5 longest matches in WWE WrestleMania history

#1 Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels - WWE WrestleMania XII (01:01:56)

Shawn Michaels defeated Bret Hart at WrestleMania XII in an Iron Man match to become the WWE Champion for the first time

The longest match in WWE WrestleMania history is arguably one of the greatest main events ever seen in WWE. Bret "Hitman" Hart vs Shawn Michaels in a 60-minute Iron Man match for the WWE Championship.

The boyhood dream came true at #WrestleMania XII... Experience the historic event in 60 seconds! @ShawnMichaels pic.twitter.com/x0BOtKA7Gt

— WWE (@WWE) March 18, 2018

Shawn Michaels earned his opportunity to challenge Bret Hart for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania XII after winning the 1996 Royal Rumble. The HeartBreak Kid would also later defeat Bret Hart's brother, Owen Hart, at In Your House 6 to keep his WrestleMania WWE Championship opportunity.

The rules of the Iron Man match were that the winner would be the WWE Superstar who had won the most falls before 60 minute time limit was reached. At the time, the WWE Universe had very rarely seen a match go this length.

#WrestleMania XII is the ONLY @WrestleMania that feature ALL of the following:◾️ @steveaustinBSR ◾️ @TripleH ◾️ @ShawnMichaels ◾️ @BretHart ◾️ #Undertaker◾️ @RealKevinNash ◾️ #UltimateWarrior◾️ #RowdyRoddyPiperYep, there's a @WWE Hall of Famer in every match. pic.twitter.com/YRDjCiUP2U

— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) March 31, 2020

Featuring two of the greatest in-ring performers of all time, there was no doubt that it was going to be a classic. Despite the 60 minute time limit, there was not a single fall earned during the original time span.

Initially labeled as a draw, it was announced that the match would go into sudden death over time. During overtime, Shawn Michaels connected with Sweet Chin Music, pinning Bret Hart and winning the first WWE Championship of his career after a grueling 1 hour, 1 minute and 56 seconds of action.