Bret Hart Explains Psychology Behind Steve Austin Match – WWE is set to launch a new tradition at this year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, introducing the Immortal Moment honor to commemorate the most iconic matches in wrestling history. The first bout to receive this prestigious distinction is the unforgettable WrestleMania 13 submission match between Bret “Hitman” Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin — a contest that has long been considered a storytelling masterpiece. And now, WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart is reflecting on why it deserves such praise.
In a candid interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Hart offered rare insight into the psychological depth and behind-the-scenes planning that made the match so memorable. Calling it a “gem” and an “experiment,” Hart revealed that only he and Austin knew a significant creative change was coming right after the match.
“I knew, and Steve found out that day, that I was going to turn heel the following night on RAW,” Hart explained. “We were the only two that knew that.”
That knowledge informed every moment of their WrestleMania clash. Hart believed Austin was also on the verge of a pivotal transformation. “My instincts told me that Steve was also going to turn,” he said. “I kind of knew it was a heel turn and a babyface turn all in the same match.”
What unfolded in the ring was more than a physical battle—it was a carefully layered psychological performance that shifted audience perception in real time. “The psychology of that… I always think about when I walked out to the ring, I got a pretty hearty cheer from everybody. I was the good guy,” Hart said. “And when I walked back through the same crowd at the end of it, I was definitely the bad guy.”
The visual of Austin, bloodied but unbroken, refusing to tap out and passing out in Hart’s Sharpshooter, became a defining image in wrestling history. The crowd, witnessing Hart’s post-match attack and Austin’s resilience, organically flipped their allegiances.
“What happened in 30 minutes or 35 minutes changed all that. That’s the storytelling,” Hart emphasized. “I think that’s the reason I think that match was as great as they’re saying it is today.”
WWE’s decision to officially recognize the match as the inaugural Immortal Moment at the Hall of Fame underscores its significance not just in the careers of Hart and Austin, but in the evolution of WWE’s narrative structure. It’s a celebration of wrestling’s ability to tell deep, compelling stories that resonate far beyond the squared circle.
For Hart, the honor is well-earned validation of what he and Austin created that night. A heel turn, a babyface ascension, and a seismic shift in fan perception — all executed in the span of one legendary match.
Bret Hart Explains Psychology Behind Steve Austin Match
