Former WWE star Al Snow once weighed in on one of wrestling’s most enduring debates: who was the better in-ring performer between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels.
Speaking on a 2023 episode of Wrestling Shoot Interviews, Snow offered a thoughtful take on the long-running comparison, suggesting that while both men were elite performers, they excelled in very different ways.
According to Snow, Hart brought a grounded, no-nonsense realism to his matches, projecting the image of a competitor focused purely on winning. Michaels, by contrast, leaned into spectacle and emotion, using his athleticism and timing to create drama and suspense.
“Who was the better worker, Bret or Shawn?” Snow said. “I’d have to say they’re both pretty even in that regard. Just different approaches. Bret was more no-nonsense, just very ‘I’m here to win,’ and Shawn was more flourish and more ‘I’m gonna win, but I’m gonna do it spectacularly.’ Shawn was better at looking like he was in jeopardy of losing. And Bret was better at selling the intent that he was attempting to win.”
Snow’s comments highlight the contrast in philosophies that defined both men’s careers. While Hart was known for his technical precision and realism, Michaels thrived on drama and athletic storytelling, often turning matches into emotional rollercoasters.
Despite their legendary WWE rivalry, some critics have noted that Hart and Michaels only faced each other a handful of times in singles competition, leading to debate over whether their in-ring rivalry ever fully matched its reputation. Even so, both men remain widely regarded as two of the greatest performers in professional wrestling history.
How Many Matches In WWE Did Shawn Michaels And Bret Hart Have Together?
Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart only had eight singles matches together throughout their respective careers, despite their rivalry being considered one of the greatest in wrestling history. This is because both men joined WWE in the 1980s as tag team wrestlers, so while they did face each other towards the beginning of their WWE careers, it was always as part of a tag team.
Their first one-on-one bout came on the Superstars taping on April 29, 1992, and saw Michaels defend his Intercontinental Title against Hart in a dark match, which Michaels won via countout. Their final match together was at the 1997 Survivor Series, which saw the infamous Montreal Screwjob finish that had Michaels apply a Sharpshooter to Hart and referee Earl Hebner rang the bell without Hart submitting, resulting in him losing the WWE Championship.
