25 Greatest WWE SummerSlam Matches EVER

A theatre of conflict so intensely flawless that it paid even greater tribute to Curt Hennig's perfection than his legendary sporting vignettes, Bret Hart's maiden singles Championship victory was an exquisite launching pad for his solo 'Hitman' persona and a new generation of super-workers scrapping over the treasured title.

Perfect gave everything to Bret. His body - wracked with pain and injury - flailed literally from pillar to post as departing Champion bumped liberally for nascent Challenger in a manner so rarely seen in torch-passing spectacles. His dignity was was left behind in the match as he begged constantly for mercy from his focussed foe. His 'Perfect' persona was rendered as torn and tatty as the singlet Bret stole as an additional trophy from his first successful big game hunt.

There are fewer cases in the company's history of a prize carrying as much heft as the Intercontinental Title managed to in this magnificent match. Bret was living for a moment Perfect was clearly willing to nearly die to help him create. Perfect's handover elevated the 'Excellence Of Execution' to such a degree that only one more year was needed to convince a rattled Vince McMahon than it was time to promote an entire style - rather than just one specific performer - to the top of his cards for the first time in a generation.