Royal Rumble - January 19, 1997
Venue: Alamodome, San Antonio, TexasAttendance: 24,156
One of the most anticipated matches of the Royal Rumble event is a Ladder Match for the Intercontinental title between new champion "The Rock" Rocky Maivia, who defeated Steve Austin on Raw shortly after In Your House, against Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Savio Vega and European Champion The British Bulldog. Bulldog has the opportunity to walk out of the Rumble from double champion to not a champion at all since he also defends the European title against Shawn Michaels. Also on the card, outside of the Rumble match: The Headbangers vs The Godwinns, Goldust vs Vader, Stone Cold Steve Austin vs The Undertaker in a non-title match
Match Card & Results
1. Opening Match: Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match
Competitors: Rocky Maivia (c) vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Savio Vega vs. The British Bulldog
Result: Rocky Maivia retains after climbing the ladder and successfully retrieving the Intercontinental Championship belt.
2. Tag Team Match: The Headbangers vs. The Godwinns
Result: The Headbangers win via pinfall after a Thrasher splash.
3. Singles Match: Goldust vs. Vader
Result: Vader wins with a Vader Bomb after a hard-fought battle.
4. WWF European Championship Match
Competitors: The British Bulldog (c) vs. Shawn Michaels
Result: Shawn Michaels wins the European Championship with a superkick, ending Bulldog’s reign.
5. Singles Match: Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Undertaker
Result: Stone Cold wins via disqualification after Kane interferes, setting up future storylines.
The 30-Man Royal Rumble Match
Participants (Selected highlights):
The Rock
Bret Hart
Razor Ramon
Shawn Michaels
Sid
Mankind
Vader
Hunter Hearst Helmsley
The British Bulldog
The Undertaker
Steve Austin
Kane
Key Moments:
The Rock enters at #3, quickly establishing himself as a rising star.
Steve Austin enters at #7, immediately causing chaos.
The Undertaker and Kane face off in the ring, hinting at their future rivalry.
Sid dominates early but is eliminated by Shawn Michaels.
Mankind surprises everyone with his resilience, lasting until the final four.
Razor Ramon is eliminated by Bret Hart, leading to a heated exchange.
The final four: Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, and The Rock.
Final Moments:
Bret Hart is eliminated by Stone Cold.
Shawn Michaels is eliminated by The Rock.
Stone Cold and The Rock face off. After a tense exchange, Stone Cold eliminates The Rock with a Lou Thesz Press and a flurry of punches.
Winner: Stone Cold Steve Austin
Closing Segment
Stone Cold celebrates as confetti falls. This victory cements him as the #1 contender for the WWF Championship at WrestleMania 13. The show ends with Austin flipping off the audience, setting the stage for his “Austin 3:16” era.