslines Bulldog, Vader is left hanging by Goldust who drops to the floor. Furnas scores with a belly to belly on Vader, frankensteiner by Furnas for a two count. Vader smacks up Goldust who will not wrestle, Goldust walks out on the match. Furnas chops up Vader, Vader splashes both Team Canada members. Vaderbomb on Furnas and Bulldog drills Vader with the ringbell and steals the win for Team Canada. This match was the best Survivor Series style match so far, the crowd loved Bulldog and the other members of Team Canada. I love to watch Vader wreck people, his booking always perplexes me though. He is a monster, you portray him as a monster yet you would job him out to so many people who would be below him in terms of drawing power and experience. I just do not understand if you are going to protect Vader, why not go all the way with the man? Regardless, fun match with a screwy finish to keep the fans happy and protect Vader. After watching three of these matches in a row, I think the crowd should have been spread out better as not to burn out the fans from this type of match.

Winners: Team Canada over Team USA via Shenanigans!

Mankind vs Kane W/ Paul Bearer

Kane made his debut at Bad Blood interfering in the main event between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker. Kane would Tombstone his brother and help Shawn Michaels win the first ever Hell in a Cell. Kane had torn through some jobbers and  lower card superstars. Kane targeted Dude Love which prompted the return of Mankind to our screens. This is the Kane people know and love, tall, strong, no-selling everything and decimating everything which is unlucky enough to be in his way. The red lights of Kane’s entrance remain on during his matches so he had Sin Cara beat on that gimmick. The mystique around Kane during this time was simply awesome, all we knew was he was Undertaker’s brother and he was as big a badass as his brother if not even stronger that The Undertaker. Mankind greets Kane head on, big mistake for Foley as Kane slams Mankind into the steel steps. Kane does his signature pose as  flames erupt from the turnbuckles. Cactus Jack clothesline has no effect on Kane as Kane hurls steel steps right into Mankind’s face. Kane tosses Mankind into the ring, nasty right plants Mankind to the canvas. Mankind keeps coming back for more and receives more and more punishment. Mankind rips out his hair in a bid to motivate himself but Kane knocks down Mrs Foley’s baby boy. Foot choke in the corner by Kane, Kane continues choking out Mankind in the corner, sidewalk slam by Kane who looks down at the decrepit Mankind. Kane boots Mankind to the floor, Kane sends Mankind into the steel steps. Mankind drops Kane with a flapjack into the steel steps but Undertaker’s younger brother is right back up, Mankind grabs a chair and piledrives Kane and Kane sits up like the monster that he is while Mankind calls for The Mandible Claw. Mankind applies The Claw to Paul Bearer. Mankind is on the apron and Kane Chokeslams Mankind through the announce table with one hand. Kane clears the wreckage of the table to pick up Mankind, Kane has Mankind by the throat on the ramp but Mankind goes low and drills Kane with a DDT. Mankind drags himself onto the apron, Cactus Jack elbow by Mankind right onto the heart of Kane. Kane is up immediately and throws Mankind onto the concrete floor, you can hear the air being driven out of Mankind’s lungs. Mankind crawls towards Kane, showing so much heart in his battle with Kane. Kane lifts up Mankind and drills Mankind with The Tombstone. Kane puts away Mankind in an impressive in-ring debut. Thus, a legend was born! Kane arrived, conquered and looked like a genuinely terrifying individual. The sky was the limit for this no monster, the story with Kane was so simple, Kane was The Undertaker’s brother. Kane had the same powers, used the same moves, was the same wrecking force and debuted in ring at Survivor Series like his brother Undertaker. Kane wanted Undertaker and Undertaker could only avoid his brother for so long. Mankind on the other hand garnered so much sympathy from the crowd as Mankind kept coming back for more and more. Mankind may have not been the babyface who did comedy just yet but Mankind was becoming one of the most over characters in the WWF.

Winner: Kane over Mankind via Tombstone!

