by Logan Scisco Last week a plurality of readers wanted to move onto 1997, so that's where we are headed.  According to Jim Cornette, 1997 is the year that laid the foundation for the late 1990s boom period, which allowed the WWF to regain its place as the top wrestling promotion in North America.  Some of the Nielsen ratings for these Raw's are not great, but the storylines improve throughout the year and as Cornette attests, created a new product that revolutionized the business.  So, let's start reviewing the 1997 season of Monday Night Raw. - Vince McMahon and Jerry “the King” Lawler are in the booth and they are taped from Albany, New York .

by Logan Scisco -Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, and Jerry Lawler are in the booth and they are still from somewhere that is undisclosed. -Footage of the aftermath of last week’s Karate Fighters Holiday Tournament is shown.

by Logan Scisco -Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, and Jerry “the King” Lawler are in the booth and they are live from parts unknown. -Bret Hart comes down to the ring angry, so Ross interviews him.  Bret says that the WWF has changed during his absence and that there are no more rules.  He complains that Shawn Michaels violated his pledge not to interfere in his title match at In Your House and says that since there are no rules anymore he will do whatever it takes to get to the top.  He also announces his entry into the Royal Rumble and says that he’s going to do guest commentary just like Shawn Michaels did last night for the next match.