” I just wanted him to think I was good.”
Those are the recent words from Shawn Michaels regarding his rivalry with Bret “Hitman” Hart. Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels will forever be considered two of the best of all time.
It was clear from their days in their respective tag teams that these two future Hall of Famers were on a collision course.
Bret Hart even stated in an interview before their incredible Iron Man match at Wrestlemania XII,
“I could see Shawn coming for my spot, but I’m not ready to leave yet.”
What was once a competitive rivalry became a bitter, personal feud culminating in the infamous Montreal Screwjob. Let’s take a look at how this wrestling rivalry began.
Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels – Hart Foundation 1987
Before Their Rivalry
Bret “Hitman” Hart truly was, in my opinion, the best there is, was, and ever will be. We all know he trained in the famous Hart Dungeon with his dad, the late Great Stu Hart.
Bret made a name for himself in Calgary, wrestling matches with his brothers in Stampede wrestling. After Stu sold the territory to Vince McMahon Jr., Bret, along with other stars such as Jim Neidhart, Davey Boy Smith, and Dynamite Kid, was part of the deal.
Bret’s debut was not that successful. Even he felt like he was not going to be there long. As a last effort, Hart convinced McMahon to let him team up with Jim The Anvil Neidhart, who was managed by Jimmy Hart.
They would be known as the Hart Foundation. The Harts quickly started climbing up the tag team division. Bret Hart was the technical wrestler, and Neidhart was the power.
The defeated teams like the Killer Bees, The Rogeau Brothers, and their rivals, The British Bulldogs, Davey Boy Smith, and The Dynamite Kid.
The Hart Foundation was a tag team of heels. Most of their victories were attained with the help of Jimmy Hart’s megaphone. Even though the Hart Foundation was catching on, they were still missing something.
At one show, they decided to wear pink and black tights to the ring. Vince McMahon loved the new look. It was exactly what they needed. The Foundation was tough enough to pull off the look, too.
They soon found themselves the WWF tag team champions after defeating the British Bulldogs. The Foundation kept the titles until early 1989, when they were defeated by Strike Force.
Eventually, the Hitman and The Anvil grew sick of Jimmy Hart’s underhanded tactics and fired him as their manager. It was at that moment that the pink-and-black attack became a fan favorite.
The Hart Foundation became unstoppable. Bret Hart was nicknamed the Excellence of Execution by Gorilla Monsoon because his moves were always executed with excellence.
The Foundation eventually earned a title shot against the WWF tag team champions, Demolition, at SummerSlam 90. At the time, Demolition was a three-man team that consisted of Ax, Smash, and Crush.
The match was a two-out-of-three-falls match. Just when it looked like the odds were stacked against them, the Hart Foundation defeated Demolition with the Hart Attack finisher.
The Hart Foundation was now two-time WWF Tag Team Champions. It was during this time that Bret Hart first met the man who would be his rival for the next few years, Shawn Michaels.
The Rockers
Just like the Hitman, the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels got his start in tag team wrestling. He, along with Marty Jannetty, formed a team called the Midnight Rockers, taking the AWA by storm.
The AWA was a promotion in Minnesota owned by Verne Gagne. Also, just like Bret, Shawn was trained by a legend named Jose Lothario.
It didn’t take long for the Midnight Rockers’ electricity and charisma to catch the WWF’s attention. In 1989, Shawn Michaels and Marty Janetty debuted as the Rockers.
The Rockers were high-flying excitement personified. At first it looked as though Marty Janetty was the standout of the team, but it was actually Shawn who WWE agreed had the it factor.
According to Bret Hart, he could not wait to work with that team. He knew they could do great business. He was right.
After several victories, the Rockers finally earned themselves a tag team title match against the Hart Foundation. Not only did they face the foundation, but on Saturday Night’s Main Event, the Rockers won the titles.
The celebration was short-lived as the WWF reversed the decision. The rockers may not have won the championship, but they proved their worth. Not only that, but WWF fans got to see the undeniable chemistry between Hart and Michaels.
Becoming Singles Superstars
At WrestleMania XII, the Hart Foundation lost the tag team titles to The Nasty Boys with the help of Jimmy Hart’s motorcycle helmet.
After that loss, the Foundation went its separate ways. Neidhart went to be a broadcaster before teaming with Owen Hart in the New Foundation. In 1992, Bret “Hitman” Hart started his singles run.