(Survivor Series Match) Ken Shamrock/LOD/Ahmed Johnson vs The Nation of Domination

The Rock came back from injury and joined The Nation, beginning his climb to the top. This is from when Faarooq led The Nation and it included Godfather aka Kama Mustafa and D’Lo Brown. Shamrock and Ahmed had their share of problems with The Nation, Shamrock and Rock would soon engage in a memorable rivalry over the Intercontinental Championship while Ahmed was at one point a member of The Nation. LOD are the tag team champions and still massively over, shame really that Vince did not get more out of the team when they returned to the WWF. On a side-note, those tag team belts look beautiful, much better than the current belts. D’Lo Brown kicks us off against Hawk, lock up. Side headlock by D’Lo, Brown runs into Hawk and Hawk is simply too big. D’Lo drops Hawk with a piledriver and it does not work, Hawk drills Brown with a neckbreaker. Rock tags in, Kama cheap shots Hawk on the ropes and The Rock beats Hawk with The Rock Bottom. Ahmed enters the match, massive clothesline on The Rock. Rock tags Kama, Kama clotheslines Ahmed. Faarooq is legal, backbreaker on Ahmed. Faarooq distracts the referee as D’Lo whips Ahmed with a leather strap. Hard right to Ahmed Johnson, Faarooq misses The Dominator, Pearl River Plunge drops Faarooq and Faarooq is eliminated. Calf kick by Brown, Frog Splash by Brown on Ahmed. No cover by D’Lo, right hands to Ahmed, Johnson shrugs it off and fires up on D’Lo. Ahmed lifts up D’Lo and plants D’Lo with a front suplex. Rock is legal, huge spinebuster on The Rock, Faarooq trips Ahmed as he runs off the ropes and holds down Johnson’s foot while The Rock covers Ahmed. It is 3 on 2 with The Nation having the advantage. Rock and Animal tough it out, kicks in the corner by Animal. Massive clothesline, tag to Shamrock. Clothesline by Shamrock, dropkick to The Rock. Rock scores with a thumb to the eye, tag to Kama. Shamrock and Kama kick one another until Kama rakes the eyes. Kama misses a splash and in comes Animal. Kama talks strategy with his stablemates, Kama goes low with a gut punch, front chancery does not go well for Kama as Animal shakes Kama off. Big knockdown in the middle of the ring, back suplex by Animal. Cover and a two count, Kama boots Animal in the face. Side kick by Kama, nasty headbutt and right hands by The Supreme Fighting Machine. Shoulder block by Animal, scoop slam and a cover for a two. Animal wipes out D’Lo, thrust kick by Kama. Animal smacks Kama while he is taunting and rolls-up Kama. 2 on 2 now, Shamrock has D’Lo, standing dropkick and punches in the corner. D’Lo provokes Animal and Animal takes the bait. Low blow by Rock on Shamrock, D’Lo nails a leg drop for a two count. Sleeper hold on Shamrock, knee to the ribs by D’Lo to stop Shamrock’s comeback. Choke by D’Lo, backbreaker as the crowd cheers for Shamrock. D’Lo misses a middle rope moonsault, tag to Animal. Dropkick to The Rock and D’Lo, powerslam to Brown. The Outlaws come to ringside and Animal attacks Billy Gunn and Road Dogg. Animal shoves a referee in the process and Animal is counted out in the process. Shamrock is alone against D’Lo and Rock, D’Lo punches Shamrock and nails a clothesline. D’Lo asks for the tag and The Rock comes in, Shamrock nails a double clothesline. Rock is knocked to the floor, belly to belly on D’Lo. Ankle Lock and D’Lo taps out. Rock has a chair, right to the back of Shamrock. Rock cover Shamrock and Shamrock powers out after the chair shot. Rock rams Shamrock into the turnbuckle, right hands by The Rock. Shamrock fires up, floatover DDT by The Rock, beautiful but only two for The Rock. Scoop slam by The Rock, People’s elbow before its days of fame. Two count, Shamrock is on his feet, Shamrock counters the floatover DDT this time with a northern lights suplex. Frankensteiner by Shamrock, armbar into The Ankle Lock and Rock taps out! Shamrock survives! Now that was fun, Shamrock may not have been a great talker but if you just let him perform, he was intense and awesome. With victories over Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, it is easy to see why Shamrock was seen as a future champion. Shamrock and The Rock would continue feuding until King of the Ring as Shamrock would have the final say over The Rock by winning the tournament. In all seriousness, a good rivalry that deserves more love, heel Rock and Shamrock I could watch all day.

Winner: Shamrock over The Rock via Ankle Lock!

