Join Michael and The SnowMan as they review the Summer of 1997 and the Road to the 1st Hell In A Cell with The Undertaker & HBK
Raw July 7th 1997– In Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - Bret Hart Announced as the #1 contender For WWF Championship @ SummerSlam Vs The Undertaker, decide to promote Canada’s values and that he Very Pro-Canadian and Made a Promise that if he didn’t win the WWF Championship at SummerSlam then he will never wrestle on American soil again. Paul Bearer continues to promote that Undertaker is a Murderer of his brother Kane.
Raw July 14th 1997 – In San Antonio TX - The Hart Foundation cuts a promo about SummerSlam matches (WWF Title /WWF IC Championship Owen Vs Stone Cold /WWF European Championship Ken Shamrock Vs British Bulldog/ Brian Pillman Vs Goldust/Jim Nidehart promises that any Hart Foundation loses at SS then he will shave his goatee off on Raw), Paul Bearer continues to promote that Kane is alive and next week will prove it. HBK promo about Bret & wanting to do something at SummerSlam whether its selling tickets/merch/set up ring/shine Vince’s shoes.
Raw July 21st 1997 – In Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada – Hart Foundation Promo about the USA (shaped like a toilet bowl as they are full of crap) and how no one answered the challenge for the flag match and throwing out challenges for that night. Stone cold Joins Team USA for the 6 Man Flag Match, HBK Promo about Canada (army toy figurines hands-up/surrendering & how the US keeps from falling into the ocean..because Canada Sucks) Joins team USA for flag match and being apart of SummerSlam and saying that he will be a Referee at the PPV and not just a match but the Main Event (wwf officials makes it that if HBK Favors the undertaker during the Match @ SSlam and doesn’t call it right down the middle HBK will not be allowed to wrestle on American soil). Bret hart W/ Owen & Bulldog comes out and gets in Vince’s face about HBK’s involvement at SSlam. Paul Bearer continues to promote kane’s alive and shows an artifact that both Kane & Undertaker split and shows Kane’s half of a statue (Grim Reaper). HBK Attacked before flag match and 6 Man Flag Match – Bret & Owen & British BullDog Vs Stone Cold & Dude Love & ?, a lit bit into the match Undertaker comes out and joins the match, Team Canada Wins.
SUMMER SLAM (Hart & Soul) Aug 3rd 1997 - East Rutherford, New Jersey – WWF Championship Match – The Undertaker Vs Bret “The Hitman” Hart – Special Ref HBK Shawn Michaels – If Bret Hart Doesn’t Win the WWF Championship HE will Never Wrestle In the United States Again & if HBK Shows favoritism towards The Undertaker then HBK will Never Wrestle in the United States Also – Paul Bearer appears and gets beaten up and then forced out by HBK & and other refs, Owen & Pillman appear and get beaten up by Taker and is distracted by them to not make Undertaker pin cover, Bret Hart Wins & Becomes 5X WWF Champion – Due to HBK Hitting Undertaker with a chair Unintendedly after Bret Spits in Shawn’s Face to piss him off.
Raw Aug 4th 1997 – HBK Promo About Summerslam and gets told that at Ground Zero: IYH he will face The Undertaker and proceeds want to face undertaker and bury the fans, Undertaker comes out for a promo and after gets interrupted by Paul bearer and says that Kane is coming as undertaker is leaving the lights are Red.
Raw Aug 11th 1997 – HBK Promo for Tonight’s Raw Vs Mankind (1st Match Back since June) and Invites Undertaker to watch him in his match, and talks about the WWF Commissioner SGT Slaughter, and says that he is in need of an Insurance Policy. Shawn Michaels Vs Mankind (Main Event) – HHH & Chyna & Ravishing Rick Rude (as HBK’s Insurance Policy) Undertaker makes an appearance but is stopped by Paul Bearer and says that Undertaker will Burn In Hell.
Raw - Aug 18th 1997 – Rick Rude Promo kicks off Raw says that he’s selling Insurance Policy’s and was paid a hefty sum (Like a Good Rude He’s always there & if you want to be in good hands...get Rude...it pays) HBK promo about SummerSlam’s result and tonighs main event tag team match. Undertaker promo about ground zero & tonight. Tag Team Match – Undertaker & Mankind Vs HBK & HHH – Undertaker & Mankind Wins by DQ, HBK Clocks Undertaker in the head with a chair not once but 2x’s and busted him open.
Friday Night’s Main Event - Aug 29th 1997 – HBK & Undertaker Promos for Ground Zero (Youtube it)
GROUND ZERO: IN YOUR HOUSE Sep 7th 1997 – Undertaker Vs Shawn Michaels #1 Contenders Match WWF Championship– NO Contest, Shawn trying to avoid/leave multiple times, Bar room fight all over the place and refs getting KO and abbused, Rude tossing Brass Knucks to hbk and used on taker, HHH & Chyna interferes, taker using the brass knucks (poor Earl Hebner used and abused) Superstars/officials come out to stop the fight
Raw Sep 8th 1997 – Match Made for Badd Blood:IYH Undertaker Vs Shawn Michaels: HELL IN A CELL Match & Undertaker Promo for the Hell In A Cell
Raw Sep 15th 1997 – HBK Interview about attacking Bulldog from previous week and about Badd Blood’s Hell In A Cell Match
^One Night Only Sep 20th 1997 – WWF European Championship Match – HBK Vs The British Bulldog – HBK Wins and Becomes New Champion/ Grand Slam Champion
Raw Sep 22nd 1997 MSG – Undertaker Promo & Announcement for the #1 Contenders Match stipulation added to Badd Blood Hell In A Cell Match, HBK cuts promo short and cuts his promo. (Austin Stunning Vince Moment) Later in the show Hbk comes out and cuts another promo and calls out Undertaker and gets him set up with an attack with HHH & Chyna & Rick Rude and a Chair.
Raw Sep 29th 1997 – HBK & HHH Interview in the Ring and WWF Commissioner makes HHH Vs Undertaker Match and Hart Foundation comes out and tells HBK He has more problems than just Undertaker,a video package of the Cell being created, Undertaker Vs HHH – Undertaker Wins by DQ after Rude hits taker with a briefcase, HBK & HHH & Chyna Put Undertaker in A body bag but Taker Sits up and breaks out of the bag and stocks HBK
BADD BLOOD: IYH Oct 5th 1997 – Undertaker Vs Shawn Michaels: HELL IN A CELL Match (1st Time Ever) #1 Contender’s Match for WWF Championship @ Survivor Series 1997 – HBK Wins, Shawn falls from the cell onto announcers table & Kane’s Debut by Interfering and tombstoning Taker and allowing a bloody HBK to cover Undertaker for the win.
^ - Not Important for rivalry but can watch for the hell of it.
