5 Classic WWE, ECW and WCW matches to watch during social distancing

LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 08: WWE personalities Shawn Michaels (L) and Triple H throw glow sticks into the crowd at a news conference announcing the WWE Network at the 2014 International CES at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on January 8, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The network will launch on February 24, 2014 as the first-ever 24/7 streaming network, offering both scheduled programs and video on demand. The USD 9.99 per month subscription will include access to all 12 live WWE pay-per-view events each year. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin (Survivor Series 1996)

When people talk about Bret Hart’s rivalry with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, their five-star masterpiece at WrestleMania 13 immediately springs to mind, and for good reason: that match helped change the course of WWE’s history.

But before that heated grudge match occurred, these two faced off the previous November at Survivor Series, where they tussled for nearly 29 minutes in front of an energetic Madison Square Garden crowd.

Given how much time these two received for this one, Austin and Hart maintained a methodical pace at the outset – the two kept it on the mat for the first six minutes or so until Austin executed a Stun Gun to gain the advantage – before the story of the match – Austin dominating a man returning from a nearly eight-month sabbatical and Hart fighting from underneath – took shape.

Jim Ross also gets some credit in this match for his subtle foreshadowing, as his note that Austin and Hart had never lost via submission going into this one set the stage for not only the finish – which saw Hart counter the Million Dollar Dream to roll up Austin for the pin – but also set the stage for the submission match that everyone knows and loves.

This match, however, stands out in its own right as an overlooked gem that showcased how great Hart was and that a pre-1997 Austin could go hold-for-hold with the best of them.

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