10 Things You Didn't Know About WWE In 1997
2. The End Of An Era
Prior editions of these lists have bid fond farewell to some of the voices that brought to life the very best (and worst) of the market leader during the 1980s, but 1997 saw the end of the show that hosted so many of those moments.
Since 1986, WWE Superstars (formerly Superstars Of Wrestling) had played host to some of the biggest matches and angles in WWE in between their increasing pay-per-view schedule. Monday Night Raw's inception in 1993 had relegated its importance, but as late as November 1996 brought Stone Cold Steve Austin's iconic attack on Brian Pillman itself was a backdoor pilot for the equally incredible ambulance assault on Bret Hart the following year.
Nonetheless, the show's increasing irrelevance and WWE's fall from grace resulted in the show losing its syndicated spot and becoming nothing more than a recap show in the United States from March onwards.
As is often the case, the show that came in like a lion went out like a lamb. The last episode aired on March 9th, featuring matches taped from the company's recent tour in Germany. After an undercard including Salvatore Sincere defeating Alex 'Pug' Porteau and Doug Furnas & Philip LaFon besting Aldo Montoya and Bob Holly, the final ever main event saw Ahmed Johnson score a routine victory over Leif Cassidy.