WWF '97 - Theory of The Deadman [EWR Diary]

[Gurryman]

The butterfly effect. To some, nonsense. To others, a way of life. They say stepping on a butterfly can cause a car accident tomorrow. Tossing a pebble into a lake can lead to the assassination of a world leader. Any small change in the world has a bigger impact.

So... what would happen if Brian Pillman didn't die in 1997?

This is the WWF section of a long term EWR Diary project, spanning across WWF, WCW, and ECW.

Championships

CURRENT CHAMP:
Shawn Michaels

Spoiler: Previous Champions

N/A

CURRENT CHAMP:
Hunter Hearst Helmsley

Spoiler: Previous Champions

N/A

CURRENT CHAMP:
Hunter Hearst Helmsley

Spoiler: Previous Champions

Owen Hart and The British Bulldog

ROSTER

Spoiler: Main Roster

Abismo Negro
Ahmed Johnson
Aldo Montoya
Animal
Barry Horowitz
Bart Gunn
Billy Gunn
Blackjack Bradshaw
Blackjack Windham
Bob Holly
Bret Hart
British Bulldog
Brooklyn Brawler
Brother Love
Chyna
Clarence Mason
Crush
Discovery
D'Lo Brown
Doug Furnas
El Mosco
Faarooq Asad
Flash Funk
Freddie Joe Floyd
Goldust
Hawk
Heavy Metal
Hector Garza
Henry O.Godwinn
Histeria
Hunter Hearst Hemsley
Jake Roberts
Jared Grimm
Jason Grimm
JC Ice
Jesse James Armstrong
Ken Shamrock
Latin Lover
Leif Cassidy
Ludxor
Mankind
Marc Mero
Mark Henry
Marlena
Mosh
Octagon
Owen Hart
Philip LaFon
Phineas I. Godwinn
Pierroth Jr.
Rocky Johnson
Sable
Salvatore Sincere
Savio Vega
Shawn Michaels
Steve Austin
Steve Blackman
Sycho Sid
T.I. Hopper
The Sultan
The Undertaker
Thrasher
Vader
Venum
Vic Grimes
Wolfie D
Yokozuna

Tag Teams/ Stables

Spoiler: Teams/Stables

Legion of Doom (Hawk/Animal)
Owen Hart & The British Bulldog
PG-13 (JC-Ice & Wolfie D)
The Can-Am Express (Doug Furnas and Philip LaFon
The Godwinns (Henry O. Godwinn and Phineas I. Godwinm)
The Grimm Brothers (Jason and Jared Grimm)
The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher)
The New Blackjacks (Blackjack Bradshaw and Blackjack Windham)
The Smoking Gunns (Billy and Bart Gunn)

Managers/Staff

Spoiler: Managers

Bob Backlund
Brother Love
Chyna
Clarence Mason
Harvey Wippleman
Hillbilly Jim
Honky Tank Man
James E.Cornette
Jerry Lawler
Jim Ross
Marlena
Paul Bearer
Rocky Johnson
Sable
Shane McMahon
Stephanie McMahon
Sunny
The Iron Shiek
Vince McMahon

 

[Gurryman]

WWF Royal Rumble; January 25th, 1997

Quick Rundown

Hunter Hearst Helmsley (c) (with Chyna) defeated Goldust for the WWF IC Championship
Ahmed Johnson defeated Faarooq (with Clarence Mason, Crush, D'Lo Brown, J.C. Ice and Wolfie D) by disqualification
Vader (with Paul Bearer) defeated The Undertaker
Royal Rumble: Stone Cold Steve Austin won last eliminating Bret Hart
Shawn Michaels defeated Sycho Sid (c)

WWF Shotgun Saturday Night; Febuary 1st, 1997

VS

The Smoking Gunns vs. Montoya and Cassidy

The match starts off with Cassidy and Bart. The two actually have a decent technical bout to start things out, but Cassidy is soon dropped with a stunning back elbow. Cassidy tags in Montoya, while Billy gets Bart in, and the two double team him with a dropkick. They hit a double suplex, and Billy hits him with a Famouser! Leif tries to break the pin up but Bart holds him back as the ref counts to 3. The Gunns celebrate, as the ref checks on Montoya, who's nose is bloodied.

Rating: 61%

Blackjack Bradshaw vs. Abismo Negro

Before the match even begins, Bradshaw runs at Abismo and takes his head off with a LARIATO~!!!! The ref yells at Bradshaw to get back, but he refuses and just picks up Abismo, and hits a HYUGE Jacknife Powerbomb, making the match void.

