8 Greatest Double Turns In Wrestling

The landscape of pro wrestling changed with this match as a legend became a villain and an anti-hero transformed into the biggest star ever.

In a sign of the times, Stone Cold Steve Austin’s trash talking, take-no-prisoners attitude caught on with the youth of America. Bret Hart’s incessant, woe-is-me mentality did not. As Hart complained about the direction of WWE, with him not at the helm, fans were beginning to rally behind Austin, a rising star who vowed to make a name for himself off of Hart’s legacy.

They faced off in a submission match at WrestleMania 13 albeit not the technical encounter you’ve come to expect from such stipulation. The Hitman and the Texas Rattlesnake brawled throughout the arena, hitting each other with anything not nailed down. Hart eventually wore Austin down, targeting his knee to set up the Sharpshooter. With blood pouring down his face, Austin refused to submit. The crowd recognized his resilience and cheered for Austin to escape the hold, although it was too late. He passed out.

After the match, Hart continued to attack the helpless rattlesnake until referee Ken Shamrock stepped in. Austin may have lost the bout, but he gained the support of the public in the process. The Hitman would go on to wage war against America before being screwed by Vince McMahon and leaving the company in November.