100 Greatest WWE WrestleMania Moments
53. Bret Hart Regains His Intercontinental Title (WrestleMania VIII)
Intercontinental enthusiasts would argue that nothing 'Hitman' could ever best Bret Hart locking Mr. Perfect in the Sharpshooter at SummerSlam 1991. That was peak IC Title merriment, but it was only the start of Bret's love affair with the worker's belt. He'd shockingly drop the prize to The Mountie (of all people) on a house show in January 1992, then look on as Roddy Piper won his first singles strap at Royal Rumble.
A babyface vs. babyface match was signed for 'Mania VIII, and it's worth saying that Hart and Piper did well to get feisty without going overboard or necessitating a heel turn for either man. It was all spirited stuff, but then the bell sounded and things got hyper aggressive real fast. As aforementioned when discussing Randy Savage vs. Ric Flair, Bret and Roddy also used blood to heighten their match. They'd get away with it mind. Poor 'Macho Man' and Ric were reportedly fined $5,000 each!
The finishing stretch to this Intercontinental classic was a thing of beauty. Piper gripped Bret in his sleeper hold, but the 'Hitman' showed unparalleled ring awareness to push off the turnbuckles and pin his real life friend for the title win. That brought the curtain down on this strange start to the year for Hart. The IC belt was right back where most thought it belonged.
'Mania VIII was notable for being Roddy's finest in-ring showing on the series. He was maybe past his prime by '92, but 'Hot Rod' meshed well with Bret and proved himself to be a fellow excellence of execution. Being fair, even a potted plant would've had canvas chemistry with the Canadian on his worst day.