Rating: 50%

HBK Video Angle

We see the WWF World Champion, laid back in a pool, on a floaty wearing heart decorated boxers, and sunglasses. He's as cool as ever, and the WWF World Heavyweight Championship is laid over his stomach. He cuts a promo on Sycho Sid, saying that he was an awful champion, and didn't have what Shawn was born with; charisma. He says that at Wrestlemania, in just a few months, Stone Cold Steve Austin is going to be another strike in the win column... if he even makes it there that is.

Rating: 94%, HBK gained overness from this segment.

Backstage Interview with Rocky Maivia and Rocky Johnson

Backstage, Kevin Kelly conducts an interview with an excited Rocky Maivia. His father, Rocky Johnson, decked out in a suit, lets his son speak. He's too excited, as he ends up fumbling a few words, but says that tonight, the Blue Chipper will defeat The Blue Blood that is Hunter Hearst Helmsley, and honor the Rocky name.

Rating: 56%

Backstage Promo with HHH and Chyna

The recently introduced Chyna stands in the background, her arms folded, as HHH cuts a promo with more attitude, and less of an accent, having the Intercontinental Championship on his shoulder. "You're just a boy playing in my yard", he says. He promises tonight isn't a memorable night for the Intercontinental Championship, but simply another defense. The title is where it belongs, and will stay there for as long as he's alive.

VS

WWF Intercontinental Championship Match: HHH (C) (with Chyna) vs. Rocky Maivia (with Rocky Johnson)

The two stare each other down before locking up. HHH takes Rocky with a headlock and holds him there, wrenching it in. The Blue Chipper throws him to the ropes and hits a shoulder block that takes him down, as he runs the ropes and leaps of the champ. Hunter goes for a hip toss but Rocky counters with one of his own, then an arm drag, and a BIIIIG body slam that has the crowd cheering. Hunter spazzes out as he gets up and turns around into a few fists, before being irish whipped, and knocked down with a jumping shoulder block! 1! 2! No, kickout. The challenger is all smiles as he gets the crowd hyped up, but Rocky Johnson tells Maivia to stay on his opponent. He looks to pick up the champion, but eats a punch to the stomach, then a European uppercut, followed by a back breaker.
Hunter shakes the cobwebs and runs the ropes, hitting a very nice looking knee drop the head of Rocky. Chyna is emotionless, and looks on to make sure Hunter's got this. He picks up Rocky and chops him something mean, but Rocky replies with a few loud ones of his own. Rocky stops the momentum with a knee to the gut and runs the ropes, Rocky goes for a clothesline but the champ ducks and keeps running. Bad move, as Rocky turns around and LEAPS UP for a Jumping Clothesline! Hunter is shocked and stands up to eat a dropkick! Another! And an inverted atomic drop that stuns Hunter and leaves him on his knees, back to Rocky.
Rocky Maivia looks to get ready for his finishing move, the Urnage Sideslam, but Chyna gets up on the apron and starts arguing with the ref. Rocky comes over and starts telling her to get down, and she complies, not before tossing HHH something without either Rocky or the ref seeing. She's down, and HHH messes with his hand, as Rocky comes over to pick him up, he punches him square in the jaw with a CHAIN! He tosses it before the ref turns around and hits the Pedigree! 1! 2! 3!
Hunter rolls out of the ring after being handed his title, and Rocky is out cold, as his father checks on him, Hunter and Chyna celebrate on the apron, holding the title high above their heads.

Rating: 72%

Overall Show Rating:

68%​

 

[Gurryman]

WWF Monday Night RAW; Febuary 3rd, 1997

Backstage Promo with HHH and Chyna

We see clips of Shotgun Saturday, where HHH cheated to retain his title. He claims he won the match as a champion should; by any means, and that no one is going to take the title off him, not even a Deadman like The Undertaker. He says that tonight, in the main event, he'll show why his title is prestigious.

Rating:
68%

VS

The Smoking Gunns vs. Owen Hart and The British Bulldogs; Non-Title

Owen and Billy start off. They're incredibly smooth in the ring together, and Owen gets the best of him with a back body drop. He irish whips him off and Bart gets a tag in, as Billy is hit with a fall down clothesline to take Billy out. Bart gets the sneak attack and goes to work on the Canadian. At one point, he looks for a suplex, but Owen lands on his feet behind him and rolls him up. 1! 2! No, but close! Bart's up and eats a dropkick for his troubles. Bulldog tagged in now, and he steam rolls both Gunns with clotheslines. Owen locks in the Sharpshooter on Bart! He's about to tap, but Billy comes in to try and break it, but NO! Bulldog picks him up and hits the Running Powerslam! Bart taps! The tag champs celebrate their victory.

