Product Details

• Actors: The Undertaker, Steve Austin, Bret Hart
• Format: Color, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: WWF Home Video
• VHS Release Date: March 2, 1999
• Run Time: 180 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305277044
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,180 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the back cover

Stone Cold Steve Austin stole the show this night as he withstood a brutal beating by the "Hit Man" and came back for more! The Federation Championship returned to the Dark Side as the Undertaker battled Sycho Sid for the coveted prize! A Chicago Street Fight finds the Nation of Domination in rugged combat against the Windy City's own Legion of Doom and Ahmed Johnson. This night is memorable, as it also seemed to be the birthplace of WF "Attitude." WrestleMania® 13 was certainly highlighted by aggressiveness and brutality by the World Wrestling Federation's best!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Dark Days Begins With The Birth of Stone Cold Steve Austin, April 7, 2009

By 

Scotty M. "Little Nose" (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: WWF: WrestleMania 13 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Wrestlemania returned to Chicago after 11 years since Wrestlemania 2. I think this wasn't a bad Wrestlemania even though it has gotten a couple of bad reviews. Match for match, this Wrestlemania is pretty solid. This Wrestlemania began the "Dark Days" while hosting a match that will never be forgotten for years and years to come.

4 Team Elimination Match
The Godwinns vs. The New Blackjacks vs. Doug Furan & Philip Lafon vs. The Headbangers
The winners of this match would get a title shot at the WWF Tag Team Champions the next night on RAW. John "Bradshaw" Layfield made his WM debut here as one half of the New Blackjacks. The Headbangers was also making their debut with their unique style and their crazy, rocker attire. Everybody in this match put in a good effort and this match produced a very good and fun opener. 3.5/5

Intercontinental Championship
Rocky Maivia vs. The Sultan
This match right here led to Rocky Maivia morphing into The Rock as everybody knows today after the loud BOO's and "DIE ROCKY DIE" chants from the Chicago crowd. However, Rocky and the Sultan put on a pretty decent match up for the IC Title. Rocky gets a quick roll up for the win and we get a special appearence from Rocky's dad Rocky Johnson for a post-match reunion among father and son. 3.25/5

Hunter Hearst Hemsley vs. Goldust
Triple H and Goldust was continuing their feud here that began around the time of the Royal Rumble and also the arrival of Chyna took place as well. The future "cerebral assassian" and the "Dream's boy" surpassed their match from the Rumble. It got a little dull at times but the good over shadows the bad here. A very good match and one of the bests of the night. 4/5

WWF Tag Team Championship
British Bulldog and Owen Hart vs. Mankind and Vader
Vader and Mankind is probably the most unlikiest of teams ever and it showed here as the crowd were showing favoritism for heels Bulldog and Hart in this match. Even with the disappointing double count out end, this was a surprisingly good tag team bout. A very enjoyable match. I also recommend viewing Owen's interview with Jim Ross before the match. 4/5

Submission Match with Ken Shamrock as the Special Referee
Bret "Hitman" Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin
The match was just all out warfare as the match began on the outside with Hart and Austin fighting into the crowd until they made their way back to the ring where Austin and Hart used steel chairs and ring bells on each other. And Austin soon getting busted open after taking a shot into the steel rail. Just classic match. Ends with Austin passing out in his own puddle of blood to the Sharpshooter. 5/5 [Match also available on Bret Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, And The Best There Ever Will Be]

Chicago Street Fight
Legion of Doom & Ahmed Johnson vs. The Nation of Domination (Faarooq, Savio Vega, & Crush)
This is a match that you have to appreciate the effort that every man involved put in. The Road Warriors returned to their hometown to team up with Ahmed Johnson to end this feud with the Nation of Domination & Ahmed had. The match has many hardcore spots but it was just too spot festy which was its down fall. A decent match up but really couldn't top the match place infront of them. 3.75/5

WWF Championship
Sycho Sid vs. Undertaker
Okay, before the match got underway Bret Hart came out to cut a very entertaining heel promo about him getting screwed out of his title shot against Shawn Michaels (who was doing commentary). Bret and Shawn was supposed to have a rematch here after last years Wrestlemania where Shawn defeated Bret for the title and Bret was to suppost to get the title back from Shawn here a year later at this Wrestlemania. But that was before Shawn had to release the title due to injury and go "find his smile." So therefore, Bret won the vacated title but would soon lose it to Sid and in their Steel Cage rematch where the Undertaker interfered and costed Bret the match which set up this main event between Undertaker and Sid. So thats how the Undertaker and Sycho Sid and not Bret Hart/Shawn Michaels II match came about.

