History Of WWE's Attitude Era In 10 Matches
8. Shawn Michaels Vs. Bret Hart (Survivor Series 1997)
The night after the 1997 Survivor Series, the then-WWF embraced 'Attitude', debuting a new logo that seemed immediately more relevant than the block one the company had been using for years. It completely refreshed the feel of programming, and things were clearly heading full-steam towards excitement.
On the pay-per-view, Bret Hart had his last match in the promotion for close to 13 years. Facing perennial rival Shawn Michaels, he was legitimately screwed out of the WWF Heavyweight Title. Michaels had started a renegade group called D-Generation X in the months before the bout and began acting differently to the 'Boy Toy' good guy he had played before.
That faction with Triple H and Chyna, along with the circumstances surrounding Hart's departure from the organisation, really made Survivor Series a historical event. It's a real-life story that may never be topped, the atmosphere was genuinely electric (yet also somehow dangerous) at the show.
After helping pave the way for the era of Attitude, Bret Hart would play no further part, but Michaels would. His job now was to help cement a new face at the top of the cards.