Rating:
73%

The New Blackjacks

The New Blackjacks are backstage. Barry cuts a majority of the promo, but he's not very good. Bradshaw sort of saves it by saying they're going to run through the tag division and win the titles.

Rating:
57%

VS

Farooq Assad vs. Barry Horrowitz

Barry pats himself on the back before the match starts, but it's of no use as Farooq throws a right hand into the eye socket of Barry! He's down for an uncomfortable amount of time, and Farooq is on the assault with kicks to the head. He picks up Barry and picks him up for a body press! Dropping him down! He's not done, as he picks him up and hits the Dominator! Cover! 1! 2! 3! It's over! Barry holds his eye as Farooq throws up the right arm, leaving the crowd to boo him.

Rating:
53%

HBK and Sunny Backstage

HBK, holding the WWF Title, cuts an honest promo on the WWF, saying that no amtter the challenge, he'll overcome anyone, and proved that at the Royal Rumble against Sid. He says bring on whoever for In Your House this month, and that he'll make them wish they never stepped into the ring with the Heatbreak Kid. After it, Sunny walk into frame, suggestively putting herself body to body on Shawn, flirting with him and calling him a man worth her time. HBK smirks, and says they'll discuss this "somewhere else", before leaving the scene.

Rating:
86%

VS

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. Goldust

Steve Austin comes out to the ring with a mic in hand and cuts a promo on Bret Hart, saying that he couldn't cut it in the rumble, and that he got his ass WHOOPED. He says that if 29 men couldn't beat him, then HBK sure couldn't. He called him a sonuvabitch that had what was his, and that at Wrestlemania, he's gonna be his bitch. Goldust comes out, gets on the mic, and says Austin is a tough man... and that if he wanted someone to be his bitch, he was right there for the taking. Austin stood there, and bean to beat the hell out of Goldust with punches to start the match. Goldust with a back elbow, then an irish whip, but Stone cold hits a Lou-Thez Press! Punches to the head of the Bizarre One, before getting up and running the ropes, coming back, throwing up the middle fingers, and hitting a double axe handle to the face. Goldust is up and kicks Austin in the gut. He looks for the first big move in the match as he has him by the arm, but Stone Cold clotheslines him a few times, holding the arm, and gives him the middle finger! STUNNER! 1! 2! 3!

Rating:
74%

Ambush!

As Stone Cold flips up the double birds, walking backwards to the curtian, The British Bulldog comes out and clobbers him in the back of the head! Owen is out and they start putting the boots to him! Owen has a mic in hand and tells Steve Austin to NEVER disrespect the Hart Family, no matter who it is! And clobbers him in the head with the mic. Security pulls the men apart, but Stone Cold is out like a light.

Rating:
75%

VS

The Undertaker vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley (with Chyna)

Hunter out of the gate wastes no time by throwing punches at the Deadman's head, hitting him nice and stiff. He goes for a jumping knee, but Taker reverses catching it, and dumps him over the top rope. He follows through and throws him head first into the steel barricade. He irish whips him into the steel steps, knocking the part top off. The crowd are in favor of the Deadman, who takes Hunter up on the shoulder and tosses him head first into the post! He rolls away behind Chyna, who stands in front of Taker. They stare off, but Taker pushes her aside to get to Hunter, who catches him with a punch to the jaw, tossing him into the ring. He's in the ring and before Taker can get up, he hits a jaw jacking knee lift. Cover, 1, 2, no!
Hunter picks him up and tosses him into the rope, kneeling down for a back body drop! Kick to the shoulder! Taker grabs the wrist, twists under it, and starts climbing the top rope slowly for Old School! Chyna gets on the rope and moves it, leaving Taker to try and keep balance! But Hunter pulls him back, causing him to land on his back! The ref gets on Chyna's case but she's down now.
Hunter locks in a rest hold chin lock, and the crowd cheer for Undertaker to come back. They're on their feet and take hits a few elbows to the stomach, but Hunter shuts him down with a punch to the head,and tucks his head between his legs! Looks for the Pedigree! But no! Taker twists of it and picks up Hunter for the Tombstone Piledriver! He slips out and hits a jumping high knee to stagger Taker! Hunter runs the ropes now and goes for Taker, but he's goozled! Hand to the throat! Chnya's on the rope again though, and with Taker's other hand, he grabs her by the throat as well! Hunter gets out of it with a kick to the gut and goes to attack him, but he tosses him over the top rope and into Chyna! They both tumble to the floor and get up, but as they turn around, The Deadman is flying like a bat out of hell with a over the top rope suicide dive!!!!
He lands on both of them and the three are out. The ref starts a count. Hunter gets up and tries to get into the ring, but he's grabbed by the foot by Taker who tosses him into the steps. Ref's at 8 now. Taker looks to get Hunter, but laying on the ground is Chyna who holds onto Taker's feet for dear life! She won't let go! 9!... 10!!! The ref counts it as a double count out!
Taker is pissed off as Hunter's handed the title, and he runs off onto the entrance ramp. Taker tries to follow, but Chyna hits him in the back and throws him in the ring. Hunter slowly comes to ringside as Chyna now has a chair! She's in the ring and looks to strike the Deadman, but no! CHOKESLAM! The crowd pop like crazy, and Hunter looks on in fear. Taker picks her up, and Tombstones her onto the chair! The lightning strikes the arena and the music of the deadman plays to end the show.

