WWE: What If Bret Hart Never Joined WCW? the 10 Best Matches We Missed out on

Fans know the Montreal Screwjob story by heart.

Shawn Michaels puts a sharpshooter on Bret Hart, Earl Hebner calls for the bell and a dazed, furious Bret Hart spits on Vince McMahon. 

However you interpret the events of that night, whoever you place the brunt of the blame on, fans were surely losers in that battle.

Bret Hart's tenure with WCW was a disappointment and the last years of his career were wasted.

But what if Hart and McMahon had worked out a contract?  What if the Hitman had ended his career with the company that made him famous?

Here are 10 matches we could have seen, 10 opportunities the Excellence of Execution could have had to put on a classic. 

Rematches

The top 10 is about new matches, guys the Hitman never got a chance to face.  But of course, had he been with WWE for longer, he would have had chances for some classic rematches as well.

Shawn Michaels

A combination of utmost respect and a ton of real life animosity for each other helped create perfect chemistry between them.  Bret's precise professional approach was the ideal contrast to the Heartbreak's kid over-the-top showmanship. 

Owen Hart

Their matches together were always phenomenal.  Their match at WrestleMania X and the Steel Cage match for the WWF Championship at SummerSlam 1994 were not only two of their best matches, but two WWE all-time classics.

Steve Austin

What would have Stone Cold's career been like had he not been given that final push into superstardom from Bret Hart?  Their WrestleMania 13 Submissions Match is one of the best of both of their careers.

Mick Foley

A stunning contrast in styles created an intriguing chemistry between the two men.  They didn't lock horns nearly enough.

Undertaker

Bret worked extremely well with bigger guys (Bam Bam Bigelow, Vader, Diesel), and we would have benefited from seeing them go at it a few more times. 

The Rock

When they faced off in '97, the Rock had not yet fully developed his persona, and Bret missed out on facing him when he was at the top of his game.

Honorable Mention: Test

An under-appreciated wrestler, Test was trained by and friends with Bret Hart.  A student vs. mentor storyline could've easily been created.

Test's power would have contrasted well against Bret's technical skill.  Though a part of some important stables, Test never reached his full potential on his own.

In spite of that, I believe they would have put on a great match.  Their familiarity with each other coupled with the drama of the possible storylines would have been a recipe for success.

Possible highlight: Bret works on Test's leg the entire match by stomping on his knee and slamming it down on the mat.  While Test is down, Bret drags him into a corner and performs the figure-four leglock around the ring post.   

10. Shelton Benjamin

A purist's dream, these two former collegiate wrestlers would no doubt put on a fantastic show.

Benjamin didn't join WWE until 2002, when Bret was 45.  So we wouldn't see the Hitman of the '90s, but he'd likely have enough in the tank to step it up for a big-time match.

Shelton Benjamin has always been overflowing with athleticism, but he's usually come up short on the mic.  The talking part of wrestling wasn't Bret Hart's strong point, either.  Their feud would be better off with short promos. 

Regardless of the lack of verbal skills between them, their match of speed vs. veteran savvy would no doubt have delivered in the ring. 

Possible highlight: Benjamin grabs Bret and delivers a Northern Lights Suplex.  Bret holds on, turns Benjamin around and performs a Northern Lights of his own. 

The two go back and forth, suplexing each other for a solid two or three minutes before both men lie flat on their backs, exhausted. 

9. Christian (Ladder Match)

Christian has done some of his best work with a number of ladders at ringside. 

When Christian split from Edge in 2001 and embarked on his singles career, he didn't receive a main event push until much later, mostly residing in mid-card territory.

So it'd be unlikely then that Bret and Christian would have been involved in a full-fledged feud or headline any pay-per-views, but perhaps they'd have a match or two on Raw. 

Bret Hart isn't known for his ladder matches, but he won the first ever WWE Ladder Match against Shawn Michaels.  While too many guys climb the ladder way too slowly, Bret went up with a very natural speed.

Possible highlight: Christian has Bret down on a ladder and attempts a one-man con-chair-to, but Bret rolls out of the way. 

While Christian is stunned momentarily by the vibrating impact of steel hitting steel, Bret pulls off a Russian legsweep, slamming the back of Christian's head on the ladder.

8. Brock Lesnar and John Cena (Triple Threat Match)

Some of John Cena's best work has been in Triple Threat Matches.  Bret Hart left before that match became a trend in WWE.

This would be an opportunity for one of the biggest stars of the '90s to go up against two young studs.

Bret's grappling, Lesnar's viciousness and Cena's power would be an intriguing mix.  The Hitman would have added his veteran skills and star power to Cena and Lesnar's match at Backlash 2003. 

