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#1 Bret "The Hitman" Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin in a Submission Match (WWE WrestleMania 13)
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Stone Cold Steve Austin is viewed as the biggest superstar in WWE history. He is the man often associated with wrestling's peak in the Attitude Era. Austin's star first shined bright opposite Bret "The Hitman" Hart. After a months-long hiatus in 1996, Bret returned to the WWE at the Survivor Series pay-per-view and chose Austin to be his opponent.
The two men put on a spectacular match that stole the show in Madison Square Garden and showed everyone that Stone Cold was destined for bigger things. Their rivalry would only grow hotter as the months went on. Austin cost Bret the Royal Rumble and WWE Championship, which pushed The Hitman over the edge and caused him to snap. The hostilities came to a head in a Submission Match at WrestleMania 13.
A former WWE writer just went after JBL for his comments HERE
This was a completely different Submission Match than what was seen before or after in the WWE. The no disqualification element of this stipulation was used to its fullest potential with the brawl between the two men spilling into the crowd at the Allstate Arena in Chicago. UFC fighter Ken Shamrock was brought in to be the special referee and added to the intense nature of this contest.
Bret tried to break down Stone Cold, attacking his leg to set up for the Sharpshotter, while Austin went into his bag of tricks and pulled out the Million Dollar Dream, looking to make his opponent pass out. The Hitman busted Austin open using the ring bell. The blood across Stone Cold's face would be remembered as the quintessential image of The Texas Rattlesnake's career.
Austin's refusal to submit in the Sharpshotter put him over as the ultimate babyface, while Hart continuing to attack his opponent after he passed out turning him into one of the most hated superstars in the industry. The Attitude Era's pillars were set here and started an incredibly entertaining run of programming for the WWE.
The significance of this encounter cannot be emblemished. This set Austin on a course to become the biggest babyface in wrestling. This Submission Match is often talked about among the greatest in WrestleMania history.
The quality of the match, and its impact on the entire industry, is why Bret "The Hitman" Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin is the greatest rematch in WWE history.
