The then WWF where well and truly getting their backsides kicked in 1997, wCw had hit gold with the NWO, Sting sitting in the rafters Nitro was destroying Raw in the ratings and them bringing in multiple international stars but 1997 the WWF was getting better, there was some super stuff that would be going even if the audience weren't quite back yet. Commentators for tonight are Vince, Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler.
#1 is CRUSH, accompanied by Clarence Mason. who was a member of the Nation of the Domination at the time, between his last Rumble appearance he had done genuine jail-time which did get referenced on television, he wouldn't really be in the NOD very long and eventually lead is own stable the DOA (Disciples Of Apocalypse) in the very racially sensitive Gang Warz storyline and he would eventually leave in November after the screwjob (and distariously returned under his real name - Brian Adams - in 2001), #2 is AHMED JOHNSEN who was feuding with the NOD at the time, and would eventually join them albeit pretty briefly, Johnsen was over for a point but I was never really a fan, very clumsy in the ring, also interesting fact he played Suge Knight in Too Legit - The MC Hammer Story. #3 to no theme music or clock is RAZOR RAMON, only it's not Razor Ramon, Scott Hall (along with Kevin Nash who was Diesel) left for pastures new and bigger money in WCW in 1996, and out of pettiness created new characters with the same name, he was played by Rick Bognor and this the tail end of the run, as Johnsen eliminates in seconds, Johnsen jumps over the top rope, eliminating himself (much the same way Savage did in 1992 - but he was allowed back him) after he chases after NOD leader Faarooq, #4 is PHINEAS I. GODWINN, accompanied by 2018 WWE Hall of Famer Hillbilly Jim, Henry's storyline brother, he would later be Mideon and then Naked Mideon #5 is STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN and there is still no countdown, since being the Ringmaster previous year, Austin won the King Of The Ring and Austin 3:16 was launched and he had an excellent match with Bret Hart at the previous Survivor Series, he was still a heel at the time but not for much longer but he'd stil keep a lot of what made is character work, PIG eliminates Crush, then a Stunner to PIG and he's out of there as the clock is working and #6 is BART GUNN, I'm not sure what Bart's role was at the time as I believe the Gunns where over with, but Bart's gone quick and he's waiting the next guy #7 is JAKE THE SNAKE ROBERTS who of course Austin beat in that famous King of The Ring final, I believe this was near the end of his run (I think he was fired a month later). I can't help but think they might accidentally stand on the snake, but an official gets it out of there, #8 is THE BRITISH BULLDOG, who enters as Jake is thrown out and is getting the better of Austin, #9 is PIERROH from AAA to no reaction, so it's like 1996 where people have been brought in for the night and him and Bulldog beat on Austin, #10 is THE SULTAN accompanied by the Iron Sheik, The Sultan was a unsuccessful gimmick for Fatu, who had been a Headshrinker and wanted to make a difference by this point.
#11 is MIL MASCARAS, a Mexican wrestling legend who also never had the best reputation, which is actually on show here, #12 is HUNTER HEARST HELMSLEY still a blue blood but would get an edge later in the year and the rest would be history. Bulldog eliminates The Sultan, #13 is Slammy Award winner OWEN HART and Bulldog's tag partner (and champs) at the time and Bulldog almost as Austin out and Own comes behind and throws him out, this would lead to them fighting and then the formation of the excellent The Hard Foundation, #14 is GOLDUST with Marlena, who often and on as worked with the company from 1995 and the time of writing is still wrestling there. Always a big fan of Goldust. #15 is CIBERNETICO, at 20 years of age, another Mexican wrestler goes straight for Mascaras It's no disrespect to the Mexican superstars in here but wCw had many of the top Mexican talents at the time. #16 is WILDMAN MARC MERO with Sable, who overshadowed. Cibernetico is eliminated followed by Pierroh and then in a crazy moment Mascaras goes to the top rope and eliminates himself. This was is choice so nobody eliminated him apparently. Goldust eliminates Hunter whose run this time is not as impressive. #17 is THE LATIN LOVER a Mexican superstar who doesn't have a mask, who delivers a nice superkick to Owen. Goldust almost eliminates Owen but he stays in well and he ends up eliminating Goldust himself. #18 is NOD member FAAROOQ, Latin Lover decides to do the run at the rope at him and LL is eliminated, Faarooq and Austin Brawl but here comes Ahmed with a huge 2x4 and Faarooq gets eliminated, Owen and Mero are out by Austin and he's on his for a moment before #19 SAVIO VEGA, a former rival the previous year and while Savio initially gets the better, once Austin is in control he eliminates Vega, and now he is alone
#20 is DOUBLE J JESSE JAMES, the former Roadie and future Road Dogg does the Jarrett strut but ends up eliminated some what quickly, Austin is raising his arms, cocky, #21 is BRET HART! Austin's reaction is priceless, and Bret's in control. #22 is JERRY LAWLER direct from commentary, he says "It takes a King" and he gets in the ring and is immediately eliminated by Bret in a great moment and he says "To know a King" once he's back on commentary #23 is DIESEL, only it's Glen Jacobs who had portrayed Dr. Isaac Yankem the previous year, he had least looked the part better than Razor. #24 is TERRY FUNK coming out too early, I believe this was before his proper return and the run was quite short. I also believe Funk had only retired 57 times by this point (even having another retirement match with Bret later in 97), #25 is ROCKY MAIVIA, who despite being a good guy wasn't loved at this point but he later went through an attitude adjustment and the rest was history, he is fighting Austin in the corner, #26 is MANKIND, who had or would go onto have a lot of teaming or rivalry with most of who is currently in the ring and he goes for Funk for old times sakes (and all but Funk would be WWF Champion within the next 2 years), #27 is the talented but underused FLASH FUNK, who is no relation to Terry but the two did team in 98/ #28 is VADER, who I think's stock had even falling from the previous year, #29 is HENRY O. GODWINN, in his 3rd straight Rumble. #30 is THE UNDERTAKER, in his first Rumbe since 1992 and gets the better of Vader. He chokeslams Austin than Bret Hart then goes for Diesel, this would not be the last time they face off. Flash Flash runs at Vader at the ropes but rather then duck he grabs and throws him over in a neat way.
Rocky almost has Bret out but gets saved. You feel like the pig farmer is the odd one out at this time and as I write this Undertaker eliminates him in impressive fashion. Austin is nearly out and then Mankind gets Rocky out with the Maniable Claw. Terry and Mankind are fighting and Mankind does is classic over the top rope clotheline but neither go out but Funk does end up getting eliminated and Undertaker kicks him. Funk and Mankind are fighting on the outside as referees try to seperate them and Bret sends Austin out! But wait referrees haven't seen, and is sends out Vader and Undertaker together as Bret sounds out Diesel, and then Austin eliminates Bret Hart!
Steve Austin is your winner in controversial fashion and Bret is pissed. Rather memorable this would lead to a final four at the next PPV, which didn't include Diesel which neither Bret or Austin win but they settle for a 5* star submission match at Wrestlemania.
Overall, despite some more one night only wrestlers brought in, this Rumble told a great story and the ending left you intrigued where it would go, I'd argue this was the best Rumble they had since 1992. There was some memorable moments to be had throughout, so I recommend this one.
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