The Premise

We posted a lot of ‘80s JCP wrestling the last couple of days, so I figured we’d watch some ‘90s WWF to mix it up a bit. Bret and Shawn have one of those great all-time rivalries, but no one really talks about how each ranks as Intercontinental champions. Over the next several parts, we’ll be watching IC title matches from both. 

05/11/1992 Prime Time Wrestling 

Intercontinental Title Match: Bret Hart (C) def. Skinner in 6:57

This match would have ruled in 1985, but it was very paint-by-numbers in 1992 in this era of Prime Time. Bret won a very simple, solid match cleanly with a sharpshooter. **

04/06/1993 WWF 

Intercontinental Title Match: Mr. Perfect def. Shawn Michaels (C) by DQ in 5:58

This was an abbreviated dark match at what used to be marathon WWF TV tapings, so the crowd was slightly spent. Shawn almost worked this match like an ode to the heel Perfect, even using a couple of staples of Mr. P. Shawn took a few nice bumps, even in the short match. They did a Dusty finish with an original referee overruling the title switch when it looked like Oerfect won. The match was fun before that spot. **1/4 

08/30/1991 WWF Prime Time

Intercontinental Title Match: Bret Hart (C) def. Hercules in 4:53 

Holy shit, Herc was becoming as big as a fucking house in the most literal sense of the term. He did some awful selling in this one, could hardly move, and eventually fell to a sharpshooter. *1/4

Intercontinental Title Match: 07/24/1995 WWF Monday Night Raw 

Shawn Michaels (C) def. Jimmy Delray in 5:21

I had higher hopes for this. They worked at a pretty fast pace and had some interference from Tom Prichard to give JDR some shred of hope, but neither Shawn nor Vince was taking the Bodies seriously. Shawn won with a superkick. **1/4 

06/10/1992 WWF

Intercontinental Title Match: Bret Hart (C) def. British Bulldog in 13:48.

This match was in Hamilton, but damn if Bulldog didn’t have more fans pulling for him in the Great White North. Bret was likely inconsolable this evening. They worked a very good scientific babyface match to get ready for Summerslam, and even threw in a couple of crucifixes for good measure and practice. Bulldog won with a German clean. I really enjoyed this for what it was, and the crowd helped. ***1/2

05/17/1993 WWF Monday Night Raw 

Intercontinental Title Match: Marty Jannetty def. Shawn Michaels (C) in 8:57 

This was the famous match on Raw where Marty made a surprise return and won the title. Both men looked so fucking good here and managed to get in a few excellent nearfalls in such a short bout. My only complaint is that I wish this got more time. Shawn was distracted by Perfect, and Marty rolled him up for the win in an excellent finish. ***3/4