Rating:
80%

OVERALL SHOW RATING:
71%​

 

[Gurryman]

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter; Febuary 4th, 1997

Barry's "Stiff" Problem
Rumours are going around that Barry Horowitz complained to managment about Farooq Assad directly after their match for being too stiff. Farooq has known to been snug. Reports say the two may have heat, and to expect Barry to sport a black eye for his next match.

Cornette's Dark Match!

Reports have confirmed that Jim Cornette is out with an injury after suffering a broken nose in a backstage brawl. While details are murky, he'll likely be out of action for at least a month. Creative seems frustrated with this, as Cornette was in talks to be paired up with a "big" name.

The End of Montoya?

During his match with The Smoking Gunns, Montoya took a botched Famouser that broke his nose, and fractured his knee. The up and comer is said to be out for 16 months, while his contract is up in 12. It'll be interesting to see if he's resigned, after a mostly abysmal performance on TV.​

 

[Chris]

The format of this is great just FYI

 

[Gurryman]

WWF Shotgun Saturday Night; February 8th, 1997

CANCELLED. FLOODED ARENA. TICKETS REFUNDED.

WWF Monday Night RAW; February 10th, 1997

VS

D'Lo & Farooq vs. Barry Horowitz & Abismo Negro

D'Lo and Farooq are out in black, wearing Jamacian themed gear. Farooq is given a microphone, as Barry and Abismo look on in annoyance. Farooq says that he's tired of facing a Jewish man, and that the white man is just having a laugh at minorities battling it out. The match starts, and Abismo and D'Lo start. The powerful D'Lo takes him down with a few shots, tagging in Farooq to hit a double shoulder block. Farooq picks him up and biel tosses him to the corner, where Barry tries to make the tag, but D'Lo bullrushes him off the apron. Dominator by Farooq! 1! 2! 3! It's over! Barry tries to roll in the ring, but he's taken down with a stiff clothesline by Farooq. He piles the oppenents on top of each other, and D'Lo hits the LOW DOWN FROG SPLASH! They made their statement, and throw up their right arms in defiance.

Rating:
52%

Leif Cassidy Interview

Backstage, the usually excitable Leif Cassidy cuts a promo saying he's looking towards the future in singles action. He says it's a shame that Aldo Montoya is out with an injury, as the two had been tagging together for a few weeks, but promises that he'll bring a fun style to the WWF. It was rather bland, but got the point across.

Rating:
67%

VS

Barry Windham vs. Bob Holly

The match starts off and Windham sells the arm for awhile, as a pre-Hardcore Bob Holly makes an attempt to try and work it with some chain wrestling. It's cut short as Barry hits a forearm to the face and tries to run the ropes, but the sparky Bob Holly hit a nice dropkick to the approval of the crowd. He scoops up Windham for a body slam attempt but Windham counters and kick Bob in the gut, followed up by a big dramatic uppercut that takes Bob back. A few shots to the face with closed fists, and he throws Bob into the ropes to hit a kitchen sink. A cover attempt, but only a two count. Lame ass headlock on the ground! The crowd starts chanting "Sparky Sparky Sparky!" and they're up. Bob gets out of it and throws Barry off who tries for the LARIATO~!, but no! Bob holly goes off the ropes after ducking and hits a flying forearm! He looks to put Barry away with the Alabama-Slam, but back body drop! As Bob goes to get up, Barry clutches him by the neck for a DDT! Cover! 1! 2! 3!!!