His first target was the WWF Intercontinental Championship held by Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig. The Hitman won his first Intercontinental title at Summerslam ’91 by making Perfect submit to the Sharpshooter.
It was around this time that dissension began among the Rockers. Shawn Michaels seemed to have let his ego get in the way of their team.
In January 199, on an episode of the Barber Shop, the rockers imploded. Shawn Michaels superkicked Marty Janetty through the glass of the Barbershop set.
After that incident, Sensational Sherri started claiming she was in love with Shawn Michaels. Sherri was highly instrumental in getting Michael’s career off the ground.
He owes a lot to her. Michaels started claiming he was “too sexy for this crowd. Complete with a brand new theme song sung by Sherri, he was making it known to the entire locker room, the Heartbreak Kid had arrived.
Guess what one of his first singles matches was? That’s right, it was against Bret Hitman Hart for the WWF Intercontinental title.
First Ladder Match in WWE History
In January 1992, Bret lost the Intercontinental title to the Mountie; however, the Mountie lost it to Rowdy Roddy Piper. Hart returned to the WWF just in time for Wrestlemania VIII.
At the annual event, the Hitman defeated Piper to regain the Intercontinental title. That same night, Shawn Michaels had his first singles match at Wrestlemania.
Hart defended the title against all contenders. In what was officially the first ladder match in WWF History, the Hitman defeated The Heartbreak Kid.
The match was unlike anything WWF fans had ever seen. Ladder Matches were a staple in Calgary. Bret knew he could put on a great match with the athleticism of Michaels. Ironically enough, Shawn Michaels was in the first ladder match at WrestleMania with Razor Ramon a few years later.
Bret Hitman Hart wins the WWF Championship
At SummerSlam 1992, Bret Hart defended the WWF Intercontinental title against his brother-in-law, The British Bulldog. The Bulldog got the victory, but it was clear that Bret was leading that match.
Bret Hitman Hart was going to be the WWF Champion. In October 1992, in Saskatchewan, Canada, Bret Hart defeated Ric Flair to win his first WWF Championship.
Shortly after The Bulldog won the title, one of his first challengers was Shawn Michaels. On Saturday Night’s Main Event, Shawn Michaels won his first singles title when he defeated the British Bulldog.
On that same night, Bret Hart retained the WWF Championship against Papa Shango. Both Superstars were now champions.
It was announced that at Survivor Series, the WWF Champion Bret “Hitman” Hart would face the WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels.
Survivor Series 1992: Champion vs Champion
The match was an instant classic. Some say it is better than their Iron Man Match. The sparks were there for the future heated rivalry that would occur in the late 90s.
This match was not originally supposed to be part of Survivor Series 1992. The match was an instant classic. Bret was on a momentous run after just becoming the WWF Champion.
Michaels was beginning to show signs of greatness. The chemistry between the two was evident to everyone. HBK came within a second of defeating the Hitman. Including a brutal superkick that got a count of two.
In the finish to the match, Michaels went to the top rope and missed a dropkick as Hart locked in the sharpshooter. Michaels tapped out. The Hitman retained the WWF title.
The night ended with Hart celebrating with Santa Claus. It was evident that the WWF was headed in that direction.
The idea of the big steroid-induced wrestler was gone. The era of technical wrestling had begun. Every current worker can thank both Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels for changing the landscape in pro wrestling forever.
Survivor Series 1994: Hart Brothers vs Shawn Michaels and the Knights
The Hitman took on all challengers leading up to WrestleMania XI. Unfortunately, there he could not defeat the 500 lb Yokozuna.
Yokozuna defeated Hart but was unceremoniously dethroned by Hulk Hogan minutes later. Even though Bret was not the WWE Champion, it was obvious he was the best wrestler.
Bret Hart went on to defeat three of the best in Razor Ramon, Mr. Perfect, and Bam Bam Bigelow at the King of the Ring 1993. Unfortunately, after the final match, Hart was attacked by Jerry Lawler.
This started a family feud between the entire Hart Family and the self-proclaimed king, Jerry Lawler. The Hitman was never concerned with defending the crown; he wanted to shut Lawler’s mouth for his family.
Eventually, that feud built to the Survivor Series. It was scheduled as the Hart Brothers vs Lawler and his knights. Lawler, unfortunately, parted ways with the WWF, and for the second year in a row, the Survivor Series card was in chaos. Shawn Michaels was chosen to take Jerry Lawler’s place at the last minute.
