Halloween Havoc (1997)

Last updated
Halloween Havoc
Halloween Havoc 1997 VHS.jpg
VHS cover featuring Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper
Promotion World Championship Wrestling
DateOctober 26, 1997
City Las Vegas, Nevada
Venue MGM Grand Garden Arena
Attendance12,457
Tagline(s)Snap Into The Madness!
Pay-per-view chronology
← Previous
Fall Brawl 		Next →
World War 3
Halloween Havoc chronology
← Previous
1996 		Next →
1998

The 1997 Halloween Havoc was the ninth annual Halloween Havoc professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It took place on October 26, 1997, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. [1]

Contents

The event is notable for the Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero title vs. mask match for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship, which is considered both one of the best matches in WCW history, and one of the best matches of the 1990s. [2]

In 2014, all of WCW's Halloween Havoc PPVs became available on WWE's streaming service, the WWE Network. [3]

Production

Background

Halloween Havoc was an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW) since 1989. As the name implies, it was a Halloween-themed show held in October. The 1997 event was the ninth event in the Halloween Havoc chronology and it took place on October 26, 1997, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada for the second consecutive year. [4]

Storylines

The event featured professional wrestling matches that involve different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Professional wrestlers portray villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches. [5]

Event

Other on-screen personnel
Role:Name:
Commentators Tony Schiavone
Bobby Heenan
Mike Tenay
Dusty Rhodes
Interviewer Gene Okerlund
Ring announcers Michael Buffer
David Penzer
Referees Randy Anderson
Mark Curtis
Scott Dickinson
Mickie Jay
Nick Patrick

The third match was for the Cruiserweight title between Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio with the added stipulation that if Mysterio lost he would no longer be allowed to wrestle wearing a luchador mask. Mysterio won the match after he managed to counter Guerrero's crucifix powerbomb off the second rope into a Hurricanrana for the pin.

The fourth match pitted Alex Wright against Steve McMichael, with Wright being a replacement for the departed Jeff Jarrett. Goldberg attacked McMichael during the match, hit the Jackhammer on him, and placed Wright on top of him for the pin. After the match Goldberg was given McMichael's Super Bowl XX championship ring by McMichael's ex-wife Debra and then attacked Wright in the ring.

Ric Flair challenged Curt Hennig for the United States Championship. Flair wrapped Hennig in a tree of woe, put the title belt over Hennig's head, and kicked the center plate into his face to cause a disqualification.

Next was the match between Scott Hall and Lex Luger with Larry Zbyszko as the special guest referee. Hall originally defeated Luger by giving him the Outsiders Edge after Syxx interfered and kicked Luger in the head as Zbyszko was arguing with Eric Bischoff. He then began celebrating in the ring with Bischoff and Syxx and forced Zbyszko to raise his hand in victory.

Zbyszko, meanwhile, suspected the nWo had played a role in Hall's victory and called for a replay of the match's ending. Once he saw what Syxx had done, Zbyszko restarted the match. Hall began arguing with Zbyszko once back in the ring, and Zbyszko shoved him into a waiting Luger. Luger then placed Hall in the Torture Rack and Hall submitted. As Zbyszko called for the bell Syxx attacked him, only to be put in a gogoplata followed by a guillotine choke. Bischoff and Hall then returned to the ring and attacked Zbyszko, ending with Bischoff kicking Zbyszko in the head and Hall counting a pin.

Randy Savage defeated Diamond Dallas Page in a last man standing match after a fake Sting (Hollywood Hogan) hit Page with a baseball bat. The only way to win the match was to have your opponent not answer the referee's count of 10.

In the main event, held inside a steel cage, Roddy Piper beat Hogan by technical submission with a sleeper hold. Randy Savage interfered by climbing into the cage and he and Hogan beat down Piper following the match. After the match, a fan climbed into the cage and was beat up by Savage and Hogan.

Reception

In 2017, Kevin Pantoja of 411Mania gave the event a rating of 6.0 [Average], stating, "One of the better WCW Pay-Per-Views I can recall from this era. It still suffered from the same issues (fun undercard with a bad main event) but had more positives. For one, you can’t miss Guerrero/Mysterio. It is required viewing. Nagata/Dragon and DDP/Savage were both strong matches. Gedo/Jericho is alright too. There are a few stinkers (Mongo/Wright, Disco/Jackie and Hogan/Piper) but the good manages to outweigh the bad on this particular night." [6]

Results

No.Results [4] [7] StipulationsTimes [8]
1 Yuji Nagata (with Sonny Onoo) defeated Último Dragón Singles match 09:42
2 Chris Jericho defeated Gedo Singles match07:18
3 Rey Misterio Jr. defeated Eddie Guerrero (c) Title vs. Mask match for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship 13:51
4 Alex Wright (with Debra) defeated Steve McMichael Singles match06:31
5 Jacqueline defeated Disco Inferno Singles match09:39
6 Curt Hennig (c) defeated Ric Flair by disqualificationSingles match for WCW United States Heavyweight Championship 13:57
7 Lex Luger vs. Scott Hall (with Syxx) ended in a no contestSingles match with Larry Zbyszko as special guest referee 13:02
8 Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) defeated Diamond Dallas Page Las Vegas Sudden Death match 18:07
9 Roddy Piper defeated Hollywood Hogan Steel Cage match 13:37
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lex Luger</span> American professional wrestler

