100 Greatest WWE WrestleMania Moments
2. The Double Turn Of A Lifetime (WrestleMania 13)
If Steve Austin looked like a tough guy cowboy who'd never willingly quit when there was still breath in his aching body, then Bret Hart looked every bit the miserable git veteran who traded in his heroic cape for a supervillain snarl. The fact Bret was able to go from concrete good guy to detestable piece of crap in one solitary match is a tribute to his skills. Few could've carried off WrestleMania 13's double turn as well as Bret and Austin.
WWE has tried other double turns over the decades, but none have caught fire quite as well as 'Stone Cold' becoming the rebellious anti-hero babyface and the 'Hitman' becoming a twisted stalwart who felt he wasn't getting enough respect. Bret was battling against an ever-changing business that didn't sit well with his core values, and that plot point screamed in your ear when watching the conclusion to this 'No DQ' match.
Putting Ken Shamrock in there as the special guest referee/enforcer was a shrewd choice too. He was neutral, and carried a real sports aura that fans could take seriously. Around him, the WWF cast gritty action heroes that were more like characters from an 18+ rated movie than the walking cartoons of wrestling in the mid-to-late-90s.
This may always be the greatest double turn ever.
Austin passed out in a pool of his own blood, Bret lined him up for that match-winning Sharpshooter by smashing Steve with the ring bell, and then Hart looked absolutely disgusted by the fact fans were showing reverence towards someone who cursed, flashed middle fingers and had promised to make his life a living hell.
Stellar.