Whoa, Whoa, Whoa...
As it is now, and even back then, the commentators are plugging as to how successful last night’s PPV was, which in this case it is the 1997 Royal Rumble.
The event made it to the front page of San Antonio Express-News, similar to how the WWE plug numerous social media reactions these days. You get it.
They recap the two biggest events from last night- HBK defeating Sid and Bret Hart having unfinished business with Steve Austin.
The show kicks off in Beaumont, Texas but the opening of the show is interrupted by none other than Bret “The Hitman” Hart. He comes out with no music, ditching his in-ring attire which makes it look like The Hitman means business.
He grabs the mike and goes on about how Vince McMahon had promised him a WWF Title Shot. The audience cheers for Bret Hart when he says that he clearly won the Royal Rumble match and deserves a shot for the WWF Title.
The way Bret Hart cuts this promo makes it feel almost surreal. The Hitman says that he’s been screwed by Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold, the entire World Wrestling Federation, and Mr. McMahon himself.
The look on Vince’s face perfectly sums up this situation. Remember, Mr. McMahon is not a full-fledged egomaniac yet, so he comes off as a leader who is caught between many tough decisions.
When it looks like Bret Hart is not going to be getting a title shot, the Hitman simply states— ‘I Quit’, and leaves through the crowd despite McMahon begging him not to do it.
But Bret will only have his way, and as he is leaving the arena the audience start chanting- “We Want Bret!”
Personally, I do not sympathize with the fans in this case. Sure, the story makes it seem as if the tough hero has shaken the company’s foundation to the core, but to me, Bret Hart keeps acting like a sore loser.
He does not want to fight for glory, he only wants things to go his way. The Hitman is tired of being screwed around with, but to me, I think he is tired of being the hero, and perhaps the only way to make himself heard is by ‘quitting’ the company itself.
Bret is the BABY who is demanding by putting up an act, and Vince McMahon is the PARENT who cannot shout, but only beg (just like in real life).
But hey, if the audience wants Bret, who am I to judge, eh?
This is where my favorite part happens. As we are being shown Bret heading towards the exit, the camera suddenly pans to the ring, where Steve Austin enters and grabs the mic as quick as possible.
Now, I do not know whether this was scripted or not, but the mic doesn’t work, so one of the ringside crew hands him a new one which prompts Austin to go— “You gonna give me a piece of equipment that works son, or I’m gonna have to whip yo’ ass!”
The crowd pops and so do I. They love this attitude despite Bret Hart’s ‘heroic’ stubbornness also appealing to them.
He suggests Bret go back to Canada and calls Gorilla Monsoon ‘some guy’. Apparently, Austin was scheduled to face Psycho Sid in the main event, but since Sid had suffered from a concussion, the redneck S.O.B has to face The Undertaker instead.
Austin is tired of being pushed around too, and the only thing he wants to do now is to fight. He calls out The Undertaker, however, we suddenly see Vince McMahon getting up from the broadcast table and leaving backstage for some unknown reason.
His co-commentators- JR and Jerry Lawler are left confused, just like the audience and viewers at home.
Bret Hart has left the WWF, and Vince McMahon has left the commentary table…
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