I 100 percent assumed when this picture hit my feed that Carlos was about to wrestle a wheel chair bound Abby in a first blood match.
Russo had his attempt at Sid and it didn't work.
Sid sticks around in 97, though, and we probably don't see Austin get hurt. Like I don't think Austin gets the demotion to the IC title if Sid's there to take that spot, and we potentially get the Bret/Austin HITC match that we deserved.
Owen pinned Austin July 6th at the Stampede PPV. Kind of had to go away from Bret/Austin after 3 PPVs while still keeping the top angle moving along.
Austin hurting his neck on the same night doesn't allow it, but Austin coming down during the Bret/Taker SSlam main event to cause chaos could certainly lead to Austin/Bret at a Hell in the Cell, but you almost have to convince Vince that his boyfriend doesn't need another failed run as champion and SSeries can be Austin's coronation as the new top guy and Bret can be "injured" in the Cell to write him off.
Or you have Austin screw Bret and Taker keeps the title, and loses it to Shawn via Kanerference 2 months later and then Austin/Bret HITC can be the SSeries co-main for a second year in a row and the timeline can be restored to Austin/Shawn Mania 14.
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Sid could have taken Goldust's spot at Stampede to build to Sid/Owen at Summerslam, then Austin vs Pillman could finally go down at Summerslam I guess.
Sid sort of gums up things as they try to build up Shamrock as a draw, with Taker/Shawn/Bret being the focus and Austin simmering just below.
Sid was due for a heel turn I suppose. I wouldn't hate on a Road Warriors vs Sid/_____ summerslam match. You could work the Godwins heel turn in with Sid if you wanted to go with the southern fried heels. We need Tennessee Lee to come over early to be the manager since Sid liked him.