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WWF WrestleMania 13 - "Heat"

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WWF WrestleMania XII: A Thrilling Night of Action

Rosemont, Illinois - The Rosemont Horizon played host to the WWF's biggest event of the year, as World Wrestling Entertainment presented WrestleMania XII in front of a raucous crowd of 18,197 fans. And what a show it was! From start to finish, this pay-per-view extravaganza delivered non-stop action and drama.

In the opening bout, Billy Gunn got the party started with a decisive victory over Flash Funk in a Free For All Match. The young gun from California showcased his impressive aerial skills, finishing off Funk with a picture-perfect top-rope splash to secure the win in just 7:05 minutes.

The Four-Way Elimination Tag Team Match that followed was an absolute barnburner. The Head Bangers (Mosh and Thrasher) emerged victorious after eliminating three other teams - Doug Furnas and Philip LaFon, The Godwinns (Henry O. Godwinn and Phineas I. Godwinn), and The New Blackjacks (Blackjack Bradshaw and Blackjack Windham). In a thrilling sequence of events, the Head Bangers survived a series of near-falls to finally put away their opponents in 10:39 minutes.

Next up, Rocky Maivia looked to continue his recent winning streak by taking on The Sultan for the WWE Intercontinental Title. And indeed he did, submitting the challenger with a clever roll-up to retain the gold in 9:45 minutes.

In a singles match that was all about the psychology and storytelling, Hunter Hearst Helmsley clashed with Goldust. This one was a real test of endurance, with both men trading holds and near-falls for nearly 15 minutes before "The Game" finally emerged victorious via submission in 14:28 minutes.

The WWF World Tag Team Title Match that followed was an absolute war. Mankind and Vader, the challengers, came within inches of dethroning the reigning champions Owen Hart and The British Bulldog - only to have the bout end in a double count-out at 16:08 minutes. A rematch is surely in order here.

And then, there was the main event. Oh boy, was it ever something special! In a No Holds Barred Submission Match with no disqualifications allowed, Bret Hart and Steve Austin went toe-to-toe in an epic battle that had the entire crowd on its feet. Special referee Ken Shamrock looked on as these two wrestling icons traded blows, brawled, and even spilled blood (courtesy of a vicious headbutt by Austin). In the end, it was Hart who emerged victorious via submission - but only after a thrilling sequence of near-falls that will be remembered for years to come. The match clocked in at an astonishing 22:05 minutes.

Rounding out the night were two more matches featuring Ahmed Johnson and The Legion Of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) teaming up to take down The Nation Of Domination (Crush, Faarooq, and Savio Vega) in a thrilling Six-Man Tag Team Chicago Street Fight; and The Undertaker, who put away Sycho Sid with a Tombstone Piledriver to retain the WWE Title in a No Disqualification Match.

All in all, WrestleMania XII was an unforgettable night of professional wrestling. With so many incredible matches and moments, it's no wonder this event will be remembered for years to come as one of the greatest in WWF history.

Card Details

  • Date: 23 Mar 1997
  • Promotion: World Wrestling Entertainment
  • Arena: Rosemont Horizon
  • Attendance: 18197
  • Type: Pay Per View
  • Broadcast Type: Live
  • Broadcast Date: 23 Mar 1997

Matches

  1. Billy Gunn defeat Flash Funk in a Free For All Match
    Match Time: 07:05

  2. The Head Bangers (Mosh and Thrasher) defeat Doug Furnas and Philip LaFon, The Godwinns (Henry O. Godwinn and Phineas I. Godwinn) and The New Blackjacks (Blackjack Bradshaw and Blackjack Windham) in a Four Way Elimination Tag Team Match
    Match Time: 10:39

  3. Rocky Maivia(C) defeat The Sultan in a WWE Intercontinental Title Match
    Match Time: 09:45

  4. Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeat Goldust in a Singles Match
    Match Time: 14:28

  5. Owen Hart and The British Bulldog(C) Double Count Out Mankind and Vader in a WWF World Tag Team Title Match
    Match Time: 16:08

  6. Bret Hart defeat Steve Austin in a No Holds Barred Submission Match (Special Referee: Ken Shamrock)
    Match Time: 22:05

  7. Ahmed Johnson and The Legion Of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) defeat The Nation Of Domination (Crush, Faarooq and Savio Vega) in a Six Man Tag Team Chicago Street Fight
    Match Time: 10:45

  8. The Undertaker(C) defeat Sycho Sid in a WWE Title No Disqualification Match

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