Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 18:16:57 -0500 (EST)
Message-Id: <199801062316.SAA19554@freenet3.carleton.ca.carleton.ca>
From: ag725@freenet.carleton.ca (Rick Scaia)
To: nfd
Subject: The News From Dayton -- 1997 Year in Review
Reply-To: ag725@freenet.carleton.ca
Sender: owner-nfd
Precedence: list
Content-Type: text
X-UIDL: fd215ca5e6d6870d500fc52f3ea3727a
Status: RO
X-Status: 




                            THE NEWS FROM DAYTON
                            1997: YEAR IN REVIEW

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Compiled by:
                   Rick Scaia (ag725@freenet.carleton.ca)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


Welcome to the News From Dayton's 1997 Year in Review Special Edition.

When trying to come up with a unique approach to doing a year-ending
special last year, I formulated the idea of combining a couple different
awards, a month-by-month look back, and some closing editorial comments. It
worked out pretty well, so this year's look back will be more of the same.

We'll start out with a look back at the two "major" year-end awards given
out: the Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards and the online RSPW Usenet
Achievement Awards. The two sets of awards represent the unique tastes of
two different sets of fans. The PWI awards -- though rumored to be worked
by the magazine's editors -- represent the opinions of the "average" fan.
The RSPW Awards have, for the past 8 years, been a barometer of the
"smarter" online fan's opinions.

After the awards, I'll take you on a whirlwind tour of 1997, with
month-by-month stops to remember the major news stories and title changes.
And to close out this special edition, I'll do the popular thing and
editorialize for a bit while I try to tie the whole past 12 months
together.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997: Year-End Awards
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two different awards... two distinctly different points of view. Just about
the only thing the PWI and RSPW awards agreed on is the Ken Shamrock
improved nicely over the course of 1997.

The online fans honored Shawn Michaels as the Wrestler of
the Year, with ancillary honors such as Worker of the Year
and participation in the 1997 Match of the Year (the Hell in the Cell match
against the Undertaker). Other major award winners included the Eliminators
edging out Harlem Heat to be Tag Team of the Year, the WWF winning
Promotion of the Year, ECW's Barely Legal being named Best Major Show of
the Year, and Monday Night RAW topping Nitro to be the Best TV Show.

On the PWI side, Lex Luger was honored as the Wrestler of the
Year; at the time of publication, Luger was the only wrestler
other than Hulk Hogan to hold the WCW Title in 1997. The Outsiders (Hall
and Nash) were named as Tag Team of the Year, Sting was Most Popular
Wrestler, and Bret Hart was Most Hated. Hart was also a winner in two other
categories, as his Submission Match against Steve Austin at WrestleMania
was named Match of the Year, and Hart himself was awarded Comeback of the
Year.


USENET ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Every year since 1990, the Usenet Achievement Awards have been the gauge of
online wrestling fans' opinions. Originated by Herb Kunze, and now compiled
by Christopher Robin Zimmerman, the awards are the most extensive in the
online realm, spanning over 40 categories and including the votes of scores
of internet wrestling fans.

What follows is a summary of the top ten vote getters in each category. It
is derived from the complete awards results document published by CRZ in
late December, 1997, and is included here with his permission. Enjoy:

BEST WRESTLER

 1.  Shawn Michaels              102
 2.  Chris Benoit                 79
 3.  Steve Austin                 77
 4.  Bret Hart                    63
 5.  Dean Malenko                 57
 6.  Owen Hart                    34
(tie)Eddie Guerrero               34
 8.  Rey Mysterio Jr.             32
 9.  Mitsuharu Misawa             25
10.  Diamond Dallas Page          23

BEST WRESTLER -- NORTH AMERICAN

 1.  Shawn Michaels               111
 2.  Chris Benoit                  79
 3.  Bret Hart                     72
 4.  Steve Austin                  67
 5.  Dean Malenko                  65
 6.  Owen Hart                     40
 7.  Rey Mysterio Jr.              32
 8.  Eddie Guerrero                29
 9.  Diamond Dallas Page           25
10.  Mankind                       23

BEST WRESTLER -- NON-NORTH AMERICAN

 1.  Taka Michinoku               108
 2.  Jushin Liger                  76
 3.  Great Sasuke                  58
 4.  Mitsuharu Misawa              56
 5.  Shinjiro Otani                26
 6.  Kenta Kobashi                 24
 7.  Ultimo Dragon                 16
 8.  Koji Kanemoto                 16
 9.  Great Muta                    11
10.  Sabu                          10

BEST TAG TEAM

 1.  Eliminators - John Kronus and Perry Saturn   99
 2.  Harlem Heat - Booker T and Stevie Ray        98
 3.  Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith                66
 4.  Head Bangers - Mosh and Thrasher             59
 5.  Legion of Doom - Hawk and Animal             52
 6.  Steiner Brothers - Rick and Scott            37
 7.  Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon                   33
 8.  Sabu and Rob Van Dam                         26
 9.  Outsiders - Scott Hall and Kevin Nash        21
10.  Psychosis and La Parka                       19

BEST TAG TEAM -- NORTH AMERICAN

 1.  Eliminators - John Kronus and Perry Saturn  104
 2.  Harlem Heat - Booker T and Stevie Ray        92
 3.  Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith                71
 4.  Head Bangers - Mosh and Thrasher             50
 5.  Doug Furnas and Phil Lafon                   44
 6.  Steiner Brothers - Rick and Scott            32
 7.  Sabu and Rob Van Dam                         27
 8.  Legion of Doom - Hawk and Animal             24
 9.  Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels              22
10.  Scott Norton and Buff Bagwell                19

BEST TAG TEAM -- NON-NORTH AMERICAN

 1.  Masahiro Chono and Great Muta       64
 2.  Scott Norton and Buff Bagwell       59
 3.  El Samurai and Jushin Liger         46
 4.  Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue      36
 5.  Koji Kanemoto and Shinjiro Otani    25
 6.  Headhunters - A and B               20
 7.  Johnny Ace and Kenta Kobashi        14
 8.  Mima Shimoda and Etsuko Mita        13
(tie)Dick Togo and Mens Teoh             13
10.  NWO Sting and Buff Bagwell          12

BEST HEEL

 1.  Shawn Michaels            127
 2.  Hulk Hogan                 80
 3.  Eddie Guerrero             63
 4.  Bret Hart                  60
 5.  Shane Douglas              49
 6.  Brian Pillman              40
 7.  Steve Austin               39
 8.  Rob Van Dam                33
 9.  Buff Bagwell               24
10. Alex Wright                 23

BEST BABYFACE

 1.  Steve Austin                 95
 2.  Diamond Dallas Page          94
 3.  Sting                        76
 4.  Rey Mysterio Jr.             72
 5.  Undertaker                   71
 6.  Dude Love                    44
 7.  Ric Flair                    30
 8.  Ken Shamrock                 29
 9.  Giant                        28
10.  Shawn Michaels               20

BEST WORKER

 1.  Shawn Michaels               120
 2.  Chris Benoit                  83
 3.  Rey Mysterio Jr.              62
 4.  Mankind                       56
 5.  Dean Malenko                  54
 6.  Eddie Guerrero                48
 7.  Bret Hart                     32
 8.  Diamond Dallas Page           24
 9.  Mitsuharu Misawa              20
(tie)Sabu                          20

BEST WORKER -- NORTH AMERICAN

 1.  Shawn Michaels            117
 2.  Chris Benoit               78
 3.  Rey Mysterio Jr.           63
 4.  Dean Malenko               57
 5.  Mankind                    39
(tie)Bret Hart                  39
 7.  Eddie Guerrero             37
 8.  Sabu                       23
 9.  Owen Hart                  21
10.  Diamond Dallas Page        19