However, in typical HBK fashion, he added fuel to the fire by making fun of the Hart Family himself. This did not sit well with the Harts, as you can imagine.
At Survivor Series 1994, the entire Hart Family, including Stu Hart, Bret’s dad, would be in attendance. As Shawn Michaels walked to the ring, he reminded everyone why we loved to hate the Heartbreak Kid.
The Hitman arrived to a thunderous ovation. His tag team partners were his brothers Bruce Hart, Keith Hart, and his younger brother and fellow WWF superstar, Owen Hart.
The Hart brothers eventually eliminated all the knights, leaving Shawn Michaels alone. At one point in the match, Bret was getting out of the ring, and Owen accidentally hit Bret, knocking him to the floor.
This left Owen as the only Hart eliminated. Michaels was eventually eliminated as the Harts got revenge, and Michaels was defeated. This match marked the start of the brother vs brother battle that the Hitman would have with Owen Hart.
King of The Ring 1994: Bret Hitman Hart vs Diesel
Bret Hart went on to WrestleMania X. That night, Hart wrestled two matches. One was against his very own brother, Owen. Owen ended up winning after a victory roll went wrong.
Hitman hoped Owens’ jealousy would end with the win, but it was just beginning. Later that night, Hart defeated Yokozuna for the WWF championship.
Shawn Michaels would put on a phenomenal ladder match at Wrestle Mania X with Razor Ramon. Michaels lost, but his star was shining. Ironically enough, it was Diesel who defeated Razor, taking the Intercontinental Title in the process.
Diesel, along with HBK in his corner, targeted Bret Hart. For the first time at the King of the Ring 1994, Bret Hart defended the WWF Championship against the 7-foot-tall Intercontinental Champion Diesel.
In the weeks leading up to the match, Shawn was a constant thorn in the side of the Hitman. To even the odds, Bret Hart invited Jim The Anvil Neidhart, his brother-in-law, to be in his corner.
Shawn interfered in the match several times. Including trying to take the pad off the turnbuckle, which was how Diesel won the title to begin with.
Finally, Bret had had enough of Shawn and punched him so hard he flew off the apron to the floor. The crowd cheered in excitement.
Shawn, however, wasn’t done and interfered again, prompting Jim Neidhart to chase him. Uncharacteristically, The Anvil stopped chasing Michaels.
Diesel hit a jackknife powerbomb on Hart. Neidhart then ran in the ring and attacked Diesel, causing Bret Hart to be disqualified. Then, to add to the confusion, Neidhart left as Diesel and Michaels mugged Bret.
It was later revealed that Jim Neidhart was working with Owen Hart to win the King of the Ring, then take Bret’s title.
It became a fact that if you challenged Diesel for the Intercontinental Title, you also had to deal with HBK. Eventually, the duo defeated the Headshrinkers for the WWF Tag Team Championship.
Michaels grew jealous of Diesel, and over time, that jealousy cost the big man the title, which he lost to Razor Ramon at Summerslam.
Diesel went on his own. Bret Hart also dealt with family turmoil as Owen “helped” Bob Backlund defeat Bret for the WWF title. A few days later, Diesel defeated Backlund.
Royal Rumble 1995
The Hitman returned to the WWF right before the 1995 Royal Rumble. He immediately set his sights on the new WWF Champion, Diesel. During this time, several “insiders” suggested that the Hitman had changed.
One of those “insiders” was Shawn Michaels, who liked to stir up trouble between Diesel and Bret Hart. Bret Hart was definitely more aggressive in the match; however, so was Diesel.
The crowd in Tampa at the Royal Rumble was treated to a classic. However, Shawn Michaels’ jealousy got the best of him, and he attacked Diesel during the match.
The referee, however, refused to let this end as a DQ. The Hitman’s enemies were also lying in wait as Owen and Bob Backlund both interfered. Again, there must be a winner.
The match resumed, but again, Michaels, Owen, Bob Backlund, and Jeff Jarrett attacked both stars. Diesel and the Hitman had to join forces to clear the ring.
Shawn Michaels was far from done that night. In what could only be deemed one of the best Royal Rumble performances ever, HBK skinned the cat and eliminated the British Bulldog to win the Rumble and a shot at Diesel.
At WrestleMania XI, Shawn Michaels won the right to challenge Diesel for the WWF Title. HBK decided that after the Rumble win, the locker room was jealous.
