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**Austin101** · 12-17-2007, 02:00 PM

Austin101's "WWF Wrestlemania 13: Heat" Review:

-Live on PPV from the sold out and electric United Center in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, March the 23rd 1997.

-Vince McMahon is with Jerry "The King" Lawler for the fourth year in a row this time joined by Jim Ross. This is the first and only time this trio would do a Wrestlemania together.

-This is the second WrestleMania to use Arabic numerals.

-This was the last WrestleMania to use the classic red, white, and blue ring ropes, blue mats on the outside, and plain colored steel barricades surrounding the area.

-There was for the second straight year a Free-For-All.....

Free for All match: Billy Gunn defeated Flash Funk (w/Tracy and Nadine) at 7:05. I think this was during his "Rock-a-Billy" stage or was that before his 13th different try with the WWF?

Gunn pinned Flash Funk after a Tornado DDT move.

But nowwww, onto the PPV matches......

1) The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) vs The New Blackjacks (Barry Windham and Justin Bradshaw) vs The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas) (w/Hillbilly Jim) vs Doug Furnas & Phil LaFon in a Four-Way Tag Team Elimination Match (With the winner getting a tag title shot the next night on Raw)

This was a decent opener but nothing more. The WWF had lots of 4 team tag matches in this time period.

It went down like this.....

Windham was disqualified for attacking the referee. (4:37)

Furnas was counted out. (5:00)

Then finally Headbanger Thrasher pinned Phineas Godwin with a Cannonball Senton at 10:39 to earn the Headbangers a shot at the WWF Tag Team Championship the next night on Raw. I can't remember if they beat the Bulldog and Owen or not but I'm going to say no just from the top of my head. But like it matters anyway.

This match did it's job and got the crowd ready for the show but other then that was pretty poor overall. They should have came up with a better way of eliminating the first two teams, not a good debut for the NEW BLACKJACKS. But I guess it showed that they would take no prisoners or whatever....

* 1/4

2) Rocky Maivia vs The Sultan (w/Bob Backlund and The Iron Sheik) for the WWF Intercontinental Championship

The Wrestlemania debut of The Rock (Who was here the hated "Face" Rocky Maivia) who was greeted to chants of "Die Rocky Die" and "Rocky Sucks" by Chicago throughout this horrid contest.

This is also his cousin Rikishi's Mania debut as "The Sultan" a failed gimmick.

The Honkeytonk man did commentary for this match. (Probably because it was an IC Title match)

This match went way to long for anyones liking.

The fans grew restless and booed the contest about 5 minutes in when the Sultan had a headlock on young Rocky, not surprisingly the head lock was dropped and The Rock went to the offence to the sarcastic delight of the crowd.

The Rock grew into such a great worker (Not just character and mic wise) but in the ring if you compare anything post 1999 to this match.

Unfortunately though, the surprise win and having his dad come to help him fight off the Shiek and Backlund weren't enough to save this piss poor contest.

Maivia retains the IC title when he pinned The Sultan with a Roll-up 9:45.

3/4*

3) Hunter Hearst Helmsley (w/Chyna) vs Goldust (w/Marlena)

Triple H's promo sounds hillarious backstage before the match because his voice is so different then the one we're used to hearing in "The Game" era. But I should be used to this voice seeing as I was a supporter of him since the blue blood bowing days.

Goldust with a cool start to the match kneeling down awaiting on Hunter to make the first move, then attacking him with a blow.

The match went back and forth like most singles undercard matches do.

In the end it was Helmsley who pinned Goldust after a Pedigree at 14:28 for the win. This was after Marlena got knocked off the apron fittingly right into the arms of the woMAN-beast Chyna who wiggled her back and forth like a dog chewing on a toy.

Pretty good match but the slow spots really effected this one in a big way, as it could have potentially been a 3 star match in my view. This isn't as good as there Rumble 97 match just a couple months before, but it's close in certain ways.

** 1/4

4) Owen Hart and British Bulldog vs Mankind and Vader (w/Paul Bearer) for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Owen and The Bulldog are my favourite tag team ever. They're not the best team ever (though had they been together long enough they very well could have been as they have it all) but they're just simply my favourite.

