Match 5
WrestleMania 13
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Bret Hart
(Submission Match)
In my opinion this feud was the best thing about 1997. Their characters were perfect for each other. Great matches, great segments and promos, the double turn was a pivotal moment for the Austin Era and the company.
When the bell rang there was no stare off his time, there weren’t even wrestling exchanges as they immediately brawled because this rivalry had moved far past proving who the best wrestler is. This fight was about ravaging the other man’s body and his will. It is about beating the other man into submission – the ultimate defeat.
Austin’s performance was quite possibly the most inspiring wrestling performance ever – the blood gushing out of his temple as he resisted the pain, his refusal to quit, and giving it his ALL to attempt to escape the hold are all honorable actions.
Austin’s body may have technically submitted because it passed out to the pain, but his will was never broken by Bret Hart. Not only that but this was my personal favorite turn of all time. This put Austin on a whole new level and even led Bret to be a surprisingly great as a heel that year. Legendary!
