10 Most Surreal WWE Matches Ever

8. Bret Hart Vs. Vince McMahon - WrestleMania XXVI

Toxic Turtles II
WWE.com

Longtime fans of the 'Hitman' were left in a state of sadness and disbelief at WrestleMania XXVI.

In wrestling, real-life separations tend to last as long as those in go-home show pull-apart brawls - but this was Vince McMahon Vs. Bret Hart. The latter accused the former not just of ruining his career, but ruining his life. Hart, McMahon's most loyal ever lieutenant, was taken 'round back and shot when he wasn't even dying.

In 2010, something talked - money, ego, the need for absolution/to let go, respectively - and Bret Hart entered a programme with McMahon culminating at 'Mania. This wasn't the Hart of old; he'd retired following a devastating concussion, shortly following which he suffered a debilitating stroke. He was physically incapable of and legally unable to take any bumps. Consequently, the match manifested as a disturbing, pointless, protracted 11 minute steel chair massacre.

If the visual was surreal in itself, even more so was Hart's betrayal of himself; the in-ring perfectionist, the master of his craft, cared more about settling a prehistoric dispute than preserving his legacy of giving the fans the best possible performance.

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!