WWE In 1997 | Wrestling Timelines

17. May 26 | Austin On The Rise

Another device that WWE will use forevermore is pioneered when Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels attempt to co-exist in their shared ambition to topple the Hart Foundation stable. In 1997, this isn’t a useless and mandatory attempt to engineer friction in an all-babyface feud; it’s a superb attention to detail. Austin does not like nor trust anybody. Austin and Michaels are asked the question by Jim Ross: can you co-exist? 

Austin begins by saying “Since I’m the captain of this team…” before Shawn interjects, wondering aloud who made Austin the captain. Austin’s deadpan is hilarious; he simply says “Shut up” before immediately launching back into his promo. 

Deeper into the night, Austin and Michaels take on WWF World Tag Team champions Owen Hart and the British Bulldog. The match is incredible, belt-tight and all action, everything that the lazy WCW main event style isn’t. The action slows so that Michaels can sell his ass off, building the sort of pop so deafening that we’ll shortly name it after Stone Cold Steve Austin. 

Austin in one night draws a laugh by ridiculing Shawn before saving his “sorry ass” in the match. Austin and Michaels win the belts. In storylines, they are peers; in reality, Austin is now clear as the second biggest babyface in the company behind the Undertaker. It feels only nominal at this point, however.