by Dave Meltzer
Before 1997 started, we figured that competition would result in better shows and better matches, and really, the opposite was the case even though 1997 from a newsworthy standard of strange out of the ring occurrences, was the most interesting year probably in the history of the business. In 1996, WWF put on nine good PPV shows out of 12 while WCW put on four out of ten based on reader responses (and for whatever reason, my opinion is that as a general rule of thumb people judge WWF on easier standards because equally bad WWF and WCW shows will often get thumbs in the middles on WWF and thumbs downs on WCW). ECW, which is often judged by the easiest standard of all because it caters more to hardcore fans, still only managed to put on one good PPV show out of three.
From a business standpoint, WCW’s business across the boards showed huge increases. We’ll deal with attendance (a gigantic increase) and television ratings in future issues (actually television ratings did not improve much if at all, as for every new viewer on Monday, with Nitro averaging a 3.2 in 1996 and a 3.7 in 1997, there was an equal and possibly greater corresponding loss of viewers over the weekend for the product as the weekend ratings on TBS have never been lower), but the company showed a huge increase in both buys and revenue.
WWF, on the other hand, while having a strong year at the gate, did improve its television ratings but that was on the strength of increasing the weekend numbers (Raw averaged a 2.7 in 1996 and a 2.7 in 1997), decreased over the course of the year when it came to PPV buys, but due to increasing the price of the “B” shows from $19.95 to $29.95, it showed a sizable revenue increase overall which was probably the key factor in putting the company on its most solid financial footing in several years.
Any predictions for 1998 are foolish. All we can say for sure is that it will be another year of change. The key issues at the beginning of the year are WCW’s Thursday television show, WWF’s usage of Mike Tyson and the ensuing media publicity both good and bad that will result from it, how far the companies can push the envelope without even more serious fan problems resulting, a lack of discipline that has resulted in an environment where titles will less and less be won and lost in the ring and clean victories in main events will be something reserved for Japan and Mexico.
WWF Royal Rumble
(January 19, San Antonio, TX)
Attendance: 60,525 (48,014 paid)
Live gate: $480,013
Est. buy rate/revenue:
0.7/$2.18 million
Thumbs up/down/middle:
100 (42.4%), 92 (39.0%), 44 (18.6%)
Best match: 70 - Royal Rumble, 45 - Shawn Michaels vs. Sid
Worst match: 66 - Canek & Hector Garza & Perro Aguayo vs. Heavy Metal & Jerry Estrada & Fuerza Guerrera, 29 - Undertaker vs. Vader
Highlights: Shawn Michaels regained the WWF title for a second time pinning Sycho Sid in 13:49 in his home town (**). Steve Austin, who had actually been eliminated behind both refs back, got back in the ring and threw out Bret Hart in 50:29 to win the annual Royal Rumble (***). An attempt to forge an alliance with AAA in Mexico, which wound up being short-lived, saw a six-man match with Hector Garza & Perro Aguayo & Canek beating Jerry Estrada & Heavy Metal & Fuerza Guerrera in a match that didn’t get over live (*). Vader pinned Undertaker in 13:19 due to outside help from Paul Bearer (*1/4). Hunter Hearst Helmsley retained the IC title pinning Goldust in 16:50 (**).
WCW/NWO SOULED OUT
(January 25, Cesar Rapids, IA)
Attendance: 5,120 sellout
Live gate: $68,209
Est. buy rate/revenue:
0.47/$1.37 million
Thumbs up/down/middle:
4 (1.4%), 276 (97.2%), 4 (1.4%)
Best match: 157 - Syxx vs. Eddie Guerrero, 21 - Chris Jericho vs. Masahiro Chono
Worst match: 141- Hulk Hogan vs. The Giant, 8 - Big Bubba vs. Hugh Morrus
Highlights: Generally considered as among the worst PPV events of all-time. Main event saw WCW champion Hulk Hogan and The Giant go to a non decision in 11:00. When this match took place, it was considered almost a given to win worst match of the year, but the year had some incredibly bad major matches (-*1/2). Eddie Guerrero retained the U.S. title beating Syxx in 13:48 (****). Steiners supposedly won the WCW tag titles from Scott Hall & Kevin Nash in 14:43 when ref Randy Anderson came out of the stands to count the fall after Nick Patrick was bumped. The decision was reversed on television the next day (**1/4). Between the beauty contest and the announcing, it more than made up in infamy for the fact that a lot of shows, including this year, have actually presented worse wrestling.
