WrestleMania 13: Difference between revisions
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|image = WrestleMania13.jpg |
|image = WrestleMania13.jpg |
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|alt = |
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|caption = |
|caption =Promotional poster |
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|tagline = Heat! |
|tagline = Heat! |
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|promotion = [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] |
|promotion = [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] |
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|date = March 23, 1997 |
|date = March 23, 1997 |
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|venue = [[Rosemont Horizon]] |
|venue = [[Allstate Arena|Rosemont Horizon]] |
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|city = [[Rosemont, Illinois]] |
|city = [[Rosemont, Illinois]] |
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|attendance = 18,197 |
|attendance = 18,197 |
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|buyrate = 237,000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlenomics.com/resources/wwe-pay-per-view-buys-wwf-ppv-buyrate/|title=WWE Pay-Per-View Buys (1993-2015)|work=Wrestlenomics|access-date=January 22, 2021}}</ref> |
|buyrate = North America: 237,000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlenomics.com/resources/wwe-pay-per-view-buys-wwf-ppv-buyrate/|title=WWE Pay-Per-View Buys (1993-2015)|work=Wrestlenomics|date=25 March 2020 |access-date=January 22, 2021}}</ref> |
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|lastevent = [[In Your House 13: Final Four]] |
|lastevent = [[In Your House 13: Final Four]] |
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|nextevent = [[In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker]] |
|nextevent = [[In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker]] |
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|nextevent2 = [[WrestleMania XIV|XIV]] |
|nextevent2 = [[WrestleMania XIV|XIV]] |
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'''WrestleMania 13''' was the 13th annual [[WrestleMania]] [[professional wrestling]] [[pay-per-view]] (PPV) [[List of WWE pay-per-view events|event]] produced by the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now WWE). The event was [[Sponsor (commercial)|presented]] by [[PlayStation]] and held on March 23, 1997, at the [[Rosemont Horizon]] in the [[Chicago]] suburb of [[Rosemont, Illinois]]. Eight matches were held at the event, including one on the ''[[WWF Free for All|Free for All]]'' pre-show. |
'''WrestleMania 13''' was the 13th annual [[WrestleMania]] [[professional wrestling]] [[pay-per-view]] (PPV) [[List of WWE pay-per-view events|event]] produced by the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now WWE). The event was [[Sponsor (commercial)|presented]] by [[PlayStation]] and held on March 23, 1997, at the [[Allstate Arena|Rosemont Horizon]] in the [[Chicago]] suburb of [[Rosemont, Illinois]]. Eight matches were held at the event, including one on the ''[[WWF Free for All|Free for All]]'' pre-show. |
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The [[Card (sports)#Main event|main event]] was a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match/No Holds Barred match|no disqualification match]] between [[The Undertaker]] and [[Sid Eudy|Sycho Sid]] for the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]], which Undertaker won following interference from [[Bret Hart]]. The main matches on the [[Card (sports)#Undercard|undercard]] were [[Bret Hart]] versus [[Stone Cold |
The [[Card (sports)#Main event|main event]] was a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match/No Holds Barred match|no disqualification match]] between [[The Undertaker]] and [[Sid Eudy|Sycho Sid]] for the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]], which Undertaker won following interference from [[Bret Hart]]. The main matches on the [[Card (sports)#Undercard|undercard]] were [[Bret Hart]] versus [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|No Disqualification Submission match]], [[The Road Warriors|Legion of Doom]] and [[Ahmed Johnson]] versus [[Nation of Domination]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Street Fight|Chicago Street Fight]], and Rocky Maivia versus The Sultan for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]]. |
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WrestleMania 13 was the second WrestleMania to take place in the [[Chicago metropolitan area]], following [[WrestleMania 2]]. The event was attended by 18,197 who paid a total of $837,150 in admission fees, and drew a 0.77 |
WrestleMania 13 was the second WrestleMania to take place in the [[Chicago metropolitan area]], following [[WrestleMania 2]]. The event was attended by 18,197 who paid a total of $837,150 in admission fees, and drew a 0.77 buy rate. The event as a whole received mixed to negative reviews. However, the submission match between Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin was highly praised, being called one of the greatest matches in wrestling history, and has been cited as the beginning of the [[Attitude Era]]. |
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==Production== |
==Production== |
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===Storylines=== |
===Storylines=== |
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The main [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] heading into WrestleMania 13 was between [[The Undertaker]] and [[Sid Eudy|Sycho Sid]], with the two battling over the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]]. At [[In Your House 13: Final Four|In Your House 13]], [[Bret Hart]] last eliminated The Undertaker in the [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic elimination matches|Final Four match]] to win the vacant WWF Championship.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> Hart's reign, however, lasted only one day as he lost the title the next night on ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]'' to Sycho Sid after interference by [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], one of the other participants in the Final Four match (the other was [[Big Van Vader|Vader]], who had no further involvement in the ongoing storyline).<ref name=WWF9099Book/> Due to being the runner-up to the title at Final Four, Undertaker was made the number one contender and was [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Book|booked]] to challenge Sycho Sid for the title at WrestleMania. However, on the March 17 edition of ''Raw Is War'', Sid defended the title against Hart in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]], with the winner defending his title at WrestleMania. During the match, both Undertaker and Austin interfered. Undertaker came out to help Sid because he wanted to wrestle Sid for the title while Austin helped Hart because he wanted to make his scheduled [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|submission match]] with Hart a title match. Sid won the match and retained his title and as a result, Sid vs. Undertaker remained the [[Card (sports)#Main event|main event]] of WrestleMania.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> |
