10 Most Important Matches In The History Of WWE

4. Bret Hart Vs. Shawn Michaels - Survivor Series 1997

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WWE.com

This match changed everything, and it changed everything almost immediately.

Lost in the seismic furore of the infamous finish is that it was a total blinder while it lasted - easily the best and most heated match both men wrestled together. The searing arena-wide brawl was as realistic as it gets, and the production was as phenomenal as the layout. The mere ringside presence of high-ranking officials suggested a volatile environment, and Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels beat the absolute p*ss out of one another to put the atmosphere over the top.

That finish saw referee Earl Hebner, under the orders of Vince McMahon (under the independent advice of Jim Cornette and Triple H), call for the bell when Hart languished in Shawn's Sharpshooter.

It wasn't just a nominal, tarnished win for Michaels - it was a wider victory for the new Attitude ethos he strove to implement. Without it, there would be no Mr. McMahon, and thus no McMahon Vs. Austin - the rivalry that redefined and elevated the pro wrestling industry into its second boom period, which in turn enabled the WWF to both banish WCW and trade publicly, essentially safeguarding its entire future.

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!