Bret "Hit Man" Hart and Shawn Michaels started out as friendly rivals in WWE. Competing as one half of The Hart Foundation and The Rockers, respectively, the two were consistently at the top of WWE's Tag Team division.
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
Even as singles competitors, their paths frequently crossed.
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
At Survivor Series 1992, WWE Champion Hart collided with Intercontinental Champion Michaels in a Champion vs. Champion showdown for Hart's title.
1 / 68
1 / 68
1 / 68
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
Though HBK threw everything he had at Hart ...
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
... "The Hit Man" walked out as WWE Champion.
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
They renewed their rivalry at WrestleMania XII in 1996 in the first-ever WWE Iron Man Match for Hart's WWE Championship.
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
The two competitors battled to a 0-0 draw in a grueling 60-minute war.
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
In the sudden-death overtime period, Michaels clobbered Hart with Sweet Chin Music ...
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
... and etched his name into history by capturing the WWE Championship.
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
As WWE fans clamored for a rematch between the two over the next year, Hart and Michaels' personal and professional relationship began to crumble.
1 / 68
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
Advertisement: Click the arrow to continue
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
HBK inadvertently helped Hart win back the WWE Championship at SummerSlam 1997, setting the stage for another showdown.
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
The enmity continued to grow ...
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
... and a rematch between the two was set for Survivor Series 1997 in Montreal.
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
A dark cloud hung over the match, as rumors of Hart leaving WWE for rival company WCW swirled through the sports-entertainment world.
1 / 68
1 / 68
1 / 68
1 / 68
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
Unbeknownst to Hart, WWE officials hatched a plan to ensure that Hart would not leave Montreal and the company as WWE Champion.
1 / 68
1 / 68
1 / 68
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
HBK eventually locked Hart in his patented Sharpshooter submission, and then the referee immediately called for the bell.
1 / 68
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
Michaels was awarded the WWE Championship, while Hart went on a rampage around ringside.
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
Advertisement: Click the arrow to continue
1 / 68
1 / 68
1 / 68
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
Hart would not set foot in a WWE ring again for almost 13 years.
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
Continued antagonizing of "The Hit Man" on WWE television only made things worse.
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
Hart moved on to WCW and found success, capturing the WCW, United States and WCW Tag Team Titles.
1 / 68
1 / 68
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
He was forced into retirement in 2000 due to injury.
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
Hart made a brief return to WWE in 2006 to accept his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
1 / 68
1 / 68
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
He made a surprising return to Monday Night Raw on Jan. 4, 2010.
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
A highly anticipated confrontation between "The Hit Man" and HBK took place ...
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
... but the two buried the hatchet.
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
Advertisement: Click the arrow to continue
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
Hart also returned to the ring on The Grandest Stage of Them All ...
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
... for a battle with WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon.
1 / 68
+ Show Caption
1 / 68
Hart put the past behind him with a victory at The Show of Shows, forcing Mr. McMahon to submit to the Sharpshooter.