10 Fascinating WWE Survivor Series 1997 Facts
Spawning more conspiracy theories than an Oliver Stone movie.
So you may have heard about this show. It's an event that is labeled less by its actual name, and more by the city where it took place: Montreal. Most of the undercard was explicitly filler, with elimination matches waged between fading midcarders and still-developing stars of tomorrow. Up through the first six matches, aside from a dominant Kane performance and a Steve Austin title win, there was nothing to write home about.
Then came the main event. The f--king main event.
It's been rehashed more than any story in professional wrestling history: while being forced out of WWE by Vince McMahon for monetary reasons, champion Bret Hart signs with WCW and is led to believe that he can go to a non-finish with challenger (and real-life nemesis) Shawn Michaels at Survivor Series. Before the entire viewing world, a covert plan to cause Hart's defeat is carried out by Michaels, unwilling participant Earl Hebner, and McMahon himself.
The act of treachery leads to post-show chaos, as well as many, many questions. Ultimately, Vince McMahon came out of it as wrestling's greatest heel, something that was leveraged into an acclaimed storyline with Austin that righted WWE's ship. But in the immediate fallout, nobody had a clue what the future would bring.
Here are ten facts about Survivor Series 1997 you may not have known.
10. Steve Blackman Replaced The Patriot
"The Patriot" Del Wilkes seemed like just the character to match up against the Hart Foundation's anti-American rhetoric. His colorful attire, impressive physique, and proficient in-ring abilities gave WWE a genuine talent at a time when talent came at a premium.
The Patriot was set to wrestle on Vader's team against Davey Boy Smith's pro-Canadian contingent (which actually boasted only one legit Canadian in Philip Lafon). However, it was announced six nights before the pay-per-view that Patriot was sidelined with a torn triceps. He would never return from said injury.
Patriot's replacement was the debuting Steve Blackman, who saved Vader from a gang attack at the hands of Smith's team on the go-home Raw. It was an odd replacement, seeing as Blackman's identity had to be explained to the fans, but they needed somebody to take Patriot's place.