GCB's WWF (1997)

[GCB]

Welcome to my new BTB thread: GCB's WWF (1997)

Some of you will remember me from my days on the Wrestling Clique or WrestleZone forums, I used to post a lot more frequently but life gets in the way nowadays - family, work and other stuff. I may be slow with this at times, I may be quicker at others - please be patient! This is a time period which I think was really interesting. The WWF was transitioning from the "New Generation" into the "Attitude" era on the back of the rise of Stone Cold Steve Austin but there was an immense amount of star quality kicking about in Taker, Bret, Owen, Vader, Sid and Shawn Michaels as well as massive potential with some soon-to-be superstars such as HHH, Rocky and Foley. Initially, I am planning to do previews of the PPVs followed by the PPV in full up to WrestleMania when I will then, hopefully, switch to writing TV shows as well, i.e. RAW, Shotgun Saturday Night and Sunday Night HEAT down the line.

Hope you enjoy! GCB

 

[GCB]

>>> PREVIEW <<<​

WWF CHAMPIONSHIP
SINGLE FALL MATCH
PSYCHO SID [c] vs. SHAWN MICHAELS​

At Survivor Series, the 8-month reign of Shawn Michaels as the WWF Champion was controversially ended by Psycho Sid as he became the champion for the first time. After smashing a television camera into the chest of Michaels’ mentor, Jose Lothario, it appeared that Sid had caused the Mexican to have a heart attack, a situation that clearly distracted an emotional Michaels. Although Shawn laid out Sid with Sweet Chin Music, he opted to check on Lothario and summon help for his mentor rather than winning the match. Unfortunately for Michaels, Sid would prove himself to have a heart of stone as he would attack Shawn from behind as he was knelt over Lothario, drag him into the ring and hit the Powerbomb instead to become the WWF Champion. As a deeply concerned Michaels followed Lothario and the paramedics out of the arena, Sid would celebrate his crowning as WWF Champion and, over the next few weeks, would show little repentance for his actions. Although Lothario’s condition stabilised, Michaels would not return to the WWF and Sid would move on to defending his newly-won title against Bret “The Hitman” Hart at In Your House. This would be the night of HBK’s return - he would be on the announce desk - and he would end up on the ring apron after words from Sid; Bret would end up colliding with Shawn and this would allow Sid to hit the Powerbomb and retain the title. With the Royal Rumble set to emanate from Michaels’ hometown of San Antonio in front of over 60,000 of his fellow Texans, Michaels’ rematch for the WWF Championship was scheduled for the Alamodome and all eyes now turn to what is sure to be an epic battle. After refusing to apologise for his actions and refusing to rule out causing harm to Lothario again, can Psycho Sid find a way to overcome Shawn’s hometown advantage and walk out of the Royal Rumble still the WWF Champion? Or will Shawn Michaels, roared on by his San Antonio fans, take down the psychotic one and win the WWF Championship for a second time?

********************************​

30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH
Winner to main event WrestleMania 13 and challenge for the WWF Championship​

With Psycho Sid and Shawn Michaels battling it out over the WWF Championship in the Alamodome, the opportunity to secure a shot at the champion - whether that be Sid, Michaels or whoever may win it in the meantime - in the WrestleMania main event is up for grabs in the 1997 Royal Rumble match. The chance to secure the main event of WrestleMania and a guaranteed title opportunity is a prestigious one and there will be thirty men dreaming of doing just that. The most high profile of these is the former 3-time WWF Champion Bret “The Hitman” Hart. After losing the title controversially at WrestleMania last year, Bret took a sabbatical before returning at the Survivor Series against the 1996 King of the Ring, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. In an intense match, Bret found a way to escape Austin’s Million Dollar Dream by kicking off the turnbuckles to roll up Austin for a victory. However, despite Bret’s attempts to move on and focus on regaining the WWF Championship, Austin refuses to let things go and is seemingly intent on proving he is a better man that Bret. With both men in the Royal Rumble, the potential for the two of them to clash once again is high as Bret looks to win the Rumble for the second time and - as he did at WrestleMania X - go on to win the WWF Championship. On the other hand, Austin will no doubt be intent on winning the Rumble - as much to prevent Bret from winning it as to give himself a shot at the WWF Championship!