The looks, the size, speed, power, strength, mic skills, all fit so nicely together. Bravo to whoever thought of pairing these two brother in-laws up.

I love how when Owen comes out to this match he is now a 2 time Slammy Award winner as well as co-tag champ, and JR interviews him on the way to the ring and asks who the leader of the team is! Owen then says behind Davey Boy's back..."I'm THE LEADER! Now go!"

Haha, I love Owen!

Vader and Mankind were kind of a weird team and the booking wasn't to great for either of them, luckily for Mankind they'd put him in a title program with The Undertaker after this then a lengthy feud with Triple H throughout 1997. (one of the most underrated feuds ever by the way.....) but the booking kind of went to hell for Vader, as he was never treated as good as he could of been in the WWF. They put the title on Monsters like Yoko, Khali....why not Vader? He's one of the best big men in history in the ring. Bam Bam is probably the only guy of that size that can hold a candle to Big Van Vader. End Rant./

This tag match felt like it dragged in places and in the end that hurt it's quality, despite all four men being good workers.

Both teams were counted out, causing the match to be declared a draw. Hart and Bulldog retained the titles at 16:08.

Stu and Helen's concerned faces were zoombed in on at front row quite frequently during this match. I always get a kick out of Stu's "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU LOOKING AT!" type look when the camera goes on him. In all honesty the camera guy probably just startled the poor old man. The King's jokes about the Hart family are/were always priceless.

**

5) Bret "The Hitman" Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin (w/Ken Shamrock as Special Guest Referee) in a Submission match

This is Bret Hart's 12th and final Wrestlemania appearance. He went out in style with a huge win that would help kick start the loser of the match's career that would turn the wrestling world upside down.

Many people forget that Ken Shamrock was the official of this match.

Many people also forget that this was a "Submission Match" and not a "Street Fight" although it looked like that at times with all the blood, weapons, and outside brawling. But those were all just elements to this superb story told by both men.

Perhaps the finest showing of in ring (and outter ring for that matter) psychology ever used in a single match. The only flaw this match had was that Bret kind of "No Sold" the stunner at mid-match.

We can get over that in a flash when you look at what my two favourite superstars of all time brought to the table in this contest. Steve Austin's "Glass Shadder" of the Austin 3:16 sign of the entrance way is my 2nd favourite entrance of mine from him. The first is his at Wrestlemania 17 for reasons I'll elaborate on when that match is time to review. My third favourite is when he came to save team WWF from the Alliance in July of 2001 on Monday Night Raw.

This match had everything you could want. Non-Stop drama from bell to bell when Austin tackled the Hitman from the start of the bout. The King's "It's WRESTLEMANIAAAA BABBY!" fit the match very well, especially with the timing and placing of both men brawling in front of the side ring apron.

The two did most of the brawling in the crowd to start, and it didn't take long for the stairs, ring post, barricade, fans drink, ring bell, chairs, among other things got involved.

Austin says this is his all time favourite match.

I think he also made it clear in his book that his 2nd favourite match was the one with the late Chris Benoit (sounds weird writing that) in his home town of Edmonton, Alberta on Smackdown! in May of 01.

Stone Cold knew how to work this match, they both wrestled a fine one. Hart worked on the legs of Austin trying to cripple him even further, as Austin tried to battle his way back with his "Take no shit, fuck you" mentality.

Austin got an amazing ovation when he smacked the Hitman over the head with a chair as he took it off his leg before Hart was about to attempt the "cripple job." Stone Cold was red hot in this match as he was in his absolute prime, IMO. This was a few months before the neck injury and you could tell he was a big time worker in this match. Infact in Bret's hall of fame speech Stone Cold poked fun at him not knowing many submission moves as he was just a brawler. Either Austin was kidding or he has the worst case of early alzheimers I have ever seen as Stone Cold knew a ton of holds, and was even billed as a "Master of Holds" throughout his WCW Career and early WWF career as both The Ringmaster and Steve Austin. He showed a couple here as that was the sole purpose of the bout but this was mostly just a flat out fight! These two hated each other and the feud they had just made the story going into this match (and during) that much better.