BEST WORKER NON-NORTH AMERICAN

 1.  Taka Michinoku           98
 2.  Great Sasuke             70
 3.  Jushin Liger             60
 4.  Mitsuharu Misawa         42
 5.  Shinjiro Otani           30
 6.  Kenta Kobashi            19
 7.  Koji Kanemoto            12
 8.  Sabu                     10
(tie)Manami Toyota            10
10.  Ultimo Dragon             9

BEST JOBBER

 1.  Spike Dudley             91
 2.  Barry Horowitz           72
 3.  Jeff Hardy               39
 4.  Scott Taylor             35
 5.  Matt Hardy               27
 6.  Johnny Swinger           24
 7.  Doc Dean                 22
 8.  Billy Kidman             21
 9.  Hardbody Harrison        12
10.  Bobby Eaton              10

BEST FLYER -- NORTH AMERICAN

 1.  Rey Mysterio Jr.               236
 2.  Taka Michinoku                  80
 3.  Juventud Guerrera               56
 4.  Sabu                            55
 5.  Rob Van Dam                     36
 6.  Psychosis                       35
 7.  Max Mini (Mascarita Sagrada)    34
 8.  Flash Funk                      28
 9.  Eddie Guerrero                  25
10.  Shawn Michaels                  24

BEST FLYER -- NON-NORTH AMERICAN

 1.  Taka Michinoku           130
 2.  Great Sasuke              96
 3.  Jushin Liger              47
 4.  Hayabusa                  43
 5.  Super Delfin              25
 6.  Masato Yakushiji          21
 7.  Sabu                      18
 8.  Yoshihiro Tajiri          14
 9.  Rey Mysterio Jr.          10
10.  Ultimo Dragon              8

BEST TECHNICAL WRESTLER

 1.  Dean Malenko         263
 2.  Bret Hart             98
 3.  Chris Benoit          70
 4.  Steve Regal           59
 5.  Owen Hart             58
 6.  Taz                   43
 7.  Ultimo Dragon         17
 8.  Chris Candido         13
(tie)Ken Shamrock          13
10.  Steve Austin           9

BEST TECHNICAL WRESTLER -- NORTH AMERICAN

 1.  Dean Malenko          214
 2.  Bret Hart              97
 3.  Owen Hart              60
 4.  Chris Benoit           51
 5.  Taz                    48
 6.  Steve Regal            38
 7.  Ultimo Dragon          18
 8.  Chris Candido          13
 9.  Ken Shamrock           10
10.  Steve Austin            9

BEST TECHNICAL WRESTLER -- NON-NORTH AMERICAN

 1.  Jushin Liger           73
 2.  Mitsuharu Misawa       68
 3.  Great Sasuke           48
 4.  Yuji Nagata            35
 5.  Gary Albright          17
 6.  Sabu                   15
 7.  Volk Hans              12
(tie)Ultimo Dragon          12
(tie)Taka Michinoku         12
10.  Kenta Kobashi           7

BEST BRAWLER -- NORTH AMERICAN

 1.  Mankind (Cactus Jack)      219
 2.  Chris Benoit                89
 3.  Steve Austin                79
 4.  Tommy Dreamer               45
 5.  Vader                       41
 6.  Terry Funk                  34
 7.  Undertaker                  29
 8.  Sandman                     21
 9.  Diamond Dallas Page         19
10.  New Jack                    18

BEST BRAWLER -- NON-NORTH AMERICAN

 1.  Stan Hansen           60
 2.  Masahiro Chono        52
 3.  Atsushi Onita         29
 4.  Aja Kong              27
 5.  Mens Teoh             25
 6.  Fit Finley            17
 7.  Sabu                  15
 8.  Wing Kanemura         13
 9.  Yumiko Hotta           6
10.  Steve Williams         6

MOST FAVORITE WRESTLER

 1.  Steve Austin           81
 2.  Chris Benoit           69
 3.  Shawn Michaels         60
 4.  Bret Hart              49
 5.  Rey Mysterio Jr.       40
 6.  Ric Flair              37
 7.  Owen Hart              32
 8.  Dean Malenko           27
 9.  Mankind                25
10.  Undertaker             25

MOST IMPROVED WRESTLER

 1.  Ken Shamrock              94
 2.  Buff Bagwell              79
 3.  Steve McMichael           72
 4.  Diamond Dallas Page       67
 5.  Alex Wright               42
 6.  Disco Inferno             34
(tie)Undertaker                34
 8.  Rocky Maivia              33
 9.  Hunter Hearst Helmsley    27
10.  Mortis                    23

MOST OVER-RATED WRESTLER

 1.  Hulk Hogan             151
 2.  Lex Luger               77
 3.  Kevin Nash              70
 4.  Roddy Piper             42
 5.  Jeff Jarrett            41
 6.  Konnan                  28
 7.  Diamond Dallas Page     27
 8.  Ric Flair               25
 9.  Shane Douglas           18
10.  Curt Hennig             17

BEST WRESTLING GIMMICK

 1.  Mick Foley's multiple
      personalities               123
 2.  Stone Cold Steve Austin       88
 3.  NWO                           56
 4.  D-generation X                51
 5.  Bret Hart                     40
 6.  Sting                         33
 7.  Rob Van Dam as "Mr.
      Monday Night"                29
 8.  BWO                           28
 9.  Undertaker                    25
10.  Disco Inferno                 24

BEST WRESTLING MOVE

 1.  Bret Hart's figure four leglock
      around the ringpost              62
 2.  Diamond Dallas Page's
      Diamond Cutter                   60
 3.  Rey Mysterio Jr.'s springboard
      huracanrana                      50
 4.  Taka Michinoku's Michinoku
      Driver powerbomb                 47
 5.  Buff Bagwell's Blockbuster top
      rope somersault neckbreaker      44
 6.  Steve Austin's Stone Cold Stunner 41
 7.  Taka Michinoku's reverse
        springboard moonsault from the
      top rope to the floor            31
 8.  Shawn Michaels' fall from cage
      into announcers' table           29
(tie)Eliminators' Total Elimination    29
10.  Billy Kidman's Shooting
      Star Press                       21

BEST MATCH

 1.  10/05/97 Shawn Michaels v. Undertaker
      (Hell in the Cell)                      169
 2.  03/23/97 Bret Hart v. Steve Austin
      (submission match)                       93
 3.  10/26/97 Eddie Guerrero v. Rey
      Mysterio Jr.                             56
 4.  09/22/97 Hunter Hearst Helmsley v.
      Cactus Jack (falls count anywhere)       33
 5.  02/26/97 Davey Boy Smith v. Owen Hart
      (Euro final)                             31
 6.  04/13/97 Great Sasuke/Gran Hamada/Yakushiji
      v. Taka Michinoku/Dick Togo/Terry Boy    22
 7.  02/23/97 Konnan/La Parka/Villano IV vs.
      Juventud Guerrera/Super Calo/Ciclope     18
 8.  01/20/97 Kenta Kobashi v. Mitsuharu
      Misawa                                   15
(tie)11/17/96 Bret Hart v. Steve Austin        15
10.  11/96 Eliminators v. Sabu/Rob Van Dam     12

BEST FEUD

 1.  Hart Foundation v. Steve Austin      119
 2.  Bret Hart v. Shawn Michaels          102
 3.  Diamond Dallas Page v. Randy Savage   59
 4.  Hunter Hearst Helmsley v. Mankind     50
 5.  Steve Austin v. Owen Hart             42
 6.  Sabu v. Taz                           41
 7.  Shawn Michaels v. Undertaker          31
 8.  Sting v. NWO                          28
(tie)Jerry Lawler v. Tommy Dreamer         28
10.  KDX v. Seikengun                      23

