For the first time, WWE is inducting a match into its Hall of Fame.

Bret Hart’s victory over Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13 will receive that honor in two weeks during WrestleMania weekend.

Not only was this an outstanding match, but Bret vs. Austin set the stage for huge things for both men and the entire World Wrestling Federation (at the time).

Bret had returned from an eight-month layoff after losing the WWF title to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XII. He beat Austin at Survivor Series 96 in another great match.

The rematch at Mania had a pair of special stipulations. It was a submission match, and former UFC Superfight champion Ken Shamrock would be the special referee.

Despite his longtime status as a hero, Bret was growing frustrated with his inability to regain his top spot in the company.

Despite his ruthless rule breaking, Austin was gaining support from fans as the “Attitude Era” gained steam.

DOUBLE TURN

The end of the match featured the iconic image of a bloody Austin refusing to surrender before passing out.

After Bret’s victory, the Hitman unleashed a vicious assault, turning the American fans against him.

Bret retained the support of fans in Canada, the UK and elsewhere, assembling the Hart Foundation as an anti-American force.

Austin rode his wave of momentum to a WWF title win over Shawn Michaels one year later at WrestleMania XIV.

OTHER WORTHY MATCHES

What other matches deserve to be inducted into the Hall of Fame? These immediately come to mind:

·      Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania III

·      Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart at WrestleMania X

·      Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon at WrestleMania X

·      Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania 25

The women’s title matches that have main evented WrestleMania could also go into the Hall.

·      Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 35

·      Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 37

OCTAGON ROOTS

The idea of inducting a match into the Hall of Fame comes from UFC, which is WWE’s corporate partner under the TKO umbrella.

The first fight to be inducted was Forrest Griffin vs. Steven Bonnar in The Ultimate Fighter finale in 2005, which put UFC on the map.