However, it would be foolish to not look beyond Bret and Austin as there are many other WWF superstars who will be sure to be in contention as well such as the Deadman, The Undertaker. It has been over four years since Taker’s short reign as WWF Champion in late 1992 and - despite the betrayal of Paul Bearer at Summerslam - he is sure to be targeting the opportunity to once again be the champion by winning the Royal Rumble and securing a title shot at this year’s WrestleMania. However, Paul Bearer is now in the corner of a man who has caused Undertaker many problems during 1996: Mankind. Although Undertaker managed to finally defeat Mankind at the Survivor Series, his impressive record against Undertaker proves that Mankind has what it takes to emerge victorious from the Royal Rumble and secure the WWF Championship opportunity. Another monstrous talent is the over 400-pound Vader, a loose cannon indeed as he enters the Royal Rumble without the guidance of Jim Cornette. After a dominant first year in the WWF, Vader has come close to winning the WWF Championship before and he will be intent on securing himself another shot at the gold as we kick off 1997.

There are also a host of younger stars looking to make the step up and catapult their career into superstardom at the Royal Rumble. Whilst the likes of Ahmed Johnson, Faarooq, Goldust and Hunter Hearst Helmsley may have their singles matches to contend with in the Alamodome, they will all be pulling double duty and entering the Royal Rumble as well. Whilst these four men may need a favourable draw, a number in the late 20s could be just what they need to be in contention to win come the end of the night. One man without such a worry is the “Wildman” Marc Mero who, along with Sable, has broke out in the WWF during 1996 and has all the tools to secure victory in the Rumble. What about the impressive rookie sensation, Rocky Maivia, who remains undefeated since he debuted at the Survivor Series and was the sole survivor? Olympic weightlifting superstar, Mark Henry, made a brief appearance in the ring over the summer, he has been training for the past few months but it has been announced that he will be entering the Royal Rumble match; with his sheer size and power, not only will be be a dangerous man to encounter, he will also be incredibly difficult to get over the top rope to eliminate. Wily veteran, Jerry “The King” Lawler, will also compete in the Rumble and, as we all know, King will do whatever it takes to win and will use every dirty trick in the book. Another veteran confirmed to compete in the Royal Rumble is Terry Funk - middle aged and crazy - and he will be another loose cannon willing to do anything and everything to survive in the match. With the prize of the WrestleMania main event and a WWF Championship opportunity up for grabs, it promises to be a thrilling Royal Rumble - who will emerge victorious after the most exciting hour of the WWF calendar?

********************************​

WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
SINGLE FALL MATCH
HUNTER HEARST HELMSLEY [c] vs. GOLDUST​

Back at Survivor Series, the WWF Intercontinental Champion, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, and Goldust were on the same team but their relationship since then has deteriorated rapidly. It all started with Hunter, looking to exert his wealth and power, attempting to attract Marlena, a move that Goldust was less than impressed at. As tensions between the two rose, Goldust ended up in a verbal exchange with Jerry “The King” Lawler that saw Lawler imply that Goldust shouldn’t be bothered by Hunter going after Marlena due to his own sexuality. However, Goldust would firmly deny being homosexual and would knock Lawler on his backside, a move that significantly increased his popularity with the WWF fans. During a match between Goldust and Lawler, Hunter would attempt to carry Marlena, against her will, out of the arena; although Marc Mero would deny Hunter and give Goldust opportunity to rescue her, Goldust would subsequently lose the match via countout. Moving into 1997, Mero and Goldust teamed up against Hunter and Lawler on RAW and Goldust would get a measure of revenge on Hunter as he would hit the Curtain Call and pin him in the centre of the ring. A victory over the WWF Intercontinental Champion means that Goldust gets his opportunity to become a 3-time Intercontinental Champion himself at the Royal Rumble. Will Goldust add to his collection of gold at the Royal Rumble and prove that he is the better man? Or will Hunter Hearst Helmsley prove himself to be a deserving champion and take his chance to impress Marlena?

********************************​

SINGLE FALL MATCH
AHMED JOHNSON vs. FAAROOQ​

1996 saw Ahmed Johnson’s incredible rise in the WWF, the “Breakout Star” becoming a fan favourite, winning the WWF Intercontinental Championship and at times looking unstoppable in the ring. Unfortunately, in July, Ahmed would suffer a terrible kidney injury caused by the debuting Faarooq in a brutal attack. At the time, Faarooq was looking to take the WWF Intercontinental Championship but the injury caused Ahmed to forfeit the gold and now things are simply personal. Since Johnson returned to the WWF last month, he has targeted Faarooq, looking to intimidate him at every opportunity. Faarooq, now under the leadership of Clarence Mason, has been forced to bring in backup in the form of his “Nation of Domination” to protect him from Ahmed’s rage, the most prominent member of the Nation being Crush. With Johnson cleared to return to the ring at the Royal Rumble, he has been booked to face Faarooq and there are sure to be fireworks as the two men finally meet in the ring. Will Ahmed Johnson get revenge on the man who put him out of action for over four months and almost ended his career? Or will Faarooq be able to put Johnson back on the shelf once again and secure himself a huge win?