WORST WRESTLER

 1.  Hulk Hogan          150
 2.  Jim Duggan           54
 3.  Lex Luger            53
 4.  Sycho Sid            44
 5.  Roddy Piper          39
 6.  Dennis Rodman        37
 7.  Ray Traylor          34
 8.  Ahmed Johnson        33
 9.  Glacier              24
10.  Jeff Jarrett         22

WORST TAG TEAM

 1.  Godwinns - Henry O. and Phineas I.      179
 2.  Outsiders - Scott Hall and Kevin Nash    56
 3.  Glacier and Ernest Miller                55
 4.  Los Boricuas - Savio Vega, Miguel Perez,
      Jose Estrada and Jesus Castillo         52
 5.  Legion of Doom - Hawk and Animal         48
 6.  Steiner Brothers - Rick and Scott        47
 7.  Truth Commission - Jackyl, Sniper, Tank
      Recon, Rambo, and Interrogator          36
 8.  Disciples of Apocalypse - Crush,
      Chainz, 8-Ball, and Skull               34
 9.  Faces of Fear - Meng and Barbarian       26
10.  American Males - Marcus Bagwell and
      Scotty Riggs                            20

WORST HEEL

 1.  Ahmed Johnson        79
 2.  Rockabilly           69
 3.  Hulk Hogan           63
 4.  Jeff Jarrett         41
 5.  Eric Bischoff        38
 6.  Vincent              37
 7.  Rocky Maivia         29
 8.  Godwinns             24
 9.  Davey Boy Smith      22
(tie)Kevin Nash           22

WORST BABYFACE

 1.  Rocky Maivia       91
 2.  Ray Traylor        71
 3.  Jeff Jarrett       65
 4.  Vader              43
(tie)Glacier            43
 6.  Steve Austin       32
(tie)Jesse Jammes       32
 8.  Shawn Michaels     30
 9.  Dude Love          29
10.  Jim Duggan         27

WORST WORKER

 1.  Hulk Hogan         199
 2.  Roddy Piper         68
 3.  Lex Luger           65
 4.  Kevin Nash          59
 5.  Sycho Sid           45
 6.  Jim Duggan          33
 7.  Ahmed Johnson       30
 8.  Sting               22
 9.  Jim Neidhart        19
(tie)Scott Hall          19

LEAST FAVORITE WRESTLER

 1.  Hulk Hogan          139
 2.  Jim Duggan           63
(tie)Jeff Jarrett         63
 4.  Lex Luger            42
 5.  Syxx                 32
 6.  Kevin Nash           30
 7.  Shawn Michaels       27
 8.  Scott Hall           26
 9.  Roddy Piper          22

MOST DETERIORATED WRESTLER

 1.  Roddy Piper                81
 2.  Hulk Hogan                 80
(tie)Ric Flair                  80
 4.  Greg Valentine             42
 5.  Jake Roberts               41
 6.  Marc Mero                  30
 7.  Public Enemy               28
 8.  Kevin Nash                 26
(tie)Executioner (Terry Gordy)  26
10.  Steve Regal                25

MOST UNDER-RATED WRESTLER

 1.  Chris Benoit              80
 2.  Flash Funk                59
 3.  Al Snow (Leif Cassidy)    54
 4.  Buff Bagwell              42
 5.  Hunter Hearst Helmsley    36
 6.  Owen Hart                 32
 7.  Juventud Guerrera         25
(tie)Billy Kidman              25
 9.  D-Lo Brown                23
10.  Hugh Morrus               19

WORST WRESTLING GIMMICK

 1.  Glacier (Blood Runs Cold)     103
 2.  Kane                           61
 3.  Rockabilly                     59
 4.  Razor Ramon II and Diesel II   51
 5.  Uncle Cletus                   39
 6.  WWF "gangs"                    32
 7.  Godwinns                       31
 8.  Marvelous Marc Mero            29
 9.  Hollywood Hulk Hogan           24
10.  NWO                            23

WORST WRESTLING MOVE

 1.  Hulk Hogan's legdrop                 134
 2.  Syxx' bronco ride in the corner       54
 3.  Lex Luger's Torture Rack              47
 4.  Crush's heart punch                   34
 5.  Dennis Rodman's armdrag               31
 6.  Rocky Maivia's shoulderbreaker        30
 7.  Patriot's Uncle Slam full nelson slam 25
 8.  Greg Valentine's elbow to the head    16
 9.  Shawn Michaels' Sweet Chin Music      15
(tie)Chris Jericho's Liontamer Boston Crab 15

WORST MATCH

 1.  10/26/97 Hulk Hogan v. Roddy Piper
      (cage)                               95
 2.  05/18/97 Steve McMichael v. Reggie
      White                                53
 3.  07/13/97 Hulk Hogan and Dennis
      Rodman vs. Lex Luger and Giant       46
 4.  03/23/97 Rocky Maivia v. Sultan       35
 5.  10/26/97 Disco Inferno v. Jacqueline  34
 6.  (Nitro) Hulk Hogan v. Giant
      (Robin Hood ad break match)          24
 7.  03/23/97 Sycho Sid v. Undertaker      23
 8.  12/29/96 Hulk Hogan v. Roddy Piper    22
 9.  02/23/97 Hulk Hogan v. Roddy Piper    16
10.  09/01/97 Ray Traylor v. Prince Iaukea 12

WORST FEUD

 1.  Nation of Domination v. Disciples
      of Apocalypse v. Los Boricuas        79
 2.  Hulk Hogan v. Roddy Piper             67
 3.  Disco Inferno v. Jacquelyn            65
 4.  Godwinns v. Legion of Doom            55
 5.  Jeff Jarrett v. Steve McMichael       43
 6.  Glacier and Ernest Miller vs.
      Mortis and Wrath                     42
 7.  Rockabilly v. Jesse Jammes            38
 8.  Chris Benoit v. Kevin Sullivan        36
 9.  Ahmed Johnson v.
      Nation of Domination                 22
10.  Sting v. NWO                          21

MOST DISAPPOINTING NEWS ITEM

 1.  Death of Brian Pillman               303
 2.  Arn Anderson retires from active
      wrestling                            97
 3.  Steve Austin suffers spinal damage
      from PPV piledriver                  53
 4.  Death of Plum Mariko                  21
 5.  Marc Mero out with knee injury, loses
      high-flyer gimmick                   17
 6.  USWA shuts down                       16
 7.  Stevie Richards quits ECW, joins WCW  12
 8.  Viewers' Choice doesn't pick up ECW
      pay-per-view events                  10
 9.  Tod Gordon is revealed as "ECW mole"
      for WCW                               9
10.  WCW fires Disco Inferno                7

MOST OBNOXIOUS PERSONALITY

 1.  Eric Bischoff         158
 2.  Hulk Hogan             59
 3.  Shawn Michaels         55
 4.  Debra McMichael        53
 5.  Gene Okerlund          47
 6.  Vince McMahon          46
 7.  Bill Alfonso           41
 9.  Syxx                   32
 9.  Jeff Jarrett           31
10.  Todd Pettengill        19

BEST MANAGER

 1.  Chyna                72
 2.  Sonny Onoo           66
 3.  Bill Alfonso         62
 4.  James Vandenberg     43
 5.  Jim Cornette         36
(tie)Francine             36
 7.  Sable                32
 8.  Ted DiBiase          28
 9.  Jacquelyn            27
10.  Beulah               19

BEST ANNOUNCER

 1.  Jim Ross            231
 2.  Joey Styles         137
 3.  Mike Tenay          105
 4.  Vince McMahon        46
 5.  Tony Schiavone       40
 6.  Kevin Kelly          14
 7.  Michael Buffer       10
 8.  Sunny                 5
(tie)Jerry Lawler          5
(tie)Howard Finkel         5