Bret's sharpshooter hold on Austin with the blood dripping down his face is one that will forever be remembered. That moment right there is what many people think kick started the attitude era, and Austin's career. They may very well be right. I always thought Austin was the most entertaining character in Wrestling from about October of 1996 on, but March 23rd, 1997 we could probably all agree was the official date he took over. (Despite having already won a KOTR and Rumble match before this.) It's clear who the WWF was hoping on being a mega hit, but they had no idea of how big and they had no idea of how popular.

So popular infact that this match ACTUALLY featured a Double Allignment switch. They were leading to Bret's heel turn, and Austin's face turn (if you can call it a "face" turn anyway) for weeks heading into the bout, and as the drama unfolded it just added more elements to the already magnificent story being told.

Austin never gave up. He was just a badass and that's how it was. Hart was becoming more vicious and didn't give a shit so he kept the hold on which turned a lot of Chicago fans against him. Bret fingered some of them on the way out and even during the match on the outside.

These guys put on a 5 star classic at the Survivor Series of 1996 (a match in which I think is even better then this one, but doesen't touch this ones historical importance.)

And this one sits in the same league as that one ratings wise.

Bret Hart while having Steve in the sharpshooter rendered Austin unconscious at 22:05 for the victory. After he would not let go of the hold Shamrock tossed him aside to a loud roar from the Windy City.

The Hitman leaves to boo's, Austin leaves to an "Austin" chant as he refuses help from the refs and limps his way to the back in a bloody mess knowing full well he just put on the match of a lifetime.

A star is born.

Thanks for the Mania memories Hitman you would be forever missed at Wrestlemania, and hello Steve Austin!

Interesting to note: It was supposed to be Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart in a rematch of the previous year's main event. Of course, Shawn didn't cotton the idea of losing to Bret and "lost his smile," canceling that idea. So, Bret went plan B instead, beating Austin here in anticipation of putting him over at WrestleMania 14. Obviously, it didn't work out that way and, in a twist of irony, it was Shawn Michaels who put Austin over as the star of the next generation despite him not really wanting to. (Taker told HBK that if he didn't he'd be waiting for him backstage.)

One Word: Legendary.

*****

Five Star Note: In my 20 Rumble Reviews and now 13 Mania's, this is only the fifth match I have rated five stars. The other four were Benoit vs Y2J for the IC Title at RR 01, Benoit vs Angle for the WWE title at RR 03, Savage vs Steamboat for the IC Title at WM 3, and Bret vs Owen at Wrestlemania 10.

6) The Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) and Ahmed Johnson vs The The Nation of Domination (Crush, Faarooq and Savio Vega) (w/Wolfie D, J.C. Ice and Clarence Mason) in a Six-Man Chicago Street Fight

Don't diss the man or we'll bla, bla, bla....Wolfie D, and J.C. is what the "E" of today needs....or not.

A lot of good brawling in this 6 man street fight on the inside and outside that it's pretty hard to keep up.

Doesen't really hurt the match though, as it was kind of fun.

Animal pinned Crush following a 2x4 blow at 10:45 as the LOD and Johnson pick up the victory.

The LOD weren't in enough Mania's for there history and Ahmed was in one to many. Just Kidding....sort of.......

This match was pretty entertaining though with all the different kinds of hardcore action happening all around, all at once in a time in the WWF where it didn't happen very often.

It did it's job and followed a classic better then most would have thought.

** 1/2

7) Main Event- The Undertaker dvs Sycho Sid in a No Disqualification match for the WWF Championship

Pretty bad stuff here.

The WWF would have clearly made Austin-Bret the main event had they known what it would of been like ahead of time, but the ending to that match would have left the Illinois crowd on a sour note, compared to the ending with the Deadman here.

Taker dressed old school for this match, his 6th Mania match (and win.)

Sycho Sid was as psychotic as ever and WWF Champion once again after defeating the Hitman on the Raw after In Your House Final Four. It is a well forgotten match and title switch, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Hart had Sid in the sharpshooter and Austin hit Bret with a chair behind the ref's back, Sid covered him and became champion.

Taker was the #1 contender, and the Bret-Austin thing was history.

