The Undertaker's 20 Best Matches Ever
13. Vs. Bret Hart (SummerSlam 1997)
By 1997, The Undertaker had shed his gimmicked ring style and become a much more enjoyable performer for it. Now able to work speedy sequences and bump for smaller opponents, he was ideal for Hart's own athletic, hard-hitting style. Free from the shackles of slow movement, 'Taker worked a beauty with Bret at SummerSlam.
The inclusion of Shawn Michaels as special guest ref helped further the animosity between he and Hart. There's no doubt HBK's involvement helped the main event's drama, but it's true Bret and 'Taker would have torn the house down even with a regular official; when Michaels wasn't hamming it up, the action was smooth.
Hart's 5th WWF Title win was a landmark moment too, and although Undertaker was put in a supporting role for the melodrama of Hart vs. Michaels he never once looked flustered. Only top performers can pull that off, something Bret agreed with in his autobiography. Rightly, he was full of praise for 'Taker.