10 Wrestling Matches One Second Away From Perfection
1. Mr Perfect Vs Bret Hart (WWE SummerSlam 1991)
It's fitting that the one second of frustration in this stone cold classic came not from a Perfect Intercontinental Champion nor a victorious challenger who justifiably called himself "The Best There Is, The Best There Was, and the Best There Ever Will Be", but from a referee who took the match home just slightly before it reached its epic peak.
Hart had barely locked on the Sharpshooter when the bell rang to award him his first singles title and confirm his overdue ascension up the card. Somewhat ironically, this was perhaps in keeping with reality - MMA's overtaking of pro wrestling in popular culture has revealed the instantaneous nature of the submission, and Perfect's back was absolutely f*cked IRL - but we didn't know that then.
Every other moment from this Madison Square Garden masterclass was measured impeccably, save for leaving just a little bit of room for fans to root for their hero as he seized his opponent's legs as well as his treasured belt.