The main [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] heading into WrestleMania 13 was between [[The Undertaker]] and [[Sid Eudy|Sycho Sid]], with the two battling over the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]]. At [[In Your House 13: Final Four|In Your House 13]] in February, [[Bret Hart]] last eliminated The Undertaker in the [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic elimination matches|Final Four match]] to win the vacant WWF Championship.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> Hart's reign, however, lasted only one day as he lost the title the next night on ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]'' to Sycho Sid after interference by [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], one of the other participants in the Final Four match (the other was [[Big Van Vader|Vader]], who had no further involvement in the ongoing storyline).<ref name=WWF9099Book/> Due to being the runner-up to the title at Final Four, Undertaker was made the number one contender and was [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Book|booked]] to challenge Sycho Sid for the title at WrestleMania. However, on the March 17 edition of ''Raw Is War'', Sid defended the title against Hart in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]], with the winner defending his title at WrestleMania. During the match, both Undertaker and Austin interfered. Undertaker came out to help Sid because he wanted to wrestle Sid for the title while Austin helped Hart because he wanted to make his scheduled [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|submission match]] with Hart a title match. Sid won the match and retained his title and as a result, Sid vs. Undertaker remained the [[Card (sports)#Main event|main event]] of WrestleMania.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> |
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[[Image:BretHartJuly242005.JPG|thumb|right|upright|[[Bret Hart]] faced [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Submission Match]] at WrestleMania]] |
[[Image:BretHartJuly242005.JPG|thumb|right|upright|[[Bret Hart]] faced [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Submission Match]] at WrestleMania]] |
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The second main match on the card was [[Bret Hart]] versus [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Submission match]]. Hart and Austin's rivalry began after Austin won the [[King of the Ring#1996|1996 King of the Ring tournament]] and began taunting Hart, who was inactive at the time. Austin insulted Hart in his speeches so Hart would 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)|Survivor Series 1996]] where Hart defeated Austin.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1996/results|title=Survivor Series 1996 official results|publisher=WWE|access-date= 2008-04-28}}</ref> Their rivalry continued as Hart and Austin were the final two participants in the [[Royal Rumble (1997)|1997 Royal Rumble match]]. Hart had originally eliminated Austin from the match but Austin's elimination was considered unofficial because the [[Referee (professional wrestling)|officials]] did not see it as they were busy attending to a brawl between eliminated wrestlers [[Mick Foley|Mankind]] and [[Terry Funk]].<ref name=WWF9099Book/> They were participants in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic elimination matches|Four Corners Elimination match]] for the vacant [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] at [[In Your House 13: Final Four|Final Four]], which Hart won.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> The next night on ''Monday Night Raw'', Austin cost Hart the WWF Championship against Sycho Sid when Hart had applied the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]] on Sid, Austin nailed Hart with a [[Foreign object (professional wrestling)|steel chair]] followed by Sid [[powerbomb]]ing Hart for the win.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> Hart and Austin were booked to wrestle in a submission match at WrestleMania, but Hart got a shot at the WWF Championship in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]] on the March 17 edition of ''Raw Is War'', with the winner defending the title against [[The Undertaker]] at WrestleMania 13. Hart almost had the match won, until Undertaker interfered and helped Sid in getting the victory.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> |
The second main match on the card was [[Bret Hart]] versus [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Submission match]]. Hart and Austin's rivalry began after Austin won the [[King of the Ring#1996|1996 King of the Ring tournament]] and began taunting Hart, who was inactive at the time. Austin insulted Hart in his speeches so Hart would 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)|Survivor Series 1996]] where Hart defeated Austin.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1996/results|title=Survivor Series 1996 official results|publisher=WWE|access-date= 2008-04-28}}</ref> Their rivalry continued as Hart and Austin were the final two participants in the [[Royal Rumble (1997)|1997 Royal Rumble match]]. Hart had originally eliminated Austin from the match but Austin's elimination was considered unofficial because the [[Referee (professional wrestling)|officials]] did not see it as they were busy attending to a brawl between eliminated wrestlers [[Mick Foley|Mankind]] and [[Terry Funk]].<ref name=WWF9099Book/> They were participants in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic elimination matches|Four Corners Elimination match]] for the vacant [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] at [[In Your House 13: Final Four|Final Four]], which Hart won.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> The next night on ''Monday Night Raw'', Austin cost Hart the WWF Championship against Sycho Sid when Hart had applied the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]] on Sid, Austin nailed Hart with a [[Foreign object (professional wrestling)|steel chair]] followed by Sid [[powerbomb]]ing Hart for the win.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> Hart and Austin were booked to wrestle in a submission match at WrestleMania, but Hart got a shot at the WWF Championship in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]] on the March 17 edition of ''Raw Is War'', with the winner defending the title against [[The Undertaker]] at WrestleMania 13. Hart almost had the match won, until Undertaker interfered and helped Sid in getting the victory.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> |
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One of the main [[Card (sports)#Undercard|undercard]] matches was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Street Fight|Chicago Street Fight]] featuring [[Ahmed Johnson]] and [[The Road Warriors|Legion of Doom]] ([[Road Warrior Hawk|Hawk]] and [[Road Warrior Animal|Animal]]) against [[Nation of Domination]] ([[Ron Simmons|Faarooq]], [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Crush]] and [[Savio Vega]]). Johnson was attacked by a newcomer [[Ron Simmons|Faarooq Asad]], a [[Rome|Roman]] gladiator on the July 22, 1996 edition of ''Monday Night Raw'' during a match for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]].<ref name=WWF9099Book/> Ahmed was scheduled to defend his [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]] against Faarooq at [[SummerSlam (1996)|SummerSlam 1996]] but |
One of the main [[Card (sports)#Undercard|undercard]] matches was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Street Fight|Chicago Street Fight]] featuring [[Ahmed Johnson]] and [[The Road Warriors|Legion of Doom]] ([[Road Warrior Hawk|Hawk]] and [[Road Warrior Animal|Animal]]) against [[Nation of Domination]] ([[Ron Simmons|Faarooq]], [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Crush]] and [[Savio Vega]]). Johnson was attacked by a newcomer [[Ron Simmons|Faarooq Asad]], a [[Rome|Roman]] gladiator on the July 22, 1996 edition of ''Monday Night Raw'' during a match for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]].<ref name=WWF9099Book/> Ahmed was scheduled to defend his [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]] against Faarooq at [[SummerSlam (1996)|SummerSlam 1996]] but [[Legit (professional wrestling)|legitimate]] kidney problems forced him to vacate the Intercontinental Championship. In the [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Angle|storyline]], it was explained that Faarooq had caused Ahmed's kidney problem.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> Ahmed returned from his injury in early 1997 and continued with Faarooq, who had formed The [[Nation of Domination]] during Ahmed's absence. Ahmed joined forces with the Legion of Doom and the trio were scheduled to wrestle the Nation of Domination in a Chicago Street Fight at WrestleMania 13. |
