To that note, Bret was always great 30 minutes into a match of just looking dead-dog tired but fresh as a daisy, but on this occasion, because it was a comeback, he was actually tired after the match because it was that grueling.
It was a classic style match that I was very proud of, and at that time, putting in a match like that Vince started to see who and what I could do as a performer, as Stone Cold Steve Austin.
That match at WrestleMania 13 in Chicago, Rosemont, Bret Hart put me on the map, he made Stone Cold Steve Austin, and I had to do a lot myself obviously, but that’s how important Bret Hart was to my career.
I kind of knew a start, kind of knew a heat spot, kind of knew a few things were going to happen, then we just filled in the gaps out there, and if you go back and watch that match, if you watch me, I’ve got my head down, and everything is protected, but you can see who’s calling the match. I’m calling it.
We had already talked. Bret said a few things, but I was kind of calling the match, and we just went out there and I’ll never forget, we went into the finish with Vince.
We sat down, and Vince says, ‘You guys go do whatever you want to do. You got about this amount of time, but what I’m seeing Steve is you passing out in the Sharpshooter from Bret.’
Bret was down with it because it was his finish. He was going over. Bret went over every single match I wrestled him, and I’m cool with it. I’ve never beaten Bret in my entire career, and I’m not going to make a comeback to beat him.
Me and Bret go out to the ring. We’re just kind of standing there on the apron talking, and I said, I’ll be right back. And I went back into Vince’s office because I’m willing to do business with Bret.
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