WrestleMania X's conclusion is rightfully what defines it - it's the first 'Show Of Shows' without Hulk Hogan, but subsequently - and pointedly - the first to make a concerted effort to push somebody new in his place.
Bret Hart is a smaller man in terms of charisma and biceps alike - but Vince McMahon's attempting to right the wrong from the prior year has an undercurrent of atonement for other aspects of his industry too. Four months on from this event, he stood to lose his freedom in the trial of his life - the jury of his peers in the hallowed halls of Madison Square Garden would at least celebrate rather than condemn his work here.
It's a WrestleMania that holds up today more than several others, because honest-to-god work always does. The "Bret and Shawn Show" undermines the efforts of their opponents and others on the card, but the two men in particular that couldn't ever move the needle were at least reframing the narrative.
(Want more WrestleMania Ups & Downs? We got 'em: I, 2, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX)
Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett
