WWF Classic: British Bulldog vs Shawn Michaels - SNME 1992 [Videos]

During the Fall of 1992, The British Bulldog and Shawn Michaels faced off on network television's final airing of Saturday Night's Main Event during what many modern fans consider the final years of Golden Era of Professional Wrestling. This match saw the passing of the torch from The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith to Shawn Michaels, as he won his first title in the World Wrestling Federation. 

The commentary for the match provided by Vince McMahon and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan is some of the BEST from the era, and does an excellent job showcasing and promoting Michaels.

Adding to the match’s depth was the professionalism of The British Bulldog. Before the opening bell, his handing the championship belt to the referee in hindsight, feels symbolic of transition and must have been impactful for him personally and professionally. Throughout the match, Bulldog delivered a solid, selfless performance, “doing the honors” for Michaels. Bulldog's poise, intensity, and strength gave the contest a sense of authenticity that made Michaels’ victory feel earned.

On a personal note, this remains one of my favorite television matches of all time. I’ve revisited it countless times on VHS when I was young, and each viewing reinforces how early Shawn Michaels displayed the precision, confidence, and showmanship that would later make him one of the greatest professional wrestlers.

WWF SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

FOX Network

Aired November 14, 1992

Terre Haute, Indiana

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan

Donate to Pro Wrestling Resource

Vintage Wrestlers: Freddie Blassie vs. Rikidozan [Videos]

March 28, 1962. Los Angeles. The legendary Olympic Auditorium. "Classy" Freddie Blassie entered as the hated WWA World Heavyweight Champion, a man so despised that police protection was often needed after his matches. Standing across the ring was Japanese icon Rikidozan, whose popularity had reached superhero status. By night's end, the title had changed hands, one man was left a bloody mess, and the other was perhaps preparing to enlist his "great friend..." President Kennedy... to investigate the outcome of the match. Classic!

WWA World Heavyweight Championship Match

"Classy" Freddie Blassie vs Rikidozan

March 28, 1962

Post Match Interview with Dick Lane

Freddie Blassie Interview

Vince McMahon interviews "Classy" Freddie

WWWF Television

1974

Classic Raw Moment: Bret Hart Attacks Vince McMahon on July 21, 1997 [Videos]

Bret Hart and Vince McMahon stare at each other with intensity

On the July 21, 1997 episode of Raw Is War, tensions surrounding SummerSlam reached a boiling point when Bret Hart confronted Vince McMahon at the commentary table. Earlier in the night, Shawn Michaels had inserted himself into the WWF Championship picture by announcing he would serve as special guest referee for the upcoming SummerSlam showdown between Bret and The Undertaker—a decision that immediately raised questions about bias and fairness.

Furious over what he saw as blatant favoritism, Hart stormed ringside during a match and confronted McMahon directly. What followed was a rare and jarring moment for the era: Hart slapped McMahon across the face, and rather than retreat, McMahon stood his ground. The exchange blurred the lines between authority figure and on-screen character, hinting at a more confrontational and involved version of McMahon that fans had not yet fully seen.

In hindsight, this segment stands as an early glimpse of what would soon evolve into the infamous Mr. McMahon persona. As 1997 progressed—with controversy mounting and real-life tensions spilling into storylines—moments like this helped lay the groundwork for the volatile character who would later clash with Stone Cold Steve Austin and become central to the WWF’s rise during the Attitude Era.

A brief confrontation in the moment between Bret Hart and Vince McMahon—but one that quietly helped reshape the direction of the entire company.

Shawn Michaels makes an announcement

RAW IS WAR

July 21, 1997

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Bret Hart attacks Vince McMahon

WAR ZONE

July 21, 1997

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Bret allegedly attacks Shawn backstage

WAR ZONE

July 21, 1997

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

WWF Interview Archive: Victory’s Corner — Before Piper’s Pit (1983–1984) [Videos]

Vince McMahon appearing on Victory's Corner

From November 1983 through January 1984, Robert Debord hosted a short-lived interview segment known as Victory’s Corner (later simplified to Victory Corner). Filmed at live WWF events and featured across the company’s television programming, the segment emerged during a pivotal transitional period in the promotion’s evolution.

Following Rogers’ Corner—the interview platform created by Vince McMahon and hosted by former WWWF Champion Buddy Rogers—Victory’s Corner served as a bridge between the old guard and the emerging, personality-driven format that would soon define WWF television with the arrival of Piper’s Pit and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.