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==Event== |
==Event== |
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Before the event aired live on [[pay-per-view]] (PPV), [[Monty Sopp|Billy Gunn]] |
Before the event aired live on [[pay-per-view]] (PPV), [[Monty Sopp|Billy Gunn]] faced [[Flash Funk]] at [[WWE Free for All|Free for All]].<ref name=WWF9099Book/> Gunn defeated Funk by pinning him following a [[tornado DDT]]. |
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The first match that aired on television was a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Elimination tag team matches|Four-Way Tag Team Elimination Match]]. The match featured [[The Headbangers]] ([[Mosh (wrestler)|Mosh]] and [[Thrasher (wrestler)|Thrasher]]), [[The Godwinns]] ([[Mark Canterbury|Henry O. Godwinn]] and [[Dennis Knight|Phineas I. Godwinn]]), [[The Blackjacks#The New Blackjacks|The New Blackjacks]] ([[Barry Windham|Blackjack Windham]] and [[John Layfield|Blackjack Bradshaw]]) and the team of [[The Can-Am Express|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. Bradshaw attacked the referee and got [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualified]], which led 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 with a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Senton|Cannonball Senton]] and won the match via pinfall. As a result of winning the match, Headbangers earned a shot at the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]].<ref name=WWF9099Book/> |
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The second match was between [[Dwayne Johnson|Rocky Maivia]] and [[Rikishi (wrestler)|The Sultan]] for Maivia's [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]]. [[The Honky Tonk Man]] provided commentary for the match. Sultan had an 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 [[Professional wrestling throws|slams]] and [[Professional wrestling attacks#Punch|punches]] but was unable to pin him. Maivia gained advantage on Sultan by nailing him with a [[Suplex#Belly-to-belly suplex|belly to belly suplex]], [[DDT (professional wrestling)#Float-over DDT|Maivia Hurricane]] and a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Plancha|flying crossbody]] before [[Pin (professional wrestling)|pinning]] Sultan with a [[Pin (professional wrestling)#Roll-up|roll-up]] to win the match and retain the title. After the match, Sultan and his [[Manager (professional wrestling)|managers]], [[Bob Backlund]] and [[The Iron Sheik]] attacked Maivia before his father, [[Rocky Johnson]], came out to help his son. |
The second match was between [[Dwayne Johnson|Rocky Maivia]] and [[Rikishi (wrestler)|The Sultan]] for Maivia's [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]]. [[The Honky Tonk Man]] provided commentary for the match. Sultan had an 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 [[Professional wrestling throws|slams]] and [[Professional wrestling attacks#Punch|punches]] but was unable to pin him. Maivia gained advantage on Sultan by nailing him with a [[Suplex#Belly-to-belly suplex|belly to belly suplex]], [[DDT (professional wrestling)#Float-over DDT|Maivia Hurricane]] and a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Plancha|flying crossbody]] before [[Pin (professional wrestling)|pinning]] Sultan with a [[Pin (professional wrestling)#Roll-up|roll-up]] to win the match and retain the title. After the match, Sultan and his [[Manager (professional wrestling)|managers]], [[Bob Backlund]] and [[The Iron Sheik]] attacked Maivia before his father, [[Rocky Johnson]], came out to help his son. |
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The third match was between [[Triple H|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 [[Professional wrestling holds|submission maneuvers]] to keep the advantages for himself. Goldust was going to hit his maneuver until Helmsley's [[glossary of professional wrestling terms#Enforcer|bodyguard]] [[Chyna]] manhandled Goldust's wife [[Terri Runnels|Marlena]] to distract him. Helmsley took advantage and hit Goldust with a [[Facebuster#Double underhook facebuster|Pedigree]] for the win.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> |
The third match was between [[Triple H|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 [[Professional wrestling holds|submission maneuvers]] to keep the advantages for himself. Goldust was going to hit his maneuver until Helmsley's [[glossary of professional wrestling terms#Enforcer|bodyguard]] [[Chyna]] manhandled Goldust's wife [[Terri Runnels|Marlena]] to distract him. Helmsley took advantage and hit Goldust with a [[Facebuster#Double underhook facebuster|Pedigree]], enabling him to pin Goldust for the win.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> |
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[[Image:Kenshamrock.png|thumb|left|upright|[[Ken Shamrock]] was the [[referee (professional wrestling)#Special guest referees|guest referee]] for the [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|submission match]] between [[Bret Hart]] and [[Stone Cold |
[[Image:Kenshamrock.png|thumb|left|upright|[[Ken Shamrock]] was the [[referee (professional wrestling)#Special guest referees|guest referee]] for the [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|submission match]] between [[Bret Hart]] and [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]]] |
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The fourth match was a [[tag team]] match for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]], as [[Owen Hart and The British Bulldog]] defended the titles against [[Mick Foley|Mankind]] and [[Big Van Vader|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 a [[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|sleeper hold]] on Mankind which caused both of them to fall to the outside. They continued to brawl outside. The [[Referee (professional wrestling)|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 [[Professional wrestling#Countout|counted out]] as the match resulted in a draw. As a result, Hart and Bulldog retained the championship. |
The fourth match was a [[tag team]] match for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]], as [[Owen Hart and The British Bulldog]] defended the titles against [[Mick Foley|Mankind]] and [[Big Van Vader|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 a [[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|sleeper hold]] on Mankind which caused both of them to fall to the outside. They continued to brawl outside. The [[Referee (professional wrestling)|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 [[Professional wrestling#Countout|counted out]] as the match resulted in a draw. As a result, Hart and Bulldog retained the championship. |
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The fifth match was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|No Disqualification Submission |
