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Post by stunninggrover on Apr 12, 2018 0:55:45 GMT -5
1992-04-05 Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper [WWF Intercontinental Championship] (WWF WrestleMania VIII @ Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, IN)
Bret Hart challenged for the WWF Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania VIII. If nobody will have this match on their list, I’ll understand. But, I want to at least mention this match. Perhaps I’m biased because this was my favourite match on one of my favourite WWF Coliseum Home Video VHS cassettes that I owned as a kid (WrestleMania VIII), but I still think this is an all-time classic. It’s also one of the few WWF matches of Roddy Piper that I think was great when it comes to in-ring work. Most of Piper’s WWF career is about his mic skills and his charisma, but here he hangs in there with the Hitman as wrestler. It’s a babyface vs. babyface match, but Bret secretly juices to give it a bit more of a heated feel. The pre-match promo is cool is well, where Piper is his usual talkative self and Bret is more interested in settling things in the ring.
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Post by tetsujin on Apr 24, 2018 7:29:50 GMT -5
Second, second, second!
I didn't know this wasn't nominated yet, and I'm surprised. I'm sure a lot of people here love this match and will have it on their lists, 'cause this is one of the best matches of both guys careers: tremendous technique, 'stiffnes' in a WWF way, drama, character work and all of that in the biggest stage of them all, stealing the show. Maybe the best WWE IC Championship match ever?
A very strong top 75 contender.
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Post by elliott on Jul 17, 2018 21:19:21 GMT -5
3rd.
This isn't the best match either guy had, but it is my favorite they ever had and one of my absolute favorite matches. This is just perfect and I wouldn't change a single second of it. I won't vote for it, but realistically a top 10 "favorite matches ever' candidate.
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Post by superstarsleeze on Dec 26, 2018 22:42:40 GMT -5
Hate to be a jerk but I think this is one of the most overrated matches I've seen. It's a perfectly good match but I don't get the big deal.
WWF Intercontinental Champion "Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs Bret "Hitman" Hart - WrestleMania VIII
If there was ever a match that did NOT need blood it was this. Vince must let Bret believe he worked him because that has to be one of the worst hidden bladejobs in the history of the business. Who the hell ever gets color off a punch? At least hit a hard, metal object. They didnt really need blood to get the match over. They were having a heated babyface vs babyface match. Still, I thought the match was great and a really strong Bret performance. I have said many times, many ways that Bret is the King of the Face vs Face match, but more often than not thats playing the subtle heel. Here it is Piper playing the subtle heel. If I have a criticism of the match, it is that it is rushed, but it is Mania and there is a lot to get through. Tempers were already flaring in the back when Piper was treating Bret like a kid and talking down to him. Bret does that move where he bucks off his opponent onto the floor. Piper is hot. He feels he got shown up and spits at the challenger. Bret does a cheap move himself. He pretends he hurt himself on a dropkick (landed funny) and then rolls up Piper in a cradle. Piper hauls off and smack him good for that one. Piper finally takes control when Bret goes to fix his boot and suckerpunches him. This is where Bret gets busted open. Piper does a good job during his heat segment. He was never one with much offense, but it is short and heated and Bret is a great seller. Bret hits a great desperation elbow where he falls as much as he lunges at Piper. Then it is an abridged Five Moves of Doom, but he cant negotiate the Sharpshooter. He eats the foot. The ref gets bumped off a throw off a side headlock. Now Piper gets the bell. "What the hell use the bell!" Great Heenan line. Hot Rod goes soft before our eyes and decides against using the bell. It is 1992 for sure because they actually cheer when he tosses the bell aside! Piper goes for his sleeper, but Bret uses the Survivor Series 1996 finish here where he climbs the buckles and pushes off to pin Piper. Bret was always good at those creative pinfall finishes.
It feels rushed at spots, but they pack a lot in there. It is a big moment for Bret to get a championship victory at Mania and a great sendoff for Roddy. ***1/2
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Post by lemming on Dec 4, 2023 5:48:44 GMT -5
I voted this #19 this year.
Both guys really nailed this. Piper's pre-match promo is a great one and sets the tone, with him patronisingly talking down to Bret and treating him lightly. Sets up a classic face vs face match with extra pride on the line for both competitors, manifesting in extra chippiness and heat. Both guys throw their best shots at each other (neither afraid to resort to tricks), and it builds to the famous Piper heel tease with the bell at the end. One of the most satisfying and pure fun matches ever.
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