Why 1997 Was The Greatest Year In Wrestling History
1. Mr. McMahon Is Born
While the wrestling business was changing in 1997, so too was the on-screen presentation of Vince McMahon.
Having been forever kayfabe known to just be one of the then-WWF's numerous commentators and interviewers, the mask began to slip as it became common knowledge that Vincent Kennedy McMahon was actually the real owner of the World Wrestling Federation.
That reveal was one thing, but it was a whole other ball game to see McMahon start to slowly become a key part of wrestling storylines. Beginning with Bret Hart, the character of Vince began to grow a backbone and would stand up to the wrestlers of the day. And what had started with Hart, and even Shawn Michaels, was completely escalated to a whole other level as 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's ascension to the top of the card gathered momentum.
McMahon vs. Austin was the biggest part of WWF programming through 1998 and 1999, and it was a rivalry that rumbled on even in the years after that. But it was in 1997 where the start of this ratings-grabbing feud first began, with fans getting to see the transition of Vince McMahon, Commentator... to Mr. McMahon, WWF Chairman.
Austin would go on to become the star of the burgeoning Attitude Era, but Stone Cold couldn't have done that without having the absolute perfect foil to play off in that Mr. McMahon character.