BEST COLOR COMMENTATOR

 1.  Jerry Lawler        140
 2.  Bobby Heenan        127
 3.  Larry Zbyszko        65
 4.  Jim Ross             61
 5.  Mike Tenay           46
 6.  Joey Styles          39
 7.  Jim Cornette         38
 8.  Rick Rude            35
 9.  Shawn Michaels       25
(tie)Dusty Rhodes         23

BEST INTERVIEWEE

 1.  Steve Austin       147
 2.  Ric Flair           93
 3.  Shawn Michaels      86
 4.  Mankind             51
 5.  Arn Anderson        39
 6.  Shane Douglas       37
 7.  Kevin Nash          36
 8.  Brian Pillman       34
 9.  Bret Hart           23
10.  Stevie Richards     22

BEST ANGLE

 1.  Bret Hart turns heel, reforms
      Hart Foundation                     93
 2.  Cactus Jack returns on RAW           71
 3.  Shawn Michaels and Hunter Hearst
      Helmsley revive the Kliq            44
 4.  ECW takes over RAW                   42
 5.  NWO parodizes Four Horsemen          39
 6.  Steve Austin applies Stone Cold Stunner
      to various non-wrestlers            38
 7.  Steve Austin comandeers Bret
      Hart's ambulance                    29
 8.  Jerry Lawler invades ECW             28
 9.  NWO                                  25
10.  Brian Pillman claims paternity, gets
      "win Marlena" stipulation match     23

BEST ORGANIZATION

 1.  WWF                      202
 2.  WCW                      156
 3.  ECW                      152
 4.  All Japan                 24
 5.  Michinoku Pro             21
 6.  New Japan Pro Wrestling   15
 7.  EMLL                      13
 8.  APW                        8
 9.  GAEA                       6
10.  All Japan Women            5

BEST TV SHOW

 1.  WWF Monday Night RAW          221
 2.  WCW Monday Nitro              190
 3.  ECW Weekly TV                 120
 4.  WCW Saturday Night             31
 5.  WWF Shotgun Saturday Night     24
 6.  Champ Forum                    18
 7.  WWF Superstars                  9
 8.  New Japan TV                    6
 9.  GAEA                            5
10.  All Japan Women TV              3

BEST MAJOR SHOW

 1.  04/13/97 ECW Barely Legal         99
 2.  07/06/97 WWF In Your House:
      Canadian Stampede                65
 3.  10/05/97 WWF In Your House:
      Badd Blood                       62
 4.  08/03/97 WWF SummerSlam           35
 5.  03/23/97 WWF WrestleMania XIII    34
 6.  09/14/97 WCW Fall Brawl           31
 7.  01/19/97 WWF Royal Rumble         26
 8.  08/17/97 ECW Hardcore Heaven      20
 9.  09/21/97 WWF One Night Only       19
10.  02/16/97 WWF In Your House:
      Final Four                       17

BEST PROMOTIONAL MOVE

 1.  ECW uses "working agreement" with
      the WWF                            82
 2.  WWF extends RAW to two hours, airs
      more shows live                    46
 3.  WWF signs Taka Michinoku            45
 4.  WCW signs agreements with Mexican
      promotions                         37
 5.  ECW runs pay per view events        31
 6.  WWF turns Shawn Michaels heel       30
 7.  WWF lets Steve Austin do what
      he wants                           29
 8.  WWF introduces Light Heavyweight
      division                           27
 9.  WWF signs Ken Shamrock              23
10.  WWF goes more hardcore              22

WORST MANAGER

 1.  Uncle Cletus          90
 2.  Debra McMichael       75
 3.  Teddy Long            63
 4.  Paul Bearer           62
 5.  Sonny Onoo            42
 6.  Clarence Mason        41
 7.  James Vandenberg      39
 8.  Ted DiBiase           29
 9.  Jacqueline            19
10.  Sable                 18

WORST ANNOUNCER

 1.  Tony Schiavone        122
 2.  Lee Marshall           89
 3.  Vince McMahon          69
 4.  Eric Bischoff          60
 5.  Mike Tenay             50
 6.  Chris Cruise           23
 7.  Scott Hudson           18
 8.  Jim Ross               10
 9.  Todd Pettingill         8
10.  Rick Rude               5

WORST COLOR COMMENTATOR

 1.  Dusty Rhodes        156
 2.  Honky Tonk Man       71
 3.  Dok Hendrix          41
 4.  Larry Zbyszko        37
 5.  Savio Vega           36
 6.  Bobby Heenan         28
 7.  Jerry Lawler         21
(tie)Mike Tenay           21
 9.  Lee Marshall         16
10. Jim Cornette          14

WORST INTERVIEWEE

 1.  Ahmed Johnson       209
 2.  Paul Bearer          34
 3.  Hulk Hogan           33
 4.  Steiner Brothers     32
 5.  Faarooq              31
 6.  Debra McMichael      26
 7.  Sting                19
 8.  Sycho Sid            17
 9.  Lex Luger            16
10.  Meng                 16

WORST ANGLE

 1.  Brian Pillman claims paternity, gets
      "win Marlena" stipulation match      59
 2.  Ahmed Johnson joins Nation of
      Domination                           57
 3.  Diesel II and Razor Ramon II
      wrestle in WWF                       55
 4.  Paul Bearer accuses Undertaker of
      burning family, brother surviving    50
 5.  Honky Tonk Man's search for protege
      ends with Rockabilly                 44
 6.  Sting slowly evolves into Crow-like
      figure                               40
 7.  Roddy Piper holds Team Piper tryouts
      on live Nitro                        36
 8.  Nation of Domination's locker room
      graiffiti'd with epithets            32
 9.  Outsiders run Steiner Brothers
      off road                             32
10.  NWO parodizes Four Horsemen           26

WORST ORGANIZATION

 1.  WCW                110
 2.  USWA                95
 3.  AWF                 86
 4.  WWF                 60
 5.  AAA                 23
 6.  ECW                 20
 7.  World Class II      19
 8.  Tokyo Pro            5
(tie)Hardcore Wrestling   5
(tie)APW                  5

WORST TV SHOW

 1.  WWF LiveWire                   96
 2.  WCW Pro                        76
 3.  WCW Main Event                 56
 4.  AWF Warriors of Wrestling      42
 5.  WCW Worldwide                  42
 6.  WWF Superstars                 40
 7.  WCW Saturday Night             35
 8.  WWF Shotgun Saturday Night     23
 9.  WCW Monday Nitro               22
10.  WCW Prime                      16

WORST MAJOR SHOW

 1.  01/25/97 NWO Souled Out           172
 2.  08/09/97 WCW Road Wild             62
 3.  07/13/97 WCW Bash at the Beach     34
 4.  03/23/97 WWF WrestleMania XIII     27
 5.  05/18/97 WCW Slamboree             24
 6.  10/26/97 WCW Halloween Havoc       21
 7.  06/08/97 WWF King of the Ring      18
 8.  09/14/97 WCW Fall Brawl            16
 9.  09/07/97 WWF In Your House:
      Ground Zero                       11
10.  04/13/97 ECW Hardcore Heaven        8

WORST PROMOTIONAL MOVE

 1.  Sting doesn't wrestle for entire year  53
 2.  ECW and WWF fail to continue
      extensive cooperation                 42
 3.  WCW allows Dennis Rodman to wrestle    36
 4.  NWO fails to evolve much over
      course of year                        27
 5.  WCW lets Hulk Hogan keep title for
      most of the year                      25
 6.  WWF goes back to taped Raws            23
 7.  WCW repeatedly uses fake Stings to
      end matches                           21
(tie)WCW has very few world title matches   21
 8.  WWF whines about WCW rather than
      improving their product               20
10.  WWF changes LiveWire from live call-in
      show to taped clip show               17

If the full and complete awards results become available on the World Wide
Web, I'll be sure to provide a link to the site.


