50 Greatest WWE Raw Moments Ever
2. Bret Hart Snaps (March 17th, 1997)
As if shoving Vince McMahon flat on his backside wasn't terse enough, Bret Hart's potty-mouthed unravelling after yet again being cheated out of a definite WWE Title win concluded one of the most gripping Raw main events ever, mere days before the most pivotal WrestleMania match in company history.
The terms and conditions were laid out wonderfully - Hart had to dethrone Champion Sycho Sid to take the title into his 'Show Of Shows match with Stone Cold Steve Austin that Sunday. This resulted in 'The Rattlesnake' begrudgingly aiding his hated enemy, in keeping with Sid's opponent The Undertaker doing the exact same to keep the belt in their battle. Never one for nuance even during creatively fertile times, WWE illustrated this by having the four brawl in one corner of the cage. Blue bars, big stars, high stakes.
Bret ultimately lost his mind at the injustice of it all after 'The Deadman' slammed the cage door on his head to gift the win to Sid. The structure was still being dismantled as Bret's own psyche crumbled in similar fashion. Through years of hardships, the heroic Bret had never caved to his inner frustrations, but as he so eloquently wailed, "frustrated isn't the g*ddamned word for it. THIS IS BULLSH*T". The Road To WrestleMania had been jagged enough as it was, but he'd also taken his last step on the highway to becoming the year's best heel.