He hired a new bodyguard, Sycho Sid. If there was anyone who could take care of Big Daddy Cool Diesel, it was Sid.
At the time, Michaels was as dastardly a heel as he ever was; however, HBK earned the fans’ respect in that match. Shawn Michaels was defeated, but the fans were cheering his performance.
The next night on Raw, Shawn Michaels challenged Diesel again, but this time around, he felt like he could do it himself. HBK gave his bodyguard, Sid, the night off.
Angered, Sid powerbombed HBK. Diesel ran in to save his Michaels. He defeated Jeff Jarrett to become the new Intercontinental Champion. He and Diesel were best of friends, now known as the two dudes with attitudes.
The fans respected this version of HBK. Sid tried to take the title from Diesel but was unsuccessful. In fact, Diesel held the WWF Championship until Survivor Series 1995, when he was defeated by Bret Hart. The Hitman was now a three-time WWF Champion.
WrestleMania XII Iron Man Match
Heading into 1996, Bret Hart found himself defending the WWF Title against The Undertaker. Big Daddy Cool Diesel, still angry over losing the title, blamed the Undertaker.
During the match, Diesel interfered, costing Taker his match. Bret Hart retained the WWF Title. Later that night, Shawn Michaels cemented his legacy by once again winning the Royal Rumble.
That’s right, Shawn Michaels, The Heartbreak Kid, had won back-to-back Royal Rumbles. This time, he would challenge Bret Hitman Hart at Wrestle Mania XII.
It seemed as though their careers had been parallel to each other. Every time these two stars met, there was a certain chemistry. However, until this time, they were not the main event of Mania. This time, these two icons would meet in a 60-minute iron match with the winner becoming WWF Champion.
In the weeks leading up to WrestleMania XII, The Hitman defeated challengers like Diesel, Undertaker, and British Bulldog.
As always, he was a fighting champion. Shawn Michaels was likewise challenged by Owen Hart. On one particular Monday Night Raw, Michaels suffered a concussion when Owen’s spinning back kick connected with his head.
Many thought Shawn would not even make it to WrestleMania. However, showing his resilience, the Showstopper came back and defeated Owen Hart. Both men decided to go back to their roots for this match.
This story could not have been told better. Bret was shown in the Dungeon. There were vignettes shot of the Hitman running around Calgary, prepping for his match.
Bret sought advice from his father, Stu Hart. Shawn Michaels returned to his home state of Texas. WWF continuously blasted promos talking about Shawn Michaels’ boyhood dream.
Shawn would be running the steps of a stadium and doing pushups while standing on his head. It also showed Michaels getting advice from his Mentor, Jose Lethario. The stage was set, and these two superstars were about to clash on the grandest stage of them all, WrestleMania.
Shawn Michaels wins the WWF Title
Bret Hart’s catchphrase was “I am the Best there is, The Best there was, and the Best there ever will be.” It was more than a catchphrase. This was a champion who lived by that. Shawn Michaels was always confident.
His famous quote is “I will give you a show as you’ve never seen before. why? Because I can. ” At WrestleMania XII, Shawn Michaels had an opportunity to prove just that.
Once in a while, the main event at WrestleMania is something special. This was one of those times. Both men were at the top of their Game. The match started very slowly. Surprisingly, Michaels was outwrestling Bret Hart.
The Hitman was just waiting for Michaels to fizzle out. Once Bret Hart got on the offensive, Michaels was in trouble. Bret Hart was as aggressive as he ever was.
At one point, he back body dropped HBK right out of the ring. Michaels went for the Superkick, Hart ducked, and the timekeeper, Mark Yeaton, was knocked out unconscious.
The war raged on as these two gave everything they had. 30 minutes went by still neither superstar had any falls. Finally, they were nearing the 60-minute mark, still with no falls.
The excellence of the Hitman was unparalleled. The resilience of the Heartbreak Kid was off the charts. Finally, at the 58-minute mark, Michaels was trapped in the sharpshooter. The time limit had expired.
Thinking he had retained his championship, Bret walked back to the locker room. However, WWF President Gorilla Monsoon declared the match would continue. Both superstars agreed.
Unfortunately for the Hitman, the overtime meant the end of his title reign as Shawn Michaels hit two superkicks to win the championship.
As the show went off the air, Vince McMahon’s words on commentary rang true:
“The boyhood dream had come true for Shawn Michaels.”
But the seeds of a feud between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels appeared to have just gotten started….