Both these guys are tall and big, we get it. A lot of blows back and forth (big man moves) followed by a lot of rest holds, in this matches case. (bear hugs.)

At least you could listen to the commentary of Shawn Michaels throughout the match which was entertaining for both intentional and unintentional reasons.

There is a famous rumor that Sid shit his pants in this match. While I don't have any proof, I am going to say he didn't and I heard from a pretty reliable source (forget who....pretty reliable right?) that it DID happen but during a house show and it was clearly visible. Not that this matters all that much, and not that anyone would want to look for it in the match anyway....

Undertaker pinned Sid following a Tombstone Piledriver after interference from Bret Hart at 21:19 to become the WWF Champion for only a 2nd time. (It was a long time coming as Taker now got to headline shows rather then be stuck with terrible workers.)

Taker goes 6-0 at Wrestlemania.

It should be noted that Bret Hart interfered in this match on three different occasions. On the first occasion, he delayed the start of the match, and was subsequently powerbombed by Sid as the Psycho One said "Get your whining ass outta here!" Hart's second and third appearances saw him going after and attacking Sid. Some funny stuff, and a pretty memorable way to go out of Wrestlemania for Bret. It's to bad he didn't show at WM 22 to accept the Hall of Fame word, but good for him to stay true to his word though I guess.

This match could have been a lot better then it was. (Kind of a basic theme for the whole night other then the submission match.)

* 1/2

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Final PPV Rating for Wrestlemania 13 = 5.5/10

The 5 star match makes it at least a 4-5/10, and everything else wasn't to great to say the very least. However there was a couple of good things, as most of the tag matches were watchable and the Goldust-Helmsley match is pretty good despite being slow at times. This was also in a time period where the WWF would go on a tear and never look back (at least until 2002 anyway), as some would call this event (more paticularly the submission match) the official start of the "attitude era" so for significance alone the event gets a better then "5" rating despite it having not much else for you to look forward to.

Feedback appreciated as always if you want to discuss.....

Up Next From Austin101: "WWF Wrestlemania 14"

(stay tuned.....)