********************************​

SINGLE FALL TAG TEAM MATCH
DIESEL & RAZOR RAMON vs. LEGION OF DOOM​

1997 kicked off with a huge announcement: the Royal Rumble would see the return of one of the greatest tag teams in WWF history, Animal and Hawk, the Legion of Doom. With an open challenge issued to face them at the Royal Rumble, this challenge would be accepted by Diesel and Razor Ramon, two men struggling to win over the fans since their “return” to the WWF in the summer. Urged to prove themselves a legitimate threat by Jim Ross, Diesel and Razor will look to “reclaim” their past glory by spoiling the return of LOD at the Royal Rumble. Can Diesel and Razor shove the boos and jeers of the WWF’s fans back down their throats with a huge win over LOD? Or will Hawk and Animal make a successful return to the WWF ring and prove that they are back in contention for tag team gold?

********************************​

SINGLE FALL TAG TEAM MATCH
DOUG FURNAS & PHILIP LAFON vs. THE HEADBANGERS
(Free For All)​

As 1996 turns into 1997, the increased competition within the WWF’s tag team division has led to an intensification of the standard, especially with WrestleMania looming on the horizon. With the WWF Tag Team Champions competing in the Royal Rumble rather than defending their titles at the Royal Rumble, two relatively new teams in the WWF will compete in the Free For All before the pay-per-view begins: the Canadian duo of Doug Furnas and Philip Lafon, following their impressive debut at Survivor Series, will face the strangely-attired Mosh and Thrasher, The Headbangers. Both teams will be desperate for victory in the Alamodome as they look to push their claims to be involved in the WWF Tag Team Championship match at WrestleMania. Which of these teams will prove themselves to be the standout incoming team of the WWF?

 

[GCB]

Royal Rumble Prediction Contest

I do like to make my BTB interactive where possible so please feel free to drop some predictions in the thread.

Simply reply to this post with your predictions to the following:

1. Other than the Free For All match, which match will open the PPV?

2. Who will be victorious in the Furnas/Lafon vs. Headbangers match?

3. Who will walk out of the Royal Rumble as the WWF Champion?

4. Who will win the Royal Rumble?

5. Who will walk out of the Royal Rumble as the WWF Intercontinental Champion?

6. Who will be victorious in the Ahmed Johnson vs. Faarooq match?

7. Who will be victorious in the Diesel/Razor vs. Legion of Doom match?

8. Who will be #1 in the Royal Rumble?

9. Who will be the final man eliminated in the Royal Rumble?

10. Which match will close the PPV?

 

[DTP]

Happy days! I love this period. Clean graphics. Let's do it.

 

[JDBengal]

Really looking forward to this!

1. Other than the Free For All match, which match will open the PPV? Diesel/Nash vs Legion of Doom
2. Who will be victorious in the Furnas/Lafon vs. Headbangers match? Headbangers
3. Who will walk out of the Royal Rumble as the WWF Champion? Shawn Michaels
4. Who will win the Royal Rumble? Bret Hart
5. Who will walk out of the Royal Rumble as the WWF Intercontinental Champion? Hunter
6. Who will be victorious in the Ahmed Johnson vs. Faarooq match? Faarooq
7. Who will be victorious in the Diesel/Razor vs. Legion of Doom match? Diesel/Razoe
8. Who will be #1 in the Royal Rumble? Owen Hart
9. Who will be the final man eliminated in the Royal Rumble? Stone Cold
10. Which match will close the PPV? WWE Championship

 

[Roy Mustang]

1. Other than the Free For All match, which match will open the PPV? IC title match

2. Who will be victorious in the Furnas/Lafon vs. Headbangers match? Headbangers

3. Who will walk out of the Royal Rumble as the WWF Champion? Shawn Michaels

4. Who will win the Royal Rumble? Bret Hart

5. Who will walk out of the Royal Rumble as the WWF Intercontinental Champion? Hunter

6. Who will be victorious in the Ahmed Johnson vs. Faarooq match? Ahmed Johnson

7. Who will be victorious in the Diesel/Razor vs. Legion of Doom match? Diesel/Razor

8. Who will be #1 in the Royal Rumble? Stone Cold

9. Who will be the final man eliminated in the Royal Rumble? Stone Cold

10. Which match will close the PPV? Royal Rumble