The fifth match was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|No Disqualification Submission match]] between Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin. [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] fighter [[Ken Shamrock]] was the [[referee (professional wrestling)#Special guest referees|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 ring post while Austin drove him onto the steel barrier. The two men began fighting in the crowd, where both men hit each other with several [[glossary of professional wrestling terms#Foreign object|foreign objects]]. They moved up the steps high into the crowd. Shamrock followed them and brought them back towards the ring where Austin attempted to use steel steps on Hart, but Hart stopped him with a kick to the midsection. As the action began in the ring, Hart focused on Austin's leg. He busted Austin open with an Irish whip into the steel barricade and Austin's head began to bleed profusely. 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 (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]] on Austin who did not submit and tried to resist but passed out from the pain and loss of blood. Shamrock awarded the match to Hart, but Hart continued to attack Austin which led to a double-turn as the fans turned on Hart and began cheering for Austin. Shamrock pulled Hart off of Austin and executed a waistlock takedown and physically challenged him to a fight. Hart declined to fight Shamrock and left the ring to a chorus of boos.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> Austin, meanwhile, after regaining consciousness, hit a [[stunner (professional wrestling)|Stunner]] on a referee when he tried to help Austin out, then slowly limped away to backstage, while the crowd chanted his name. |
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The sixth match of the event was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Street Fight|Chicago Street Fight]] between the [[The Road Warriors|Legion of Doom]] ([[Road Warrior Hawk|Hawk]] and [[Road Warrior Animal|Animal]]) and [[ |
The sixth match of the event was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Street Fight|Chicago Street Fight]] between the [[The Road Warriors|Legion of Doom]] ([[Road Warrior Hawk|Hawk]] and [[Road Warrior Animal|Animal]]) and [[Ahmed Johnson]] and [[Nation of Domination]] ([[Ron Simmons|Faarooq]], [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Crush]] and [[Savio Vega]]). Both 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 [[Dimensional lumber|2x4]] and then pinned him to win the match.<ref name=WWF9099Book/> |
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===Main Event=== |
===Main Event=== |
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[[Image:WWE-Requires-Undertaker.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[The Undertaker]], who won the [[WWE Championship|WWF World Heavyweight Championship]] from [[Sid Eudy|Sycho Sid]]]] |
[[Image:WWE-Requires-Undertaker.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[The Undertaker]], who won the [[WWE Championship|WWF World Heavyweight Championship]] from [[Sid Eudy|Sycho Sid]]]] |
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The [[Card (sports)#Main event|main event]] was a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match/No Holds Barred match|No Disqualification Match]] between [[The Undertaker]] and reigning champion [[Sid Eudy|Sycho Sid]] for the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]]. [[Shawn Michaels]] provided commentary for the match. The then-heel superstar, [[Bret Hart]], came out during the match and insulted Undertaker, Michaels and particularly Sid because he claimed that Sid had screwed him out of the title. Sid [[powerbomb]]ed Hart while Undertaker took advantage and began attacking the champion from behind. Undertaker went for an [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Arm twist ropewalk chop|Old School]] but Sid took him in a [[Professional wrestling holds# |
The [[Card (sports)#Main event|main event]] was a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match/No Holds Barred match|No Disqualification Match]] between [[The Undertaker]] and reigning champion [[Sid Eudy|Sycho Sid]] for the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]]. [[Shawn Michaels]] provided commentary for the match. The then-heel superstar, [[Bret Hart]], came out during the match and insulted Undertaker, Michaels and particularly Sid because he claimed that Sid had screwed him out of the title. Sid [[powerbomb]]ed Hart while Undertaker took advantage and began attacking the champion from behind. Undertaker went for an [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Arm twist ropewalk chop|Old School]] but Sid took him in a [[Professional wrestling holds#Bear hug|bearhug]]. Sid attacked Undertaker with various moves and attacked him with television monitors, and applied a [[Professional wrestling holds#Camel clutch|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 [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Kneeling reverse piledriver|Tombstone]] and pin him to win the match.<ref name="WrestleMania 13 – Undertaker vs Sid">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm13/mainevent/|title=Undertaker vs. Sycho Sid – WWE Championship|publisher=WWE|access-date=2008-04-28}}</ref><ref name=WWF9099Book/> |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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In 2011, Marc Elusive of 411mania gave the event an overall score of 7.0 out of 10.0 and noted that "The Attitude Era began here..." and that the main event was "a very boring match".<ref>{{cite web |first=Marc |last=Elusive |title=On the Marc Reviews: WrestleMania 13 |url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/on-the-marc-reviews-wrestlemania-13/ |access-date=2016-01-07}}</ref> John Canton of ''The John Report'' gave the event an overall score of 4 out of 10 and said that the show was "poor" and noted that the main event "sucked for the first 15 minutes, but the ending was okay".<ref>{{cite web |first=John |last=Canton |title=TJR Retro: WWE WrestleMania 13 Review |url=http://tjrwrestling.net/tjr-retro-wwe-wrestlemania-13-review/ |access-date=2016-01-07}}</ref> |
In 2011, Marc Elusive of 411mania gave the event an overall score of 7.0 out of 10.0 and noted that "The Attitude Era began here..." and that the main event was "a very boring match".<ref>{{cite web |first=Marc |last=Elusive |title=On the Marc Reviews: WrestleMania 13 |url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/on-the-marc-reviews-wrestlemania-13/ |access-date=2016-01-07}}</ref> John Canton of ''The John Report'' gave the event an overall score of 4 out of 10 and said that the show was "poor" and noted that the main event "sucked for the first 15 minutes, but the ending was okay".<ref>{{cite web |first=John |last=Canton |title=TJR Retro: WWE WrestleMania 13 Review |url=http://tjrwrestling.net/tjr-retro-wwe-wrestlemania-13-review/ |access-date=2016-01-07}}</ref> |
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Despite the lackluster reviews towards the event, the submission match between Hart and Austin was highly praised. |