PWI YEAR END AWARDS

Since 1972, Pro Wrestling Illustrated has accepted votes from fans in
compiling their year-end awards. Charges of inflated vote tallies and
rigged awards abound, but the awards are still considered to be a great
indicator of fan opinion, and are respected throughout the industry as
such.

The March, 1998,issue of PWI (which hit stands in late December) included
the year-end awards. Below, you'll find the winner and top runners-up in
each of the eleven PWI categories:

Rookie of the Year: Prince Iaukea
First Runner Up: Ernest Miller
Second Runner Up: Chris Chetti
Third Runner Up: Brakus

Inspirational Wrestler of the Year: Terry Funk
First Runner Up: Steve Austin
Second Runner Up: Perry Saturn
Third Runner Up: Roddy Piper

Most Improved Wrestler of the Year: Ken Shamrock
First Runner Up: Steve McMichael
Second Runner Up: the Headbangers
Third Runner Up: Alex Wright

Comeback of the Year: Bret Hart
First Runner Up: Curt Hennig
Second Runner Up: Brian Pillman
Third Runner Up: Ric Flair

Manager of the Year: Bill Alfonso
First Runner Up: Jacquelyn
Second Runner Up: Paul Bearer
Third Runner Up: Ted DiBiase

Feud of the Year: Randy Savage vs. Dallas Page
First Runner Up: Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart
Second Runner Up: Hulk Hogan vs. Roddy Piper
Third Runner Up: Sabu vs. Taz

Most Popular Wrestler of the Year: Sting
First Runner Up: Steve Austin
Second Runner Up: Ric Flair
Third Runner Up: Dallas Page

Most Hated of the Year: Bret Hart
First Runner Up: Hulk Hogan
Second Runner Up: Owen Hart
Third Runner Up: Curt Hennig

Match of the Year: Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin -- WrestleMania 13
First Runner Up: Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mistero Jr. (Halloween Havoc)
Second Runner Up: Shawn Michaels vs. the Undertaker (Hell in the Cell)
Third Runner Up: Terry Funk vs. Sandman vs. Stevie Richards (Barely Legal)

Tag Team of the Year: The Outsiders (Hall and Nash)
First Runner Up: The Steiner Brothers
Second Runner Up: Legion of Doom
Third Runner Up: Lex Luger and the Giant

Wrestler of the Year: Lex Luger
First Runner Up: Steve Austin
Second Runner Up: the Undertaker
Third Runner Up: Dallas Page

For more detailed PWI awards data (including all awards winners going back
to 1972), pick up the year-end edition of Pro Wrestling Illustrated.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 Month-by-Month Recap
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's hard to believe that it's already been a year since WCW's bungled
"Souled Out" PPV... that it's already been 9 months since ECW finally got a
chance on pay-per-view... hell, it's hard to believe that Bret Hart getting
"screwed" is already a full two months in the past. As they say, time flies
when you're having fun. Certainly, 1997 was a fun and memorable year for
fans.

As we look back on all that happened, lets first run down all major US
title holders on January 1, 1997, and then start a month-by-month review of
of the past year in wrestling:

   * WWF World Title: Psycho Sid
   * WWF InterContinental: Hunter Hearst Helmsley
   * WWF Tag Team: Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith
   * WCW World Title: Hulk Hogan
   * WCW US Title: Eddie Guerrero
   * WCW Tag Team Title: the Outsiders (Hall and Nash)
   * WCW TV Title: Steve Regal
   * WCW Cruiserweight Title: Ultimo Dragon
   * ECW World Title: Raven
   * ECW TV Title: Shane Douglas
   * ECW Tag Team Title: the Eliminators


JANUARY, 1997

As 1997 got underway, Eric Bischoff thought he could do no wrong with
the mega-hot NWO vs. WCW angle. Unfortunately, the Turner-funded
promotion soon found out how fickle the fans are. First, an attempt to
boost ratings for the new TNT series "Robin Hood" by playing portions of a
Hulk Hogan vs. Giant match during commercial breaks angered fans who felt
they were "held hostage" for a cheap ratings ploy.

However, it was later in the month, when the "Souled Out" pay-per-view was
conducted under the NWO banner that fans truly revolted. The event, which
Bischoff would later admit did not go as well as planned, was easily the
worst-reviewed major event of the year, and among the worst PPVs of all
time.

Also in January, the WWF finally began to emerge from the funk it had
gotten into in the latter half of 1996. Titan was able to fill up San
Antonio's AlamoDome with some 50,000+ fans (over 35,000 paid) for the 1997
Royal Rumble.

Major Events: WCW/NWO Souled Out, WWF Royal Rumble

Title Changes: Shawn Michaels defeats Psycho Sid to win WWF World Title on
1/19..... Dean Malenko defeats Ultimo Dragon to win WCW Cruiserweight Title
on 1/21.


FEBRUARY, 1997

On a memorable Thursday night in February, Shawn Michaels
-- the reigning WWF Champion -- vacated his title live in
the middle of the ring, citing a knee injury and the loss of his "smile."
To this day speculation abounds that more nefarious reasons motivated
Michaels to vacate his title, not the least of which is said to have been a
lack of desire to get in the ring at WrestleMania and drop the strap back
to Bret Hart. Michaels wouldn't wrestle again for the WWF until June. The
vacated title resulted in one of the most memorable periods in WWF Title
history, as Bret Hart won a spectacular 4-way match on PPV to win the
title, and then lost the belt to Sid the next night on RAW.

The special 2 hour Thursday show actually signalled the beginning of a new
era for the WWF and RAW. Beginning in February, the WWF and USA Network
decided to switch RAW over to a two-hour format, with great emphasis put on
live shows. Through August, each RAW was live, though now, the show has
slipped back to a live/taped/live/taped schedule.

And perhaps the most intriguiging of all 1997 occurances was put into
motion on February 17, when Jerry Lawler "called out" ECW. The result was a
special RAW, held at the Manhatten Center in NYC (the first home of RAW) in
which ECW presented three matches to the WWF fans. Also on that show, the
Legion of Doom made their return to the WWF, going to a draw against the
Headbangers.

Major Events: WWF Final Four, WCW SuperBrawl

Title Changes: Shawn Michaels vacates the WWF World Title on 2/13.....
Rocky Maivia defeats Hunter Hearst Helmsley for the WWF InterContinental
Title on 2/13..... Bret Hart defeats the Undertaker, Steve Austin, and
Vader in a "Final Four" match to win the vacant WWF World Title on
2/16..... Psycho Sid defeats Bret Hart to win the WWF World Title on
2/17..... Prince Iaukea defeats Steven Regal to win the WCW TV Title on
2/17..... Syxx defeats Dean Malenko to win the WCW Cruiserweight Title on
2/23..... Davey Boy Smith defeats Owen Hart in a tournament final to win
the brand new WWF European Title on 2/26.


MARCH, 1997

A star was born at the WWF's WrestleMania 13 PPV. Booked as
a heel since adopting the "Stone Cold" gimmick, Steve Austin
had slowly begun to garner the cheers of some of the fans. Despite
tormenting living legend and pure babyface Bret Hart, the more cynical in
the audience loved to cheer Austin. At WM13, Hart and Austin underwent an
incredible reversal of roles, as Austin walked out of 'Mania a loser, but
with the fans chanting his name. Austin went on to be the break-out star of
1997.

