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WWE's In Your House shows were a mixed bag of results. While on the one hand, they first introduced fans to smaller pay-per-views that were not necessarily on the level of their main four events, WrestleMania, Summerslam, Survivor Series and Royal Rumble, they were often underwhelming.
The roster just wasn't the strongest at the time, and many of the shows disappointed, but In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede was certainly not one of those shows. Coinciding with WWE beginning to gain momentum in the Monday Night Wars, this show was an incredible one, and it featured the perfect blend of great storytelling and satisfying in-ring wrestling.
The Main Event Was An Absolute Blast
Following WrestleMania 13, Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin conducted the perfect double turn, and the once heroic Excellence of Execution became a major villain. In the aftermath, Hart created the Hart Foundation alongside brother Owen, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Brian Pillman and the British Bulldog. Still embroiled in a bitter rivalry with Austin, the Hart Foundation faced a makeshift team that the Texas Rattlesnake had formed with the Legion of Doom, Goldust and Ken Shamrock in the main event of the show, and it was an absolute barn-burner.
The atmosphere was electric, and the in-ring action was explosive as the two teams went at it for just under 25 minutes. The Hart Foundation came out on top, and it was the very peak of the group's run. The Hitman had been rejuvenated following his heel turn, but due to the show taking place in his native country Canada, the crowd was completely rooting for the villainous faction, creating a really unique atmosphere that wouldn't be found at any other WWE show at the time.
It Featured Hints For Kane's Eventual Debut
In the build-up to the show, and in its aftermath, The Undertaker was feuding with former manager Paul Bearer. After beating Bearer's new client Mankind previously, the Deadman faced off with another of the manager's clients in Vader for the WWE Title on the show.
Taker was once again victorious, but throughout the rivalry, Bearer continuously dropped hints about his background, and the mystery surrounding a character named Kane. Bearer revealed that The Undertaker had killed his brother Kane, alongside the rest of his family in a house fire, before announcing that his sibling had actually survived.
Not long after, the Big Red Machine eventually debuted, going on to become The Undertaker's greatest ever rival, and would have a hall of fame worthy career himself. It's fun for fans to go back and watch some of the earliest indications of Kane's upcoming arrival here.
It Featured A Real Star-Making Performance From Triple H
While he won the King of the Ring tournament the previous month, Triple H's wild match with Mankind on the show really helped make him the star he would go on to become.
His WWE career up until this point regularly featured the Game being portrayed as a cowardly heel, but the brawl with Mick Foley really showed how tough his character was. It helped fans see him in a completely different light, and the image of him leaving the fight all bloody after the two brawled throughout the arena is an effective one.
There's no doubt Triple H would go on to become the legend that he did regardless, but his war with Mankind here certainly helped him along the way.
It Is Easily The Best In Your House Show
WWE In Your House shows may be nostalgic to a lot of fans, but oftentimes they were quite lacking in terms of quality. It doesn't help that the early shows were happening at a time where WWE's roster was at an all-time low, but Canadian Stampede happened right when WWE's roster was starting to come into its own as the Attitude Era was beginning.
WCW were truly dominating WWE back in 1997 when the show aired, but it wasn't long before Vince McMahon regained his place as the number one promotion in the world, and it was incredibly entertaining shows like this one that helped propel him back to the mountain top.