10 Matches WWE Cancelled From WrestleMania

4. Bret "Hitman" Hart Vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 13)

Shaq Show WrestleMania
WWE.com

The infamous WrestleMania rematch that took over 18 months to produce between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels was initially planned for WrestleMania 13.

The plan, laid out by Bret prior to WrestleMania XII, also upon re-signing in October '96 and supposedly agreed to by Vince McMahon, would see Bret lose the WWF Championship to Shawn at XII but gain it back from him at 13. The two would then have a third and final rubber match, perhaps at SummerSlam '97, with Bret "passing the torch" to Shawn.

This plan remained in tact leading up to Royal Rumble '97, but as 'Mania got closer, things changed. This mega-rematch was ultimately cancelled.

Bret vs. Shawn went from being WrestleMania's undisputed main event for the WWF Championship, to a non-title semi-main, to being removed from the card completely.

A controversial "knee injury" kept Michaels out of action for several months, but Shawn claims Vince never asked him to job to Bret at WrestleMania. It's likely that, in regards to the original plan laid out by Bret, McMahon simply changed his mind.

Contributor
Contributor

A former stuntman for Paramount Pictures, Matt enjoys sports, water skiing, driving fast, the beach, professional wrestling, technology, and scotch. At the same time, whenever possible. Having attended many famous (and infamous) shows including WrestleMania XV, In Your House: Mind Games, and the 1995 King of the Ring, Matt has been a lifelong professional sports and wrestling fan. Matt's been mentioned in numerous wrestling podcasts including the Steve Austin Show: Unleashed, Talk Is Jericho, and Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard. As a former countywide performer, Matt has been referred to as Mr. 300 for his amazing accomplishments in the world of amateur bowling. He is also the only man on record to have pitched back-to-back no hitters in the Veterans Stadium Wiffle Ball League of 2003.