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

Stone Cold Mania began at King of the Ring 1996 with his Austin 3:16 speech. After one of the greatest matches in Wrestlemania history with Bret Hart at Wrestlemania 13, Austin was the beloved anti-hero. Chasing the Intercontinental Championship, Austin came into contact with The Rattlesnake. They wrestled at Summerslam 1997 where a botched piledriver led to Austin breaking his neck. Austin became more popular with his injury as he would Stunner authority figures and constantly attack The Hart Foundation. Austin had been cleared to compete for Survivor Series 1997. Could Austin cap off his return by winning a championship? The Rattlesnake enters first as we await the champion, the native of Canada and the man who broke his neck: Owen Hart. Carrying his two slammy awards and wearing his Owen 3:16 shirt, Hart comes to the ring with his Team Canada stablemates. Owen stalls on the floor as The Rattlesnake awaits in the ring, Owen throws his shirt at Austin as Austin destroys The Owen 3:16 shirt. Neidhart tries to sneak up on Austin, Stunner on Neidhart and Owen jumps Austin. Austin right hands to Owen Hart, kick and piledriver attempt by Owen. Back body drop by Austin, Hart slides out and grabs the leg of Austin ramming the leg into the ring post. Austin shakes off Hart as Hart decides he wants no part of Austin. Austin clotheslines Hart in the back of the head as they fight on the stage. Hart lures Austin in and rams The Rattlesnake head first into the broken announce table. Hart has a camera cord and Hart proceeds to choke Austin. Hart is trying to get himself disqualified, Hart does not believe he can beat Austin. Hart continues stomping Austin, Austin turns the tide and stomps a mudhole in the champion. Stunner by Austin out of nowhere and we have a new champion. Well that was brief, I was looking forward to a heated contest with many piledriver attempts and sharpshooters etc. It was not what I expected but perhaps that is better as Austin had just returned to in-ring action after his neck injury. Can’t help feeling Hart was made look like a joke though, Hart was the only member of The Hart foundation to remain in the WWF after this night. Hart would adopt The Black Hart Moniker, join The Nation and finally, win the tag team championships with Jeff Jarrett. Hoepfully, one day Owen will be in that Hall of Fame.

Winner: Stone Cold over Owen Hart via Stunner!

