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#3 Bret 'Hitman' Hart (Intercontinental Championship)
1997 was a strange year for WWE, and no-one knows that better than Bret 'Hitman' Hart.
After turning on the fans early in the year, Hart's real-life issues with Shawn Michaels continued to play in the on-screen characters of both men, and even began incorporating other stars.
According to rumors, Hart declined the chance to defeat Rocky Miavia (later The Rock) for the Intercontinental Title early in the year, feeling the loss would be a major hindrance to the future Brahma Bull.
In addition, Hart reportedly also felt that the title was only being offered to him to keep him and Michaels apart, and if Bret was to receive the IC gold, that'd leave the Showstopper with a beeline for the WWF title unopposed.
Of course, Shawn and Bret would face off that November at Survivor Series, in the infamous Montreal Screwjob.
