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| Bret Hart vs British Bulldog |
Some matches never make the broadcast, yet they still carry weight. On June 30, 1992, in Binghamton, New York, the WWF staged a dark match between Bret “Hitman” Hart and The British Bulldog. It wasn’t televised, and for years it remained tucked away in fan recordings and archives. But this bout has taken on extra meaning because it acted as a warm-up — even a rehearsal — for their legendary showdown at SummerSlam ’92 in front of 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. This dark match gave them the chance to test their timing and chemistry in front of a smaller crowd before being trusted to headline the company’s biggest international event ever.
Background & Stakes
- The two weren’t just rivals — they were brothers-in-law, linked through family, which gave their matches a unique undercurrent of pride and familiarity. Their familiarity gave this match (and SummerSlam ’92) an authenticity that few rivalries could match.
- Both also had rich tag team pedigrees: Bret with The Hart Foundation, and Bulldog with The British Bulldogs. Their years of tag experience against (and sometimes alongside) one another gave them a chemistry that translated perfectly when they clashed in singles competition.
Hidden Gem Spotlight: The Forgotten Prelude
This match matters not just because it’s rare, but because it’s a dress rehearsal for history.
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Fans often remember SummerSlam ’92 as the pinnacle of the British Bulldog's WWF career.
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Seeing them tangle here — away from the spotlight — feels like peeking into the workshop before the masterpiece.
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If Wembley was the polished diamond, this dark match is the rough cut that shows the first glimmer of brilliance.
Your Turn: Watch & React
What do you see here?
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Can you spot the seeds of the SummerSlam story?
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Does Bulldog look ready for the main event, or was Bret carrying more weight at this stage?Drop your take below — and let’s decide if this one deserves the label of Hidden Gem.
- After watching this dark match, go back and view their SummerSlam ’92 battle — see how this undercard moment set the stage.
Drop your thoughts in the comments and let me know which other rare matches deserve a spotlight next!
WWF Intercontinental Championship
"DARK MATCH"
Bret "Hitman" Hart vs British Bulldog
Binghamton, New York
Tuesday, June 30, 1992
