Bret vs. Shawn DVD: Reviews Are In...Best WWE-Produced Feature Ever?

Fourteen years ago, I sat in my living room, having ordered Survivor Series 1997, confounded about what had just transpired in the main event.

Even as a child who wasn't privy to the behind-the-scenes happenings, I knew something was amiss when Shawn Michaels was signaled by the referee, Earl Hebner, for having made Hart submit to his own signature move, the "Sharpshooter."

In fact, Bret Hart was trying to reverse the move, not quit. When he and Michaels abruptly contorted their bodies toward Vince McMahon, seemingly perturbed at what just occurred, I knew in that moment these characters became real people.

The "Heartbreak Kid" feigned exasperation, being led away by Triple H and Gerald Brisco, whereas the "Hitman" stayed in the ring, leaning against the ropes, glowering then besmirching McMahon right between the eyes with a mucus missile.

Bret was WCW bound, even going so far as to spell it out while the fans shared in his contempt for the backstabbing betrayal.

Fourteen years later, that moment, the events leading up to it, and the aftermath are still ardently discussed among fans.

Even the WWE can't get away from the scandal, having just completed production on a DVD/Blu-Ray focusing on the two central figures, Bret and Shawn, whose estrangement finally saw a reconciliation only 10 months ago.

The DVD/Blu-Ray is entitled, "WWE's Greatest Rivalries: Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels," and is comprised of a two-hour documentary and matches/promos exclusively between the two throughout the years.

The most intriguing part, however, is the documentary portion, the linchpin of which is an in-person "panel" discussion between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels moderated by Jim Ross. The piece has already had resounding critical praise heaped upon it by those fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy.

One review, written by Daniel Bee of WWEDVDNews.com is definitely worth reading, going into great detail recapping the feature, offering up remarks like "truly great viewing," "special" and "amazing" to describe it.

The review I'm going to focus on, however, is the one by wrestling's most venerable journalist, Dave Meltzer, whose familiarity with the parties involved, liaison with Bret Hart and meticulous account of the scandal in 1997 arguably proved to be the genesis for the "inside" wrestling debates that make up today's Internet Wrestling Community.

Meltzer is very keen on mentioning how incredibly introspective it is and a tour de force in many ways, as it represents the first WWE-produced product teeming with "real emotion."

His impressions of Bret Hart in the feature are interesting, noting a "painstakingly honest" man who garners a surprising amount of sympathy from both Ross and Michaels.

This is noteworthy because the company was willing to slander Hart in "Screwed: The Bret Hart Story" just five years ago before both sides amicably worked out a business relationship.

Meltzer observes Shawn Michaels to be very apologetic towards Bret, admitting to being a jerk in those days and one who had little experience dealing with mature situations. Apparently, Shawn does push back a little during the documentary, lamenting the undue blame he has been targeted with over the years.

Jim Ross is described as the perfect moderator, and impartial to a hilt even though he sides with Bret Hart on most issues. His line of questioning is so incisive that Meltzer wonders if he was extra studious in his preparation. This is all the more impressive if one recalls Ross was actually head of talent relations back then, so he was already well-versed about incident's intricacies.

The most heartfelt and inspiring revelation of all this is that, after practically starting out in the WWF/E together and establishing common ground as two wrestlers believed to be "too small" to make it, Hart and Michaels have not only patched up their differences but now share a bond that is more robust and sturdy than it has ever been.

Lastly, Meltzer draws an insightful comparison between today and yesteryear, writing the "Montreal Screwjob" went down the way it did because the wrestlers took their roles more seriously and the WWE Championship was not just a prop like today but a coveted symbol of honor born out of tradition.

Today, the meaning of the belt has been degraded and the business, while never a real sport, has devolved into pure entertainment. Thus, it would be difficult for a modern fan in the year 2011 to understand why two performers who speak scripted lines and carry out predetermined matches would care so much about winning or losing a match in a certain city harbored in a particular country.

Principles and ethics, many of them unwritten, ruled the business, underscoring a code of duty between a brotherhood of wrestlers that exists only vaguely today.