9 Things We Learned From WWE's Holy Grail: Bret Hart Vs. Tom Magee

3. The Crowd Were Into Magee

Tom Magee Bret Hart 4
WWE Network

As much as Bret Hart had Tom Magee gripping as tight as a baby lloris to his coattails, the rookie was proving popular amongst the audience on his own merits - and there were some. Outside of 'Leaping' Lanny Poffo, few in the north east territories had seen a wrestler cartwheel about the ring as the Canadian - and especially one so big.

So showy was Magee's athleticism that it had the crowd eating out of his hand, even without the involvement - if not the instruction - of Bret. A sensational backflip reversal - what passed for sensational in 1986, anyway - is perhaps the crowning moment of the match, and would almost certainly have had kids in Rochester babbling the next Monday at school.

But make no mistakes - the majority of Magee's reactions are entirely dependent on his opponent. When he hits a roll-up for the win, the crowd is ecstatic, as a dejected Bret sells the defeat. Inside, he must have been utterly thrilled with the outcome.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.