Top 5 Intercontinental Title matches in WrestleMania history

#3 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper(c) vs Bret 'HitMan' Hart (WrestleMania VIII)

The match that made Bret Hart a Superstar

Background:-

Despite being a top tier Superstar in the WWF for almost a decade, Roddy Piper had not won a single's title in the company. His victory over The Mountie at Royal Rumble 1992 finally brought an end to that drought, but he was straight away challenged by the former Champion Bret Hart.

Piper and Hart were two of the biggest babyfaces in the world in the year 1992 and, the stage was set perfectly for the two to settle their differences in the ring at 'The Grandest Stage of Them All'. It wasn't about ego or jealousy, it was just about respect.

Match:

With both being great in-ring technicians, the match started off with takedowns and chops. Piper, being the master manipulator, played the heel role perfectly well and constantly provoked and belittled Hart. In a vintage heel move, Piper knocked Hart with a punch to gain the control of the match.

Piper stayed in control for a while with punches and knee strikes to Hart's face, busting Hart open, until 'Hitman' fought back with a flying forearm to knock 'Hot Rod' out of the ring.

A double clothesline knocked down both the Superstars. Knocking Piper down from the top rope, Hart retaliated by hitting some of his signature moves. With the referee down on the mat, Piper brought the ring bell to the ring to a lot of cheers but decided to not use it.

He locked Hart in the sleeper hold, but Hart catapulted off the turnbuckle to reverse the sleeper into a pinfall to win a classic contest. With Piper himself putting the belt on Hart, this match was the official passing of the torch between the two Superstars.