Bret Hart Explains Importance of Passing the Torch to Steve Austin, Didn’t Want Triple H & Shawn Michaels To Steal Position From Austin

During a recent interview with Dominic DeAngelo for Studio 1 Sports, WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart spoke about his iconic match against Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13 in 1997. Hart explained how he wanted to use the match to tell a great story and help “pass the torch to Steve.”

Hart also noted that he recognized that Austin was going to become a top guy, and that he refused to let former WWE rivals Shawn Michaels and Triple H “steal that position from him.”

Hart explained (via WrestlingNews.co), “With Steve, I just wanted to deliver a really good story for him because I wanted him to be the guy, and I knew he was gonna be the guy and he deserved to be the guy and I wasn’t gonna let Shawn and Triple H steal that position from him.” He added, “I wanted to pass the torch to Steve.”

Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13 was recognized by WWE and inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame last year, receiving the first Immortal Moment Award. Hart and Austin were both present for the induction at the Hall of Fame Ceremony. It was Hart’s third overall induction into the WWE Hall of Fame and Austin’s second.