10 Wrestling Matches Fans Can’t Agree On

9. Bret Hart Vs. Owen Hart - WWF SummerSlam 1994

Ospreay Ricochet
WWE.com

Recognised as a classic by many, those who don't share that viewpoint bemoan its lack of blood. What is a cage match about the crimson mask?

The wider storyline was, quite literally, a blood feud. Owen had turned on his brother, conclusively, at that year's Royal Rumble, to set up their classic at WrestleMania X. Owen won, in a booking masterclass, to stake a claim for the WWF Heavyweight Title at SummerSlam.

The escapist element baffled those complaining quarters also. Bret wrestled the 'Mania match with some reluctance, only intensifying his offence when his younger brother brought it out of him. In the ensuing months, his reluctance gave way to full-on remonstration - and yet, the structure of the match compelled him to run away from the very man he was now desperate to get his hands on.

The cage match, however, was the perfect stipulation; the suspense of it was so unbearable that it reflected the conflicted heart of the rivalry. There were countless creative workarounds within what would have been, in the hands of lesser talents, stymying constrictions. Owen's athletic performance, in particular, was so astonishing that he almost turned face - before underscoring his heel credentials by joining in Davey Boy Smith and Jim Neidhart's vicious post-match beatdown.

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 surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!