Lawrence Wendell Pfohl, better known by the ring name Lex Luger, is an American retired professional wrestler, bodybuilder, and football player. He is best known for his work with Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and the World Wrestling Federation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roddy Piper</span> Canadian professional wrestler and actor (1954–2015)

Roderick George Toombs, better known as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, was a Canadian professional wrestler and actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New World Order (professional wrestling)</span> Professional wrestling stable

The New World Order was an American professional wrestling group that originally consisted of "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curt Hennig</span> American professional wrestler (1958–2003)

Curtis Michael Hennig, better known by the ring name Mr. Perfect, was an American professional wrestler. Considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time by many peers, critics, and fans, he performed under his real name for promotions including the American Wrestling Association (AWA), the World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and NWA Total Nonstop Action. Hennig was the son of wrestler Larry "The Axe" Hennig and the father of wrestler Curtis Axel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Savage</span> American professional wrestler (1952–2011)

Randy Mario Poffo, better known by his ring name "Macho Man" Randy Savage, was an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper and professional baseball player. He is best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

The Outsiders were a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, best known for their appearances in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). They also teamed in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), and Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starrcade (1997)</span> 1997 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 1997 Starrcade was the 15th annual Starrcade professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It was held on December 28, 1997, at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starrcade (1996)</span> 1996 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 1996 Starrcade was the 14th annual Starrcade professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It took place on December 29, 1996, from the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The event featured the New World Order (nWo) stable, which formed in July.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SuperBrawl VII</span> 1997 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

SuperBrawl VII was the seventh SuperBrawl professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The event took place on February 23, 1997 from the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halloween Havoc (1996)</span> World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 1996 Halloween Havoc was the eighth annual Halloween Havoc professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It took place on October 27, 1996, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mayhem (1999)</span> 1999 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 1999 Mayhem was the inaugural Mayhem professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW), presented by Electronic Arts. The event took place on November 21, 1999 from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mayhem would be the only non-WWE pay-per-view event at this venue until 2023 when All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling held Forbidden Door.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World War 3 (1995)</span> 1995 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 1995 World War 3 was the inaugural World War 3 professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The event took place on November 26, 1995, from the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World War 3 (1996)</span> 1996 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 1996 World War 3 was the second World War 3 professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The event took place on November 24, 1996, from the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Virginia. Similar to the Royal Rumble format, this event marked for the first time that the winner of the World War 3 battle royal would receive a future title shot at the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World War 3 (1997)</span> 1997 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 1997 World War 3 was the third World War 3 professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The event took place on November 23, 1997 from The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uncensored (1997)</span> 1997 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 1997 Uncensored was the third Uncensored professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The event took place on March 16, 1997 from the North Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Souled Out (1997)</span> 1997 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

Souled Out (1997) was the inaugural Souled Out professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The event took place on January 25, 1997 from the Five Seasons Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The pay-per-view was presented by the nWo in storyline and the official title of the event was nWo Souled Out. It was an nWo-themed pay-per-view, with nWo official referee Nick Patrick officiating all of the matches by wearing an nWo T-shirt and cap and the group's members Eric Bischoff and Ted DiBiase providing commentary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bash at the Beach (1998)</span> 1998 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 1998 Bash at the Beach was the fifth Bash at the Beach professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It took place on July 12, 1998, from the Cox Arena in San Diego, California. As of 2014, the event is available on the WWE Network. The main event of the evening was the tag team match between Hollywood Hulk Hogan & Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman taking on Diamond Dallas Page & Utah Jazz star Karl Malone, less than a month after Rodman and Malone clashed in the 1998 NBA Finals. As a result of the participation of the two NBA stars, this event received significant mainstream attention, being covered by non-wrestling news organizations such as USA Today and CNN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halloween Havoc (1999)</span> World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 1999 Halloween Havoc was the 11th annual Halloween Havoc professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It took place on October 24, 1999, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2014, all of WCW's Halloween Havoc PPVs became available on WWE's streaming service, the WWE Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slamboree (1998)</span> 1998 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 1998 Slamboree was the sixth Slamboree professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It took place on May 17, 1998 from The Centrum in Worcester, Massachusetts and featured a double main event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uncensored (1998)</span> 1998 World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 1998 Uncensored was the fourth Uncensored professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The event took place on March 15, 1998 from the Mobile Civic Center in Mobile, Alabama. As of 2014 the event is available on the WWE Network.

References

  1. ↑ "WCW Live Events - October, 1997". December 10, 1997. Archived from the original on 1997-12-10. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
  2. ↑ "Random Network Reviews: WCW Halloween Havoc 1997". 411Mania.
  3. ↑ "Every pay-per-view available on WWE Network". WWE. February 4, 2014. Archived from the original on February 5, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  4. 1 2 "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts: Halloween Havoc 1997". Wrestling's Historical Cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. pp. 146–147.
  5. ↑ Grabianowski, Ed (13 January 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks, Inc. Discovery Communications . Retrieved 2015-11-15.
  6. ↑ Pantoja, Kevin (2017-08-22). "Random Network Reviews: WCW Halloween Havoc 1997". 411mania.com. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  7. ↑ Cawthon, Graham. "Halloween Havoc". The History of WWE. Archived from the original on September 6, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  8. ↑ "WCW Halloween Havoc 1997 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.