Hart made his own luck in WWE. We have grown accustomed to seeing “great workers” of the modern era fall flat or lose a crowd given the wrong program or card position. Bret never allowed an audience that option. He just dragged you into it – a meaningless match he could make mean something. And while the company was out looking everywhere else for their next big star, he took the choice from out of their hands.

Seen at the time as an also-ran by the powers that be, it was tag team success with The Hart Foundation which threw his career an early lifeline. He and Jim Neidhart mixed contrasting styles and characters, creating a compelling dynamic while giving Bret the platform to showcase his talent clearly. Once that door creaked open for him, Bret forced his way through – his combination of technical ability and match psychology separating him from the rest of the locker room.

It was at this time we first saw one of Hart’s greatest strengths as a wrestler; the duality he brought to The Hitman character. At the drop of a hat, he could slide from heel to face / face to heel, equally effective in each, without losing his edge. It gave him depth as a performer. He could show a darker side to the hero or redeemable qualities in the villain as a storyline or match required it. It was a concept he grasped better than anyone and was able to utilize effectively throughout his run.

Solo stardom was the next logical progression for the already very popular Hitman. His connection with the crowd and near-perfect match quality made him the guy to build the company around. Hart had a terrific wrestling brain and understanding of how to work around the limitations of opponents. His name on top of a card guaranteed the main event would always deliver. He could be paired up with anyone from the 1-2-3 Kid to Yokozuna and produce a match worthy of closing the show.

Working alongside personal friends and family though is what brought the best out of him. Battles with Austin, Undertaker and Piper, a handful of great matches with Hennig, SummerSlam against Davey Boy, and a couple of classics with little brother Owen provide some of the greatest examples of his capabilities.

The ghosts of Montreal shadowed his career for way too long – an incredible 13 year run reduced to one single incident. And while everybody has their own opinion on it, as do I, it’s old ground I’d rather not re-tread. Ironically it was McMahon who said that WCW would never know what to do with a Bret Hart, and how right he was. Given the hottest property in the business at the time, WCW did the same thing they always did and squandered it right away from day one. While championship reigns followed, he was creatively and artistically stifled by the confines of WCW’s ineptitude. Save for a few momentary highlights, it was an otherwise dismal time for The Hitman.

Tremendous personal tragedy tailed him in the years that followed, and his own in ring career was effectively ended at Starrcade ’99 due to injuries suffered in what should have been a dream match against Goldberg.

Hart’s return to WWE some years later was a welcome one. He was back where he always belonged. There was almost a sense that he had regained control of his legacy. He got the Hall of Fame send off he deserved and it gave fans the opportunity to say goodbye in the right way. A step back in to the ring however was less desired, with Bret’s injuries greatly limiting what he could do physically. An ill-conceived WrestleMania match up with Vince and the select few bouts since would be best forgotten about.

Given his ring smarts, natural athleticism and technical proficiency, it seems reasonable to assume Hart’s wrestling prime could have continued well into his forties had his health allowed for it. Bret has spoken numerous times over the years of his wish to work with the next generation of stars, the likes of Angle, Batista and Mysterio. It’s just a shame we were robbed of those matches. What he did achieve in his time as an active wrestler though, will surely never be forgotten. An exceptional talent and inspiration to those who came after him, The Hitman remains one of wrestling few truly global icons.

Defining Match Of The WrestleMania Era: Bret Hart vs. The British Bulldog at SummerSlam 1992.

If you ever needed proof of how far the intercontinental championship has fallen, this is it. Over 80,000 packed in to Wembley Stadium to see The British Bulldog get his shot at then champion Bret Hart. This was Hart’s first time headlining a PPV, and it’s what he considers his finest performance.

1. Jobber Battle Royal for a shot at the IC or US title

Okay, not all of these guys were jobbers. The returning Christian, Miz, and William Regal were in the match. I saw Tyson Kidd in there. The final three came down to Christian, Miz, and David Otunga. After eliminating Otunga, it came down to Christian and Miz and the ending was pretty predictable. Miz thought he won, but he didn’t, and Christian eliminated him.

Winner: Christian

Christian chose Santino.

2. Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger vs. Kofi Kingston and R-Truth

How do Ziggler and Swagger not have an official team name?

It was a very old school and traditional tag match psychology with tremendous athleticism. All four guys did a great job. Swagger and Ziggler had the heat on Truth forever. Hot tag to Kofi and all the high spots followed. Ziggler hit the Zig Zag and Truth broke it up. Truth did a dive over the top rope and Miz didn’t catch him. Just kidding. Ziggler ran towards Kofi and ate a Trouble In Paradise.

