Submission Match: Bret Hart vs Steve Austin 3/23/97
This was arguably the second best match in Wrestlemania history and arguably the best match in the careers of both men. It was also historic in that it signalled the end of the Bret Hart face era and the beginning of the Austin era in the WWF. Ken Shamrock was the guest referee for this match. Austin charged Bret at the bell and the action quickly spilled outside the ring and into the crowd. Both men traded the advantage during this stretch, with the highlight being Bret clotheslining Austin while he was sitting on the ringside barricade. The fight continued with generally basic offense, but also with a great level of intensity. Bret worked on Austin's leg for a couple minutes but Austin turned things around with a stone cold stunner. However, Bret soon regained control and hooked Austin in the figure four leglock around the ringpost. Austin knocked Bret silly with a chairshot. Austin then used a few submission holds to try to gain the win. Austin attempted a sharpshooter but Bret cut him off. The action spilled outside the ring again, and Bret maintained the advantage as Austin's head began to bleed like a pig. Austin mounted an inspired comeback climaxing with a superplex. However, at 20:20 Bret applied the sharpshooter as blood gushed out of Austin's forehead at an alarming rate. Austin was briefly able to escape the hold, but Bret quickly reapplied it. Austin "passed out" and Shamrock awarded the match to Bret at 22:03. After the match, Bret continued his assault on Austin's leg and had to be physically restrained by Shamrock. And so began the modern era of the WWF. Nothing innovative in terms of the work, but great intensity and a very good storyline. ****3/4