Despite the lackluster reviews towards the event, the submission match between Hart and Austin was highly praised. In 2007, it was placed #1 on [[IGN]]'s list of Top 20 Matches in WrestleMania History, and described as a match that "launched an era."<ref name=ign>{{cite web|first=Jon|last=Robinson|title=Top 20 Matches in Wrestlemania History|url=http://uk.sports.ign.com/articles/775/775590p20.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021023504/http://uk.sports.ign.com/articles/775/775590p20.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 21, 2008|access-date=2010-12-25}}</ref> Thomas Golianopoulos of ''Complex Sports'' also ranked it at number 1 in his list of the 50 Greatest Matches in WrestleMania History, citing the match's six factors of storyline, innovation, psychology, finish, post-match angle, and fallout.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/sports/2012/03/the-50-greatest-matches-in-wrestlemania-history/austin-v-hart |title=The 50 Greatest Matches in WrestleMania History – 1. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart, WrestleMania XIII |author=Golianopoulos, Thomas |publisher=Complex Sports |date=2012-03-29 |access-date=2013-04-06}}</ref> Elusive of 411mania described the match as "outstanding" and "that helped propel Steve Austin into the stratosphere and become the star of the late 90s and the early 00s", while also noting the double-turn after the match. John Canton called the match a "wrestling perfection". It received a [[List of professional wrestling matches rated 5 or more stars by Dave Meltzer|five-star rating]] from [[Dave Meltzer]] and was also voted Match of the Year (1997) by readers of his ''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' publication. ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'' readers named it Match of the Year (1997). The submission match would also be the last time a WrestleMania match would receive a five-star rating until [[WrestleMania 39]] in 2023 when [[Kevin Owens]] [[Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn|and]] [[Sami Zayn]] vs [[Jimmy Uso|Jimmy]] [[The Usos|and]] [[Jey Uso]] on Night 1 and [[Gunther (wrestler)|Gunther]] vs [[Sheamus]] vs [[Drew McIntyre]] on Night 2 both received the five-star rating. Hart would call it his favourite match, labeling it "a real masterpiece."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/bret-hart-names-all-time-favorite-match-why-hard/|title=Bret Hart Names His All-Time Favorite Match Of His, Why It’s Hard To Do So|author=Jeremy Thomas|date=May 31, 2023|website=411mania.com|access-date=2024-01-23}}</ref> [[Ken Shamrock]] would call it "one of the greatest matches in wrestling history",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/ken-shamrock-recalls-refereeing-stone-cold-vs-bret-hart-at-wrestlemania-13-one-of-the-greatest-matches-in-wrestling-history/|title=Ken Shamrock Recalls Refereeing Stone Cold vs. Bret Hart At WrestleMania 13: “One Of The Greatest Matches In Wrestling History”|author=Joey G.|date=September 11, 2022|website=Wrestling Headlines|access-date=2024-01-23}}</ref> and [[Jim Ross]] called it the greatest match he'd called at WrestleMania and the most "well-executed" match he'd seen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/jim-ross-bret-hart-vs-steve-austin-wwe-wrestlemania-13/|title=Jim Ross On Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin At WWE WrestleMania 13, Match Being Most Well-Executed He’s Ever Seen|author=Blake Lovell|date=March 30, 2022|website=411mania.com|access-date=2024-01-23}}</ref> |
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==Aftermath== |
==Aftermath== |
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[[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] and [[Bret Hart]] continued their rivalry after WrestleMania, but Austin was now a [[Face (professional wrestling)|babyface]] and his popularity would start to increase considerably while Hart was a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]]. Hart recruited [[Davey Boy Smith|British Bulldog]], [[Owen Hart]], [[Brian Pillman]] and former [[tag team]] partner [[Jim Neidhart]] to reform [[The Hart Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/hart-foundation.html|title=The Hart Foundation (1997) Profile|publisher= Online World of Wrestling|access-date=2008-05-11}}</ref> At [[In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker |
[[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] and [[Bret Hart]] continued their rivalry after WrestleMania, but Austin was now a [[Face (professional wrestling)|babyface]] and his popularity would start to increase considerably while Hart was a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]]. Hart recruited [[Davey Boy Smith|British Bulldog]], [[Owen Hart]], [[Brian Pillman]] and former [[tag team]] partner [[Jim Neidhart]] to reform [[The Hart Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/hart-foundation.html|title=The Hart Foundation (1997) Profile|publisher= Online World of Wrestling|access-date=2008-05-11}}</ref> At [[In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker]] in April, Hart and Austin had a match which Austin won by [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualification]].<ref name=WWF9099Book/> Their [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] continued until [[In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede]] in July, where the [[The Hart Foundation|Hart Foundation]] (working as faces in Canada) defeated the American team of Austin, [[Ken Shamrock]], [[The Road Warriors|Legion of Doom]] ([[Road Warrior Hawk|Hawk]] and [[Road Warrior Animal|Animal]]) and [[Goldust]].<ref name=WWF9099Book/> |
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[[The Undertaker]] received a [[Push (professional wrestling)|push]] after he won his second WWF Championship at WrestleMania 13.<ref name="wwetitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship|title=WWE Championship official title history|publisher=WWE|access-date=2008-05-11}}</ref> He spent a reign of [[List of WWE Champions|133 days]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/thist/world.html|title=WWE World Heavyweight Championship|work=Complete WWE|access-date=2008-05-11}}</ref> which included battles with [[Mick Foley|Mankind]],<ref name=WWF9099Book/> [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]],<ref name=WWF9099Book/> [[Ron Simmons|Faarooq]]<ref name=WWF9099Book/> and [[Big Van Vader|Vader]].<ref name=WWF9099Book/> At [[SummerSlam (1997)|SummerSlam 1997]], Undertaker's long reign finally ended when he lost the title to [[Bret Hart]] when [[referee (professional wrestling)#Special guest referees|special guest referee]] [[Shawn Michaels]] accidentally struck Undertaker with a steel chair, which was intended for Hart.<ref name="wwetitle"/><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1997/mainevent/|title=Undertaker vs. Bret "Hit Man" Hart for the WWE Championship with Shawn Michaels as special guest referee|publisher=WWE|access-date=2011-02-08}}</ref> |
[[The Undertaker]] received a [[Push (professional wrestling)|push]] after he won his second WWF Championship at WrestleMania 13.<ref name="wwetitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship|title=WWE Championship official title history|publisher=WWE|access-date=2008-05-11}}</ref> He spent a reign of [[List of WWE Champions|133 days]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/thist/world.html|title=WWE World Heavyweight Championship|work=Complete WWE|access-date=2008-05-11}}</ref> which included battles with [[Mick Foley|Mankind]],<ref name=WWF9099Book/> [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]],<ref name=WWF9099Book/> [[Ron Simmons|Faarooq]]<ref name=WWF9099Book/> and [[Big Van Vader|Vader]].<ref name=WWF9099Book/> At [[SummerSlam (1997)|SummerSlam 1997]], Undertaker's long reign finally ended when he lost the title to [[Bret Hart]] when [[referee (professional wrestling)#Special guest referees|special guest referee]] [[Shawn Michaels]] accidentally struck Undertaker with a steel chair, which was intended for Hart.<ref name="wwetitle"/><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1997/mainevent/|title=Undertaker vs. Bret "Hit Man" Hart for the WWE Championship with Shawn Michaels as special guest referee|publisher=WWE|access-date=2011-02-08}}</ref> |
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After losing the WWF Championship to The Undertaker at WrestleMania, Sycho Sid's push began to diminish and after [[King of the Ring (1997)|King of the Ring]] he began to disappear from WWF programming. In actuality, Sid quietly left WWF to focus on recovering from a neck injury. Sid eventually returned to rival promotion [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) in 1999 and continued to wrestle as Sid Vicious until he suffered a near career-ending leg injury at [[WCW Sin]] on January 14 2001. |