UFC 12: judgement day
(February 7, Dothan, AL)
Attendance: 3,100 sellout
Live gate: $0
Est. buy rate/revenue:
0.55/$896,000
Thumbs up/down/middle:
132 (88.0%), 8 (5.3%), 10 (6.7%)
Best match: 101 - Yoshiki Takahashi vs. Wallid Ismail, 7 - Mark Coleman vs. Dan Severn
Worst match: 72 - Jerry Bohlander vs. Nick Sanzo, 8 - Mark Coleman vs. Dan Severn
Highlights: After a move literally the day before after losing a court fight when the New York State Athletic Commission, spurred on by a series of negative articles in the New York Times, decided to re-write the rule book as a legal technicality to force UFC out of the state when a law passed specifically legalizing the event, the event moved to Dothan, AL where all the tickets were given away because of such a last minute deal. The show was headlined by Mark Coleman capturing the UFC heavyweight title from Dan Severn with a headlock choke in 2:59 and the UFC debut of 19-year-old Brazilian Vitor Belfort, who captured the heavyweight tournament. Jerry Bohlander won the UFC’s first-ever under-200 pounds tournament.
WWF FINAL FOUR
(February 16, Chattanooga, TN)
Attendance: 6,399
Live gate: $76,762
Est. buy rate/revenue:
0.5/$1.04 million
Thumbs up/down/middle:
123 (70.7%), 11 (6.3%), 40 (23.0%)
Best match: 132 - Final Four
Worst match: 83 - Faarooq & Crush & Savio Vega vs. Flash Funk & Goldust & Bart Gunn, 17 - Rocky Maivia vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley
Highlights: Bret Hart captured the WWF title for the fourth time winning a final-four match for the title vacated three days earlier by Shawn Michaels in 24:05 over Steve Austin, Vader and Undertaker when Undertaker was distracted by the eliminated Austin, allowing Hart to cradle him from behind in an excellent headliner (****1/4). Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith retained the WWF tag titles losing via DQ against Phil LaFon & Doug Furnas in 10:30 (***1/4). Rocky Maivia retained the IC title pinning Hunter Hearst Helmsley in 12:39 (*3/4)
WCW Superbrawl vii
(February 23, San Francisco, CA)
Attendance: 13,324 sellout (12,145 paid)
Live gate: $192,000
Est. buy rate/revenue:
0.75/$2.20 million
Thumbs up/down/middle:
151 (84.8%), 10 (5.6%), 17 (9.6%)
Best match: 61 - Konnan & La Parka & Villano IV vs. Juventud Guerrera & Ciclope & Super Calo, 35 - Dean Malenko vs. Syxx
Worst match: 87 - Hulk Hogan vs. Roddy Piper, 34 - Harlem Heat vs. Faces of Fear vs. Public Enemy
Highlights: Hulk Hogan retained the WCW title beating Roddy Piper in 10:52 due to outside interference from Randy Savage (*1/4). The Giant & Lex Luger beat Scott Hall & Kevin Nash in another apparent tag team title change that was overruled the next day in 8:53. Luger was injured as an angle, and although advertised, was not allowed to participate so Giant went at it alone. Luger then showed up, tagged in, and racked Nash for the win but it was overruled since Luger wasn’t medically allowed to be there (***1/2). Eddie Guerrero retained the U.S. title beating Chris Jericho (***1/4). Prince Iaukea retained the WCW TV title pinning Rey Misterio Jr. (***1/4). Syxx won the WCW cruiserweight title from Dean Malenko in 11:57 due to distraction in the finish from Guerrero (***1/4)
WCW UNCENSORED
(March 16, North Charlest
on, SC)
Attendance: 9,295 (7,640 paid)
Live gate: $101,184
Est. buy rate/revenue:
0.89/$2.61 million
Thumbs up/down/middle:
87 (39.7%), 95 (43.4%), 37 (16.9%)
Best match: 114 - Dean Malenko vs. Eddie Guerrero, 32 - Harlem Heat vs. Public Enemy
Worst match: 97 - Three team elimination match, 38 - Glacier vs. Mortis
Highlights: A triangle match, which appeared to be booked on acid, saw Team NWO of Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Randy Savage & Hulk Hogan beat Team Piper (Chris Benoit & Piper & Jeff Jarrett & Steve McMichael) and Team WCW (The Giant & Lex Luger & Scott Steiner as they took Rick Steiner out of the picture with an angle earlier in the show) in 19:22 when it came down to Hogan and Luger, but Savage interfered causing Luger to get pinned. After the match, Dennis Rodman, who was actually the focal point of the match to the point Hogan was surgically attached to his hip for photo ops from all the media, ended up spray painting NWO on Luger’s back (*). As became the WCW pattern throughout the year, the poor main event was backed by a strong undercard as Dean Malenko won the U.S. title from Eddie Guerrero in 19:14 (***3/4), Ultimo Dragon pinned Psicosis in 13:17 (***1/2), Harlem Heat beat Public Enemy in a tornado match (**1/2) and a disappointing match where Prince Iaukea retained the TV title beating Rey Misterio Jr. in 13:41 (*1/2).
