10 Greatest WWE WrestleMania Gimmick Matches
1. Bret Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin (WrestleMania XIII)
“Submissions only” doesn’t immediately sound like too exciting a gimmick, limiting the options for finishes and suggesting a technical, methodical match. Well, that’s not the case here.
Austin and Hart are two of the all-time greats, so it’s no surprise their series was quality, but the intensity of this match is off the charts. The two pile out of the ring straight away and throw wild punches as they spill towards the commentary table. Bret proves his wizardry in all things pro-wrestling as he gives Austin a blade job - then forbidden - right under Vince McMahon’s nose.
The encounter doesn’t lose pace for a moment, with a constant rise in intensity up to that pitch perfect finish. A McMahon suggestion, the match ends with Austin in the sharpshooter, his face awash with blood, ultimately giving Hart the win when he passes - but doesn’t tap - out.
He left the arena a hero (and Bret a newly minted villain), in the knowledge that he’d put on arguable the greatest WrestleMania match of all time.