10 Best Wrestling Trilogies
4. Bret Hart Vs Steve Austin (Survivor Series 1996, WrestleMania 13, IYH: Revenge Of The 'Taker)
After changing his gimmick from "The Ringmaster" to "Stone Cold," Steve Austin's rise in WWE was meteoric. After winning the 1996 King of the Ring tournament, Austin began to issue challenges to former WWE Champion Bret Hart, who had taken a sabbatical from the sport after WrestleMania XII.
Bret came back to meet Austin, and the two had an amazing match at Survivor Series 1996. Austin took Bret to the limit, but "The Hitman" scored the pin after reversing a sleeperhold. Austin kept after Hart, though, becoming increasingly popular in the process. He cheated "The Hitman" to win the 1997 Royal Rumble, and after losing his title shot, was slotted against Hart in a rematch at WrestleMania 13.
That match - a submissions-only battle - was one of the greatest in WWE history. Bret Hart scored the win, but Austin refused to tap out, turning him babyface. A post-match attack from Hart meant that he was now the heel, and the dynamic that would extend their feud was put in place.
They fought one more time at the next Pay-Per-View - Revenge of the 'Taker. While this match doesn't get as much press as their first two, Austin got a measure of victory. Bret was disqualified when The British Bulldog attacked Austin, but "Stone Cold" fought the Harts off and stood victorious.