WrestleMania 13

Infobox Wrestling event
name=WrestleMania 13


tagline=Heat
promotion=World Wrestling Federation
date=March 23 1997
venue=Rosemont Horizon
city=Rosemont
attendance=18,197
lastevent=
nextevent=
event=WrestleMania
lastevent2=WrestleMania XII
nextevent2=WrestleMania XIV

WrestleMania 13 was the thirteenth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). The event was held on March 23 1997 at the Rosemont Horizon in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois.

The main event was a no disqualification match between The Undertaker and Sycho Sid for the WWF Championship, which Undertaker won following interference from Bret Hart.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm13/mainevent/|title=Undertaker vs. Sycho Sid - WWE Championship|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-28] The main matches on the undercard were Bret Hart versus Stone Cold Steve Austin in a submission match,cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm13/results/|title=WrestleMania 13 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-28] Legion of Doom & Ahmed Johnson versus Nation of Domination in a Chicago Street Fightcite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/march/xii.htm|title=WrestleMania XIII|publisher=PWWEW.net|accessdate=2008-04-28] and Hunter Hearst Helmsley versus Goldust.cite web|author=Travis|date=1997-03-23|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/wwf052697|title=WrestleMania 13 recap|publisher=The Other Arena|accessdate=2008-04-28]

Background

The main feud heading into WrestleMania 13 was between The Undertaker and Sycho Sid, with the two battling over the WWF Championship. At , Bret Hart last eliminated The Undertaker in a Four Corners Elimination match to win the vacant WWF Championship.cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/february/1997.htm|title=WWF In Your House: Final Four|publisher=PWWEW.net|accessdate=2008-04-28] However, Hart's reign lasted only one day as he lost the title the next night on "RAW" to Sycho Sid after interference by Steve Austin.cite web|first=John|last=Petrie|date=1997-02-17|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/raw021797|title=WWF Raw: February 17, 1997|publisher=The Other Arena|accessdate=2008-04-28] Due to being the runner-up to the title at Final Four, Undertaker was made the #1 contender and was booked to challenge Sycho Sid for the title at WrestleMania. However, on March 17 edition of "RAW", Sid defended the title against Hart in a steel cage match, with the winner defending his title against Undertaker. During the match, both Undertaker and Austin interfered. Undertaker came out to help Sid because he wanted to wrestle Sid while Austin helped Hart because he wanted to make his scheduled no disqualification submission match with Hart a title match. Sid won the match and retained his title and as a result, Sid vs. Undertaker remained the main event of WrestleMania.cite web|first=John|last=Petrie|date=1997-03-17|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/raw031797|title=WWF Raw: March 17, 1997|publisher=The Other Arena|accessdate=2008-04-28]

The other main match on the card was Bret Hart versus Stone Cold Steve Austin in a No Disqualification Submission match. Hart and Austin's rivalry began after Austin won the 1996 King of the Ring tournament and began taunting Hart, who was inactive at the time. Austin insulted Hart in his speeches so Hart could accept his challenge to a match. Hart returned in October and accepted Austin's challenge, with the two facing each other at Survivor Series 1996 where Hart defeated Austin. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1996/results|title=Survivor Series 1996 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-28] Their rivalry continued as Hart and Austin were the final two participants in the 1997 Royal Rumble match. Hart had originally eliminated Austin from the match but Austin's elimination was considered unofficial as the officials didn't see it because they were busy in a brawl between eliminated wrestlers Mankind and Terry Funk.cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/wwf/1997#rr97|title=Royal Rumble 1997|publisher=AWT|accessdate=2008-04-28|date=1997-01-21] They were participants in a Four Corners Elimination match for the vacant WWF Championship at , which Hart won. The next night on "RAW", Austin cost Hart the WWF Championship against Sycho Sid when Hart had applied the Sharpshooter on Sid, Austin nailed Hart with a steel chair followed by Sid powerbombing Hart for the win. Hart and Austin were booked to wrestle in a no disqualification submission match at WrestleMania, but Hart got a shot at the WWF Championship in a steel cage match on March 17 edition of "RAW", with the winner defending the title against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 13. Hart had almost the match won, until Undertaker interfered and helped Sid in getting the victory.

One of the main undercard matches was a Chicago Street Fight featuring Ahmed Johnson and Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) against Nation of Domination (Faarooq, Crush and Savio Vega). Johnson was attacked by a newcomer Faarooq Asad, a Roman gladiator on July 22, 1996 edition of "RAW" during a match for the WWF Tag Team Championship. [cite web|first=Kevin|last=Podsiadlik|date=1996-07-22|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1996/raw072296|title=WWF Raw: July 22, 1996|publisher=The Other Arena|accessdate=2008-04-28] Ahmed was scheduled to defend his Intercontinental Championship against Faarooq at SummerSlam 1996 but Ahmed had legitimate kidney problems which forced him to vacate the Intercontinental Championship. In the storyline, Faarooq had caused Ahmed's kidney problem. [cite web|first=Kevin|last=Podsiadlik|date=1996-07-22|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1996/raw072996|title=WWF Raw: July 29, 1996|publisher=The Other Arena|accessdate=2008-04-28] He returned from his injury in early 1997 and continued with Faarooq, who had formed the Nation of Domination during Ahmed's injury. Ahmed joined forces with the "gang fighters" Legion of Doom and LOD were scheduled to wrestle NOD in a Chicago Street Fight at WrestleMania 13.

Event

Before the event aired live on pay-per-view (PPV), Billy Gunn defeated Flash Funk at Free for All. The first match that aired on television was a Four-Way Tag Team Elimination Match. The match featured The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher), The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas), The New Blackjacks (Blackjack Windham and Blackjack Bradshaw) and the team of Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon. All the teams wrestled each other and sometimes in the match, teammates also fought against each other. Barry Windham and Phil LaFon brawled to the outside the ring. Windham attacked the referee and got disqualified, which lead to the first elimination of the match while Furnas was counted-out. Headbangers and Godwinns were the remaining teams and they battled for five minutes and 39 seconds, before Thrasher hit Phineas a Cannonball Senton and won the match. As a result of winning the match, Headbangers earned a shot at the WWF Tag Team Championship.

The second match was between Rocky Maivia and The Sultan for Maivia's WWF Intercontinental Championship. The Honky Tonk Man provided commentary for the match. Sultan had the early advantage in the match due to his size and power but Maivia used his quicker moves to push the big man outside the ring. Sultan overpowered Maivia with slams and punches but was unable to pin him. Maivia gained advantage on Sultan by nailing him with a belly to belly suplex, Maivia Hurricane and a flying crossbody before pinning Sultan with a roll-up to win the match and retain the title. After the match, Sultan and his managers, Bob Backlund and Iron Sheik attacked Maivia before his father, the legendary Rocky Johnson came out to help his son. The third match was between Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Goldust. Goldust dominated the early portion of the match. Helmsley had brief flurries of offense but Goldust had still the advantage. Helmsley began using submission maneuvers to keep the advantages for himself. Goldust was going to hit his maneuver until Helmsley's bodyguard Chyna manhandled Goldust's wife Marlena to distract him. Helmsley took advantage and hit Goldust a Pedigree for the win.

The fourth match was a tag team match for the WWF Tag Team Championship, as Owen Hart and British Bulldog defended the titles against Mankind and Vader. The big Vader made easy work of Owen in the beginning of the match. Vader tagged in with Mankind while Owen tagged in with Bulldog. Bulldog and Mankind punched each other but Bulldog had more advantage. He applied sleeper hold on Mankind which caused both of them to fall to the outside. They continued to brawl outside. The referee was distracted due to the brawl. Vader took advantage and hit Bulldog with Paul Bearer's urn and dragged him into the ring. Vader and Mankind both took turns and continued to attack Bulldog. Owen tried to save his partner, but Vader used his strength while Mankind used his cheating tactics to overwhelm Owen. Mankind trapped Bulldog to the outside and applied the mandible claw on him. Both men were countout as the match resulted in a draw. As a result, Hart and Bulldog retained the titles. The fifth match was a No Disqualification Submission Match between Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin. UFC fighter Ken Shamrock was the special guest referee for this match. Austin attacked Hart, who was still in his entrance attire. The two first beat each other in the ring before the action spilled outside the ring. Hart tossed Austin into the steel ringpost while Austin drove him onto the steel barrier. The two men began fighting in the crowd, where both men hit each other with several foreign objects. They moved up the steps high into the crowd. Shamrock followed them and brought them back towards the ring where Austin used steel steps on Hart to humiliate him. As the action began in the ring, Hart focused on Austin's leg. He busted Austin wide with the timekeeper's table and Austin's head began to bleed. Hart tried to use a steel chair on Austin's leg, but Austin choked Hart with a television cable. Hart hit Austin in the head with the ring bell. He applied a Sharpshooter on Austin who did not submit and tried to resist but passed out from the pain of move and lack of blood. Shamrock awarded the match to Hart, but Hart continued to attack Austin which lead to a double-turn as the fans turned on Hart and began cheering for Austin. Hart turned heel and Austin turned babyface. Shamrock suplexed Hart off of Austin. The sixth match of the event and the final match on the undercard was a Chicago Street Fight between Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) & Ahmed Johnson and Nation of Domination (Faarooq, Crush and Savio Vega). All the two teams hit each other with many foreign objects. The match continued inside the ring and outside the ring in the same fashion. Finally, Animal hit Crush with a 2x4 to win the match.