After losing the WWF Championship to The Undertaker at WrestleMania, Sycho Sid's push began to diminish and after [[King of the Ring (1997)|King of the Ring]], he began to disappear from WWF programming. In actuality, Sid quietly left WWF to focus on recovering from a neck injury. Sid eventually returned to rival promotion [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) in 1999 and continued to wrestle as Sid Vicious until he suffered a near career-ending leg injury at [[WCW Sin]] on January 14, 2001. |
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==Results== |
==Results== |
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{{Pro Wrestling results table |
{{Pro Wrestling results table |
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|results = <ref name="wm13results"/> |
| results = <ref name="wm13results"/> |
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|times = <ref name=pwh/> |
| times = <ref name=pwh/> |
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| |
| note1 = ffa |
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|match1 = [[Billy Gunn]] defeated [[Flash Funk]] (with Funkette Tracy and Funkette Nadine)<ref name=WWF9099Book/> |
| match1 = [[Billy Gunn]] defeated [[Flash Funk]] (with Funkette Tracy and Funkette Nadine) via pinfall<ref name=WWF9099Book/> |
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| |
| stip1 = [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] |
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| |
| time1 = 7:05 |
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|match2 = [[The Headbangers]] ([[Mosh (wrestler)|Mosh]] and [[Thrasher (wrestler)|Thrasher]]) defeated [[Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon]], [[The Godwinns]] ([[Henry O. Godwinn |
| match2 = [[The Headbangers]] ([[Mosh (wrestler)|Mosh]] and [[Thrasher (wrestler)|Thrasher]]) defeated [[Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon]], [[The Godwinns]] ([[Henry O. Godwinn]] and [[Phineas I. Godwinn]]) (with [[Hillbilly Jim]]) and [[The New Blackjacks]] ([[Blackjack Bradshaw]] and [[Blackjack Windham]]) via pinfall |
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| |
| stip2 = [[elimination match|Four-Way Elimination match]] to determine #1 contenders for the [[WWF Tag Team Championship]] |
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| |
| time2 = 10:39 |
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|match3 = [[Rocky Maivia]] (c) defeated [[Rikishi (wrestler)|The Sultan]] (with [[Bob Backlund]] and [[The Iron Sheik]]) |
| match3 = [[Rocky Maivia]] (c) defeated [[Rikishi (wrestler)|The Sultan]] (with [[Bob Backlund]] and [[The Iron Sheik]]) via pinfall |
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| |
| stip3 = Singles match for the [[WWF Intercontinental Championship]] |
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| |
| time3 = 9:47 |
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|match4 = [[Hunter Hearst Helmsley]] (with [[Chyna]]) defeated [[Goldust]] (with [[Terri Runnels|Marlena]]) |
| match4 = [[Hunter Hearst Helmsley]] (with [[Chyna]]) defeated [[Goldust]] (with [[Terri Runnels|Marlena]]) via pinfall |
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| |
| stip4 = Singles match |
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| |
| time4 = 14:29 |
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|match5 = [[Owen Hart and The British Bulldog]] (c) vs. [[Mick Foley|Mankind]] and [[Big Van Vader|Vader]] (with [[Paul Bearer]]) ended in a double [[Professional wrestling#Countout|countout]] |
| match5 = [[Owen Hart and The British Bulldog]] (c) vs. [[Mick Foley|Mankind]] and [[Big Van Vader|Vader]] (with [[Paul Bearer]]) ended in a double [[Professional wrestling#Countout|countout]] |
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| |
| stip5 = [[Tag team match]] for the [[WWF Tag Team Championship]] |
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| |
| time5 = 16:08 |
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|match6 = [[Bret Hart]] defeated [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] |
| match6 = [[Bret Hart]] defeated [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] via technical submission |
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|stip6 |
| stip6 = [[Submission match|No Disqualification Submission match]] with [[Ken Shamrock]] as [[special guest referee]] |
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| |
| time6 = 22:05 |
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|match7 = [[Ahmed Johnson]] and [[The Road Warriors|The Legion of Doom]] ([[Road Warrior Hawk|Hawk]] and [[Road Warrior Animal|Animal]]) defeated [[The Nation of Domination]] ([[Faarooq]], [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Crush]] and [[Savio Vega]]) (with [[Clarence Mason]], [[D'Lo Brown]], [[J.C. Ice]] and [[Wolfie D]]) |
| match7 = [[Ahmed Johnson]] and [[The Road Warriors|The Legion of Doom]] ([[Road Warrior Hawk|Hawk]] and [[Road Warrior Animal|Animal]]) defeated [[The Nation of Domination]] ([[Faarooq]], [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Crush]] and [[Savio Vega]]) (with [[Clarence Mason]], [[D'Lo Brown]], [[J. C. Ice]] and [[Wolfie D]]) via pinfall |
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| stip7 = [[Chicago Street Fight]] |
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| |
| time7 = 10:46 |
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|match8= [[The Undertaker]] defeated [[Sycho Sid]] (c) |
| match8 = [[The Undertaker]] defeated [[Sycho Sid]] (c) via pinfall |
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| stip8 = [[No Disqualification match]] for the [[WWF Championship]] |
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| time8 = 21:20 |
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| caption = |
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}} |
}} |
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* [[Jim Korderas]] |
* [[Jim Korderas]] |
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* [[Billy Silverman]] |
* [[Billy Silverman]] |
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* [[Ken Shamrock]] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wrestlemania 13}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wrestlemania 13}} |
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[[Category:WrestleMania]] |
[[Category:WrestleMania]] |
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[[Category:Professional wrestling in the Chicago metropolitan area]] |
[[Category:Professional wrestling shows in the Chicago metropolitan area]] |
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[[Category:1997 in Illinois]] |
[[Category:1997 in Illinois]] |
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[[Category:Events |
[[Category:Events at Allstate Arena]] |
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[[Category:1997 WWF pay-per-view events]] |
[[Category:1997 WWF pay-per-view events]] |
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[[Category:March 1997 events in the United States]] |
[[Category:March 1997 sports events in the United States]] |
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Revision as of 07:22, 26 November 2024
| WrestleMania 13 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |||
| Promotion | World Wrestling Federation | ||
| Date | March 23, 1997 | ||
| City | Rosemont, Illinois | ||
| Venue | Rosemont Horizon | ||
| Attendance | 18,197 | ||
| Buy rate | North America: 237,000[1] | ||
| Tagline(s) | Heat! | ||
| Pay-per-view chronology | |||
| |||
| WrestleMania chronology | |||
| |||
WrestleMania 13 was the 13th annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). The event was presented by PlayStation and held on March 23, 1997, at the Rosemont Horizon in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois. Eight matches were held at the event, including one on the Free for All pre-show.
