Wrestling Rivalries Revisited: Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels

Rampage ’92 VHS (2/6/92)

Another Intercontinental Title match presented by CHV and at 13-minutes long and with a clean finish, this was much more like it. Containing smooth chain wrestling and fast-paced sequences the likes of which few others on the roster at the time could achieve, it’s one of the WWF’s better matches of the year. Hart scores the duke, rolling up Michaels after sending him crashing into Sherri on the apron.

Smack ’em Whack ’em VHS (21/7/92)

The first-ever Ladder Match in the WWF was not contested by Michaels and Razor Ramon at WrestleMania X as WWE lore preached for so many years, but rather between Michaels and Hart on a house show dark match in Portland. Hart had pitched the concept to McMahon as a potential idea for SummerSlam, should it be held in the U.S. rather than at Wembley. McMahon had already decided upon Hart vs. Bulldog for the PPV at this point but he was keen to see the concept––lifted from Stampede Wrestling––in action. Hart and Michaels put together a well-constructed, logical and relatively safe bout, a far cry from what the match became in later years. Hart, the IC champ going in, emerged the winner.

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Survivor Series ’92 (25/11/92)

Arguably the best singles match of their series, this WWF champ vs. IC champ showdown was the headliner of Survivor Series, a reality that seemed fanciful one year earlier when Hart was just finding his feet as IC champ and Michaels was still teaming with Jannetty. Their progress to the top had been accelerated due to the steroid trial literally reducing the size of the WWF’s roster. Michaels and Hart took advantage, delivering the goods in an excellent, often overlooked cracker.

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Bret Hitman Hart VHS (1/12/93)

A rare steel cage match, filmed exclusively for Hart’s CHV profile tape. Lacking in intensity or invention, the duo did not click during this 12-minute affair. As usual, when they met in this era, Hart won the bout, leaving the cage as Michaels was stuck in the ropes.

• wrestling rivalries
• bret hart
• shawn michaels
• wwe

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