Why Bret Hart Vs Stone Cold Steve Austin Transformed The Wrestling Business
3. The Legacy Of 'The Hitman'
In recent years, the cut has been a little too clean between "Bret guys" and "Shawn guys" as if both didn't always have lots to offer across legendary careers.
But it's advanced beyond what they did between the ropes to become something far more philosophical. The bloody political waters of their 1990s battle have been rightfully unkind to Michaels. He was evidently as selfish and tunnel visioned as he was almost beyond compare bell-to-bell. Hart's story, meanwhile, reflects one of star far more secure in their talents and able to do right by others whenever it was possible.
His influence has extended outside of WWE's auspices in the years that the promotion has become the de facto heel capitalist conglomerate in professional wrestling. He was tellingly there for the launch of the AEW World Heavyweight Championship in 2019, and his influence is now felt directly through the work of CM Punk, Serena Deeb, FTR and others. Independent wrestling icon-turned-AEW full-timer Colt Cabana can be seen on camera during the chaos of this classic. The Owen Hart Foundation Cup will continue to strengthen the bonds between Calgary's favourite sons and All Elite Wrestling.
As another major north American organisation looks to carve out their own version of wrestling history, some footage they can't even utilise exists in the hearts and minds closest to it. And in the shorthand era of younger fans needing one match as a cast-iron recommendation of everything 'The Excellence Of Execution' did well, Hart Vs Austin is as purpose-serving as ever.