Bret Hart Vs. Shawn Michaels Complete History | Wrestling Timelines

November 25, 1992 - Survivor Series

Bret Hart Shawn Michaels Survivor Series
WWE.com

At Survivor Series, Bret Hart retains the winged eagle at the expense of Shawn Michaels, who displays the obnoxious charisma, bad boy looks and sublime in-ring skill to star in this new, enforced era of superior action. Bret is already there, shocking even himself.

The match is rated ****½ by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer. This would suggest that it’s not too far away from one of the best WWE matches ever. It isn’t. The technique on display is beautiful, and, informing the rating perhaps, massively stands out in this era of the World Wrestling Federation. The slow pacing early is necessary, since the match nears 27 minutes at a time when stateside WWF fans haven’t yet adjusted to it - but also quite dreary. Despite what is to come, Bret and Shawn never lose sight of their profound mutual professional respect. This manifests, in the Richfield Coliseum, in an almost indulgent collaboration in the opening act. It’s as if they simply enjoy the pure thrill of wrestling one another before the fans get to join them.

As slick and at times ferocious as the exchanges are towards and during the finishing stretch, the match won’t stand the test of time. It won’t be immortalised, like the rare treat workrate Federation classics of the era. It’s no Bret Vs. Mr. Perfect at King of the Ring 1993. It’s no Shawn Michaels Vs. Jeff Jarrett at In Your House: The Lumberjacks.

It’s an early tell that the Bret Vs. Shawn rivalry is far more captivating outside of the ring than between the ropes.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!