(WWF Championship Match) Bret Hart © vs Shawn Michaels

Oh boy the won we have all been waiting for, I shall now do my best to summarize all the hatred going into this match. So Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart had never really like one another but like professionals, they worked together. Shawn Michaels defeated Bret Hart at Wrestlemania 12 for the championship in overtime in an iron man match and during the celebrations, Michaels told the referee to “Get that piece of shit out of my ring” referring to Bret Hart. There were backstage fights where Bret was seemingly going to kill Michaels as Michaels was more of a politician than a fighter but Jerry Lawler broke up that squabble. There were jibes like “The Sunny Days” comment where Michaels implied Hart was cheating on his wife with Sunny. What many consider the ultimate slap in the face was Bret was supposed to win back the WWF Championship from Michaels at Wrestlemania 13 but Michaels lost his smile so that did not happen and we had Austin vs Bret which was an excellent match (Interestingly, Bret has talked about how he wanted to come back for The Mania match with Michaels and beat him with a UFC Style finish where it would appear Michaels had his leg broken). Anyways, the bottom line is Michaels refused to do business with Bret and Bret hated the politics surrounding Michaels, Bret hated the character Michaels portrayed and Bret hated Michaels’ guts for being such a massive pain in his Canadian ass. The promo package highlights the difference between the two men, their hatred for one another and how there can be only one top WWF Superstar. Michaels is shown walking to the ring from the back with Triple H, Chyna and Rick Rude, the original D-Generation X ladies and gentlemen. Nice little touch for this match is both men are shown walking from the back with their respective stables before entering the ring alone. Michaels humps The Maple Leaf while Bret carries his own Maple Leaf to the ring. Michaels taunts the crowd at ringside while Hart stands in the ring. Michaels jumps Hart, Hart knocks down Michaels over and over. Right hands to the face of Michaels, huge headbutt from The Hitman. Clothesline by the champion and Michaels is on the floor, steel steps are on the menu for Michaels. Michaels is thrown into the crowd and back out to the floor. Vince Mcmahon and Commissioner Slaughter are by ringside. Michaels is choking Hart with the American flag, Hart is thrown into the crowd as referees are trying to control these two men. Hart goes low on Michaels and smacks the challenger up the ramp. Hart back drops Michaels on the floor, suplex on the floor by The Hitman. Michaels shoves a referee into Hart, I must stress that there are at least five referees surrounding these two at all times. Hart smashes a fire extinguisher over Michaels’ back. Hart is dropping referees like flies, Michaels is begging for mercy. Michaels eats the barricade and Bret has a Quebec flag and Bret is choking the life out of Michaels. Inverted atomic drop by Hart, flying forearm and kip-up by the challenger. Kick to the head by Michaels, Hart sells it like a gunshot wound. Stomp right on the head by Michaels, fist drop by the challenger. Right hands by Michaels on the floor in front of Hart’s fans. Michaels has Hart on the steel steps and Michaels plants Hart with a front suplex on the steel steps. Michaels grabs the Maple Leaf and snaps it over Hart’s back. Michaels nails a double axe handle to the back of Bret, front chancery by Michaels. Hart fights out of the hold by tossing Michaels across the ring. Bret goes for the knee, two elbows to the knee but Michaels rakes the eyes. Scoop slam by Michaels, crossbody but Bret rolls through for a two count. Hart stomps the leg of Michaels, Bret slides out and we have a figure four around the ringpost. Bret punches the leg of Michaels in the ring as Michaels screams out in pain. Figure four hold in the middle of the ring by Bret Hart, Michaels turns over the hold and Bret breaks the hold. Bret has Michaels in the corner, Russian legsweep by Bret for a two count. Snap suplex for a two count for the champion, backbreaker and Bret is climbing the turnbuckle, Michaels shoves the referee into Bret and all three men are down. Rake to the eyes by Michaels and Michaels applies the sharpshooter, Vince tells the referee to ring the bell and Michaels is your winner but Bret never tapped? What happened exclaims JR and you are exactly right what did happen? Michaels leaves looking pissed while Bret spells out WCW and smashes everything from monitors to tables. So excluding the controversy for a moment, how was this match? I thoroughly enjoyed this match from the build up to the moment it ended, I thought it was great. It was such a simple story, two men who hate one another trying to prove they are the best at what they do. Michaels is everything that was new in wrestling, edgy flamboyant and dazzling while Bret represented the old school, tradition and honour. Two completely different styles that meshed so well together, it was intense and it was Bret’s backyard. For Michaels, it was like stepping into ECW when your name is John Cena, the crowd wanted to see Michaels killed by their hero Bret Hart. I loved the brawling segments because if you truly hate someone, you are not going to start with a lock up and feel them out, you will want to smash their brains in and that is what we got, weapon shots and closed fists were rampant throughout the match. I loved the little touches of each man wanting to do it on their own so they sent their stablemates away, I loved having the referees trying to get the two in the ring because it sold that these two could not stand one another. Everyone was trying to break these men apart, when they would go into the crowd, the referees were diving in there with them and it added to the intensity of the match. Bret’s matches were always entertaining as he would work certain body parts and apply all sorts of holds, I love the figure four on the ringpost it is so awesome and should be used more often. And now the finish, so Bret did not want to drop the title in Canada because he is seen as a hero there, Vince did not want Bret to take the title to WCW and throw it in the trash like Madusa did with the WWF’s Women’s title. Details are sketchy as to all the people who knew about the plan but it was decided Michaels would put Bret in the sharpshooter and Earl Hebnar would call for the bell. As a finish to the match, it puts an incredible amount of heat on Michaels for cheating to win the belt. If Bret was staying you could have had Bret chase Michaels for the title and try to get his revenge which could lead to more great matches but alas, it was not meant to be as Bret would leave for WCW. I have specifically avoided going into the whole shoot or work thing because we could be here all day talking about just that and I would love to hear your opinions on the event. Overall, this match was great even with the shady finish.

Winner: Michaels over Hart via Montreal Screwjob!

So that was Survivor Series 1997, a much better show than I expected. I did not feel like it was a one match show with so many interesting events taking place at this pay per view. Austin vs Owen was a let down but you did have Austin raising hell and winning back his championship. Kane’s debut pay per view match was a great affair as Mankind showed a lot of heart in defeat while Kane looked like the next big heel in professional wrestling. The Team USA vs Team Canada & The Nation vs Shamrock’s Team were two very entertaining Survivor Series style matches with so many big names and rising stars on display, it is easy to see why the WWF has started turning the war in their favour. The main event was an intense, hate-filled brawl which was enthralling from start to finish, Michaels and Bret tore it up in that ring and this show was monumental in terms of what it done for the WWF at the time. Mr. Mcmahon was born, Austin was your new top babyface and new stars like Shamrock, Triple H, The Rock, and Mankind were starting to make names for themselves. It was quite the time to be a wrestling fan. Well that is all from me for this week, I hope you enjoyed reliving Survivor Series 1997! Was it a good pay per view? Has nostalgia and controversy blinded me? And the ultimate question: Was the Montreal Screwjob a work or a shoot? See you next week !