On this date in 1997, the World Wrestling Federation hosted their 15th In Your House pay-per-view. The event, subtitled A Cold Day in Hell, featured the tagline “There’s gonna be a whole lotta whoop-a$$ goin’ on!” As you could probably deduce by the name’s play on the headlining wrestlers’ gimmicks, the main event saw The Undertaker defend the World Championship against Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin was on the verge of capturing the title for the first time after nailing Taker with a Stunner, but after a distraction from Brian Pillman, the Deadman was able to capitalize with a dramatic Tombstone Piledriver for the win.
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In addition to the blockbuster main event, A Cold Day in Hell also included Ken Shamrock’s pay-per-view debut match, a hard fought victory over Vader in a No Holds Barred contest. The Nation of Domination bested Ahmed Johnson in a gauntlet match, and Hunter Hearse Helmsley reigned supreme over Flash Funk. In an undercard match that would be a perennial main event bout years later, Mankind notched a submission victory over Rocky Maivia with the Mandible Claw. During a Free for All match prior to the pay-per-view’s start, future New Age Outlaw partners exchanged blows when Rockabilly defeated Jesse James.