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12-17-2007, 02:00 PM	#10382 (permalink)
Austin101 Madness 3:16 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 7,724	Re: Official WWE DVD Help/Discussion/Review Thread Austin101's "WWF Wrestlemania 13: Heat" Review: -Live on PPV from the sold out and electric United Center in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, March the 23rd 1997. -Vince McMahon is with Jerry "The King" Lawler for the fourth year in a row this time joined by Jim Ross. This is the first and only time this trio would do a Wrestlemania together. -This is the second WrestleMania to use Arabic numerals. -This was the last WrestleMania to use the classic red, white, and blue ring ropes, blue mats on the outside, and plain colored steel barricades surrounding the area. -There was for the second straight year a Free-For-All..... Free for All match: Billy Gunn defeated Flash Funk (w/Tracy and Nadine) at 7:05. I think this was during his "Rock-a-Billy" stage or was that before his 13th different try with the WWF? Gunn pinned Flash Funk after a Tornado DDT move. But nowwww, onto the PPV matches...... 1) The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) vs The New Blackjacks (Barry Windham and Justin Bradshaw) vs The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas) (w/Hillbilly Jim) vs Doug Furnas & Phil LaFon in a Four-Way Tag Team Elimination Match (With the winner getting a tag title shot the next night on Raw) This was a decent opener but nothing more. The WWF had lots of 4 team tag matches in this time period. It went down like this..... Windham was disqualified for attacking the referee. (4:37) Furnas was counted out. (5:00) Then finally Headbanger Thrasher pinned Phineas Godwin with a Cannonball Senton at 10:39 to earn the Headbangers a shot at the WWF Tag Team Championship the next night on Raw. I can't remember if they beat the Bulldog and Owen or not but I'm going to say no just from the top of my head. But like it matters anyway. This match did it's job and got the crowd ready for the show but other then that was pretty poor overall. They should have came up with a better way of eliminating the first two teams, not a good debut for the NEW BLACKJACKS. But I guess it showed that they would take no prisoners or whatever.... * 1/4 2) Rocky Maivia vs The Sultan (w/Bob Backlund and The Iron Sheik) for the WWF Intercontinental Championship The Wrestlemania debut of The Rock (Who was here the hated "Face" Rocky Maivia) who was greeted to chants of "Die Rocky Die" and "Rocky Sucks" by Chicago throughout this horrid contest. This is also his cousin Rikishi's Mania debut as "The Sultan" a failed gimmick. The Honkeytonk man did commentary for this match. (Probably because it was an IC Title match) This match went way to long for anyones liking. The fans grew restless and booed the contest about 5 minutes in when the Sultan had a headlock on young Rocky, not surprisingly the head lock was dropped and The Rock went to the offence to the sarcastic delight of the crowd. The Rock grew into such a great worker (Not just character and mic wise) but in the ring if you compare anything post 1999 to this match. Unfortunately though, the surprise win and having his dad come to help him fight off the Shiek and Backlund weren't enough to save this piss poor contest. Maivia retains the IC title when he pinned The Sultan with a Roll-up 9:45. 3/4* 3) Hunter Hearst Helmsley (w/Chyna) vs Goldust (w/Marlena) Triple H's promo sounds hillarious backstage before the match because his voice is so different then the one we're used to hearing in "The Game" era. But I should be used to this voice seeing as I was a supporter of him since the blue blood bowing days. Goldust with a cool start to the match kneeling down awaiting on Hunter to make the first move, then attacking him with a blow. The match went back and forth like most singles undercard matches do. In the end it was Helmsley who pinned Goldust after a Pedigree at 14:28 for the win. This was after Marlena got knocked off the apron fittingly right into the arms of the woMAN-beast Chyna who wiggled her back and forth like a dog chewing on a toy. Pretty good match but the slow spots really effected this one in a big way, as it could have potentially been a 3 star match in my view. This isn't as good as there Rumble 97 match just a couple months before, but it's close in certain ways. 1/4 4) Owen Hart and British Bulldog vs Mankind and Vader (w/Paul Bearer) for the WWF Tag Team Championship Owen and The Bulldog are my favourite tag team ever. They're not the best team ever (though had they been together long enough they very well could have been as they have it all) but they're just simply my favourite. The looks, the size, speed, power, strength, mic skills, all fit so nicely together. Bravo to whoever thought of pairing these two brother in-laws up. I love how when Owen comes out to this match he is now a 2 time Slammy Award winner as well as co-tag champ, and JR interviews him on the way to the ring and asks who the leader of the team is! Owen then says behind Davey Boy's back..."I'm THE LEADER! Now go!" Haha, I love Owen! Vader and Mankind were kind of a weird team and the booking wasn't to great for either of them, luckily for Mankind they'd put him in a title program with The Undertaker after this then a lengthy feud with Triple H throughout 1997. (one of the most underrated feuds ever by the way.....) but the booking kind of went to hell for Vader, as he was never treated as good as he could of been in the WWF. They put the title on Monsters like Yoko, Khali....why not Vader? He's one of the best big men in history in the ring. Bam Bam is probably the only guy of that size that can hold a candle to Big Van Vader. End Rant./ This tag match felt like it dragged in places and in the end that hurt it's quality, despite all four men being good workers. Both teams were counted out, causing the match to be declared a draw. Hart and Bulldog retained the titles at 16:08. Stu and Helen's concerned faces were zoombed in on at front row quite frequently during this match. I always get a kick out of Stu's "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU LOOKING AT!" type look when the camera goes on him. In all honesty the camera guy probably just startled the poor old man. The King's jokes about the Hart family are/were always priceless. 