100 Greatest WWE Matches Of All Time (Ranked)
30. Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper (WrestleMania VIII)
This is the match Bret lifted from for his Survivor Series 1996 grudge bout vs. Steve Austin. It's also the one that he and Roddy Piper deftly sidestepped respective fines for despite using blood when that was a strict no no. Ric Flair and Randy Savage, who worked the WWF Title match on that same card, wouldn't be so lucky. Their payoffs for the night took a hit...man.
It'd be a lie to say that Piper was capable of keeping up with the quickening pace of WWF workhorses like Hart or Shawn Michaels full time by 1992. He'd visibly slowed down, and had at times lost interest in wrestling a full-time schedule entirely. However, on his day, 'Hot Rod' could produce some sparkling matches that turned the clock back to his dynamic NWA days or first forays onto federation TV.
WrestleMania VIII was one such day. Roddy was inspired by the thought of tangling with real-life buddy Bret, and there was just enough tension between them to turn this from happy go lucky babyface battle to tense game of oneupmanship over the Intercontinental Title.
His short run with the belt would mark Piper's only singles title reign in the WWF/WWE, which is frankly astonishing considering his lofty status as one of the true greats. He could be proud of this one though. It turned out to be Roddy's best 'Mania showing yet, and it was also another sure sign that Bret belonged at the top of the WWF mountain.
Storytelling mixed with strong in-ring work to create a mat classic everyone young and old can enjoy.