Rating:
64%

Stone Cold Steve Austin Interview

Via satellite, we see Austin sitting at home, wearing a bandage over his head. Kevin Kelly asks Steve about the attack by Hart and Bulldog, and replies by telling Kelly that ain't how it happened. He goes on to defend himself, saying it was a sad display that they couldn't even take him out right. "A baby cut" on his head isn't going to stop him from taking apart both men piece by piece. He says that the two of them can try as much as they like, but Stone Cold's going to keep getting back up and whooping their asses. He promises that the next time he gets his hands on either man, he'll make sure they can't walk again. That's The Bottom Line... cuz Stone Cold said so.

Rating:
92%

VS

Ken Shamrock vs. The Brooklyn Brawler

The crowd are shocked as they see Shamrock make his intense entrance. It's his debut, and the commentators bill him as "The World's Most Dangerous Man". He enters the ring, and is jacked, punching himself to wake up and get intense. The bell rings, and Brawler looks around for help. He says forget it and throws a right at Ken, but he catches it with his hand and starts bending his fist backwards! He pulls him back and hugs him for a Belly-To-Belly Suplex! The crowd are amazed as he takes the ankle of Brawler and twists it! Brawler taps! The crowd are in awe of Shamrock's awesome power.

Rating:
61%

Rocky Johnson and Rocky Maivia Segment

Backstage, a bummed out, young Rocky asks what's next for him. Rocky Sr. replies that tonight, he wants him to continue showing why he's his son by going against the odds and over coming the challenges. Rocky looks happier and shakes his pop's hand, and the crowd cheer a bit.

Rating:
73%

Backstage Promo with HHH/Chyna

We see HHH, pissed off, as Chyna has a neckbrace on after the attack from The Undertaker last week. HHH promises that he'll make Taker pay for what he's done. He says he should've just taken the lost like a man, but claims he had to take it out because he's a sore loser.

Rating:
69% (Nice)

VS

Owen Hart (with The British Bulldog) vs. Rocky Maivia (with Rocky Johnson)

The match starts off with some good technical wrestling. Rocky accidentally takes the wrong arm and pays for it with a stiff shot to the face, with Owen loudly calling him an idiot. He's pushed off the ropes and eats a dropkick. Randy Orton style headlock, get your pop corn folks. Rocky tries to steal that Bob Holly spot from earlier but the crowd like Owen a lot more then Rocky. As they're up, Rocky hit's a few elbows, and gets booed for each one, before hitting a flurry of strikes. It's 1997, so he doesn't have that cool spit spot, and misses wildly with the last shot. Owen takes him by the back, back suplex over the top rope!
Rocky Johnson tries to help him up, but Bulldog comes over, threatening the old man. Rocky Maivia is in the ring and gets a few boots to the face for his troubles. Owen realizes the crowd likes him, and does the most boring headlock again to get them to boo. It's been a solid minute, and the writer of this match is too stubborn to not hate on Orton when he gets the chance. I mean for real, almost 20 years later and he's still employed? Didn't he shit in a bag once? Anyway, he got off topic as this match went on.
Rocky counters out of it with a Northern Lights Suplex! 1! 2! Close but no cigar. I need one. They're up and trade shots, Rocky hits a forearm that sends Owen back into the ropes! Clothesline over the top! Bulldog helps up Owen, but Rocky flies over the ropes for a dive! What the fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!
Rocky rolls in Owen! Goes to the top rope! Frog splash! He actually knows cool moves! Close 3 count! The crowd are somewhat behind him now, and he's up. He's calling for the prequel to the Rock Bottom, but Bulldog gets in the ring! He's about to attack Rocky, but the Sr. comes in and pushes him aside asking him what his problem is! The ref is distracted and tries to get the two out, so Owen kicks Rocky in the dick! What a maneuver! Rocky Sr. goes haywire and starts attacking Bulldog to a big pop! They roll out of the ring! Bulldog eventually pushes him away and throws him face first into the post! Owen is too tired to capitalize!

*GLASS SHATTERS!*

STONE COLD! STONE COLD! The crowd are shocked to see him! He duped everyone into thinking he was home! Bulldog runs at him, but eats right hands before getting thrown into the crowd! Owen looks shocked and stands up telling off Austin, but Rocky rolls him up! 1!!!! 2!!!! 3!!!! ROCKY WINS! ROCKY WINS! He rolls out of the ring and protects his father, checking on him. Stone Cold enters the ring and him and Owen exchange lefts and rights! It's on! Stunner attempt but it's pushed aside! Owen rolls out of the ring and Bulldog follows, the two looking out of it and defeated as they're on the ramp. Stone Cold chucks his hat the two, flipping them off, and telling them he'll get their asses someday!

Rating:
78%

OVERALL SHOW RATING:
70%​