Winner: Kofi Kingston and R-Truth

3. Beth Phoenix vs. Layla

Layla actually won the match. Beth worked on her knee for a lot of the match. They did the roll-up spot to make you think Layla would get luck with the win, but Beth kicked out. Then, Layla stuck a neck breaker and pinned her.

Winner: Layla

4. Alberto Del Rio vs. Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton vs. Sheamus

As you would expect, the match was chaotic, but well planned out, especially for the last five minutes. There was a chance where I thought Jericho was actually going to win the match near the end as he had Sheamus rolled up. Orton hit the RKO on everyone and even did the DDT from the second rope on both Alberto and Ricardo. But then Sheamus gave him the Brogue Kick. Jericho hit the Code Breaker on nearly everyone as well. After Jericho got a two-count, Sheamus grabbed him for the White Noise (stupid name) and got the three count.

Winner: Sheamus

Christian changed his mind and wants Cody tonight.

5. The Miz vs. Brodus Clay

Miz is pulling double duty. Miz came out dancing to his theme song with Thriller choreography.

Match was longer than probably all Brodus matches, but he won the way he always wins, with the big splash.

Winner: Brodus Clay

6. Christian vs. Cody Rhodes

There wasn’t a lot of buzz into seeing Christian twice. He beat Rhodes to win the IC strap in a pretty good match with the Killswitch. The best spot of the match was Cody’s sweet moonsault.

Winner: Christian

7. Daniel Bryan vs. CM Punk

This was really excellent. Great psychology. Great athleticism. Back and forth match where both guys got over and the guy who lost was over a ton. Punk targeted Bryan’s kicking knee. Bryan continued to target Punk’s ribs from his Smackdown injury. The best spot early on was a Surfboard maneuver in which Bryan was shouting “Yes!” as he rocked back and forth. Punk hit the Randy Savage savage elbow after Bryan hit the headbutt from the top. They were playing a game of top this. At the finish, Bryan finally got the Yes Lock on Punk and rocked back on it, but his shoulders were down. The ref counted three and one second later, Punk tapped. Bryan thought he won.

Winner: CM Punk

8. Camacho vs. Ryback

Yawn.

Winner: Ryback

9. John Laurinaitis vs. John Cena

Cena goofed around with Johnny Ace for the entire match which was reminiscent of whenever Steve Austin would work with Vince McMahon. Ace got in a few chair shots. He tried running to the back, but was cut off by The Big Show, who was fired on Monday. Show threw Ace into Cena for the FU and then Show blasted Cena with a right hand and Ace got the pin.

Winner: John Laurinaitis

Based on storytelling, it was the right move. But now we have to see more Cena/Show matches?

Now, rewind back to 2002 and It’s no wonder we were all skeptical about a Shawn Michaels comeback. He had walked away from the business as a surefire hall of famer, leaving behind a legacy of one of the truly great workers, perhaps even the greatest. With his place in history already long since secured, there seemed little potential upside to an in ring return.

You didn’t have to like Michaels to appreciate what he brought to the business. He broke down barriers for smaller performers. He was instrumental in popularizing the more athletic, high risk styled, main events. He was again a force of change during the DX era; introducing an edgier side of Pro Wrestling. With Bret Hart he shared the most talked about rivalry in wrestling history. And between the two of them, they inspired most of the current generation of superstars. Five star matches; believe me, he had those to. His was a career littered with iconic images from the barber shop window to the Tyson knock out.

But above all else, Michaels was a phenomenal in ring performer. And four years out of the business is a long time, especially factoring in the litany of injuries which put a halt to his career in the first place. Few believed he could still be the Shawn Michaels of old, and if not, then why comeback at all?

Beat up and approaching 40, Shawn didn’t return the same wrestler, he came back a better one. An older and wiser version, both in and out of the ring. His athleticism remained, but to it he added a knowledge and maturity. It was during that eight year career encore that Michaels produced his best work. I truly believe it’s what has taken him from top 20 on this list to top 5. We could talk about his Wrestlemania record, or some of his big one off performances, but it was his consistency over that second run that made it what it was. On PPV, on Raw, on house shows; it didn’t matter, he just always delivered. It was simply quite remarkable.

I have little doubt Shawn could step back in the ring tomorrow at at least 90 percent of what he was, and more likely 99 or 100 percent. I still hope he doesn’t do it because there will come a time when it’s just not there anymore. The magic has to run out eventually. And he can be the one guy who left while he was still on top.