Hart's switch over to being one of 1997's most compelling heels actually
started one week prior to WM13, as he went on a profanity laced tirade
(that was NOT bleeped by USA Network) after losing a cage match for the WWF
Title. His turn came to a climax on March 31, as Bret stepped in during a
Bulldog/Owen Euro Title match, and implored his family members to set their
differences aside and join him in fighting for truth, justice, and the
Canadian way. The reformed Hart Foundation would dominate the WWF for much
of the rest of the year.

Major Events: WWF WrestleMania 13, WCW Uncensored

Title Changes: The Dudley Boys defeat the Eliminators to win the ECW Tag
Team Titles on 3/15..... Dean Malenko defeats Eddie Guerrero to win the WCW
US Title on 3/16..... the Undertaker defeats Psycho Sid to win the WWF
World Title on 3/23.


APRIL, 1997

Extreme Championship Wrestling finally made it on pay-per-view in
April, 1997. After nearly 4 years of being one of wrestling's
most-talked-about promotions, fans across the country -- the ones with
enlightened local cable systems, anyway -- finally got to see what the fuss
was about. ECW's Barely Legal -- voted 1997's Best Major Show -- was
certainly a great way to introduce the fed to a national audience.
Combining a hot ECW Arena crowd, great high-flying wrestling (thanks to a
Michinoku Pro six man match), and intense brawling (including barbed wire
and ladders and more), Paul Heymann delivered a knock-out blow with Barely
Legal. ECW has since returned to PPV two additional times, and has four
PPVs tentativley planned for 1998.

Over in WCW, Dallas Page finally made the last big leap to main event
status. After building a fan base over the past several years, and making
great strides in his in-ring ability, Page was catapulted to the top of the
promotion thanks to a main event feud with Randy Savage that spanned the
entire middle half of the year.

Major Events: WCW Spring Stampede, ECW Barely Legal, WWF Revenge of the
'Taker

Title Changes: Ultimo Dragon wins the WCW TV Title by defeating Price
Iaukea on 4/7..... Terry Funk defeats Raven to win the ECW World Title on
4/13..... the Eliminators defeat the Dudley Boys to regain the ECW Tag Team
Titles on 4/13.


MAY, 1997

Ric Flair returned from a six month lay-off in May and did so
in spectacular fashion. At the WCW Slamboree PPV in his
hometown of Charlotte, NC, Flair led a team that included Kevin Greene and
Roddy Piper against the NWO's "Wolfpack" (Hall, Nash, and Syxx). To a
rousing ovation, Flair led his team to victory by making Scott Hall pass
out in the Figure Four leglock.

It was also in May that Brian Pillman finally started taking strides
towards his return to the ring. Pillman, seriously injured in an early 1996
auto accident, had been absent from WWF TV since November. He emerged as a
co-conspirator of the Hart Foundation, and targetted Steve Austin in his
return.

Major Events: WWF Cold Day in Hell, WCW Slamboree

Title Changes: Steve Regal defeats Ultimo Dragon to regain the WCW TV Title
on 5/18..... the unlikely duo of Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin win the
WWF Tag Team Titles from Owen Hart and British Bulldog on 5/26.


JUNE, 1997

It was June of '97 in which the WWF vs. ECW co-promotional
angle hit high gear. Claiming to represent the WWF, Jerry
Lawler "invaded" the ECW Arena, and was later joined by Jim Cornette in
desecrating the Home of Hardcore. The King tormented Tommy Dreamer, leading
to an eventually PPV confrontation between the two. Lawler also brought
"Mr. Monday Night" Rob Van Dam with him to the WWF for a brief run with the
company.

In June, the Lawler/Van Dam/Sabu vs. Tommy Dreamer feud was among the most
enjoyable things going on anywhere in the wrestling world. The Lawler led
group got immense heel heat by laying out the ECW babyfaces at the ECW
Arena in Philly.

The WWF appeared to be headed for a hugely successful King of the Ring
event, as Bret Hart was scheduled to face Shawn Michaels in a match 15
months in the making, while Steve Austin was to battle the returning Brian
Pillman in another long-awaited contest. However, a knee injury to Bret
Hart meant shuffling the card, resulting in a much less intriguing line-up
headed up by Shawn Michaels facing tag team co-champion Steve Austin.

Major Events: WWF King of the Ring, WCW Great American Bash

Title Changes: WWF Tag Team Title is vacated when Shawn Michaels takes time
off after a legit locker-room brawl with Bret Hart..... Taz defeats Shane
Douglas to win the ECW TV Title on 6/7..... Jeff Jarrett defeats Dean
Malenko to win the WCW US Title on 6/9..... the Dudley Boys defeat John
Kronus to win the ECW Tag Team Titles on 6/20 (Kronus' partner, Perry
Saturn, was injured and unable to compete)..... Chris Jericho defeats Syxx
to win the WCW Cruiserweight Title on 6/28.


JULY, 1997

July was an odd month for pro wrestling. The WWF was just
getting the story of the Undertaker's long-lost "brother"
started, while WCW was in the midst of Rodmania. Dennis Rodman, a cohort of
the NWO, wrestled as a tag team partner of Hulk Hogan in the Bash at the
Beach PPV main event against Lex Luger and the Giant. While Hogan
eventually submitted to the Rack, Rodman got enough ring time to supply
such mainstream sports shows as SportsCenter with a nice highlight reel.

The month of July was also bizarre for another reason, as a backstage brawl
between Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart resulted in Michaels taking another
brief vacation from the Fed. A co-tag champ at the time, Michaels left his
partner, Steve Austin, in the lurch. To the rescue came "Dude Love," the
second of Mick Foley's multiple personalities to wrestle this year. Fans
were introduced to the Dude -- a heart-throb character developed by Foley
as a teenager -- during an illuminating and entertaining series of "shoot"
interviews with Foley conducted on RAW, but were unprepared for the reality
of his existance.

Major Events: WWF Canadian Stampede, WCW Bash at the Beach

Title Changes: Steve Austin and Dude Love become WWF Tag Team Champions
when Dude fills in for Shawn Michaels in a title defense against Owen Hart
and Davey Boy Smith on 7/14..... the Gangstas defeat the Dudley Boys to win
the ECW Tag Team Titles on 7/19..... Alex Wright regains the WCW
Cruiserweight Title from Chris Jericho on 7/28.


AUGUST, 1997

WCW continued hot and furious into August of this past year, as
an early August edition of Nitro was capped off with Lex Luger
defeating Hulk Hogan to win the WCW World Title. This was one of two World
Title changes on Monday night during the year (the other being Sid
defeating Bret Hart for the WWF strap in February). Hogan, of course,
regained the title five days later at the Road Wild PPV.

The double switch of the WCW Title was accompanied by the crowning of a new
WWF Champion, as Bret Hart won his fifth crown by defeating the Undertaker
at SummerSlam. The WWF IC Title also changed hands, while the ECW World
Title was traded twice, and the WCW Cruiserweight, ECW Tag, WCW US, and WCW
TV Titles also switched owners, all within the first part of the month.
This amounted to a total of ten major title changes in the industry between
the 3rd and 21st of the month.

August's other major news stories were not quite as happy. At SummerSlam,
Steve Austin was nearly paralyzed as a result of an Owen Hart piledriver;
Austin has returned to the ring since, but not at 100 percent. Much more
tragic was the death of Plum Mariko, a Japanese competitor, following a
match; a Ligerbomb served to inflame a pre-existing condition, and Mariko
died shortly thereafter from brain trauma.

Also sad in August was Arn Anderson's decision to officially retire from
the ring. A live speech on Nitro brought tears to the eyes of Ric Flair.