Possible highlight:  Lesnar has John Cena in a bear hug.  Bret hops up to the second rope and leaps off for a flying elbow. 

Lesnar quickly turns around and while holding Cena with one arm, grabs the Hitman with the other.  He then slams both men down at the same time.

7. Rob Van Dam

Of all the wrestlers involved in the WCW Invasion angle, Rob Van Dam was one of the ones who was most immediately popular with WWE fans.  It's conceivable that he and Hart could have had some matches with each other right away.

The big contrast of styles could make for an entertaining battle.

Perhaps RVD could've gained the upper hand and Bret, feeling that he needed to do something spectacular, would go to the top rope much more often than he normally ever would.

Possible highlight: Bret Hart is outside the ring, a little dazed from a Van Dam dropkick.  RVD does a suicide dive, but Bret sidesteps him and sends him crashing into the Spanish announce table. 

6. Masked Kane

The two of them did wrestle at SummerSlam '95 when Kane was (unfortunately) wrestling as Isaac Yankem DDS. 

As Kane, things would have been far different. 

Bret's entertaining matches with the Undertaker would be a lot like a possible matchup with his kayfabe brother. 

Likely, Bret would've worked on the big man's legs, softening him up for the Sharpshooter.

An underdog vs. monster angle would've helped build drama.  Kane is also an underrated in-ring performer.  Bret would've surely gotten him to perform at his highest level.

Possible highlight: The two men are running towards each other.  Kane goes for a big boot. 

Bret catches his foot.  Kane then attempts an enzuigiri, but Bret, still holding onto the leg, leans out of the way. 

Once Kane has crashed to the mat, Bret steps in for the Sharpshooter.

5. Randy Orton

Having history with both Ric Flair and Triple H, a Bret Hart vs. Evolution feud would have had an interesting dynamic. 

Sending the young Orton after Bret Hart would likely have produced some excellent matches.  As overexposed as he is, Orton is considered by many to be one of the best in the game. 

Orton could've disrespected the Hitman in promos, saying that he’s washed up.  When they would have finally stepped into the ring, Hart would have dominated for much of the match and Orton would've visibly gained respect for him.    

Possible highlight:  Randy Orton hits a big RKO and goes for the pin.  Bret Hart kicks out.  Orton and his Evolution entourage are shocked. 

Randy lifts him up, intending to RKO him again, but Bret puts an inside cradle on him. 

4. Edge

Fresh off winning King of the Ring 2001, Edge could have started an angle where he challenged all the past King of the Ring winners.  On that list, of course, is Bret Hart.

A match between these two would have been a compelling spectacle. 

It would also have been great to have the Edgecator vs. the Sharpshooter, the two men reversing and escaping the holds multiple times. 

Edge winning or even coming close to victory would have been a great changing-of-the-guard moment.

Possible highlight: Edge misses a spear and hits the turnbuckle.  Dazed, he stumbles out of the corner as Bret Hart leaps onto his shoulders and goes into a victory roll.

3. Chris Jericho

A testament to the poor booking of WCW, Chris Jericho didn't feud with Bret Hart when both men were with the company in '98 and '99. 

With the possible storyline of vying for the best Canadian wrestler of all time, this could have some excellent build-up. 

No doubt that they'd produce a few classics. 

Possible highlight: Chris Jericho clamps the Walls of Jericho on Bret Hart in the center of the ring.  Hart manages to flip over and twist Y2J's legs into a Sharpshooter.

2. Eddie Guerrero

Eddie Guerrero and Bret Hart are the two best wrestlers from their respective legendary wrestling families.

A match between them would have been a suplex and counter fest. 

Great grappling, Eddie's high-flying and Bret's in-ring storytelling could have combined to create many an unforgettable moment.  Guerrero did some of his best work with WWE long after the Hitman had left.

As fans, we would have been the beneficiaries of two greats going at it. 

Possible highlight: Bret Hart climbs up to the second turnbuckle right before Guerrero attacks him in the corner.  Latino Heat pulls off a superplex and then looks to the crowd in disbelief. 

He climbs up to the top rope for a Frog Splash.

1. Kurt Angle

On his website, Bret Hart has said that wrestling Kurt Angle would be a dream match.

Fans would certainly agree, but now it's too late.  Bret is nowhere near the wrestler he once was and Angle has lost a few steps himself.

Had Bret Hart still been around when Angle made his WWE debut in '98, we might have experienced some of the greatest matches ever.  Instead, we had to see him go up against Disco Inferno and Van Hammer in WCW. 

Two great technical wrestlers with a knack for storytelling, they would have surely produced some unforgettable fireworks. 

Possible highlight: Angle wraps the ankle lock on Bret, who manages to twist his leg to escape and counter it into the Sharpshooter.