10 Things You Didn't Know About WWE In 1997
9. The Birth(s) Of The Triple Threat
Though wrestling historians can chart specific instances of three-way matches dating back to the 50s and 60s, they were rare enough during the 1980s mainstream explosion years that they felt like bizarre innovations in the last decade of the 20th century.
WWE, as was often the case, were slightly behind the curve, waiting until 1997 to mimic and/or enhance the WCW and ECW attempts from years prior. The "triple threat" was exclusively a one-fall deal rather than held to elimination rules, and 1997 played host to the house show, television and pay-per-view roll-out of the gimmick.
Oddly, the only way was down.
A series of Shawn Michaels/Sycho Sid/Bret Hart house show matches early in the year were well-received, and - if one dark match later released to the public is anything to go by - well-worked.
A June Monday Night Raw Intercontinental Championship bout between Owen Hart, Goldust and Triple H was less successful, but knocked the pay-per-view bow for the gimmick into a cocked hat. The faction leader match between Faarooq, Savio Vega and Crush at Ground Zero: In Your House was a botch-laden disaster that undermined all 12 men involved with the feud rather than just the trio in the ring.