Beyond the Ring Season 1 Episode 7 The Shawn Michaels & Bret Hart Rivalry

Beyond the Ring is a popular documentary series that takes wrestling fans on a journey through some of the most iconic moments in wrestling history. In this episode, titled "The Shawn Michaels & Bret Hart Rivalry," we are taken through the infamous feud between two of wrestling's greatest champions.

The episode starts off by introducing us to both Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart, two wrestlers who were at the peak of their careers in the early '90s. The two wrestlers were at the top of the ladder, both in terms of their in-ring abilities and their fan following.

We are shown clips from some of their most memorable matches, including their infamous match at WrestleMania 12, where Shawn Michaels defeated Bret Hart for the WWE Championship. Michaels and Hart were both at the top of their game during this time, and their matches were always a sight to behold.

However, the episode takes a turn when we are shown the backstage tension between the two wrestlers. Despite their on-screen chemistry, Michaels and Hart were not friends in real life and there was always a simmering tension between them.

We are shown clips of interviews where Michaels and Hart openly put each other down, with Hart stating that Michaels was a "phony" wrestler, while Michaels called Hart "boring" and "out of touch." As their rivalry continued to escalate, it started to affect their personal lives as well.

The episode then delves deeper into their infamous match at the 1997 Survivor Series, where Hart famously lost the WWE Championship to Michaels in a controversial finish. Hart had agreed to drop the title to Michaels, but he did not want to lose to Michaels in his hometown of Montreal.

What followed was one of the most controversial moments in wrestling history. As Michaels locked Hart into his finishing move, the Sharpshooter, referee Earl Hebner rang the bell, indicating that Hart had submitted. But Hart had not submitted, and he was visibly angry when he found out that the match had ended in such a controversial manner.

This moment would go down in wrestling history as the Montreal Screwjob, and it further fueled the tension between Michaels and Hart. Hart left the WWE soon after and went to work for rival promotion WCW, while Michaels continued to rise to new heights in WWE.

The episode then goes on to show how Michaels and Hart eventually reconciled many years later, with both wrestlers admitting that they had been immature and that their rivalry had taken a toll on their personal lives.

Overall, "The Shawn Michaels & Bret Hart Rivalry" is an excellent exploration of one of wrestling's most iconic rivalries. It shows us the highs and lows of two of wrestling's greatest champions, and it gives us a glimpse into the intense world of professional wrestling.