5. 12/15/95 Bret Hart vs. Davey Boy Smith (Stampede Wrestling @ Calgary)
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5vd3u_bret-hart-vs-british-bulldog-1-2_people How Can I Watch It: Search for it online This is the second entry on the list featuring Hart working an independent show while reigning as WWF Champion. This instance was a little different from the Terry Funk show as Hart was competing against his brother in law Davey Boy Smith also an active WWF wrestler on a card paying tribute to his father Stu that was held in his Calgary hometown. It was an historical event because not only did it featuring a rare mixture of WWF and WCW talent, but also an inter-promotional contest pitting Chris Benoit against Louie Rad Radford Spicolli. WCW won out, for the record. Harts main event match with Smith might have served as a dry run for their outing two days later at WWF pay-per-view In Your House 5 (above), but instead they decided to work it as a no frills technical wrestling contest. It is a perfectly good match, even if it is clear at times that they hold back a little to save something for the PPV. The match is also notable for being the one referenced by Chris Jericho during Bret Hart Appreciation Night on Raw in May 2013. As Jericho tells it, he was sat backstage listening to Hart and Smith plan their match and he overheard Hart express that he needed a finish. Jericho suggested using a la magistral cradle that he had learned in Mexico, and sure enough after seeing a demonstration of the move, Hart took the wide-eyed rookies advice. The Hart vs. Smith clash was actually not even the original main event of the show, as a battle between Hart and babyface rival Shawn Michaels was promoted as the headliner until Michaels had to withdraw in order to sell the effects of his famous concussion angle from Raw. In all likelihood, that would have been even better.
The author of the highly acclaimed 'Titan' book series, James Dixon has been involved in the wrestling business for 25 years as a fan, wrestler, promoter, agent, and writer. James spent several years wrestling on the British independent circuit, but now prefers to write about the bumps and bruises rather than take any of them. His past in-ring experience does however give a uniquely more "insider" perspective on things, though he readily admits to still being a "mark" at heart.
James is the Chief Editor and writer at historyofwrestling.co.uk and is responsible for the best-selling titles Titan Sinking, Titan Shattered, and Titan Screwed, as well as the Complete WWF Video Guide series, and the Raw Files series.