Inspiration To An Entire Generation – The Iron Man Match

60 Minutes Of Athleticism

Everyone remembers that moment in their childhood that they were viewing an event and knew something special is occurring. Twenty years ago two athletes decided to push their bodies past the limit for the entertainment of a nation of wrestling fans. Wrestlemania XII produced a classic gem that was never before thought possible. The Iron Man match for the World Heavyweight Championship. The defending champ Bret “The Hitman” Hart vs the 1996 Royal Rumble winner Shawn “Heartbreak Kid” Michaels. Two polar opposites who highly disliked each other outside of the business. Two very different routes taken that would lead to this night. Judging back on this night, it is still incredible and thrilling to have seen two wrestling gods facing off on one of the most amazing pay per views of all time.

A Rivalry Built On Hatred

Wrestling was a very different world back in the mid 90s. It had a huge following and fan base ranging from children to adults. The 80s and early 90s produced icons such as Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, Ric Flair, Undertaker, and Ultimate Warrior to name a few. But the sport had the extreme professional in Bret Hart. The Hitman Hart from Canada built his name in the late 80s as a member of the Hart Foundation. He built his style on precission, taking out foes with submission moves such as the sharp shooter. Known as the Excellence of Execution, the Best there was, the Best there is, and the Best there ever will be. His incredible work ethnic and demeanor would lead him to win the WWF Championship for the first time by 1992 against Ric Flair. By the time Wrestlemania XII came around, he was already cemented as the top dog in the business.

Shawn Michaels on the other hand was the hot shot from Texas who was known as a loose cannon. Many in the industry viewed him as young and wreckless. More interested in booze and ladies than actually growing as a wrestler. He started off in the late 80s as well as a members of the Rockers, and wouldn’t become the Heart Break Kid until 1992. He would eventually become a member of the Kliq along with Diesel, Razor Ramon, and Triple H. His style was based off much flash and sizzle, finishing off opponents with Sweet Chin Music. He would work the crowd, he loved them, and they loved him. He would lose himself in the hype and would constantly try to wow the crowd with terrifying maneuvers such as back ward flips off the top rope. By the mid 90s he had become a fan favorite, but Bret Hart would despise him. Afraid of his training or lack thereof, he was worried Michaels would unnecessarily hurt him during a match if he decided to fight with a hang over. Michaels would take this as a diss, and it sparked a fire in him. This fire would have him defeat Diesel along with many others in the 1996 Royal Rumble for a shot to win the title at Wrestlemania XII.

Iron Man Match

The stage was set for one of the greatest WWF Championship fights of all time. Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels would face off in an Iron Man Match. 60 minutes of wrestling, whoever ends up with the most pinfalls would eventually become the Champ. Every wrestler dreams of participating in a Wrestlemania, let alone headline one for the Title. Shawn Michaels would get another shot at winning his first title ever after coming up short the year before against Diesel at Wrestlemania XI. For Bret Hart, this would be his 3rd time on this stage. In Wrestlemania IX, he lost to Yokuzuna for the WWF Title. But in Wrestlemania X, he would avenge his lost and win the title at wrestling’s biggest event. The crowd in attendance at Anaheim, California was ready for war between these two titans. Surely enough, they would not be disappointed. Just the entrance for Shawn Michaels alone set the stage for what was to come.

Once the bell rang, the two went to work right away. Bret Hart often showing Shawn Michaels why he was the current Champ. Hart had every move calculated, letting Michaels make mistakes along the way and schooling him in the process. However the determination of Michaels on this night was too much. He would not give up regardless of what Hart would throw his way, and mid way through the fight he was countering a good amount of moves. Fans were on their feet for what would be the longest fight in the history of WWF. The fatigue on both these gladiators was starting to set, as both were trying to close the other and just put an end to it. You would never see two heavy hitters going at it like this ever again. In the final minutes, with the pinfall count still at 0-0, it would appear Bret Hart would put Michaels out of his misery. But on this night, Michaels will elevate himself to levels he himself didn’t think possible. As the 60th and final minute approached, Bret Hart locked Michaels in his signature move, the Sharpshooter. For 34 seconds Michaels refused to tap and endured agony for a shot at infamy.

The buzzer finally sounded off, a full 60 minutes. 0-0 draw. No pinfalls or submissions during this time. To the suprise of many, it ended a draw. As Bret Hart left the ring in belief that he had successfully defended his title belt, WWF President Gorilla Monsoon ordered sudden death. He was to return to the ring and first to score a pinfall would win. After 60 grueling minutes, there was more to come. Knowing that Bret Hart had incredible stamina and nearly perfect tact to go with skills, Michaels had to make quick work of him. Michaels’s lower back was nearly out of commission and Bret Hart decided to go after it. As things looked sour for Michaels, he was able to escape a corner to land a viscous Sweet Chin Music that floored Hart. As he had just enough energy to pin him, the count began. 3-2-1….it was over. Shawn Michaels had just won his first ever WWF Championship and became the Iron Man. The first ever to endure over an hour of torture. This is a night that will be long remembered by wrestling fans, as it would birth the beginning of the attitude era and made Shawn Michaels a superstar. Please let us know before what was your favorite match of all time.