WWF WRESTLEMANIA 13
(March 23, Rosemont, IL)
Attendance: 18,197 sellout (16,467 paid)
Live gate: $837,150
Est. buy rate/revenue:
0.77/$2.46 million
Thumbs up/down/middle:
206 (78.9%), 38 (14.6%), 14 (6.5%)
Best match: 253 - Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin
Worst match: 84 - Four corners tag match, 63 - Rocky Maivia vs. Sultan
Highlights: One of probably the two or three greatest matches in the history of WrestleMania was the Bret Hart win over Steve Austin in an I Quit match with Ken Shamrock as ref in 22:05. The win also featured a double turn—Hart into a heel and Austin into a babyface, the latter becoming arguably the hottest star in the business for the remainder of the year and inarguably the biggest merchandise seller. Hart won, but Austin never submitted (*****). Hart-Austin shared double co-billing with the WWF title match where Undertaker won the title from Sycho Sid in 21:19 (*1/4). In a street fight, Legion of Doom & Ahmed Johnson beat Faarooq & Crush & Savio Vega in 10:45 (***1/2), Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith retained the WWF tag titles going to a double count out with Vader & Mankind in 16:08 (**1/2) and Rocky Maivia pinned Sultan in 9:45 to retain the IC title (*1/4)
EFC IV
(March 28, Des Moines, IA)
Attendance: 750
Est. buy rate/revenue:
0.12/$172,000
Thumbs up/down/middle:
101 (98.1%), 2 (1.9%), 0 (0.0%)
Best match: 39 - Kevin Jackson vs. John Lober, 32 - Kenny Monday vs. John Lewis
Worst match: 68 - Gary Myers vs. Tom Glanville
Highlights: Arguably the single best NHB show to date, but for financial reasons the end of the EFC promotion which folded a few weeks later. The highlights were the NHB debuts of two gold medal winning Olympic wrestlers, Kevin Jackson (1992 gold at 181 pounds) and Kenny Monday (1988 gold at 163). Jackson beat John Lober in 1:12 of the second round via submission, while Monday knocked out John Lewis at 4:09. In the main event, Maurice Smith retained his EFC title beating Murakami Kazunari in 4:20 with the single most devastating knockout punch in American NHB history.
WCW SPRING STAMPEDE
(April 6, Tupelo, MS)
Attendance: 8,356 sellout (7,428 paid)
Live gate: $107,115
Est. buy rate/revenue:
0.58/$1.75 million
Thumbs up/down/middle:
10 (6.5%), 89 (57.8%), 55 (35.7%)
Best match: 93 - Ultimo Dragon vs. Rey Misterio Jr., 31 - Diamond Dallas Page vs. Randy Savage
Worst match: 57 - Public Enemy vs. Jarrett & McMichael, 30 - Four Corners match
Highlights: Another poor WCW PPV, this time without the booking problems of the past, but also sans the good undercard wrestling for the most part. The pre-show hype built the card around a four-corners match with Lex Luger, The Giant and Harlem Heat where Giant basically gave Luger the win to earn a future WCW title shot in 18:18 (*), although the final position was given to Diamond Dallas Page’s lift into superstardom when Randy Savage put him over in 15:38 of a no DQ match (***1/4). Dean Malenko retained the U.S. title going to a no contest with Chris Benoit in a match plagued with far too many run-ins (***1/4), Prince Iaukea retained the TV title beating Steven Regal in 10:01 (*1/2) and one excellent opening match with Rey Misterio Jr. beating Ultimo Dragon in 14:55 (****1/4)
eCW barely legal
(April 13, Philadelphia, PA)
Attendance: 1,170 sellout
Live gate: $66,000
Est. buy rate/revenue:
0.26/$400,000
Thumbs up/down/middle:
283 (82.5%), 29 (8.5%), 31 (9.0%)
Best match: 208 - Great Sasuke & Gran Hamada & Masato Yakushiji vs. Mens Teioh & Dick Togo & Taka Michinoku, 51 - Terry Funk vs. Stevie Richards vs. Sandman
Worst match: 195 - Shane Douglas vs. Pit Bull #2, 21 - Eliminators vs. Dudleys
Highlights: The long-awaited debut of ECW on PPV was built around the first singles match between Sabu and Taz, and Terry Funk’s quest to win the ECW title just before his 53rd birthday. Funk won a triangle match over Sandman and Stevie Richards (****) to earn his title shot where he beat Raven due to Tommy Dreamer’s interference in 7:20 (***1/4). Taz beat Sabu in their first meeting doing the same double-turn as in the Bret Hart-Steve Austin match in 17:49 (***1/4), Shane Douglas retained the TV title beating Pit Bull #2 in 20:43 (3/4*), Eliminators regained the tag titles beating The Dudleys in 6:11 (**3/4) and in one of the best U.S. matches of the year, Great Sasuke (who had just worked the previous night against Jushin Liger at the Tokyo Dome) & Gran Hamada & Masato Yakushiji beat Dick Togo & Mens Teioh & Taka Michinoku in 16:55 (****1/2).
