15 Stages Of Shawn Michaels & Bret Hart's Infamous Heat

13. Bret's Third Championship Reign

After WrestleMania XI, both men were in direct competition with each other since they were now both fan-favorites, fighting for that top spot. Bret was unhappy that Shawn forced plans to change after the match with Diesel, but from Shawn's perspective, he wanted his opportunity, too. While Shawn has never really admitted to sabotaging his match with Diesel (Kevin Nash), he has said that he was frustrated watching other men, including Nash, get the push to the very top instead of him. Had Shawn stayed heel, the original plans of playing foil to Diesel in the Summer of '95 wasn't likely the path to super-stardom the way Shawn saw it. In changing his alignment, Shawn also set himself on a collision course with the company's other top babyface, Bret Hart. At the 1995 Survivor Series, Bret would defeat Diesel to become the WWF Champion for a third time. Behind the scenes, Bret would soon start feeling unappreciated as the champion, believing it was no more than a glorified transition reign until Shawn became the company's flag bearer. The Hitman felt he had been made to look weak in his two PPV appearances against The Undertaker at the '96 Royal Rumble, and Diesel at February's In Your House. Bret narrowly escaped with the title in each match and soon after the match for WrestleMania XII was set. It would be Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels in a 60 Minute Iron Man Match.