How big of a deal was it when Bret Hart became the WWF Champion for a 5th Time?

[Dave24]

Bret Hart became the WWF Champion for a 5th time after defeating the Undertake at SummerSlam in August 1997.

How big of a deal was it at the time back in 1997 after he became the champ for a 5th time? Was he considered the GOAT in kayfabe terms by the WWF? How did they sell it? Since Hogan and Savage weren't WWF Champs that many times as of 1997 did the WWF promote the idea that Bret was def. a GOAT contender?




On a sidenote, this promo for the Summerslam match between Bret and Undertaker is one of the best the WWF has ever did:

 

[Dave24]

 

[CBoz]

We all know how this story ended a few months later.

 

[Finn Baller]

by the next month he was playing second fiddle to Shawn & Taker's feud so it wasn't that big of a deal

didn't help that he had to have some lame mini feud with the fukking PATRIOT of all people on the same show

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

He was considered one of the in-ring GOATs before that.. commentary always putting over his excellence. But after SS97 it's clear that he's probably on the way out and so they weren't gonna focus on him as much

 

[XannyWarbucks]

Bret Hart became the WWF Champion for a 5th time after defeating the Undertake at SummerSlam in August 1997.

How big of a deal was it at the time back in 1997 after he became the champ for a 5th time? Was he considered the GOAT in kayfabe terms by the WWF? How did they sell it? Since Hogan and Savage weren't WWF Champs that many times as of 1997 did the WWF promote the idea that Bret was def. a GOAT contender?




On a sidenote, this promo for the Summerslam match between Bret and Undertaker is one of the best the WWF has ever did:

"A man surrendering a boyhood dream to search for the lost smile of youth." shyt hits deep.
To answer OP, it was historic in the build-up, but everyone and their mother knew (I was only five and even I knew) that Bret wasn't going to do anything with it until he faced Shawn or Taker. Austin was hurt, as was most of the roster, so he was forced into a pretty-boring feud with the Patriot. Though, the times he was able to interact with Shawn or Taker-- it was brought up.


Man, what a fukking time. Watching HitGOAT get his 5th and then the next night Luger making Hogan tap-out. 98 made the money, but 97 is the most-entertaining year of wrestling.

 

[PYRRHUS 88]

I love the video packages from that era

 

[The Prince of All Saiyans]

it wasn't

 

[Hey_zeus]

2nd 3peat Jordan

 

[Ed MOTHERFUCKING G]

His being a heel was a much bigger deal

 

[Redwood]

"A man surrendering a boyhood dream to search for the lost smile of youth." shyt hits deep.
To answer OP, it was historic in the build-up, but everyone and their mother knew (I was only five and even I knew) that Bret wasn't going to do anything with it until he faced Shawn or Taker. Austin was hurt, as was most of the roster, so he was forced into a pretty-boring feud with the Patriot. Though, the times he was able to interact with Shawn or Taker-- it was brought up.


Man, what a fukking time. Watching HitGOAT get his 5th and then the next night Luger making Hogan tap-out. 98 made the money, but 97 is the most-entertaining year of wrestling.

I'd say that would be more true for WCW at the time, right?

 

[Dipsey Doo]

If we are being real, it was an afterthought. He had a very forgettable fued with the Patriot after SummerSlam. Shawn-Taker fued, Stone Cold getting massively over and formation of DX were definitely more captivating

 

[The Prince of All Saiyans]

 

[Dog Based Gremlin]

I was invested in all the stipulations The Hart Foundation had on the line that Summerslam night

I forgot them all by now

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

If we are being real, it was an afterthought. He had a very forgettable fued with the Patriot after SummerSlam. Shawn-Taker fued, Stone Cold getting massively over and formation of DX were definitely more captivating

Stone Cold got way over before that because of Bret. 1st they had a feud and then they had Bret and his double turn. Stone Cold credits his career turnaround to HitGOAT