Bret: I've cooled off a bit, took things too seriously

[Zeeboe]

Oh, I agree. I guess Vince wanted HBK to have the belt because he was wanting him as the top heel, and he thought he could make more $ with a Bret Hart/Shawn Michaels PPV main event match. However, I think Vince owed it to Bret to let him leave on his terms. Bret could have had his last match in the Survivor Series style match where he could have teamed with the British Bulldog and company to take on Steve Blackmen, and the other Americans.

As for the title, I believe Vince told Bret about him wanting to end their deal the night after they did Raw at MSG. It was around the fall, and the show ended with the Undertaker chokeslamming both men.

Bret couldn't have droped the title to the Undertaker because the Undertaker was right in the early stages of working a program with Kane.

The Patriot got injuried around that time, so he was out.

I think Vince would have wanted to make a big deal out of Kane, Mankind or Austin being the champion, and not have them lose the belt right away, so they're out too.

Vader, who Bret had worked with a few times would have been the ideal one to lose the title to. They could have wrestled each other at the October PPV with Bret losing to Vader.

....But Vince did the HBK/Vader thing before. Plus, the two of them had a legit bad history. In 96', they had issues with each other. I bet Vader would have no issue jobbing, but he'd probably stiff work Michaels a bit, and hurt him a bit, and Michaels would have frowned at that, and I doubt they would have made as much cash, which is probably what Vince would have said of that angle was offered.

It would have been cool and entertaining to see the bad-ass babyface Vader taking on a heel DX Shawn Michaels however.

[Sovereigntywillpr]

Originally Posted by Val Venis Oh, I agree. I guess Vince wanted HBK to have the belt because he was wanting him as the top heel, and he thought he could make more $ with a Bret Hart/Shawn Michaels PPV main event match. However, I think Vince owed it to Bret to let him leave on his terms. Bret could have had his last match in the Survivor Series style match where he could have teamed with the British Bulldog and company to take on Steve Blackmen, and the other Americans. As for the title, I believe Vince told Bret about him wanting to end their deal the night after they did Raw at MSG. It was around the fall, and the show ended with the Undertaker chokeslamming both men. Bret couldn't have droped the title to the Undertaker because the Undertaker was right in the early stages of working a program with Kane. The Patriot got injuried around that time, so he was out. I think Vince would have wanted to make a big deal out of Kane, Mankind or Austin being the champion, and not have them lose the belt right away, so they're out too. Vader, who Bret had worked with a few times would have been the ideal one to lose the title to. They could have wrestled each other at the October PPV with Bret losing to Vader. ....But Vince did the HBK/Vader thing before. Plus, the two of them had a legit bad history. In 96', they had issues with each other. I bet Vader would have no issue jobbing, but he'd probably stiff work Michaels a bit, and hurt him a bit, and Michaels would have frowned at that, and I doubt they would have made as much cash, which is probably what Vince would have said of that angle was offered. It would have been cool and entertaining to see the bad-ass babyface Vader taking on a heel DX Shawn Michaels however.

Ken shamrock would have been the perfect credible (UFC) transitional champ.
It was Michaels/Ken the next night in ottawa, I belive for the belt.