Despite its brief run, Victory’s Corner holds historical significance for featuring the only known sit-down televised interview with controversial reigning WWF Champion The Iron Sheik, which aired in January 1984. As such, these segments offer a rare glimpse into the WWF’s early experimentation with interview-driven storytelling at the dawn of its national expansion, featuring appearances by Vince McMahon, Gorilla Monsoon, and a newly arrived championship contender, Hulk Hogan—who would soon come to define the Golden Age.

Gorilla Monsoon

December 1983

Vince McMahon

December 1983

World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion

The Iron Sheik

with Manager and Mentor Ayatollah Blassie

January 1984

Hulk Hogan

January 1984

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper

January 1984

🔥 Heat Without Allies: Bad News Brown’s 1988 WWF Campaign [Videos]

In 1988, the World Wrestling Federation was defined by larger-than-life heroes. Hulkamania ran wild, the Mega Powers dominated the spotlight, and patriotism and alliances ruled the Golden Era. Yet standing apart from the flag‑waving theatrics was a man who trusted no one and asked for no approval: Bad News Brown.

Born in New York City as Allen James Coage, Brown later adopted Calgary, Alberta, as his home and became a proud Canadian citizen. His worldview—and his ring persona—reflected that independence. While others relied on partners, managers, and crowd approval, Brown thrived on hostility and isolation.

This post revisits the defining moments of Bad News Brown’s pivotal 1988 WWF campaign: his striking television debut, his summer showdown with Bret Hart in Milwaukee, and his December World Heavyweight Championship challenge against “Macho Man” Randy Savage at Madison Square Garden.

In a year defined by unity and spectacle, Bad News Brown stood alone. The self‑proclaimed “baddest man in the WWF” carved out his own space in an already crowded Golden Era—and made certain no one mistook him for just another wrestler.

Bad News Brown vs Brady Boone

WWF Superstars of Wrestling Taping

Huntsville, Alabama, USA

Filmed on Tuesday, January 5, 1988

Commentary: Vince McMahon, Jesse Ventura, Bruno Sammartino

Bad News Brown vs Bret "Hitman" Hart

WWF WrestleFest '88

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Sunday, July 31, 1988

Commentary: Sean Mooney, Lord Alfred Hayes, Superstar Billy Graham

The Brother Love Show

with Special Guest President Jack Tunney

and Bad News Brown

WWF Superstars of Wrestling

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Filmed on October 25, 1988

Aired on November 26, 1988

Commentary: Vince McMahon and Jesse Ventura

Bad News Brown vs Bob Emery

WWF Superstars of Wrestling Taping

Daytona Beach, Florida, USA

Filmed on December 6, 1988

Commentary: Vince McMahon and Jesse Ventura

WWF World Heavyweight Championship Match

"Macho Man" Randy Savage vs Bad News Brown

WWF on MSG Network

New York, New York, USA

December 30, 1988

Commentary: Lord Alfred Hayes, Hillbilly Jim, Rod Trongard

💥 "Rowdy" Roddy Piper slaps Billy Red Lyons in Toronto, Ontario, Canada [Videos]

Maple Leaf Wrestling

Aired July 1984

This segment between "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Maple Leaf Wrestling's Billy Red Lyons aired months before the incident in December 1984, when professional wrestler David Schultz slapped ABC News journalist John Stossel during the filming of a 20/20 news report at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It is possible that Piper’s July slap of Lyons served as inspiration for Schultz. The December altercation sparked a major scandal, ultimately resulting in a lawsuit and a $425,000 settlement for Stossel, paid by the World Wrestling Federation.

David Schultz slaps John Stossel

Filmed December 1984

⚔️ WWF Classic Feud Spotlight: Shawn Michaels vs. Marty Jannetty — The 1993 Four-Star Match Trilogy

Shawn Michaels vs Marty Jannetty in 1993

As the WWF’s Golden Era faded and the New Generation began to redefine professional wrestling, the breakup of The Rockers marked a decisive turning point for both Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty. For Michaels, it was the launchpad for a meteoric rise as a singles competitor; for Jannetty, it quietly marked the closing chapter of his prime in-ring run.

Yet in 1993, their rivalry produced something remarkable. Across three singles matches—each earning four-star acclaim—Michaels and Jannetty delivered a compact trilogy that showcased their unmatched chemistry. The first took place on January 24, 1993, at the Royal Rumble in Sacramento, California. The remaining two aired on the USA Network’s WWF Monday Night RAW, cementing this overlooked series as one of the best rivalries of its time.