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. The main matches on the undercard were Bret Hart versus Stone Cold Steve Austin in a No Disqualification Submission match, Legion of Doom and Ahmed Johnson versus Nation of Domination in a Chicago Street Fight, and Rocky Maivia versus The Sultan for the WWF Intercontinental Championship.
WrestleMania 13 was the second WrestleMania to take place in the Chicago metropolitan area, following WrestleMania 2. The event was attended by 18,197 who paid a total of $837,150 in admission fees, and drew a 0.77 buy rate. The event as a whole received mixed to negative reviews. However, the submission match between Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin was highly praised, being called one of the greatest matches in wrestling history, and has been cited as the beginning of the Attitude Era.
Production
Background
WrestleMania is considered the World Wrestling Federation's (WWF, now WWE) flagship pay-per-view (PPV) event, having first been held in 1985. It has become the longest-running professional wrestling event in history and is held annually between mid-March to mid-April.[2] It was the first of the WWF's original four pay-per-views, which includes Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series, which were dubbed the "Big Four",[3] and was considered one of the "Big Five" PPVs, along with King of the Ring.[4] WrestleMania 13 was scheduled to be held on March 23, 1997, at the Rosemont Horizon in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois. The event was presented by PlayStation.[5][6][7]
Storylines
The main feud heading into WrestleMania 13 was between The Undertaker and Sycho Sid, with the two battling over the WWF Championship. At In Your House 13 in February, Bret Hart last eliminated The Undertaker in the Final Four match to win the vacant WWF Championship.[6] Hart's reign, however, lasted only one day as he lost the title the next night on Monday Night Raw to Sycho Sid after interference by Stone Cold Steve Austin, one of the other participants in the Final Four match (the other was Vader, who had no further involvement in the ongoing storyline).[6] Due to being the runner-up to the title at Final Four, Undertaker was made the number one contender and was booked to challenge Sycho Sid for the title at WrestleMania. However, on the March 17 edition of Raw Is War, Sid defended the title against Hart in a steel cage match, with the winner defending his title at WrestleMania. During the match, both Undertaker and Austin interfered. Undertaker came out to help Sid because he wanted to wrestle Sid for the title while Austin helped Hart because he wanted to make his scheduled 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.[6]
The second main match on the card was Bret Hart versus Stone Cold Steve Austin in a 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 would 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.[8] 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 because the officials did not see it as they were busy attending to a brawl between eliminated wrestlers Mankind and Terry Funk.[6] They were participants in a Four Corners Elimination match for the vacant WWF Championship at Final Four, which Hart won.[6] The next night on Monday Night 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.[6] Hart and Austin were booked to wrestle in a submission match at WrestleMania, but Hart got a shot at the WWF Championship in a steel cage match on the March 17 edition of Raw Is War, with the winner defending the title against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 13. Hart almost had the match won, until Undertaker interfered and helped Sid in getting the victory.[6]
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 the July 22, 1996 edition of Monday Night Raw during a match for the WWF Tag Team Championship.[6] Ahmed was scheduled to defend his Intercontinental Championship against Faarooq at SummerSlam 1996 but legitimate kidney problems forced him to vacate the Intercontinental Championship. In the storyline, it was explained that Faarooq had caused Ahmed's kidney problem.[6] Ahmed returned from his injury in early 1997 and continued with Faarooq, who had formed The Nation of Domination during Ahmed's absence. Ahmed joined forces with the Legion of Doom and the trio were scheduled to wrestle the Nation of Domination in a Chicago Street Fight at WrestleMania 13.
Event
Before the event aired live on pay-per-view (PPV), Billy Gunn faced Flash Funk at Free for All.[6] Gunn defeated Funk by pinning him following a tornado DDT.
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 O. Godwinn and Phineas I. Godwinn), 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. Bradshaw attacked the referee and got disqualified, which led 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 with a Cannonball Senton and won the match via pinfall. As a result of winning the match, Headbangers earned a shot at the WWF Tag Team Championship.[6]
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 an 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 The Iron Sheik attacked Maivia before his father, 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 with a Pedigree, enabling him to pin Goldust for the win.[6]
The fourth match was a tag team match for the WWF Tag Team Championship, as Owen Hart and The 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 a 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 counted out as the match resulted in a draw. As a result, Hart and Bulldog retained the championship.
