WWE: 10 Awesome Matches That Showcased Great Ring Psychology

4. Bret Hart vs Owen Hart - Summerslam 1994

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5-jbydirbo There's much debate as to whether this or their Wrestlemania 10 classic is the best encounter between the Hart brother. Truthfully, you could make a case for either. Their first clash is a brilliant pure wrestling display, with the younger sibling finally getting a victory over his more successful bigger brother. It's a tale many can relate to. In his autobiography Bret said he was shocked by how deeply the story of a family torn apart by jealously resonated with fans. Owen beat Bret on the night he won the championship from Yokozuna and was the natural choice to challenge for the belt. In keeping with the old school feel of this rivalry, they decided to settle things in a steel cage. It was a modern take on the old NWA blood feud, except it wasn't. Just like today, the WWE was operating under a "no blood" policy, meaning that the Hart brothers had to find another way to create drama in their upcoming Summerslam clash. The psychology was instead built around both men doing everything they can to escape the cage. It was a refreshing, logical take on an industry staple. That may seem a little obvious: all cage matches feature guys trying to escape. But much like the ladder match, the feeling that wrestlers are purposely moving at a snails pace, waiting for the next spot plagues virtually all cage matches. Except this. It goes without saying that the wrestling here is flawless. You also have the added layer of both men trying to outsmart the other, knowing their brother knows everything they do. It's a masterpiece in the ring. But what puts this bout over the top is the desperate, frantic attempts at escape. Where others slowly climb, the Hart brother leap, claw and chase the other as though their lives depended on it. This is one of those rare examples of a match you can completely believe in, performed by two of the finest ring technicians ever to grace our screens.
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