As for the match goes, it isn't the greatest Wrestlemania Main Event but it also doesn't come close to being the worst. The match became a brawl that got taken to the outside where Sid punished Taker until the match resumed back into the ring. Towards the end, Bret Hart would come back out again to distract Sid. After the distraction from Bret, Undertaker hits Sid with the Tombstone to capture his first championship gold at a Wrestlemania. 3.75/5

This Wrestlemania is pretty good. Its far from being the worst. I recommend this cheap for 10 bucks or under or just catch it in the Wrestlemania anthology set. It's apart of Volume 3 in the Wrestlemania sets.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good "UNTIL" The Very End, December 21, 2008

By 

R.A. McKenzie (New York) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: WWF: WrestleMania 13 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

***I'm typing this review as my own private nostalgia trip. I hope it's helpful, but it's mainly for my own self-indulgence.***

I was 11 when this event was coming to my hometown area. The Rosemont Horizon was recently changed to the All-State Arena. The corny Slammy Awards just took place (Owen Hart "won" his 2nd in the Best Bowtie category!). My local Burger King had WWF cups with wrestlers on the sides. Pretty much all of my classmates got to see the WWF because we faithful few taped every RAW, Shotgun Saturday Night, Superstars, and even LiveWire! Finally, the WWF still insisted that the event was in Chicago. Umm...it's actually in Rosemont, IL...but close enough.

And...my parents told me I couldn't go with some friends:
"You have school on Monday."
"Wrestling encourages violence between you three brothers."
"That Stone Cold Steve Austin has a foul mouth."
"Chicago's not a very safe area without enough adults." (Again, it's in Rosemont)

God bless my parents, but even with a boring as hell main event, I would give almost anything to be with the crowd on this exciting night. WRESTLEMANIA 13 may not be the best of this PPV series, but sometimes it's okay to enjoy an event simply because it was right around the corner. Besides, as I look years later, the 13th WRESTLEMANIA is a pretty solid one from a wrestling perspective.

So, without further ado, here are my memories & reviews of the matches:

1) Elimination Match
The Godwinns v. The New Blackjacks v.
Doug Furnas & Phil LaFon v. The Headbangers
---I watched every episode of WWF TV, and couldn't tell you how this one got booked. But that's okay, because all four of these teams put on a nice crowd-energizing show. If you're not familiar with Furnas & LaFon, that's a shame, because they were a crisp technical duo similar to The Hart Foundation. And the pig farmers, cowboys, and grunge punks managed to keep things going too. This match doesn't hold any significance, but 10 minutes of exciting escapism is enough for me.
"7.0 / 10"
_______________________________________________

2) Intercontinental Championship
The Sultan v. Rocky Maivia (champion)
---Man, people really despised the clean cut Maivia! I wasn't sure why, but regardless of whether you joined that bandwagon, I still rather enjoy this match. The Sultan (aka "Rikishi") doesn't look like he can have a decent match, but the two opponents actually compliment each other quite well. Plus, seeing Rocky Johnson get involved was entertaining to even a young fan like me who only knew that he was Maivia's daddy. A few months later, we would be introduced to The Rock, but I still remember Rocky Maivia fondly.
"7.0 / 10"
_______________________________________________

3) Hunter Hearst Helmsely v. Goldust
---This rivalry actually got some good TV exposure in late 1996. Goldust finally proclaiming that he wasn't gay was...well, a pleasant surprise. Also, I believe this was Chyna's first appearance on WWF PPV. Seeing her mangle Marlena around was rather shocking; say what you will about Chyna's career, but she made an impression for a long time. As for the match, it's MUCH better than their ROYAL RUMBLE encounter. That one just went on and on, with all sorts of blatant cheating. But this contest is a much sharper display between the two wrestlers. One of the night's best!
"7.5 / 10"
_______________________________________________

4) Tag Team Championships
Vader & Mankind v. Owen Hart & The British Bulldog (champions)
---Another bizarre booking, as Vader & Mankind were allied with the scheming Paul Bearer, yet got mostly positive reactions from the crowd. I never betrayed my loyalty to the Hart Family, both heroes & villains. Most people criticize this match because it ends with a double DQ, and they're absolutely right about that. What they forget was how awesome this tag match was until the finish. Both teams put on an excellent show, and either team could've walked away with the gold. Also, this match was from a time when disqualifications weren't seen as ripoffs to younger fans like me. We only cared about the winners. In this match, all four of them came out on top, in my eyes.
"8.0 / 10"
_______________________________________________

