WWE In 1997 | Wrestling Timelines

27. March 3 | Berlin

Owen Hart British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith WWF European Title Raw 1997 Germany
WWE.com

By the standards of and to the tastes of a wrestling purist, the February 26 Raw is great, or at least the main event is. In the finals of the European title tournament, emanating from Berlin, Germany, the British Bulldog defeats Owen Hart. The match is a dramatic technical stunner worked to specific perfection for a European crowd very much into the fizzing intricacy of the struggle. It’s an instant WWF TV all-timer, something of a spiritual sequel to Bret Vs. Owen Hart at WrestleMania 10, but this time, the teased fight never actually erupts. The sense of sportsmanship is just barely maintained in a very sophisticated bit of storytelling. 

Vince never was a wrestling purist, and is increasingly aware that this sort of thing lacks mass appeal. There’s a war going on, and the WWF is getting battered. The Berlin Raw posts a dismal 1.9 audience share, the worst rating of 1997, to Nitro’s 3.4. This news, coupled with the gloomy anti-glitz of a poorly-produced show, is not good. Mirroring the almost complete lack of lighting, Vince McMahon's mood darkens. 

Something needs to change. 

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!