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 ring post 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 attempted to use steel steps on Hart, but Hart stopped him with a kick to the midsection. As the action began in the ring, Hart focused on Austin's leg. He busted Austin open with an Irish whip into the steel barricade and Austin's head began to bleed profusely. 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 and loss of blood. Shamrock awarded the match to Hart, but Hart continued to attack Austin which led to a double-turn as the fans turned on Hart and began cheering for Austin. Shamrock pulled Hart off of Austin and executed a waistlock takedown and physically challenged him to a fight. Hart declined to fight Shamrock and left the ring to a chorus of boos.[6] Austin, meanwhile, after regaining consciousness, hit a Stunner on a referee when he tried to help Austin out, then slowly limped away to backstage, while the crowd chanted his name.
The sixth match of the event was a Chicago Street Fight between the Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) and Ahmed Johnson and Nation of Domination (Faarooq, Crush and Savio Vega). Both 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 and then pinned him to win the match.[6]
Main Event
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 then-heel superstar, Bret Hart, came out during the match and insulted Undertaker, Michaels and particularly 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. Sid attacked Undertaker 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 pin him to win the match.[9][6]
Reception
The event was attended by 18,197 who paid a total of $837,150 in admission fees and drew a 0.77 buy-rate.[7]
In 2011, Marc Elusive of 411mania gave the event an overall score of 7.0 out of 10.0 and noted that "The Attitude Era began here..." and that the main event was "a very boring match".[10] John Canton of The John Report gave the event an overall score of 4 out of 10 and said that the show was "poor" and noted that the main event "sucked for the first 15 minutes, but the ending was okay".[11]
Despite the lackluster reviews towards the event, the submission match between Hart and Austin was highly praised. In 2007, it was placed #1 on IGN's list of Top 20 Matches in WrestleMania History, and described as a match that "launched an era."[12] Thomas Golianopoulos of Complex Sports also ranked it at number 1 in his list of the 50 Greatest Matches in WrestleMania History, citing the match's six factors of storyline, innovation, psychology, finish, post-match angle, and fallout.[13] Elusive of 411mania described the match as "outstanding" and "that helped propel Steve Austin into the stratosphere and become the star of the late 90s and the early 00s", while also noting the double-turn after the match. John Canton called the match a "wrestling perfection". It received a five-star rating from Dave Meltzer and was also voted Match of the Year (1997) by readers of his Wrestling Observer Newsletter publication. Pro Wrestling Illustrated readers named it Match of the Year (1997). The submission match would also be the last time a WrestleMania match would receive a five-star rating until WrestleMania 39 in 2023 when Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs Jimmy and Jey Uso on Night 1 and Gunther vs Sheamus vs Drew McIntyre on Night 2 both received the five-star rating. Hart would call it his favourite match, labeling it "a real masterpiece."[14] Ken Shamrock would call it "one of the greatest matches in wrestling history",[15] and Jim Ross called it the greatest match he'd called at WrestleMania and the most "well-executed" match he'd seen.[16]
Aftermath
Stone Cold Steve Austin and Bret Hart continued their rivalry after WrestleMania, but Austin was now a babyface and his popularity would start to increase considerably 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.[17] At In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker in April, Hart and Austin had a match which Austin won by disqualification.[6] Their feud continued until In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede in July, where the Hart Foundation (working as faces in Canada) defeated the American team of Austin, Ken Shamrock, Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) and Goldust.[6]
The Undertaker received a push after he won his second WWF Championship at WrestleMania 13.[18] He spent a reign of 133 days[19] which included battles with Mankind,[6] Steve Austin,[6] Faarooq[6] and Vader.[6] 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.[18][20]
After losing the WWF Championship to The Undertaker at WrestleMania, Sycho Sid's push began to diminish and after King of the Ring, he began to disappear from WWF programming. In actuality, Sid quietly left WWF to focus on recovering from a neck injury. Sid eventually returned to rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1999 and continued to wrestle as Sid Vicious until he suffered a near career-ending leg injury at WCW Sin on January 14, 2001.
Results
Other on-screen personnel
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References
- ^ "WWE Pay-Per-View Buys (1993-2015)". Wrestlenomics. 25 March 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ "WrestleMania 29 press conference brings WWE to Radio City Music Hall". WWE. Archived from the original on April 7, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
... WWE's flagship event lights up MetLife Stadium ... WrestleMania
- ^ Ian Hamilton. Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition (p. 160)
- ^ Sullivan, Kevin (November 23, 2010). The WWE Championship: A Look Back at the Rich History of the WWE Championship. Gallery Books. p. 124. ISBN 9781439193211.
At the time, SummerSlam was one of WWE's "big five" Pay-Per-Views (Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, King of the Ring, and Survivor Series were the others), ...
- ^ a b "WrestleMania 13 official results". WWE. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Cawthon, Graham (2013). the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 2: WWF 1990 - 1999. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ASIN B00RWUNSRS.
- ^ a b c "WrestleMania XIII". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
- ^ "Survivor Series 1996 official results". WWE. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
- ^ "Undertaker vs. Sycho Sid – WWE Championship". WWE. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
- ^ Elusive, Marc. "On the Marc Reviews: WrestleMania 13". Retrieved 2016-01-07.
- ^ Canton, John. "TJR Retro: WWE WrestleMania 13 Review". Retrieved 2016-01-07.
- ^ Robinson, Jon. "Top 20 Matches in Wrestlemania History". Archived from the original on October 21, 2008. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
- ^ Golianopoulos, Thomas (2012-03-29). "The 50 Greatest Matches in WrestleMania History – 1. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart, WrestleMania XIII". Complex Sports. Retrieved 2013-04-06.
- ^ Jeremy Thomas (May 31, 2023). "Bret Hart Names His All-Time Favorite Match Of His, Why It's Hard To Do So". 411mania.com. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ Joey G. (September 11, 2022). "Ken Shamrock Recalls Refereeing Stone Cold vs. Bret Hart At WrestleMania 13: "One Of The Greatest Matches In Wrestling History"". Wrestling Headlines. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ Blake Lovell (March 30, 2022). "Jim Ross On Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin At WWE WrestleMania 13, Match Being Most Well-Executed He's Ever Seen". 411mania.com. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ "The Hart Foundation (1997) Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ a b "WWE Championship official title history". WWE. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ "WWE World Heavyweight Championship". Complete WWE. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ "Undertaker vs. Bret "Hit Man" Hart for the WWE Championship with Shawn Michaels as special guest referee". WWE. Retrieved 2011-02-08.