Sultan of Submission | The Biography - by Rohan | page 3

As a true fighting champion, The Hit Man put the Intercontinental title on the line against veteren adversaries like The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase and Mike "IRS" Rotundo, beating both of them with the Sharpshooter. The Mountie was the next to challenge the Hit Man. During this confrontation, Bret's longtime manager Jimmy Hart turned on him and helped the Mountie beat Bret for the Intercontinental title, in a match that was supposed to be a warmup match before the two actually squared off at the 1992 Royal Rumble. Because of injuries, Bret was unable to compete in the Royal Rumble and the legendary Rowdy Roddy Piper substituted for the Hit Man and defeated the Mountie for the Intercontinental title.

Rowdy Roddy Piper offered Bret Hart a shot at the Intercontinental title at Wrestle Mania VIII and the Hit Man accepted. This was a great classic face-vs-face confrontation. Both men beat each othe practically senseless. Rowdy Piper seemed to have the momentum going his way toward the end of the match. Bret was down on the mat and Piper was in the ring ready to nail Hart with a bell. Piper hesitated, and the Excellence of Execution rolled Hot Rod up for a pin and won the Intercontinental Championship Title for the Second time.

By this time, Bret Hart was gaining world recognition. The Hit Man successfully defended his title on many WWF world tours particularly against wrestlers like The Mountie and the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels. The WWF was making inroads to the United Kingdom, which was, at that time, the WWF's biggest market, next only to the United States.

At the 1992 SummerSlam, Bret Hart put his title on the line against his brother in law, The British Bulldog at the Wembley Staduim in London. Bret's sister and The Bulldog's wife, Diana Smith was present for the match. Hart and the Bulldog put on a spectacular show, with neither man falling for the other's finishing move. Eventually, The Bulldog's sheer raw power helped him pin the Hit Man for the Intercontinental title. At the conclusion of the match both men hugged in appreciation for each other's talent.