Heat Wave (1997) was the fourth Heat Wave professional wrestling live event produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). The event took place on July 19, 1997 in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. Excerpts from Heat Wave appeared on episode #222 of ECW Hardcore TV, which was broadcast on July 22, 1997. Background The event featured wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portrayed villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches played out on ECW's television program Hardcore TV. Rob Van Dam and Sabu shockingly turned heels at Barely Legal by attacking Taz after Taz had beaten Sabu in a match and Taz's manager Bill Alfonso also turned on him and sided with RVD and Sabu. RVD would betray ECW for World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he formed an alliance with WWF's color commentator Jerry Lawler, who had been at odds against ECW since the February 24, 1997 episode of Monday Night Raw, where ECW wrestlers got involved and competed in several matches and Lawler berated and insulted ECW and got into an argument with Paul Heyman. At Wrestlepalooza, Tommy Dreamer defeated Raven in a Loser Leaves Town match and then RVD, Sabu and Lawler attacked Dreamer and several ECW wrestlers after the match. Lawler then made appearances on Hardcore TV, where he berated ECW in his derogatory promos and Sabu and RVD became traitors who betrayed ECW by siding with WWF. Dreamer formed an alliance with The Sandman, leading to the two facing RVD and Sabu in a losing effort at Orgy of Violence. ECW color commentator Rick Rude also got involved by speaking against Lawler's actions and insulting him in his promos. This led to a match between both sides at Heat Wave. At Wrestlepalooza, The Eliminators (Saturn and Kronus) managed to retain the World Tag Team Championship against The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley), despite Saturn's injury. Kronus would then defend the title in handicap matches as he ultimately lost the title to Dudley Boyz in a handicap match on the June 26 episode of Hardcore TV. The Gangstas (New Jack and Mustafa) would then become the contenders for the World Tag Team Championship as they received a title shot against Dudley Boyz at Orgy of Violence, where they failed to win