5) Bret "The Hitman" Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin (w/Ken Shamrock as Special Guest Referee) in a Submission match This is Bret Hart's 12th and final Wrestlemania appearance. He went out in style with a huge win that would help kick start the loser of the match's career that would turn the wrestling world upside down. Many people forget that Ken Shamrock was the official of this match. Many people also forget that this was a "Submission Match" and not a "Street Fight" although it looked like that at times with all the blood, weapons, and outside brawling. But those were all just elements to this superb story told by both men. Perhaps the finest showing of in ring (and outter ring for that matter) psychology ever used in a single match. The only flaw this match had was that Bret kind of "No Sold" the stunner at mid-match. We can get over that in a flash when you look at what my two favourite superstars of all time brought to the table in this contest. Steve Austin's "Glass Shadder" of the Austin 3:16 sign of the entrance way is my 2nd favourite entrance of mine from him. The first is his at Wrestlemania 17 for reasons I'll elaborate on when that match is time to review. My third favourite is when he came to save team WWF from the Alliance in July of 2001 on Monday Night Raw. This match had everything you could want. Non-Stop drama from bell to bell when Austin tackled the Hitman from the start of the bout. The King's "It's WRESTLEMANIAAAA BABBY!" fit the match very well, especially with the timing and placing of both men brawling in front of the side ring apron. The two did most of the brawling in the crowd to start, and it didn't take long for the stairs, ring post, barricade, fans drink, ring bell, chairs, among other things got involved. Austin says this is his all time favourite match. I think he also made it clear in his book that his 2nd favourite match was the one with the late Chris Benoit (sounds weird writing that) in his home town of Edmonton, Alberta on Smackdown! in May of 01. Stone Cold knew how to work this match, they both wrestled a fine one. Hart worked on the legs of Austin trying to cripple him even further, as Austin tried to battle his way back with his "Take no shit, fuck you" mentality. Austin got an amazing ovation when he smacked the Hitman over the head with a chair as he took it off his leg before Hart was about to attempt the "cripple job." Stone Cold was red hot in this match as he was in his absolute prime, IMO. This was a few months before the neck injury and you could tell he was a big time worker in this match. Infact in Bret's hall of fame speech Stone Cold poked fun at him not knowing many submission moves as he was just a brawler. Either Austin was kidding or he has the worst case of early alzheimers I have ever seen as Stone Cold knew a ton of holds, and was even billed as a "Master of Holds" throughout his WCW Career and early WWF career as both The Ringmaster and Steve Austin. He showed a couple here as that was the sole purpose of the bout but this was mostly just a flat out fight! These two hated each other and the feud they had just made the story going into this match (and during) that much better. Bret's sharpshooter hold on Austin with the blood dripping down his face is one that will forever be remembered. That moment right there is what many people think kick started the attitude era, and Austin's career. They may very well be right. I always thought Austin was the most entertaining character in Wrestling from about October of 1996 on, but March 23rd, 1997 we could probably all agree was the official date he took over. (Despite having already won a KOTR and Rumble match before this.) It's clear who the WWF was hoping on being a mega hit, but they had no idea of how big and they had no idea of how popular. So popular infact that this match ACTUALLY featured a Double Allignment switch. They were leading to Bret's heel turn, and Austin's face turn (if you can call it a "face" turn anyway) for weeks heading into the bout, and as the drama unfolded it just added more elements to the already magnificent story being told. Austin never gave up. He was just a badass and that's how it was. Hart was becoming more vicious and didn't give a shit so he kept the hold on which turned a lot of Chicago fans against him. Bret fingered some of them on the way out and even during the match on the outside. These guys put on a 5 star classic at the Survivor Series of 1996 (a match in which I think is even better then this one, but doesen't touch this ones historical importance.) And this one sits in the same league as that one ratings wise. Bret Hart while having Steve in the sharpshooter rendered Austin unconscious at 22:05 for the victory. After he would not let go of the hold Shamrock tossed him aside to a loud roar from the Windy City. The Hitman