WWF REVENGE OF TAKER
(April 20, Rochester, NY)
Attendance: 6,477 sellout
Live gate: $87,414
Est. buy rate/revenue:
0.5/$1.08 million
Thumbs up/down/middle:
61 (36.5%), 81 (48.5%), 25 (15.0%)
Best match: 75 - Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin, 56 - Undertaker vs. Mankind
Worst match: 94 - Jesse Jammes vs. Rockabilly, 14 - Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith vs. Legion of Doom
Highlights: Largely a forgettable show with two good main events, a nothing undercard, and three DQ finishes in five matches. Steve Austin beat Bret Hart via DQ in 21:09 (***3/4) in the main event, while Undertaker pinned Mankind in 17:26 to retain the WWF title (***3/4). Savio Vega beat Rocky Maivia via count out so Maivia kept the IC title in 8:33 (3/4*) and Legion of Doom beat tag champs Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith via DQ in 10:11 (3/4*)
WWF A cold day in hell
(May 11, Richmond, VA)
Attendance: 9,381 sellout (7,681 paid)
Live gate: $116,547
Est. buy rate/revenue:
0.57/$1.27 million
Thumbs up/down/middle:
33 (23.4%), 70 (49.6%), 38 (27.0%)
Best match: 81 - Ken Shamrock vs. Vader, 46 - Undertaker vs. Steve Austin
Worst match: 34 - Ahmed Johnson vs. NOD, 27 - Jesse Jammes vs. Rockabilly
Highlights: Described as just another Sunday afternoon PPV show that would be forgotten in a week, Undertaker pinned Steve Austin in 20:06 to retain the WWF title using the tombstone after some distraction from Brian Pillman (***). Even more noteworthy on the show was the WWF in-ring debut of Ken Shamrock, who beat Vader with an ankle lock in 13:21 (***1/4).
WCW SLAMBOREE
(May 18, Charlotte, NC)
Attendance: 9,643 sellout
Live gate: $167,705
Est. buy rate/revenue:
0.6
0/$1.88 million
Thumbs up/down/middle:
112 (77.8%), 12 (8.3%), 20 (13.9%)
Best match: 66 - Steve Regal vs. Ultimo Dragon, 50 - Roddy Piper & Ric Flair & Kevin Greene vs. Scott Hall & Kevin Nash & Syxx
Worst match: 78 - Steve McMichael vs. Reggie White, 26 - Glacier vs. Mortis
Highlights: The return of Ric Flair to the ring after being out of action for eight months after rotator cuff surgery ended up with him teaming with Roddy Piper and local football hero Kevin Greene to beat Scott Hall & Kevin Nash & Syxx in a match that had more controversy before it took place because of Hulk Hogan’s not doing the match and Syxx being in the main event. Officially Hall did the job via pin to Flair’s figure four while Piper had Nash in the sleeper and Greene had powerslammed Syxx to give the fans a happy ending in a match that had great heat and emotion overwhelming so-so wrestling (**1/2). Future NFL Hall of Famer Reggie White made his pro wrestling debut, and unlike people like Greene and Lawrence Taylor, White was a total embarrassment being in one of the worst matches of the year, losing to Steve McMichael in 15:17 (-**). In title matches, Steve Regal regained the WCW TV title from Ultimo Dragon in 16:04 (***3/4) and Dean Malenko retained the U.S. title beating Jeff Jarrett due to outside interference from McMichael in 15:03 (***).
UFC 13: ULTIMATE FORCE
(May 30, Augusta, GA)
Attendance: 5,100 (4,100 paid)
Live gate:
Est. buy rate/revenue:
0.50/$897,000
Thumbs up/down/middle:
124 (96.1%), 4 (3.1%), 1 (0.8%)
Best match: 48 - Tank Abbott vs. Vitor Belfort, 38 - Enson Inoue vs. Royce Alger
Worst match: 14 - Tito Ortiz vs. Wesley Albritton, 13 - Tony Halme vs. Randy Couture
Highlights: The myth of Tank Abbott fell to the reality of Vitor Belfort in just 53 seconds of the main event. U.S. national Greco-roman champion Randy Couture debuted in NHB beating pro wrestler Tony Halme and Steven Graham to capture the heavyweight tournament, while Pancrase’s Guy Mezger won the under-200 division beating Cal State-Bakersfield wrestler Tito Ortiz.