Only a select few wrestling matches are special enough to have an objective argument for the greatest in wrestling history. WWE witnessed that magic playing out at WrestleMania 13 when Steve Austin faced Bret Hart in an instant classic. The submission/I Quit match stipulation saw extra intensity involved between the two heated enemies.
Both characters underwent massive changes when Hart and Austin faced off with a shocking finish. The match merged every great element of wrestling from the story to the action to the lasting impact. Wrestling fans love talking about this match over two decades later, but there are many interesting things that should be discussed more.
10 It Wasn't Planned Before Shawn Michaels Retirement
WWE didn’t expect to have Bret Hart face Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13 when planning the show. Bret was originally meant to challenge Shawn Michaels for the WWE Championship in a rematch from their main event the previous year.
Michaels retired after “losing his smile” just a month before the big show to throw everything in the air. Hart won the vacant WWE Championship before dropping it to Sycho Sid. WWE decided to go with Bret vs Austin and Undertaker vs Sid as their double main event.
9 WWE Used Submission Match Name Before I Quit Match
The submission match stipulation was a weird one that WWE rarely used before WrestleMania 13. WWE currently uses the “I Quit” match stipulation as a bigger selling point since it is easier to market. Fans love the idea of someone actually quitting to provide a noteworthy end to a huge match.
However, the submission match was meant to provide the same appeal when both Bret Hart and Steve Austin seemed unlikely to quit. Austin passing out as the finish made more sense for it to be a submission match since fans would have been upset that no one actually said “I quit” if the other stipulation.
8 Steve Austin Didn't Use Submissions Heading Into Match
The announcement of a submission match for Bret Hart and Steve Austin took many fans by surprise. Bret had faced Bob Backlund in one a few years earlier since both men were known for their submission finishers.
Austin didn’t have a submission move to make it even stranger than the stipulation was used there. Bret having the sharpshooter and a few other secondary submissions made him an easier selling point to win. However, Austin tried to use a few different moves to get the better of the Hitman.
7 Bret Hart Broke WWE's No Blood Policy
WWE was trying to appeal to families in the New Generation Era and even set a rule that no one would bleed in matches. Wrestlers were warned that punishments could come if they broke the rule to intentionally blade to add blood to their story.
Bret Hart decided to break that rule when he talked Steve Austin into bleeding to add another dynamic to their finish. Austin having blood dripping down his voice as he passes out in the sharpshooter was the perfect visual to make him a beloved face moving forward.
6 Last Match Between Them With A Clean Finish
The rivalry between Bret Hart and Steve Austin led to a few matches outside of the WrestleMania 13 classic. WWE continued the feud with a few more singles matches and Austin having matches with other members of the Hart Family.
WrestleMania 13 was the last time a singles match between the two ended decisively when Bret rightfully won the match. Their future singles bouts ended with no contests or DQ finishes to protect both characters.
5 Vince McMahon Talked Bret Hart Into Double Turn Idea
The shocking double turn finish of Bret Hart turning heel and Steve Austin becoming a face changed both of their careers drastically. Bret admitted in his book that he had to be convinced of this move since he was a beloved face and WWE’s top hero for many years.
Vince McMahon spoke about the idea of having Bret playing a heel in the United States and a face character to other countries. This plan worked to perfection as the Hart Foundation were the top faces in Canada and the United States while remaining hated at most American shows.
4 Steve Austin Was Unsure About Finish Idea
Another concern from one of the wrestlers in this legendary match was Steve Austin questioning the finish. Austin was worried that passing out would be a weak way to lose, and it would harm some of the momentum he built.
However, it turned out to be the exact opposite and won him even more respect with the unique face turn. Austin was convinced the finish would work when Vince McMahon laid out his plan step by step. The storytelling was perfected by Austin and Bret Hart committing to make it work.
3 Highest Rated WWE Match Ever On Cagematch
Many longtime fans view Bret Hart vs Steve Austin as the greatest match in WWE history. It is easier to argue in favor of other choices than arguing this one. Austin vs Hart is objectively a masterpiece that shows the best-case scenario for great wrestling.
Cagematch readers have rated their WrestleMania 13 match the greatest in WWE history with a 9.67 rating. The closest WWE main roster match to rival that is Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker at WrestleMania 25 with a 9.65 rating.
2 WWE Felt Ken Shamrock Did A Great Job As Referee
Ken Shamrock was selected to make his WWE debut role in the Steve Austin vs Bret Hart match as a guest referee. The former UFC fighter was someone that Vince McMahon viewed as a future top star when signing him.
Even though he knew little about pro wrestling and how to perform at the time, Shamrock held his own as a fair referee that stepped up when needed. Bruce Prichard shared on his podcast that everyone was thrilled with Shamrock adding to such a great match.
1 The Undertaker Knew He Couldn't Follow Them
WWE may have made a mistake having Bret Hart vs Steve Austin taking place in the middle of the card rather than the main event. The Undertaker vs Sycho Sid main evented WrestleMania 13 since Undertaker winning the WWE Championship was a huge moment.
However, they couldn’t follow the great Austin vs Hart match that stole the show. Bret revealed that Undertaker congratulated him on the match and joked that he had no chance of following them. Fans did react positively to Undertaker winning the belt to close the show.