leaves to boo's, Austin leaves to an "Austin" chant as he refuses help from the refs and limps his way to the back in a bloody mess knowing full well he just put on the match of a lifetime. A star is born. Thanks for the Mania memories Hitman you would be forever missed at Wrestlemania, and hello Steve Austin! Interesting to note: It was supposed to be Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart in a rematch of the previous year's main event. Of course, Shawn didn't cotton the idea of losing to Bret and "lost his smile," canceling that idea. So, Bret went plan B instead, beating Austin here in anticipation of putting him over at WrestleMania 14. Obviously, it didn't work out that way and, in a twist of irony, it was Shawn Michaels who put Austin over as the star of the next generation despite him not really wanting to. (Taker told HBK that if he didn't he'd be waiting for him backstage.) One Word: Legendary. *** Five Star Note: In my 20 Rumble Reviews and now 13 Mania's, this is only the fifth match I have rated five stars. The other four were Benoit vs Y2J for the IC Title at RR 01, Benoit vs Angle for the WWE title at RR 03, Savage vs Steamboat for the IC Title at WM 3, and Bret vs Owen at Wrestlemania 10. 6) The Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) and Ahmed Johnson vs The The Nation of Domination (Crush, Faarooq and Savio Vega) (w/Wolfie D, J.C. Ice and Clarence Mason) in a Six-Man Chicago Street Fight Don't diss the man or we'll bla, bla, bla....Wolfie D, and J.C. is what the "E" of today needs....or not. A lot of good brawling in this 6 man street fight on the inside and outside that it's pretty hard to keep up. Doesen't really hurt the match though, as it was kind of fun. Animal pinned Crush following a 2x4 blow at 10:45 as the LOD and Johnson pick up the victory. The LOD weren't in enough Mania's for there history and Ahmed was in one to many. Just Kidding....sort of....... This match was pretty entertaining though with all the different kinds of hardcore action happening all around, all at once in a time in the WWF where it didn't happen very often. It did it's job and followed a classic better then most would have thought. 1/2 7) Main Event- The Undertaker dvs Sycho Sid in a No Disqualification match for the WWF Championship Pretty bad stuff here. The WWF would have clearly made Austin-Bret the main event had they known what it would of been like ahead of time, but the ending to that match would have left the Illinois crowd on a sour note, compared to the ending with the Deadman here. Taker dressed old school for this match, his 6th Mania match (and win.) Sycho Sid was as psychotic as ever and WWF Champion once again after defeating the Hitman on the Raw after In Your House Final Four. It is a well forgotten match and title switch, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Hart had Sid in the sharpshooter and Austin hit Bret with a chair behind the ref's back, Sid covered him and became champion. Taker was the #1 contender, and the Bret-Austin thing was history. Both these guys are tall and big, we get it. A lot of blows back and forth (big man moves) followed by a lot of rest holds, in this matches case. (bear hugs.) At least you could listen to the commentary of Shawn Michaels throughout the match which was entertaining for both intentional and unintentional reasons. There is a famous rumor that Sid shit his pants in this match. While I don't have any proof, I am going to say he didn't and I heard from a pretty reliable source (forget who....pretty reliable right?) that it DID happen but during a house show and it was clearly visible. Not that this matters all that much, and not that anyone would want to look for it in the match anyway.... Undertaker pinned Sid following a Tombstone Piledriver after interference from Bret Hart at 21:19 to become the WWF Champion for only a 2nd time. (It was a long time coming as Taker now got to headline shows rather then be stuck with terrible workers.) Taker goes 6-0 at Wrestlemania. It should be noted that Bret Hart interfered in this match on three different occasions. On the first occasion, he delayed the start of the match, and was subsequently powerbombed by Sid as the Psycho One said "Get your whining ass outta here!" Hart's second and third appearances saw him going after and attacking Sid. Some funny stuff, and a pretty memorable way to go out of Wrestlemania for Bret. It's to bad he didn't show at WM 22 to accept the Hall of Fame word, but good for him to stay true to his word though I guess. This match could have been a lot better then it was. (Kind of a basic theme for the whole night other then the submission match.) * 1/2 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Final PPV Rating for Wrestlemania 13 = 5.5/10 The 5 star match makes it at least a 4-5/10, and everything else wasn't to great to say the very least. However there was a couple of good things, as most of the tag matches were watchable and the Goldust-Helmsley match is pretty good despite being slow at times. This was also in a time period where the WWF would go on a tear and never look back (at least until 2002 anyway), as some would call this event (more paticularly the submission match) the official start of the "attitude era" so for significance alone the event gets a better then "5" rating despite it having not much else for you to look forward to. Feedback appreciated as always if you want to discuss..... Up Next From Austin101: "WWF Wrestlemania 14" (stay tuned.....) ------------------------------------------------------------------

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