5. The Undertaker Vs. Bret Hart - Royal Rumble 1996
Keeping with the theme of The Hitman's unsavoury PPV finishes, Bret Hart's history at the Royal Rumble can best be described as 'spotty'. It seems like The Hitman has had more controversial finishes at this particular event than any other superstar, past or present. Even though this was during The Undertaker's "Phantom of the Menace" phase (he wore a face mask as a precaution after the orbital bone around his eye was injured), The Deadman was able to deliver the type of old school, cerebral storytelling that had largely faded away during the New Generation era. Some of it may have been too methodical for the crowd, who opted to boo the two of them at various points, despite 'Taker and Bret both being fan favorites going into the matchup. While some in attendance didn't appreciate the businesslike nature of their beatdowns, which relied heavily on working the limbs and using every piece of the ring to enhance the action, absolutely no one appreciated the anti-climactic finish, which was literally just Diesel coming down to the ring to yank the ref out after 'Taker had hit the Tombstone on Bret. Instead of allowing the match to work itself out on the shoulders of two of the most talented superstars in WWE history, they decided to stretch the last threads of the Bret Hart-Diesel rivalry out until it pretty much tore apart at the seams, taking this would-be classic with it.
