It was mentioned earlier in this article that Shawn Michaels vacated the WWF Heavyweight Title in February, 1997. This caused a major problem, and effectively cancelled the planned Michaels vs. Bret Hart II collision for the big event. Relatively quickly, Hart resumed his previously well-received rivalry with Steve Austin, and the pair ended up having a historic 'Submission' match at 'Mania. Going on second from last, Austin vs. Hart tore the house down. They were then followed by a fairly lifeless main event for the WWF Title between Sycho Sid and The Undertaker. It's perhaps understandable that Vince McMahon would want to close out the show with the top belt, but the match just didn't cut it next to the incendiary action fans had already witnessed. The Undertaker's big WWF Heavyweight Title win was a cool moment, but the bout itself sucked the life out of the arena. It was a mistake not to put Austin vs. Hart on last, because that was the match which pretty much saved the entire Pay-Per-View. 'Mania XIII remains one of the lowest WrestleMania buyrates in history, and it's not difficult to see why. The event - aside from the Stone Cold and Hitman war - lacked a grand feel.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
