SlyGuy21
1st Match: HHH vs Goldust, WWF Intercontinental Championship. So for some reason the refs are super lenient on these first few matches. These might as well be No DQ matches, but they're not, it's pretty distracting. The match is a decent brawl, and it was interesting to see Goldust as a face for once. A little slow for an opener, but Hunter winning did a good job of making Goldust more of a face. Rating: 3/52nd Match: Ahmed Johnson vs Faarooq. So the Nation of Domination is now here, basically the wrestling equivalent of the Black Panther Party. Another super lenient match that serves as a good brawl, but it actually ends in a DQ, so what's the point? I guess it sets up their fight at WrestleMania well, which is an actually No DQ match, also Johnson puts a member of the NoD through the announce table, so that's cool. Watchable, but only because it's so short. Rating: 2.5/53rd Match: Vader vs The Undertaker. Another decent match, but it never really hits a stride. It's just two big guys slugging it out, that's it. Taker does his best, but Vader is really limited here. I know Vader was on his way out by this point, but at least try and act like you care, man. Taker elevates this thing, even his loss to Vader isn't that big of a deal. Rating: 2.5/54th Match: Canek, Héctor Garza and Perro Aguayo vs Fuerza Guerrera, Heavy Metal and Jerry Estrada. No idea who any of these guys are, and no one in the crowd cares. You can actually see people leaving to go to the bathroom during this. This is an obvious attempt to copy what WCW was doing a lot better at the time, only it's executed terribly. No charisma from anyone here, and it drags on forever. Super boring, next! Rating: 1.5/55th Match: Royal Rumble match. Highlight time! This mainly serves to finally establish Austin as a main event talent. He would still take some time to get there, but his moments alone in the ring calling for people to come down and try to throw him over is great. He lasts a long time, even if most of his opponents are jobbers/luchadors who don't have a prayer of winning. I liked his brief rematch with Roberts too. Other highlights include Lawler getting eliminated within 3 seconds, Owen eliminating Davey Boy "on accident", and Bret getting screwed over for the first time this year. Give it 10 months, then you'll be really angry Bret. I also thought Austin winning by the refs not seeing his elimination was a great booking decision. Bret thinks he wins, only to get eliminated, further setting up their match of the year at WrestleMania. If only we knew the power house that was in store there. The ending to this is kind of tainted though, because Austin wouldn't go on to the main event of WrestleMaina, but details to follow there. This is still an entertaining rumble, if mostly for Austin alone. Rating: 4/56th Match: Shawn Michaels vs Sid Vicious, WWF Championship. Of course Michaels gets top billing, it's his hometown. As disappointing as it is that the rumble doesn't close the show, what's more disappointing is this match. It's just a paint by numbers, with Michaels winning in his hometown. Even though Sid was building momentum as a heel, they gave Michaels the win on a silver platter. There's no real highlight here, other than Michaels no selling a powerbomb. And on top of that, Michaels would forfeit the belt a couple nights later, which would then go back to Sid before WrestleMania, so this whole match is pointless. Michaels winning in his hometown is cool, but it's gotta mean something, and this doesn't. Rating: 2/5Final Rating: 5 out of 10. A mediocre show that only really exists to set up WrestleMania matches. Other than the rumble, you can skip this.
hebevan
A great event, as the Rumble usually is, but this one changed the rules a little. After rising stars Kevin Nash a.k.a 'Diesel' and Scott Hall a.k.a. 'Razor Ramon' were 'stolen' from the WWF by WCW, a void was left in the line up for the Royal rumble match up. A fake Razor Ramon made his way to the ring to a chorus of boo's and was promptly throw over the top rope. Soon after Glen Jacobs (now wrestling as Kane) came to the ring to Diesels music,and dressed as Kevin Nash's character. Despite the crowds obvious disapproval for the 'fake diesel', Jacobs wrestled on and help make the match a success, finishing in the final four. For wrestling buff's the '97 Royal Rumble is an opportunity to see Kane without his mask on, and some great wresting too.
pmayerle
The Royal Rumble '97 was great. There were a couple of lame matches (e.g. The six man tag match, Farooq vs. Ahmed Johnson)but other than that, it was pretty enjoyable. The Undetaker vs. Vader was okay and Shawn Michaels vs. Sid was great. The best part, though, was the royal rumble match itself. It was great seeing newer stars like Rocky Maivia and veterans like Jake Roberts and Terry Funk in the same match. This royal rumble match had a lot of Mexican wrestling stars. And of course, Austin wins! Also, you should time how long Jerry Lawler is in the rumble (I think it's like 10 seconds)
