PHILADELPHIA (JSC) — What’s good people! After a month of delays, it’s that time again.
As you recall, back in November, Episode 56 was the last #RetroReview, which took a look back at the infamous 1997 Survivor Series. Nothing like looking at something you were into as a teenager as a 38-year-old! Also, as you know, there will be a quarterly show like this that reviews one of the classic “Big 4” WWF/WWE Pay-Per-Views: Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series (plus, later this year, there will be a review for the 20th Anniversary of the 1998 King of the Ring).
Previously Episode 28 looked at Ric Flair’s incredible win in the 1992 Royal Rumble and Episode 36 looked at my all-time favorite WrestleMania matches, and since Episode 48 looked at SummerSlam 1997, I had to go back 20 years for the next Retro Review: the 1998 Royal Rumble, the first major pay-per-view following the Montreal Screwjob.
By January 1998, pro wrestling was still reeling from the fallout from Montreal. WCW was in the midst of completely botching the acquisition of Bret Hart, waiting more than a month to formally debut him on Nitro and eventually having him be apart of the completely messed-up finish to the Hulk Hogan-Sting match at Starrcade. Meanwhile, the WWF was navigating the residual PR nightmare. Vince McMahon was reluctantly embracing his dark side — which would eventually lead to him becoming “Mr. McMahon,” one of the all-time great heels — while ushering in the “Attitude Era.” At the same time, the company was trying to execute original plan that ran into a wild detour: Getting Stone Cold Steve Austin the World Title by WrestleMania 14. That’s what brings us to that night in San Jose, where the path to Austin officially being crowned “The Man” officially took off.
Remember, JSC Radio is on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, and Google Play! The show is also on Twitter at @JSCRadio!
A New Episode drops every week — usually on Thursday or Friday (even though today is Saturday). Continue reading JSC Radio Ep. 66: #RetroReview – 1998 Royal Rumble
