10 Dumbest Ways WWE Promoted WrestleMania Matches

7. Bret Hart Vs. Mr. McMahon - WrestleMania XXVI

R Truth Bad News Barrett
WWE Network

In which WWE conspired to make elaborate and artificial the most organic tension ever shared between two performers.

The initial segment, the first onscreen meeting between father figure and scorned son in 13 cold and distant years, was tense. Fascinating. Vince kicked Bret in the balls, and scampered away. That callous bastard. He had orchestrated the demise of his most loyal servant's very career, cruelly persuaded him to return, against his better judgment, and then he went and did that. He then added insult to that injury by comparing Bret's drawn face, haunted and physically shaped by years of harrowing tragedy, to that of an old hound dog.

We needed Bret to lay down the challenge, and stiff Vince in his face one more time. Just one punch. Just that one mythical backstage punch, adapted onscreen, which Vince, being a lunatic, would have most certainly taken.

Instead, WWE complicated the whole thing with pulled promises, an elaborate prank in which Bret faked in injury via a car crashing into his open limousine door, and a match so disturbing and one-sided that it turned. Vince. Face.

What is it with this company, WrestleMania, and vehicles? Hogan's truck. Bret's car. Lucy's limo. On next week's RAW, Drew McIntyre will drive an ambulance into Roman Reigns.

"You might be done with the hospital, Roman, but the hospital isn't done with you!"

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!