The wrestling staff of Back Sports Page have carefully selected what they believe to be the top 41 matches in WrestleMania history. Presented in chronological order, this series will detail the backstory, match review, and aftermath of each match, along with how the outcomes shaped the careers of those involved.
Backstory: WrestleMania XIII, held on March 23, 1997, at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago, featured one of the most iconic and transformative matches in wrestling history: Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin in a Submission Match. The story was built on months of animosity, beginning with Austin’s rise during the 1996 King of the Ring tournament, where he coined the phrase “Austin 3:16.”
Austin repeatedly disrespected Bret, calling him outdated and challenging his place in the WWF. Bret returned from a hiatus to accept Austin’s challenge, and the two clashed at Survivor Series 1996, with Bret narrowly escaping with a win. Their hatred only grew, and by WrestleMania XIII, it had evolved into a deeply personal grudge match.
To raise the stakes, the bout was made a Submission Match, with UFC star Ken Shamrock brought in as the special guest referee.
Match Review: The match was an all-out war that blurred the lines between sport and spectacle. Austin and Hart brawled inside and outside the ring, using cables, the steel steps, and even the guardrails as weapons. The crowd, initially behind Hart, began to shift as Austin displayed resilience and grit in the face of overwhelming punishment.
In the match’s most iconic moment, Austin, blood pouring down his face, refused to tap out while trapped in the Sharpshooter. He eventually passed out from the pain and blood loss, leading Shamrock to call for the bell and award the match to Hart.
Aftermath:
- Bret Hart won the match, but his relentless assault on Austin post-match drew boos from the crowd. The victory marked the beginning of his heel turn in the U.S., as fans began to see him as bitter and hypocritical.
- Steve Austin, despite losing, was elevated to superstardom. His refusal to quit, his bloodied face in the Sharpshooter, and his walkout without assistance made him a folk hero. This match solidified the birth of the anti-hero persona that would lead the WWF into the Attitude Era.
- Ken Shamrock’s involvement helped give the match a legitimate, hard-hitting feel, adding a layer of realism to the brutal affair.
The double turn executed during this match — Hart becoming a heel and Austin turning face — is considered one of the greatest storytelling achievements in wrestling history. WrestleMania XIII’s Hart vs. Austin bout remains one of the most influential matches of all time.
Featured Articles
Featured Writers