Royal Rumble Report

WWF SUPERSTARS

Aired on January 9, 1993

WWF Intercontinental Championship Match

WWF ROYAL RUMBLE

January 24, 1993

WWF Intercontinental Championship Match

WWF Monday Night RAW

Aired on May 17, 1993

WWF Intercontinental Championship Match

WWF Monday Night RAW

Aired July 19. 1993

Marty Jannetty vs Shawn Michaels in July 1993

📺 WWF Tag Team Classic Matches: Shawn Michaels & Diesel vs. Razor Ramon & 1-2-3 Kid

Charlie Minn with Shawn Michaels and Diesel

WWF Tag Team Championship Match

Shawn Michaels & Diesel vs Razor Ramon & 1-2-3 Kid

WWF ACTION ZONE

USA Network

Aired on October 30, 1994

🥇 The First WWF Tag Team Appearance of the Hardy Boyz — 1996 [Videos]

On May 28, 1996, during a World Wrestling Federation television taping of WWF Superstars in Charleston, South Carolina, brothers Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy appeared together for the first time as tag team partners in the WWF.

During the taping, the Hardy brothers faced the reigning WWF Tag Team Champions, The Smoking Gunns—kayfabe brothers Billy and Bart Gunn—and also competed in a second match against the pairing of Marty Jannetty and Leif Cassidy as the New Rockers, with both bouts taking place the same night.

The WWF Tag Team Championship match later aired on the June 15 episode of WWF Superstars and was further anchored in WWF history by a commentary team featuring Mr. Perfect, Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, and Sunny. For the Hardys—hailing from nearby North Carolina—the match represents not only their first national exposure as a team, but the earliest documented step in what would become one of the most influential tag team careers of the modern era.

Listen as Vince McMahon refers to the brothers as The Hardy Boyz on commentary during both of their matches.

The New Rockers vs Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy

WWF Superstars

Aired June 1, 1996

The Smoking Gunns vs "The Hardy Boyz" Matt and Jeff

WWF Tag Team Championship Match

WWF Superstars

Aired on June 15, 1996

WWF Championship Match: Bret "Hitman" Hart vs Buddy Landel [Videos]

Monday Night Raw

(DARK MATCH)

Taped December 18, 1995

Newark, Delaware

WWF Mania

Aired January 13, 1996

Alternative commentary

1989: The Year Professional Wrestling Found Its Creative Peak [Videos]

While professional wrestling in the 1980s had already experienced explosive growth through spectacle and mainstream exposure, 1989 stands apart as the year where craft finally caught up with charisma.

Hulk Hogan had dominated the professional wrestling landscape since 1985, fueled by the national expansion of Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation. By the late 1980s, wrestling had reached its commercial peak—but in 1989, something important changed. Simply put, characters and matches got better. Across promotions, storytelling, motivation, and in-ring performance aligned. 1989 is when professional wrestling became sharper, more emotional, and more complete.

While names like Hulk Hogan, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Ric Flair, and Ricky Steamboat were the standard bearers of the era, the upper card and next generation—Rick Rude, Ultimate Warrior, Lex Luger, Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Shawn Michaels, Sid Vicious, and Mr. Perfect—were rising into prominence. The year also marked the professional wrestling debuts of future icons including Steve Austin, Booker T, and Rey Mysterio, quietly signaling the direction wrestling would take in the decade ahead.

"Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase vs Bret "Hitman" Hart

March 8, 1989

Aired on March 20, 1989

Odessa, Texas

Randy Savage vs Hulk Hogan

Wrestemania V

April 2, 1989

Bret Hart Promo

May 1989

Bret "Hitman" Hart vs. The Mountie: The Forgotten MSG Intercontinental Showdown in November 1991 [Videos]

Madison Square Garden has hosted countless legendary Intercontinental Championship battles, but some slipped through the cracks of history — and this one deserves another look. On November 30, 1991, Bret “Hitman” Hart arrived in New York City in the middle of a defining run as I.C. Champion. For fans of early-’90s WWF storytelling, this is a slice of Intercontinental title history that hits all the right notes.

This MSG event was historic for another reason: it was the night Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair met in the ring for the first time, a dream match fans had waited years to see. With that level of electricity in the building, Bret Hart and The Mountie stepped into a crowd already super-charged — and they delivered a worthy IC title battle of their own.

Bret "Hitman" Hart vs The Mountie

MSG Network

November 30, 1991