WWE: 5 Greatest Openers in WrestleMania History

Credit: WWE.com

#4 – Owen Hart vs Bret Hart – WrestleMania X

Perhaps no other match in WWE history accomplished more than this classic bout from the 10th edition of WrestleMania.

In terms of delivering a solid opener to engage the crowd, this match delivered in spades. It was very unusual for a top star to appear in the opening bout of a pay-per-view, and just an appearance by Bret Hart in the first match was enough to send the Madison Square Garden crowd into a frenzy. Once the opening bell rang, however, the Hitman helped make sure the crowd stayed that way.

Over the next 20 minutes, Bret and his younger brother Owen put on a wrestling clinic. Their bout was a technical masterpiece–the holds were crisp, and the moves were executed perfectly. Owen Hart’s belly to belly suplex is one Kurt Angle would be impressed by. To his credit, Bret Hart’s piledriver is one that would make Jerry Lawler envious.

Beyond providing an opening bout with exciting in-ring action, this match of the year candidate also served as a catalyst for springboarding the Rocket into the WWE main event scene. After a very back-and-forth contest, the future King of Harts blocked an attempted victory roll from his older brother, and scored the clean upset victory. When Bret Hart went on to win the WWE championship later the same evening, a furious Owen Hart stood in the entrance way glaring at the new champion–a man he had beaten just hours earlier. A world title program for the summer was ready to go.