Summary

Bret Hart looked back on his WrestleMania 13 submission match with Steve Austin, the bout WWE chose as the first match ever inducted into the Hall of Fame during the 2025 ceremony.

Speaking on Studio 1 Sports, Hart said he entered that program with a clear goal, helping position Austin as WWE’s next central star. Hart also said he did not want that spot to go elsewhere.

Hart has addressed that handoff before, including his earlier comments on wanting Austin as WWE’s next top star.

Quote from Bret Hart

"With Steve (Austin), I just wanted to deliver a really good story for him because I wanted him to be the guy, and I knew he was gonna be the guy and he deserved to be the guy and I wasn’t gonna let Shawn (Michaels) and Triple H steal that position from him. I wanted to pass the torch to Steve."

What Bret Hart and Steve Austin’s WrestleMania 13 legacy still means

Bret Hart tying his intent directly to Steve Austin’s rise reinforces why WrestleMania 13 remains a defining pivot point in WWE history, it was not only a classic match but a deliberate shift in main-event positioning.

With WWE now honoring that bout in the Hall of Fame, Hart’s comments also strengthen the long-term framing of Austin’s ascent as a planned transition rather than a happy accident.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.