Welcome to the second edition of the ESSENTIALS. Every once in a while I will post one of these articles basically to educate the newbs (casual fans this is for you). If your new to the WWE or just an old mark who likes lists, then this will be your favorite part of the blog. Let's just assume an alien crashed landed at Wrestlemania and became a member of the WWE universe, what superstars would you tell him about? Which of these superstars matches would you show this creature? Ladies and Marks I give you...
THE ESSENTIAL BRET HART
As a die hard HBK fan, he was always "he who's name shall not be spoken", but all along I could deny it all I wanted but the fact is, Bret Hart is one of the greatest of all time. The Hit Man left the business too early and one could only wonder what could have been. Still, in the decade plus the Pink and Black attack was in the WWE, he left an unmatched legacy of technical brilliance. In my opinion, he will be remembered as perhaps the greatest storyteller of all time.
Here are the top 10 essential matches that made him "the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be":
10. One Night Only 1997:: WWE Championship match: Bret Hart vs. The Undertaker
After his undeniable classic with Shawn Michaels, this is The Undertaker's best match. With full credit to the deadman for his awesome selling during the match, Bret Hart was the star of the show here. If it were not for the weak ending. This classic would most likely have eclipsed anything either man would ever do from here on.
Match Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Hit Man moment of the match: Bret having Taker on the defense was nothing short of amazing. AWESOME STORYTELLING.
9. Survivor Series 1995:: WWE Championship match: Bret Hart vs. Diesel
I know what you're thinking (A FUCKING DIESEL MATCH??!?) but there may not be a better example of how good Bret really was then his ability to pull a classic out of Super Shredder. At the time, Diesel was an unbeatable force that held a strong grip on the WWE championship for almost an entire year. Bret went in there and in a way only Bret could do, broke Diesel down piece by piece in what is one of my favorite matches and the BEST Diesel match ever.
Match rating: 4.5 out of 5
Hit Man moment of the match: The surprising (at the time) ending sequence.
8. King of the Ring 1993:: Semifinal match: Bret Hart vs. Mr. Perfect
Bret Hart is inarguably, the GREATEST King of the Ring participant of all time. This marks his best performance at the event. Shit, whenever Bret and Curt Henning were in the ring together, not even the Great Khali could keep it from becoming an instant classic. En route to Hart winning the 1993 series, he had to face three completely different opponents. The Excellence of Execution managed to have three classics with each of them. Still, none of the matches that followed could touch the magic these two created that night.
Match rating: 4.75 out of 5
Hit Man moment of the match: Just watch this one, pause and pick something!
7. WCW Monday Nitro 10/4/99:: Owen Hart tribute match: Bret Hart vs. Chris (*sigh*) Benoit
While it's a shame Chris Benoit has erased this classic with his actions almost a decade later, I still have to add it to this list just for the story of it. Owen Hart's untimely death shook up the wrestling world and in his honor Bret grieved by doing what he does best, craft a wrestling classic.
Match rating: 4.5 out of 5
Hit Man moment of the match: The heartfelt embrace by two of the people who knew Owen best.
6. Wrestlemania X:: Brother vs. Brother: Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart
This match gave Owen Hart the respect and momentum he needed to finally gain the spotlight from his legendary brother. Bret's unselfishness is well documented, and this is the best example of that. I bet of all Owen's birthdays, he never felt more grateful of anything Bret ever gave him.
Match rating: 5 out of 5
Hit Man moment of the match: The sick chain wrestling sequences along with the intensity.
5. Summerslam 1994:: Steel Cage match: Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart
If Shawn Michaels is "Mr. Wrestlemania", then Bret Hart should be called "Mr. Summerslam". Bret's performances at the event are unmatched, and this is one of the very best. The fact that Bret could give us a truly classic cage match without the (nowadays) overused blood and weapons, is what makes this match so special.
Match rating: 5 out of 5
Hit man moment of the match: The dramatic "cage door diving" sequences.
4. Summerslam 1991:: Intercontinental Championship match: Bret Hart vs. Mr. Perfect
The perfect match (pun intended) between two of the very best in their respective primes, what more could you ask for. The combination of Mr. Perfect's over the top bumping, with Bret's technical excellence, made for one of the most exciting matches by one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions of all time.
Match rating: 5 out of 5
Hit Man moment of the match: DUH! Bret Hart kicked out of the PERFECT PLEX! But HOW?! Its FUCKING perfect DAMMIT!
3. Wrestlemania 12:: WWE Championship Iron Man match: Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
While most would argue that this is Shawn's moment, Bret Hart WAS the better Champion of the two. Bret Hart is in my opinion, the greatest WWE Champion of all time. While Shawn may have gone on to bigger and better things, in retrospect I believe taking the title off of the Hitman was the wrong decision. Still this match is considered by many to be the greatest Wrestlemania main event of all time. That is debatable, however, I believe it stands alone as Bret's best performance it the main event.
Match rating: 4.75 out of 5
Hit Man moment of the match: Bret getting up and giving an admittedly douchy Shawn his moment in the ring alone. He probably went to the back and iced that jaw down cuz...THEM SUPER KICKS LOOKED REAL SON!
2. Summerslam 1992:: Intercontinental Championship match: Bret Hart vs. The British Bulldog
In Bret's own words, it was THIS match that earned him the respect backstage and he quickly set his sights on the main event. Vince wisely listened to the Hit Man when he suggested this match go on last. Imagine it, a time when the IC title was more important than the WWE Championship...did your head explode? If not, go watch this match and you'll see why. It is by far, the BEST match in Summerslam history.
Match rating: 4.75 out of 5
Hit Man moment of the match: Bret's heel work in a HUGE (80,000+) pro Davey Boy crowd, was phenomenal.
And for all you dumb aliens out there, I give you the most essential Bret Hart match of ALL TIME...
1. (DUH) Wrestlemania 13:: Submission match: Bret hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin
Many feel it's Steve's win over HBK that solidified the beginning of the attitude era, and that may be true, but this match got the ball rolling. The storytelling here is uncanny and the infamous double turn (Bret Hart coming the most popular and leaving the most hated) is one of those moments you have to see to believe. The fact that this wasn't the MAIN EVENT (Taker vs. Psycho FUCKING Sid was) is a HUGE mistake. Nevertheless, it's a strong contender for the BEST MATCH EVER and that makes it the most essential Bret Hart match of all time.
Match rating: 5 out of 5
Hit Man moment of the match: Steve made Bret snap....and I LOVED every minute of it!
Honorable mention: Bret Hart vs. Ric Flair (pick any match between these two, they didn't disappoint).
Dream match that should be on this list:: Submission match: Bret hart vs. Kurt Angle
And there you have it, the essential Bret Hart
Let me know where you agree/disagree...
No comments:
Post a Comment