Major Events: ECW Hardcore Heaven, WWF SummerSlam, WCW Road Wild

Title Changes: Bret Hart wins the WWF World Title by beating the Undertaker
on 8/3..... Steve Austin wins the WWF IC Title by beating Owen Hart on
8/3..... Lex Luger defeats Hulk Hogan to win the WCW World Title on
8/4..... Hulk Hogan regains the WCW Title by beating Lex Luger on 8/9.....
Sabu defeats Terry Funk in a Barbed Wire Match to win the ECW World Title
on 8/9..... Chris Jericho tops Alex Wright to win the WCW Cruiserweight
Title on 8/12..... Shane Douglas wins a Three Way Dance against Sabu and
Terry Funk to become the new ECW World Champion on 8/17..... the Dudley
Boys take over control of the ECW Tag Titles on 8/17 when the Gangstas are
unable to compete..... Steve McMichael wins the WCW US Title when he beats
Jeff Jarrett on 8/21..... Alex Wright defeats the Ultimo Dragon to become
the WCW TV Champion on 8/21.


SEPTEMBER, 1997

Shawn Michaels returned to active wrestling again in
September, and immediately usurped main event status from
reigning WWF Champion Bret Hart. Michaels and the Undertaker were pushed in
a main event feud, while Hart simmered on the side, feuding with the
Patriot. In fact, Michaels didn't even need a month to get a piece of gold,
as he went to England, and defeated Davey Boy Smith for the WWF European
Title in an International PPV called "One Night Only."

In other title news, Steve Austin's injury meant that he had to vacate both
the WWF Tag Title and WWF IC Title, creating some minor chaos in the Titan
ranks. The Headbangers emerged as WWF Tag Champs, while a tournament was
set up to determine a new IC champ in the aftermath of Austin's injury.

In WCW, Curt Hennig emerged as a major player, as he revealed to the world
that his acceptance of Arn Anderson's "spot" in the Horsemen was a ruse.
Hennig was actually affiliated with the NWO all along, and betrayed the
Horsemen in WarGames.

Perhaps most memorable of all in September was the night the WWF held a
live RAW at MSG in New York City. Not only did Mick Foley bring Cactus Jack
back, but Vince McMahon fell victim to a Stone Cold Stunner that night.

Despite these memorable moments, the United States Wrestling Alliance gave
us reason to grieve in 1997. In September, it became apparent that the
Memphis-based promotion that had boomed through the early 80s was on its
last legs. Before too long, the group closed up shop, and opened the door
for the Nashville-based Music City Wrestling to begin promoting heavily in
the region.

Major Events: WWF Ground Zero, Fall Brawl

Title Changes: Steve Austin and Dude Love vacate the WWF Tag Team Titles
(due to Austin's injury) on 9/7..... the Headbangers defeat the Legion of
Doom, Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith, and the Godwinns in a Fatal Four-way
Match to win the WWF Tag Team Titles on 9/7..... Steve Austin vacates the
WWF IC Title due to injury on 9/8..... Eddie Guerrero defeats Chris Jericho
to win the WCW Cruiserweight Title on 9/14..... Curt Hennig wins the WCW US
Title by beating Steve McMichael on 9/15..... Shawn Michaels defeats Davey
Boy Smith to win the WWF European Title on 9/20..... New Jack and John
Kronus defeat the Dudley Boys to win the ECW Tag Team Titles on 9/20.....
Disco Inferno tops Alex Wright to become the new WCW TV Champ on 9/22.


OCTOBER, 1997

Brian Pillman, wrestling's "Loose Cannon," died on October
5, 1997. The shocking announcement was made minutes prior
to the start of a WWF PPV by Vince McMahon. Pillman, who had battled
adversity all his life, including throat cancer and numerous injuries, died
in his sleep after competing the night before in Minnesota. Even if only
briefly, both WCW and the WWF got together to honor Brian the next night on
their cable programs. More on Pillman, including moving tributes from many
NFD Readers can be found on the NFD Pillman Page.

October 5 was also the day of one of the most positive wrestling events of
the year, as Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker redefined what a cage match
should be with their Hell in the Cell match on the Badd Blood PPV. The epic
30 minute battle was one of only a few true "must see" matches in the
history of the sport.

Jeff Jarrett also made news in October, as he chose to turn down an offer
to remain with WCW to return to the WWF. Expected to be an impact player
upon his return, Jarrett has yet to develop as such with Titan.

Major Events: WWF Badd Blood, WCW Halloween Havoc

Title Changes: Owen Hart tops Faarooq in the final of a tournament to crown
a new WWF IC Champ on 10/5..... the Godwinns defeat the Headbangers to win
the WWF Tag Team Titles on 10/5..... the Legion of Doom defeat the Godwinns
to win the WWF Tag Titles on 10/7..... the Steiner Brothers defeat the
Scott Hall and Syxx (subbing for Kevin Nash) to win the WCW Tag Team
Titles..... Bam Bam Bigelow beats Shane Douglas to win the ECW World Title
on 10/16..... the Full Blooded Italians beat John Kronus and New Jack to
win the ECW Tag Team Titles on 10/18..... Rey Misterio Jr. wins the WCW
Cruiserweight Title by defeating Eddie Guerrero on 10/26.


NOVEMBER, 1997

At Survivor Series '97, Vince McMahon did the unthinkable:
he fixed the finish to a wrestling match. Well, maybe it
wasn't so unthinkable.... but apparently, he did lie to Bret Hart about the
planned finish, and wound up "stealing" Hart's WWF Title and handing it to
Shawn Michaels on a silver platter. For better or for worse, it was the
most talked-about news item of the year, and still has people wondering
just how much of it was real.

The reason for the ambush finish was that McMahon and Hart had decided it
was best for Hart's career if he jump to WCW (which would gladly pay him
large sums of money for less work). But even though Hart had agreed to
honor his commitments to Titan through early December, Vince wanted the
title off him ASAP. The screwjob finish at Survivor Series effectively
accomplished that, and also hastened Bret's jump to WCW (he began appearing
on their shows in mid December).

After Hart's departure, the focus of the WWF switched to Shawn Michaels'
newly created "Degeneration X" faction (comprised of Hunter Hearst Helmsley
and Chyna), which has since gone on to incite some of the most severe
reaction in wrestling fans in recent memory.

Major Events: WWF Survivor Series, WCW World War 3, ECW November to Remember

Title Changes: Perry Saturn wins the WCW TV Title from Disco Inferno on
11/3..... Shawn Michaels defeats Bret Hart to win the WWF World Title on
11/9..... Steve Austin beats Owen Hart to win the WWF IC Title on 11/9.....
Eddie Guerrero wins the WCW Cruiserweight Title from Rey Misterio Jr. on
11/10..... the New Age Outlaws defeat the Legion of Doom to win the WWF Tag
Team Titles on 11/24..... Shane Douglas defeats Bam Bam Bigelow to regain
the ECW World Title on 11/30.


DECEMBER, 1997

After 15 months of lurking, Sting finally returned to the ring in
December. Laughing in the face of internet fans and conventional
wisdom, Eric Bischoff and WCW effectively stretched the hype for the Sting
vs. Hulk Hogan match out for nearly a year and a half before paying off at
Starrcade '97. At the PPV, Sting toppled Hogan and became the WCW Champ
with help from referee Bret Hart. The next night on Nitro, Sting duplicated
that feat, and held off Hogan in a rematch.

As the year came to an end, both the WWF and WCW are hotter than they've
ever been. RAW continues to push the envelope with a more adult direction,
while also paying homage to wrestling's past (including Jim Cornette
reviving the old NWA), while Nitro's strength continues to be WCW ability
to sign most of wrestling's biggest stars from the past 15 year and recycle
them in interesting ways every Monday night. On the final Monday in 1997,
the two live Monday shows combined for a whopping 8.1 rating, easily
wrestling's best night ever on cable TV.

