Everything Wrong With WWE in 1997

1997 was a turning point year for the World Wrestling Federation — but it was also one of the most volatile, controversial, and internally chaotic periods the company ever endured. While WCW continued its dominance with the NWO and record-breaking ratings, the WWF was desperately trying to reinvent itself, often stumbling forward through scandal, creative whiplash, and locker room instability. This video breaks down everything that went wrong with WWF in 1997, even as the company was laying the groundwork for its eventual resurgence.

We explore the aftermath of 1996’s collapse and how WWF rushed headfirst into a darker, edgier product without fully knowing what it wanted to be. This was a year defined by creative experimentation, uneven storytelling, and extreme risks — some that paid off, and others that nearly tore the company apart. Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Sycho Sid, Mankind, Kane, Vader, Owen Hart, British Bulldog, Goldust, Ken Shamrock, Farooq, Ahmed Johnson, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Marc Mero, and The Nation of Domination were all part of a roster struggling to find balance between shock value and coherent long-term booking.

We dive deep into the fractured locker room, real-life heat bleeding into storylines, and the growing toxicity behind the scenes. From Shawn Michaels’ controversial behavior and Bret Hart’s growing alienation, to the mishandling of major stars and sudden creative pivots, 1997 was a year where tension constantly threatened to derail the product. We examine inconsistent pay-per-views, risky angles, rushed title changes, and the reliance on controversy to compete with WCW’s star power.

This was the year of infamous moments, blurred lines between reality and fiction, and decisions that still spark debate decades later. From Royal Rumble to Survivor Series, from Raw’s fight for relevance to the looming shadow of WCW’s dominance, this video looks at how WWF both sabotaged itself and unknowingly set the stage for the Attitude Era.

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