Bret "Hit Man” Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
November 9, 1997
Molson Centre
Montreal, Quebec, CanadaThe 11th annual Survivor Series featured a match that is perhaps the most talked about, controversial encounter in recent history. With the title on the line, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels clashed in one of sports-entertainment's watershed moments. On that night, fans witnessed the true nature of Federation Chairman Vince McMahon. Until then, he had been perceived mainly as a TV announcer, down-playing his role as owner of the company. But on this infamous night in Montreal, the evil Mr. McMahon went public. Seeking to screw over the man who had worked for him for 13 years, McMahon saw to it that Bret lost the match by submission, despite the fact that he never actually gave up. Hart lost his fifth and final Federation Championship and immediately defected to WCW. Federation fans would never again look on McMahon the same way. The rules had changed in the World Wrestling Federation. The era of “Attitude” had begun. ~ From Striving to Survive By Brian Solomon, WWF Magazine–Dec 01
WrestleMania X
Ladder Match for the
Intercontinental Championship
Shawn Michaels vs. Razor RamonThe first ladder match in World Wrestling Federation history set the precedent For all others. Ramon and Michaels were both brutal and resourceful and, by the end of the contest, the metal staircase seemed to have a personality all its own. Several months earlier, Michaels had been stripped of his Intercontinental title For Failing to meet contractual obligations. He took a leave of absence from the World Wrestling Federation. When he returned—still wearing his old belt—he found the Razor in possession of the IC championship. The Heartbreak Kid claimed to be the true titlist, and, to resolve the situation, the Federation suspended both belts from the ceiling for an IC title match at WrestleMania X. The First mon to scramble up the ladder to snare them would become the undisputed champ. After Michael's bodyguard, Diesel, was ordered back to the dressing room, there were no more outside distractions, allowing both combatants to utilize the ladder to their ferocious delight. Ramon propped the object up on the ring apron, and sling-shotted his Foe into the stairwell from the arena floor. Shawn executed a baseball slide into the ladder, forcing it into Razor's chest as he stood at ringside. Later, as Ramon was ascending toward the belts, Michaels delivered a missile dropkick from the top turnbuckle, knocking Razor off the ladder before dropping the weapon on top of him. The end came as Shawn scurried up the ladder, and Roman toppled it. Flailing about in mid-air, Michaels Fell spread-eagled across the top rope, catching his leg between the cables. By the time he finally freed himself, Ramon had snared the belts. The fans cheered wildly, because Razor was now the official Intercontinental Champion—and both men had set a new standard in sports-entertainment.~ From Greatest of the Great by Keith Elliot Greenberg– WWF Magazine Mar 02