Major Events: WCW Starrcade, WWF Degeneration X

Title Changes: Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon defeat the FBI to win the ECW Tag
Team Titles on 12/5..... Chris Candido and Lance Storm top Furnas and LaFon
to win the ECW Tag belts on 12/6..... TAKA Michinoku defeats Brian
Christopher in the finals of a tournament to crown the very first WWF Light
Heavyweight Champion on 12/7..... Rocky Maivia is awarded the WWF IC Title
when Steve Austin forfeits it on 12/8..... Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeats
Shawn Michaels to win the WWF European Title on 12/11..... Sting defeats
Hulk Hogan on 12/28 to become the WCW World Champion..... Dallas Page
defeats Curt Hennig to win the WCW US Title on 12/28..... Booker T wins the
WCW TV Title by beating Disco Inferno on 12/29..... Ultimo Dragon regains
the WCW Cruiserweight Title by defeating Eddie Guerrero on 12/29..... Jeff
Jarrett defeats Barry Windham to win the newly created NWA North American
Title on 12/30.

Champions as of December 31, 1997:

   * WWF World Title: Shawn Michaels
   * WWF InterContinental: Rocky Maivia
   * WWF Tag Team: the New Age Outlaws
   * WWF European Title: Hunter Hearst Helmsley
   * WWF Light Heavyweight Title: TAKA Michinoku
   * WCW World Title: Sting
   * WCW US Title: Dallas Page
   * WCW Tag Team Title: the Steiner Brothers
   * WCW TV Title: Booker T
   * WCW Cruiserweight Title: Ultimo Dragon
   * ECW World Title: Shane Douglas
   * ECW TV Title: Taz
   * ECW Tag Team Title: Chris Candido and Lance Storm
   * NWA North American Title: Jeff Jarrett


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 in Review: My Own Damned Opinion
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I guess it might be enough to just let the above material speak for
itself... but for some reason, I am compelled to put my own spin on it,
possibly trying to tie it together into one cogent series of opinion.
Perhaps it's just that spouting off about My Own Damned Opinion is just one
of my weaknesses...

There's no better place to start than dissecting the various year-end
awards given out. I generally concur with the RSPW Awards, and always have.
It's been cool to see how -- over the years -- the results of the RSPW
Awards have always predicted future trends, while other awards, like PWI's
are more retro-active.

But one thing I'm starting to grow tired of in the awards is the apparent
need to put "Hulk Hogan" down in every "worst" category. I may be partly
guilty, at least in years past I've been guilty, but seeing Hogan on the
"Most Deteriorated" list every year in the past 7 years would lead one to
believe that Hogan was -- at one time -- the most talented athlete in the
sport, and that he has slowly degenerated into one of the worst. In
reality, Hogan never was that good, and still isn't the good. If he's
gotten significantly worse over the past 5 years, I've missed it. Watching
once talented performers like Roddy Piper and Terry Gordy is much more
painful given how bad they are today.

The "no brainer" voting style also must be responsible for WCW winning
"Worst Promotion of the Year." I mean, I agree that Titan has been more fun
to watch in 1997. And so has ECW. But I also saw enough AWF and USWA to
know that what WCW is doing is FAR from the worst wrestling product on the
market. I guess, for once, I'd implore folks to look for the good in WCW...
they aren't the worst promotion out there, no matter what the voters said.

And if the RSPW Awards are going to once again serve as predictors of
future trends, I guess we can say that 1998 should be the Year of the
Crippler. Last year, Steve Austin, despite being a mid-carder for most of
the voting year, crept up to top positions in the awards. Now, the same can
be said for Chris Benoit. The online fans have spoken, and they like
Benoit... will WCW serve up healthy doses of the Crippler in the New Year?
Let's hope so.

If nothing else, the awards also served to show that Shawn Michaels and the
WWF still have plenty of fans. Michaels, who combines one of the worst
behind-the-scenes track records with the hands-down best in-ring talent in
the business, was awarded Wrestler of the Year, and several other ancillary
awards by online voters. His company took home Best Promotion of the Year
honors, as well as awards for Best TV Show (RAW/WarZone) and placing seven
of its PPV events among the ten Best Major Shows of the year.

ECW's Barely Legal winning Best Major Show confirms my long-held suspicion
that once a wrestling fan is exposed to ECW s/he will become a fan. It's
just hard not to like a show where EVERYONE from opener to main event works
his ass off for you. That's so different from "Big Two" shows where you can
judge how important a match is based on how hard the wrestlers are working.

A quick glance at the PWI awards is always fun, but rarely illuminating.
This year is no different. From Autumn's incomprehensible naming of Dean
Malenko as the most important wrestler in the world to December's naming of
Lex Luger as Wrestler of the Year, PWI seems to be on a quest to confuse
and confound wrestling fans. The noble, though misguided, naming of Malenko
as #1 in the "PWI 500" seemed to indicate a trend towards honoring
wrestlers with true in-ring talent. The naming of Luger as wrestler of the
year blows that theory out of the water. From a "markish" point of view,
I'd have been quicker to honor Bret Hart, the Undertaker, or Dallas Page.
Hell, ECW's Taz had a hell of year, even though the PWI crowd isn't ready
for a non-Big Two Wrestler of the Year just yet.

For what it's worth, I think NFD Readers summed up the year perfectly. Two
year end poll questions asked what readers thought were the high and low
points of the year. As a low point, the death of Brian Pillman is the
obvious choice. Unfortunate for so many reasons, the tragic loss was one
felt throughout the industry and by every fan.

As a high point, there is no better place to look than the Hell in the Cell
match between Michaels and the Undertaker. They took the cage match concept
to a new level, and forever redefined how we'll think of a cage match. Just
as Michaels made the Ladder Match standard fare among top US organizations,
we may see the roofed in cage become popular in years to come.

The loss of Pillman wasn't the only tragic news from 1997. Plum Mariko and
Fritz Von Erich were just two of the higher profile wrestling personalities
to leave us in 1997. Jeep Swenson, Stan Stasiak, and Jerry Graham were
others.

Injuries also took their toll in 1997. Stevie Richards is now retired after
a see-saw year that saw him emerge as a major player in ECW, decide to
accept an offer to work for WCW, and then return to ECW as a conquering
hero. Unfortunately, just a handful of matches into his ECW comeback,
Richards experienced numbness that tipped him off to a serious neck
condition. After undergoing surgery late in the year, Richards has
announced his retirement from the sport.

Steve Austin was hurt at SummerSlam, but has since returned, even though
not at 100%. Marc Mero has also returned from a serious knee injury, though
he has also had his style hindered, and has turned heel and removed most of
his high-flying moves from his arsenal. Perry Saturn suffered a similar
injury, and has recouperated in record time to score a reign as WCW TV
Champ.

But ultimately, it's the positives we'll want to remember from 1997. From
the all-out war for Monday night escalating to include a full four (or
more) hours of live wrestling action every week to the mainstream press
garnered by celebrities such as Dennis Rodman and Mike Tyson participating
in the sport, it's been a good year for wrestling and its fans.

Here's hoping that 1998 brings more of the same.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The NFD 1997 Year in Review is Copyright 1998 by Rick Scaia, with
exceptions as noted. Please do not duplicate in any way, shape, or form.
Rather, provide a hyperlink to the NFD 1997 Year in Review Web Page at
http://homepages.udayton.edu/~scaiarij/wrestling/1997.htm



--
Rick Scaia			   |           VISIT ME ON THE WEB
A True Yankee Bastard              |   http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~ag725/
ag725@freenet.carleton.ca          | http://homepages.udayton.edu/~scaiarij/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
List: nfd - Majordomo v1.94.4 - Aimnet, Santa Clara, California, USA