The two best wrestlers in the company during their time at the top of the industry, it was only natural that two guys with egos as large as Bret Hart's and Shawn Michaels' would become rivals as much off-screen as they were on it. The WWE Championship was the prize in front of the audience as both men were eager to prove their greatness by holding the top prize in professional wrestling. Hart had been the face of the New Generation for three years by the time Michaels climbed the ladder and earned himself a spot in the main event picture. At WrestleMania XII in April 1996, the two stars met in the first-ever Iron Man match. After 60 minutes, no winner was determined so the match went to overtime. Michaels delivered Sweet Chin Music and captured his first title. When Hart returned from hiatus later in the year, the plan was for a rematch to occur at WrestleMania 13 in 1997. Hart began making pointed comments toward Michaels, who returned the favor with equally sharp words. Eventually, as backstage politics spiraled out of control and Vince McMahon failed to be an effective leader, the words became more personal and the issues between the two worsened significantly. Things got so bad that Michaels refused to do the job for Hart, to which the Hitman put his foot down and refused to drop the WWE title to HBK at Survivor Series in 1997. Add to that a contract dispute and a new deal with rival World Championship Wrestling and Hart was on his way out the door. Still refusing to do business, the decision was made to screw him over in front of his fellow countrymen in Montreal. But you already know that story. In 2010, Hart returned to WWE for the first time in 13 and embraced Michaels, ending the animosity between the two that existed for so long.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
