Who Was Better In 1997?

[Dave24]

I consider 1997 to be Bret Hart's greatest year. I also consider 1997 to be Shawn Michaels's greatest year.

Imo, Bret Hart and HBK's promos and their characters were at their best in 1997.

Both had arguably their greatest match in 1997; Bret/Austin at WM 13 and HBK/Taker HIAC at Bad Blood.


Who do you think was better in 1997?

 

[JQ Legend]

HBK

 

[Dave24]

 

[Cartier Murphy]

HBK didn’t do anything worthwhile that year till he nailed Taker in the head with the chair at Summerslam. Bret had been on one since that January all the way till Montreal. He fell off a bit in the fall when he was feuding with the Patriot, but I’m going with him here

 

[Ku$h Parker]

Im a give it to Bret even Austin for 97 before Shawn but Shawn's fukkery cant be Ignored
,plus HIAC was the Match Of The Year besides Bret/Austin WM13

 

[MartyMcFly]

Shawn. 97 is his best year all around. His character shyt finally matched his ring work and he was on fire the whole time. 97 Shawn is my favorite wrestler, like 97 Hov is Benny's favorite rapper

 

[Francis White]

Anyone saying Bret is biased. That was blue tights era HBGOAT and he was at his peak.

 

[Dave24]

Anyone saying Bret is biased. That was blue tights era HBGOAT and he was at his peak.

They were both at their peak in 1997.

 

[hazardous]

I'll go with HBK.

Bret kept it good along with Austin once the Hart Foundation started. Then after SummerSlam when HBK turned heel, Bret started to fade away.

That period from September to December 97 is some of the best character work for Michaels.

 

[Nintendough]

HBGoat ruled 97' off of coke fueled fukkery alone. He was high as a kite and gave no shyts. Nobody matches blue tights shawns level of on screen fukkery. He was taking the bumps nobody would take as usual. Not even the biggest hater can deny Shawn owned 97.


Breh comes in at #2 since him turning heel was the only time he was ever interesting in his whole career. Bret is a great heel , I'll give him that even though he was just being his normal bitter self.


Austin was the easy #3. He was bubbling and finally broke out as a legit superstar.

 

[Francis White]

Making Taker seem like a mystical monster.

High as a kite heel making marks mad over 20 years.

Unmatched swagger. He is the Nas of wrestling.

 

[Dog Based Gremlin]

Heavenbottom

 

[Bootzilla]

Heavenbottom

:Cosbyhell:

 

[Ruby'sRevolver]

Hmm..

Both had a great year in 1997.

Both switched from babyface to heel.

Both created great heel factions.

Both also missed time due to injuries.

Bret won the WWF title twice in 1997 (Feb. and Aug.)

Shawn won the WWF title twice in 1997 as well (Jan. and Nov.)

Shawn also won the Tag Titles (May) and European Title (Sept.) in 1997.

So now let's look at their best matches from that year. (not counting Montreal)

Bret: Final Four Match
Austin-WM13
Austin -IYH April
Austin-Street Fight Raw
10-Man Tag-IYH July
Taker-Summerslam


Shawn: Sid-Rumble
Tag Title w/Austin vs. Owen/Davey
Austin-KOTR
Mankind-Raw Aug
Taker-Ground Zero
Bulldog-One Night Only
Taker-HIAC Badd Blood

Pretty even there, both had some of the best matches of their careers in 1997.

So we go to promos, where although Bret improved and was able to cut some good heel promos I still think Shawn's promo game in '97 was just on a whole 'nother level. Promos were never Bret's strong suit, so I would give it to Shawn, even though I feel '97 was probably Bret's best promo work of his career it just wasn't as good as Shawn's.

This is really close overall but I would say Shawn had the better year...slightly. Better Matches (IMO) Better promos, was a better heel, and I feel that DX was more impactful than the Hart Foundation was. Bret was hot for a couple of months after he turned heel but by mid August he was already losing heat as champion and was in a nothing mid card feud with the Patriot while Shawn was red hot as a heel and in the main event feuding with the Undertaker.

 

[R=G]

Bret Hart was doing 5 star matches. Shawn Michaels was forfeiting titles and faking injuries. Nuff said.