If Owen Hart paralyzes Stone Cold in 1997 would the WWF still be in business?

[Emperor Smeat]

They'd still be around although at the same size they were pre-AE. Bret vs HBK feud which included DX-Foundation and Canada-USA would have lasted at least another year. The WWE would eventually have found a new star due to all the youth they were pushing although doubt whoever became the new star would have the same mainstream appeal Austin had.

Doubt the Rock becomes as big as he did since his rise was from the Stone Cold feud and by association with the Vince-SC feud.

Don't think WCW would have lasted if the WWF went under considering they started to have serious money issues just a year later from all the bloated contracts and nWo being stale by late 1997.

[Bad News Gertner]

Originally Posted by Smelly Meatball They'd still be around although at the same size they were pre-AE. Bret vs HBK feud which included DX-Foundation and Canada-USA would have lasted at least another year. The WWE would eventually have found a new star due to all the youth they were pushing although doubt whoever became the new star would have the same mainstream appeal Austin had. Doubt the Rock becomes as big as he did since his rise was from the Stone Cold feud and by association with the Vince-SC feud. Don't think WCW would have lasted if the WWF went under considering they started to have serious money issues just a year later from all the bloated contracts and nWo being stale by late 1997.

For that to happen Bret and Shawn would have had to patch things up. Remember, without Austin, The Rock would have had to come a year early and ratings were terrible. Imagine if Austin wasn't around.WM 14 was built around Austin vs HBK. Take Austin and Bret out of the picture and what are you left with? Taker vs HBK? That eliminates Kane then. It'd create a huge trickle down effect.