When wrestling fans think of PPV opening matches this should be the first one that comes up. Chances are it is never going to be topped in terms of being the best match that opened a PPV. If it does get topped, whoever is in that match is going to have to really earn it because when Bret Hart faced his little brother Owen they put on a thriller unlike any opener we've seen before or since. They went out there for 20 minutes and had a technical wrestling classic. Bret didn't want to face Owen, but he was forced to if he wanted to get his WWE Title shot later in the night. For Owen it was the biggest match of his career and he had to prove he was as good as his brother like he said he was. The match was contested mostly in the ring (there were a couple of out of ring moments) providing us with several nearfalls and near submissions with each guy applying the family's famous Sharpshooter submission hold. Bret was a main event level guy that most of us figured was going to win, but he didn't. Owen pulled it off. He used a low blow to get the job done. That didn't work. Bret powered out of an Owen Sharpshooter and put on a Sharpshooter of his own, but Owen got to the ropes. Bret whipped Owen into the corner and jumped on Owen's shoulders. Bret went for a victory roll, but Owen dropped down to counter, put his hands on the mat and covered for the win. What an upset using a brilliant counter. It was the perfect way to cap a classic. What's noteworthy about this match also is that a lot of people will say it wasn't even the best match at WrestleMania 10 since Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels in a Ladder Match also took place that night. It's a fair point. Both are amazing. As an opening match it's the best one ever and it will be tough for any WWE match to top it in that category. Which opening PPV matches do you think deserve to be on this list? Share your thoughts below in the comments thread.
John wrote at WhatCulture from December 2013 to December 2015. It was fun, but it's over for now. Follow him on Twitter @johnreport. You can also send an email to mrjohncanton@gmail.com with any questions or comments as well.
