How a controversial victory in San Antonio changed professional wrestling history

Cultures · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: On January 19, 1997, the Royal Rumble delivered a finish so unexpected it left the industry reeling. As 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin navigated a chaotic 30-man battle royal, a technicality in the rules paved his way to victory, setting the stage for a massive shift in the WWF landscape.

The 1997 Royal Rumble, held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, was the 10th annual edition of the event. While the signature 30-man match is the show's centerpiece, it was only the third time in history that the Rumble match was not the event's main event, following the inaugural 1988 and 1996 shows. Shawn Michaels captured the WWF Championship by beating Sycho Sid during the night's headline bout, which featured a confusing series of events involving two referees.

The titular Royal Rumble match featured a unique format: 30 participants enter at timed intervals rather than all starting in the ring simultaneously. In 1997, the winner earned a WWF Championship match at WrestleMania 13. The match was marked by a controversial finish involving 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and Bret Hart. After Hart appeared to eliminate Austin, the referee was distracted by a brawl between Mankind and Terry Funk. Austin realized the elimination went unseen, returned to the ring, and eventually eliminated Hart to win.

Austin's performance was notable for his ten eliminations, a record that tied Hulk Hogan's single-match mark until Kane achieved eleven eliminations in 2001. The event also highlighted the WWF's international reach, featuring several wrestlers from the Mexican promotion Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. This collaboration saw stars like Mil Mascaras, Pierroth, and Cibernético participate in the match, a partnership that eventually led to WWE acquiring AAA in 2025.

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