Two of the most popular wrestlers of the '90s were Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. Their careers are quite similar as they both started out as tag team wrestlers in WWE before becoming breakout stars on their own. With Hulk Hogan out of the picture in WCW, Hart and Michaels were the biggest stars of the New Generation Era and into the Attitude Era.
They certainly had a personal disdain for each other which made their rivalry captivating to follow. However, everyone recalls Shawn Michaels defeating Bret Hart at WrestleMania XII for his first WWE Championship reign with the Boyhood dream coming true. Moreover, the infamous Montreal Screwjob that took place at Survivor Series 1997 with Michaels controversially overcoming Bret Hart, saw The Hitman leave for WCW. They accomplished a lot in WWE, which is why some fans will forget certain aspects of their feud.
10 The Rockers Beat The Hart Foundation For The Tag Titles But The Decision Was Reversed
Long before Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels were established main eventers, their paths frequently crossed in tag team competition. However, despite Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty of The Rockers being one of the most exciting tag teams in WWE history, they never captured the WWE Tag Team Championship.
It's crazy to think that they never held the straps as The Rockers faced off with The Hart Foundation in October 1990. It was a two-out-of-three falls match but the bottom rope broke. The Rockers prevailed but the decision was reversed days later and they never had their moment as WWE Tag Team Champions.
9 First Ladder Match
Shawn Michaels going head-to-head with Razor Ramon for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania X is technically the first televised ladder match. However, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels have the honors of competing in the first-ever ladder match in WWE history.
The Hitman's Intercontinental Championship was hanging in the balance on the July 21, 1992 edition of The Wrestling Challenge in a non-televised match. It was a brilliant match but it was not Michaels' time to be the Intercontinental Champion yet.
8 Both Survivor Series Matches Were Champion Vs. Champion
Months after the inaugural ladder match, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels had another marquee match at Survivor Series 1992. This time The Hitman was the reigning WWE Champion and Shawn Michaels defeated Bret's brother-in-law The British Bulldog for the Intercontinental Championship.
They had an exceptional match in one of the best main events of the '90s with Bret retaining the WWE Title. Moreover, they met at Survivor Series once again five years later and it was another champion versus champion battle with Michaels holding the European Championship.
7 First Hell In A Cell Match Was A #1 Contender's Match For Bret's WWE Championship
After the fallout of SummerSlam 1997, Shawn Michaels turned heel and formed D-Generation X alongside Triple H, Chyna, and Rick Rude. Whilst Michaels was feuding with Bret, he concurrently engaged in a high-profile rivalry with The Undertaker.
Michaels and Undertaker clashed in the first-ever Hell in a Cell match at Badd Blood: In Your House. Of course, the match was memorable as Kane made his debut and Michaels prevailed. Nevertheless, some fans forget that the winner would face Bret for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series.
6 They Clashed In A Survivor Series Elimination Match In 1993
A year after their magnificent WWE Championship bout at Survivor Series 1992, Michaels and Bret were once again clashing at Survivor Series 1993. Although, it was in the form of a traditional Survivor Series elimination match.
Michaels was stepping in for Jerry "The King" Lawler, and he had a dreadful team, partnering the likes of Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Barry Horrowitz, and Jeff Gaylord albeit in disguise. The Harts were extremely dominant with HBK managing to register one elimination by eliminating Owen. Bret and the rest of his brothers securing the win.
5 Final Four Together Just Once At Royal Rumble 1994
The 1994 Royal Rumble match is fondly remembered for not having one winner but two. Bret Hart and Lex Luger were co-winners of the Rumble match as they were eliminated from the titular bout simultaneously.
Although, Bret should have won this match outright instead of sharing honors with Luger as Luger's time in the WWE Title scene should have been over. Another forgotten moment from this match is that Shawn Michaels and fellow future WWE Hall of Famer Fatu completed the final four lineups. It was the only time that Bret and Shawn were in the final four of a Rumble match as they were mainly in title bouts at Rumble or not competing in the Rumble at the same time.
4 Bret Hart Wanted To Quash Their Rivalry Live On TV
January 4, 2010, was a significant date in Sports Entertainment infamy as Bret Hart marked his return to WWE programming since that fateful night in Montreal at Survivor Series 1997. The Hitman and his bitter rival Shawn Michaels were finally looking to bury the hatchet.
Another hidden detail that some are unaware of that is that Michaels and Bret met backstage in catering to clear the air. However, Bret thought that it would be better if they called in naturally live on TV which made sense, and it was good to see the two legends put their differences aside by shaking hands and embracing.
3 Shawn Michaels Beat Bret Hart For Half Of His World Title Reigns
Surprisingly, Shawn Michaels only has four World Title reigns to his name but he was on the shelf from 1998-02 after sustaining a career-threatening back injury at Royal Rumble 1998 in a successful WWE Title defense against The Undertaker in a casket match.
The majority of Michaels' World Championship runs came at Bret Hart's expense. Michaels overcame Bret at WrestleMania XII in a 60-minute Iron Man match, and in the Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series 1997. HBK beat Sid at Royal Rumble 1997 for his second WWE Title reign, and he won the inaugural Elimination Chamber match for Triple H's World Heavyweight Title at Survivor Series 2002.
2 Bret Hart Did Not Main Event A PPV Once Until Survivor Series 1997 Despite Being WWE Champion
Bret Hart captured his fifth and final WWE Championship all thanks to Shawn Michaels at SummerSlam 1997 when he defeated The Undertaker. Despite being the reigning WWE Champion, there were four pay-per-views after SummerSlam and Bret only headlined once.
The Hitman retained the WWE Title in a rematch against Undertaker at One Night Only with Michaels in the main event beating Bulldog for the European Title. At Ground Zero: In Your House, Bret faced off with The Patriot in a competitive WWE Title match but Michaels and Undertaker took center stage in the main event. Once again at Badd Blood: In Your House, Bret teamed up with Bulldog to beat Vader and The Patriot in a flag match. Whereas, Michaels overcame Undertaker inside Hell in a Cell in the main event. It's very rare for a WWE Champion to not be closing out pay-per-views but Bret was in filler feuds until Survivor Series.
1 Their Survivor Series 1997 Match Is The Only Rematch In Survivor Series' History
Since its inception in 1987, Survivor Series has only played host to one rematch which is extraordinary to think about. After clashing at Survivor Series 1992 for the WWE Championship, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels met once more at Survivor Series 1997 for Bret's WWE Title.
Many of the major events like Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, and SummerSlam have seen several rematches take place. Whilst Bret was triumphant in 1992, Michaels became a double champion in their 1997 encounter all thanks to the infamous Montreal Screwjob with Earl Hebner ringing the bell prematurely with Bret trapped in his Sharpshooter.