Voiceover in “1997”

[official promo, with the narrator referring to specific people as they appear]

In a perfect world, there would be no villains, no conspicuous manifestations of hate. Athletic excellence would be applauded, sportsmanship would be the rule, our heroes would remain heroes forever. If life were fair, then this legend [Bret Hart] would be lauded in his pursuit of a historic fifth World Wrestling Federation championship - instead, he's a fallen idol, America's Public Enemy No 1. The respect abandoned, bludgeoned, and spat upon by a society he feels condones defiance, and perpetuates hate. If life were fair, then this mighty champion [Undertaker], this survivor of deception and conqueror of earthly hells would surely revel in the championship spotlight. The bright lights wouldn't singe his aura, illuminating a dark, horrifying secret from his distant past. And if life were fair, then this man [Shawn Michaels] might still be champion. Dancing, flying, showcasing his extraordinary talents to legions of fans. He wouldn't be an athlete betrayed by an unwilling knee, a man surrendering a boyhood dream for a lost smile of youth. Is it fair that tonight, even in victory, this champion [Undertaker] would be haunted by personal demons whose voices cry out from the dark? Is it fair that tonight, this man [Bret] may rewrite history yet still incur the wrath of a hostile and unappreciative nation? And is it fair that tonight's special referee [Shawn] is a despised enemy of the challenger? Will vengeance flow ruinous from his biased heart, ensuring that tonight will be the last night Bret Hart ever wrestles in this country again? Life isn't fair... but who ever said it would be?