5) Submission Match (Guest Referee: Ken Shamrock)
'Stone Cold' Steve Austin v. Bret Hart
---Okay, you all know what happens. This match is really something special. It was the official career-maker for Austin. The crowd switching sides midmatch was very surprising, and remains an awesome listening experience. The commentary as dead-on. The action is exciting. Even when the two guys go in the crowd (usually a boring move), the match is exciting. Austin's bloody cries of pain are pure TV brilliance. Ken Shamrock's stint as a referee was actually a good way to introduce him to WWF audiences. Simply put, you need to see this if you haven't. For those of you have, just be grateful, because it almost didn't take place (more on that later).
"10 / 10"
_______________________________________________

6) Chicago Street Fight
The Nation of Domination v. Ahmed Johnson & The Legion of Doom
---For months, my then-favorite Ahmed Johnson had been battling uphill against this black supremacist group. Finally, Ahmed would get two men with tough Chicago backgrounds (Hawk & Animal) to compete in the first "weapons match" I ever saw. I had never seen an ECW Match, except for when they "invaded" RAW for a brief while. And to finally see the NOD to get their bodies beaten was just a glorious thrill. Years later, this is really a guilty pleasure. The whole match is sloppy, and the weapons spots are repetitive after a while. It's still entertaining, but my memories are more enjoyable than yours may be.
"6.0 / 10"
_______________________________________________

7) WWF Championship
The Undertaker v. Sycho Sid (champion)
---First, a little background:
Undertaker was always the guy who never lost fair and square. Shawn Michaels was heavily despised by me, and I couldn't have been happier when Sid won the belt from him. And Bret Hart's heel promo only made me a stronger fan of his. In my mind, HBK was the jackass, and Hart's future anti-American angles made a lot of sense to me.

The RAW before this WRESTLEMANIA had a Bret/Sid Steel Cage Match, where Austin & Undertaker helped their WM opponents (!) so that they could get the WWF Title Match in 6 days.

This WRESTLEMANIA main event almost never happened, and although I was thrilled to see Taker win the belt, I have never EVER been able to watch this 30-minute borefest in one sitting. Undertaker hadn't been using his technical prowess for very long, and Sid's big-man offense forced him to compete in that slow "Dead Man" style. HBK's guest commentary wasn't anything special. Even with Sid going to the top rope for a few moves, the whole thing just plodded endlessly. I've actually fastforwarded this match from start to finish, and it's still unbelievably slow. There've only been a handful of worse WRESTLEMANIA main events. Sid's role in the WWF diminished in the few months to come. Undertaker's 2nd WWF Title reign was arguably his best.

Look at my review title, and put an emphasis on the word "Until".
"3.0 / 10"
_______________________________________________

From a wrestling fan's eyes, this is still a pretty good WRESTLEMANIA to me. But I still remember all the reactions I had when I saw this PPV back in March 1997:
"Undertaker's wearing the grey colors, again."
"Who is that scary woman with Triple H?"
"How dare everyone boo Bret Hart!"
"Why is everyone into Steve Austin? He's the bad guy!"
"I don't care if Owen stole his 2nd Slammy, he's awesome!"

I doubt I'll change the minds of those who dislike WRESTLEMANIA 13. But I doubt they've listened to someone who got so close, and regrets missing a truly pivotal night in his time as a fan.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars WRESTLEMANIA 13- HEAT Review!, August 31, 2003

By 

Crazy Jim (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: WWF: WrestleMania 13 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Never had the words "card subject to change" been more appropriate than at the 13th Wrestlemania. The main event seemed to change numerous times since the Royal Rumble with Shawn Michaels out with an injury and the World Title changing hands on three ocassions. The scheduled main event would be The Undertaker and Sid, a battle between two big men that clearly did not have the marquee value of past main events. Not only that but the original planned "Chicago Street Fight" between rivals, Ahmed Johnson and Farooq was now a six-man tag team match. On paper, this one looked to be terrible.

However as luck had it, this was actually better than the previous two Wrestlemania's. The main event had commentary from Shawn Michaels and an impromptou appearance from Bret Hart made the match play out better than it could have. The highlight of the evening was an "I Quit" match between Bret and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. This was the match that made Austin a star as rather than giving up to Bret's sharpshooter, he passed out from the pain. The six-man street fight was also exceptional as all six guys used every weapon in the building including "the kitchen sink"!

The rest of the card really was pretty average. Chyna made her Wrestlemania deut as she sent Marlena ("Terri Runnels") to the hospital. The Rock also made his Mania debut as the clean-cut Rocky Maivia. A four-team elimination match made for a good start to the show.