The main event was a No Disqualification Match between The Undertaker and reigning champion Sycho Sid for the WWF Championship. Shawn Michaels provided commentary for the match. The now-heel Bret Hart came out during the match and insulted Undertaker, Michaels and especially Sid because he claimed that Sid had screwed him out of the title. Sid powerbombed Hart while Undertaker took advantage and began attacking the champion from behind. Undertaker went for an Old School but Sid took him in a bearhug. The big man Sid attacked his challenger with various moves and attacked him with television monitors, and applied a camel clutch on Undertaker. Sid had the advantage in the match until Hart came back and attacked Sid with a steel chair. He recovered and got Undertaker in the powerbomb but Hart returned again and distracted Sid which allowed Undertaker to hit Sid with the Tombstone and win the match.

Aftermath

Stone Cold Steve Austin and Bret Hart continued their rivalry after WrestleMania, but Austin was now a babyface while Hart was a heel. Hart recruited British Bulldog, Owen Hart, Brian Pillman and former tag team partner Jim Neidhart to reform The Hart Foundation. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/hart-foundation.html|title=The Hart Foundation (1997) Profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-05-11] At , Hart and Austin had a match which Austin won by disqualification.cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/wwf/1997#iyh14|title=In Your House XIV - Revenge of the Taker|date=1997-04-20|accessdate=2008-05-11|publisher=AWT] Their feud continued until , where Canadian Hart Foundation defeated American team of Austin, Ken Shamrock, Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) and Goldust.cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/wwf/1997#iyh16|title=In Your House XVI - Canadian Stampede|date=1997-07-06|accessdate=2008-05-11|publisher=AWT]

The Undertaker got a push after he won his second WWF Championship at WrestleMania 13.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship|title=WWE Championship official title history|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-05-11] He spent a reign of 133 days [cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/thist/world.html|title=WWE World Heavyweight Championship|work=Complete WWE|accessdate=2008-05-11] which included battles with Mankind, Stone Cold Steve Austin, [cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/wwf/1997#iyh15|title=In Your House XV - Cold Day In Hell|date=1997-05-11|accessdate=2008-05-11|publisher=AWT] Faarooq [cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/wwf/1997#kotr97|title=King of the Ring 1997|date=1997-06-09|publisher=AWT|accessdate=2008-05-11] and Vader. At SummerSlam 1997, Undertaker's long reign finally ended when he lost the title to Bret Hart when special guest referee Shawn Michaels accidentally struck Undertaker with a steel chair, which was intended for Hart. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1997/mainevent|title=Undertaker vs. Bret "Hit Man" Hart for the WWE Championship with Shawn Michaels as special guest referee|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-05-11]

Results

Other on-screen talent

Notes

*This is the second WrestleMania to use Arabic numerals, with the first being WrestleMania 2.
*This was the last WrestleMania to use the classic red, white, and blue ropes. As well as the blue mats on the outside and plain colored steel barricades surrounding the ringside area.
*This event is considered by many fans to have been the unofficial beginning of the "Attitude Era" for the WWF. The company's product took on a much harder edge after this ppv to adapt to their audience's tastes at the time. This is best evidenced in the Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin match, which saw the straight-laced family man (Hart) become a villain and the beer drinking, foul-mouthed Austin become a fan favorite.

References

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm13/ The Official Website of WrestleMania 13]