Defining Match Of The WrestleMania Era: Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 26.

You couldn’t have possible asked for a more fitting end to Shawn Michaels’ in ring career. These two guys set the bar impossibly high just one year prior, and not only did they have a match every bit as good, but one that told a far greater story as well. This match, from the background and build to the execution and aftermath, is one of the greatest things WWE has ever done.

1. The Miz vs. Santino

And, the burial of the Miz continues. Miz jobs clean to the cobra.

Winner: Santino

They did the spin the wheel gimmick for The Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes and it’s going to be a Tables match.

The show opened with a big Cena vs. Lesnar video package, similar to what we’ve seen on TV the last couple weeks.

First up is Randy Orton and Kane. At least they get it out of the way early.

2. Kane vs. Randy Orton

It was kind of backwards. They barely got started in the ring and most of the match was outside of the ring and in the back. It was really awkward and boring early on, but picked up. The story of the match was that Orton kept trying to set up the RKO, but Kane was ready for it. Back in the ring, Kane had Orton set up for the Tombstone on the chair, but Orton got out of it and set up the RKO on the chair, but really, he took most of it on his back. Orton wins.

Winner: Randy Orton

3. Brodus Clay vs. Dolph Ziggler

Sort of an impromptu match, but it was Clay’s first appearance on PPV. Too bad they’ve completely watered him down. Clay won the match, which wasn’t able to be saved by Ziggler’s greatness. Get the guy in a program already.

Winner: Brodus Clay

4. The Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes

Pretty pathetic show thus far. It can only get better from here. This might be one of the worst table matches you’ll ever see if you’re looking for hard hitting action. The finish was kind of creative, but a cop out for sure. Cody was being dominated, but did do a sweet Beautiful Disaster kick off the table that was perched in the corner. Show was coming into the ring from the apron and Rhodes kicked his knee out which made Show slip and step on the table that was next to him. Basically, he stepped on the table, broke it, and lose the match. Show killed Rhodes after the match.

Winner: Cody Rhodes

5. Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus

Really good first fall match. They’re wrestling a really good little man (smart) big man (power) match. It’s really perfect for their styles and Sheamus is keeping it up. After about 10 minutes of quality wrestling, Bryan wouldn’t stop doing Yes! kicks in the corner and was DQ’d. Sheamus wins the first fall.

Bryan smiled like that was the plan. Once the match was restarted, Bryan hit the drop kick into the corner and then immediately put on the Yes! lock. Sheamus sat in it for about a minute and the referee called for the bell. Sheamus was out.

After a dead Sheamus came to life, Bryan sprinted at him and ate the Brogue Kick for a good two count. Bryan kept missing big moves, allowing Sheamus to get his energy back. He had one more Brogue Kick left in him for the pin.

Winner: Sheamus

That match will be hard to follow.

6. Two jobbers vs. Ryback

You know what happened here.

Winner: Ryback

7. Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk

Both are out wearing jeans. Long match, but really well done. Jericho tried to beat up Punk in front of his sister who was in the front row. She slapped him. At one point, Jericho poured beer on him.

The psychology was well done. Jericho had Punk in the Walls and Punk couldn’t break it with the ropes because it was a street fight. He used a fire extinguisher instead. Punk also hit an awesome Shawn Michaels-esque elbow off the top rope and through the Spanish announcer’s table. Jericho had Punk in the GTS, Punk maneuvered out of it, flung Jericho into the exposed turn buckle, and then hit the GTS for the win.

Winner: CM Punk

Beth Phoenix isn’t wrestling tonight per Eve. Kharma posted this earlier.

Eve says it won’t be Kharma. We’ll see who it is.

It looks like it’s Layla. They could do worse.

8. Nikki Bella vs. Layla

Brie did a switcheroo, but she got pinned by a neck breaker (Rick Rude style). Layla is the new Divas Champ.

Winner: Layla

By the way, Kharma trolled us all.

9. Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena

This was the most mesmerizing match I’ve ever seen. Brock killed him. Literally opened him up with elbows. Just destroyed him. Cena would get a short comeback and then eat a knee. Brock vaulted himself using the steps to body block Cena who was on the apron and mistimed it and ended up going over the top rope himself. He tried to do it again but ate John Cena’s chain to the head. Cena then gave him the FU on the steps.

Amazing match, horrendous finish. This is WWE cutting off their nose to spite their face.

Winner: John Cena

Cena cut a promo teasing that he’d be leaving for some time.

Here’s your go-home angle for this weekend’s Extreme Rules: