{"id":64698,"date":"2020-03-23T07:36:06","date_gmt":"2020-03-23T11:36:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprowrestling.com\/?p=64698"},"modified":"2021-01-11T20:22:23","modified_gmt":"2021-01-12T01:22:23","slug":"never-quit-revisiting-steve-austin-vs-bret-hart-at-wrestlemania-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2020\/03\/23\/never-quit-revisiting-steve-austin-vs-bret-hart-at-wrestlemania-13\/","title":{"rendered":"Never Quit: Revisiting Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13"},"content":{"rendered":"

The showdown between Steve Austin<\/strong> and Bret Hart<\/strong>, at WrestleMania 13<\/em><\/strong>, took place at an interesting time. It was the spring of 1997 and the World Wrestling Federation<\/strong> was going through something of a development. Having adopted a child-friendly tone for years, the company started to pivot. World Championship Wrestling<\/strong> was gaining steam and, for a time, was the promotion that was the talk of the town. While this match wasn’t wholly responsible for turning the tide in Vince McMahon<\/strong> and company’s favor, it played a pivotal role.<\/p>\n

\"Bret
Photo \/ World Wrestling Entertainment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Build to WrestleMania 13<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Having been the company hero for years, Bret \u201cHitman\u201d Hart<\/a> found the changing landscape of the WWF perplexing. He couldn’t wrap his mind around the less child-friendly image the company had been developing. Furthermore, he expressed that he had offers given to him by other companies, meaning that his wrestling future remained uncertain. Loyal to the WWF, Hitman re-signed. However, he would find that being beloved in a more counterculture environment was easier said than done.<\/p>\n

Few encompassed said counterculture environment like \u201cStone Cold\u201d Steve Austin<\/a>. He was foulmouthed and antagonistic, picking a fight with anyone and never shy about playing dirty. Austin had just won the 1996 King of the Ring<\/em><\/strong> tournament, cutting the famous \u201cAustin 3:16\u201d promo after winning the crown. He wanted more, however, which led him to Hart. Austin taunted the multi-time WWF Champion at every opportunity. Hart returned from an eight-month break for what would become a historic feud.<\/p>\n

Initially, Austin and Hart feuded over the WWF Championship, held by Sycho Sid<\/strong> at the time.<\/h3>\n

Austin and Hart met at Survivor Series<\/em><\/strong>, in November of 1996, to determine a new number one contender. After a hard-fought battle, Hart used the turnbuckle to kick off and surprise pin Austin; this was reminiscent of how he defeated \u201cRowdy\u201d Roddy Piper<\/strong> at WrestleMania VIII<\/em><\/strong> four years earlier. Despite this first showdown between \u201cStone Cold\u201d and \u201cThe Hitman\u201d being solid, it would not be the match most fans associated with them.<\/p>\n