Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels Face Off Ahead of WrestleMania XII Iron Man Match

WWF President Roddy Piper announces historic 60-minute Iron Man match for the WWF Championship

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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In a highly anticipated showdown, WWF Champion Bret 'Hitman' Hart and challenger Shawn Michaels came face-to-face on Monday Night Raw to build anticipation for their upcoming WrestleMania XII match. WWF President 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper then made a surprise appearance and announced that the championship match will be a 60-minute Iron Man match, with the wrestler scoring the most falls declared the winner.

Why it matters

The Iron Man match format is a rarity in professional wrestling, adding an extra layer of drama and strategy to the high-stakes title clash between two of the WWF's biggest stars. Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels are widely regarded as two of the greatest in-ring performers of their era, so their 60-minute battle is expected to be a classic.

The details

During the confrontation, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels exchanged respectful words, acknowledging each other's accomplishments. However, Hart made it clear that he would bring everything he had to defend his championship against the confident challenger. Piper's surprise appearance then set the stage for the historic Iron Man match stipulation, which will test the endurance and skill of both wrestlers over the course of a full hour.

  • Bret Hart has held the WWF Championship for the last 5 months, successfully defending it against a number of large opponents.
  • Shawn Michaels earned the right to challenge for the title at WrestleMania XII after a hard-fought campaign.

The players

Bret 'Hitman' Hart

The reigning WWF Champion, known for his technical wrestling ability and dedication to the sport.

Shawn Michaels

The challenger for the WWF Championship at WrestleMania XII, known as 'The Heartbreak Kid' for his charismatic and high-flying style.

'Rowdy' Roddy Piper

The current WWF President, who made the surprise announcement of the 60-minute Iron Man match stipulation.

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What they’re saying

“There's not a person in this building who has more respect for Hart than I do. I believe that Hart is the best there was, but I can't foresee the future. The one thing I question, with all due respect, is that Hart is the best there is in 1996. That spot is owned by 'The Heartbreak Kid' Shawn Michaels.”

— Shawn Michaels (Raw)

“When they sound the bell, I'll hit HBK with everything but the kitchen sink. HBK is in for one of the biggest dogfights of his life.”

— Bret 'Hitman' Hart, WWF Champion (Raw)

What’s next

On March 31 in Anaheim, California, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels will battle in a 60-minute Iron Man match for the WWF Championship at WrestleMania XII.

The takeaway

This historic Iron Man match between two of the WWF's all-time greats promises to be a true test of endurance, skill, and determination. The unique format will add an extra layer of strategy and drama to their high-stakes title clash, making it must-see viewing for wrestling fans.