Twilling's Blog Twilling's Blog: Remembering WrestleMania X-Seven with Steve Austin vs. The Rock By Rich Twilling Apr 1, 2009 - 10:00 AM Email This Article | Printer Friendly Page Send Us News & Results | Back to Main Listing Wednesday, APRIL 1 - 10:00 AM (CT) -With WrestleMania ever so close, I want to look back at the last time the biggest show of the year came to Houston, Texas. WrestleMania X-Seven, which emulated from the Houston Astrodome, is the only WrestleMania to date I have been to live. That show is also widely regarded as one of the best WrestleManias ever. This was arguably the last show of the Attitude Era, as Vince McMahon had already purchased WCW and ECW. A lot of people think the product went downhill from this point. However, if this was the last show of that Era, it was a damn good way to go out. This was also the first WrestleMania to feature the huge stage, screen, and ramp that has become a fixture every year since. Every year, it is very fun to see how WWE is able to top themselves in terms of the set and stage. That year, Steve Austin and The Rock tore the roof off of the place in a fantastic no disqualification main event for the then WWF Championship. It also was the night Austin turned heel and joined his longtime nemesis, Vince McMahon. The heel turn was well done because not a lot of people saw it coming. Of course, Vince sort of gave it away earlier in the show when he said, "Shocking? Later tonight, I'll show you shocking." Well, the Houston crowd could not have cared less, as they cheered Austin loudly and for the first time since becoming an ultra popular babyface, The Rock heard boos directed at him. This show had a fantastic undercard that featured matches that were all built up nicely. It also had the very fun and nostalgic gimmick battle royal, which was a nice blast from the past. I'll never forget Bobby Heenan saying, as The Iron Sheik came to the ring, "By the time The Iron Sheik gets to the ring, it'll be WrestleMania 37!" Classic line and the entire show just clicked. From TLC II, to Chris Jericho vs. William Regal for the Intercontinental Championship, the card was packed from top to bottom. Oddly enough, Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels would return at the next two WrestleManias, respectively, but this show is the one that gets the most praise. This Sunday, WrestleMania returns to Houston. This show does not have the steam going into it that WrestleMania X-Seven had, but who knows? Perhaps the fans will get fortunate and will witness one of the best Manias of all time. HELP SUPPORT DOT NET! BECOME A MEMBER AT OUR CHARTER RATE OF JUST $5 A MONTH - GET THE FIRST LOOK AT EXCLUSIVE INSIDER DOT NET NEWS, TONS OF EXCLUSIVE AUDIO SHOWS, MESSAGE BOARD ACCESS, START YOUR OWN BLOG, AD-FREE MAIN LISTING: SIGN ME UP (or MORE INFO) GOT AN IPHONE OR IPOD TOUCH? THEN BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD OUR NEW FREE iPhone APP: (click here!) (or SEARCH "pro wrestling" in iTunes App Store) FOR MORE BREAKING WWE & TNA NEWS AND COMMENTARY, VISIT OUR AFFILIATE PWTORCH.COM (click here!) FOR MORE MMA & UFC NEWS AND COMMENTARY, VISIT OUR AFFILIATE MMATORCH.COM (click here!) CLICK TO RETURN TO DOT NET MAIN LISTING OR SELECT A LINK BELOW FROM THIS CATEGORY Twilling's Blog Latest Twelve Articles Twilling's Blog: Taking a look at the major happenings of 2010, including WWE WrestleMania 26, NXT, and TNA Impact moving to Monday nights Twilling's Blog: Future WWE Hall of Famers on the current roster (part three) Twilling's Blog: Future WWE Hall of Famers on the current roster (part two) Twilling's Blog: Future WWE Hall of Famers on the current WWE roster (part one) Twilling's Blog: Will the new WWE show replacing ECW be a poor man's version of ECW, which in itself was a poor man's version of ECW? Twilling's Blog: A trip down memory lane as Vince McMahon finally puts the final nail in the ECW coffin