WWE’s Greatest Rivalries

Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels & Bret Hart at WWF SummerSlam 1997 \ Credit: WWE

In the summer of 1997, WWE (then WWF) hosted its annual pay-per-view, SummerSlam: Hart & Soul, on August 3rd at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The main event was a showdown between The Undertaker and Bret Hart for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship, with Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee.

At the time, WWE was on the verge of its iconic Attitude Era, with the new-generation WWF scratch logo debuting later that year at Survivor Series on November 9th. That same event would also mark Bret "The Hitman" Hart's controversial departure from the company in what became known as the Montreal Screwjob.

But just a few months earlier, wrestling fans were treated to a masterclass in storytelling and in-ring performances from Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, and The Undertaker the night of SummerSlam.

What Happened at SummerSlam 1997?

While The Undertaker was defending his WWF Championship, the real drama lay in the bitter rivalry between The Heartbreak Kid and The Hitman. Both men had stipulations for the match: Bret Hart would not wrestle in the United States again if he lost, and Shawn Michaels would face the same fate if he didn't call the match down the middle as the special guest referee.

In the lead-up to SummerSlam, the feud between Bret and Shawn had peaked, in and out of the ring. Bret and The Hart Foundation intensified their real-life feud by adding in the USA vs. Canada storyline, making Bret the top heel in the company. In any arena in the United States, the Hitman was met with boos and hostility by fans. In Canada, however, he was cheered as the hometown hero.

That night, Bret Hart defeated The Undertaker to become the WWF Champion for the fifth time. The match perfectly blended storytelling and athleticism, showcasing flawless performances from three of wrestling's greatest stars.

During an interview on WWE's The Bump on August 12th, 2020, Bret Hart credited Shawn Michaels, stating that "it wouldn't have been a great match without Shawn."

When Did Bret Hart Leave WWF?

A few months after SummerSlam, at Survivor Series in Montreal, Bret wrestled his final match for the WWF before heading to World Championship Wrestling (WCW). His controversial departure from the WWF, known as the Montreal Screwjob, remains one of the most talked-about moments in pro wrestling history.

But despite his exit, the legacy of the Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels feud endures.

Legacy of the Rivalry

Shawn Michaels would earn the title "Mr. WrestleMania" and is widely regarded by many as one of the best in-ring performers ever. Bret Hart, known as The Excellence of Execution, is still praised today as one of the greatest pure wrestlers ever to step inside the squared circle. Living up to his famous catchphrase, "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be."

Fans still debate Bret Hart's and Shawn Michaels' rivalry nearly 30 years later, and we would argue that it is more discussed than any other rivalry in pro wrestling history.

So, we must ask: Are you Team Hitman or Team HBK?