Bret Hart vs. Chris Benoit

[6.0] "It's no Canadian Stampede, that's for sure. Despite the immense talent of both men, this bout feels like a hollow effort from two wrestlers simply going through the motions. Granted, 1999 WCW wasn't exactly fertile ground for inspired wrestling, but Benoit and Bret Hart still share some responsibility for how lifeless this feels. The match is marred by peak late-WCW nonsense; Dean Malenko in clown makeup attacking Benoit with a hockey stick, Charles Robinson turning a blind eye, The Outsiders interfering, and Goldberg making a half-hearted save to near silence. None of it connects, and the crowd's indifference mirrors that of the performers. Technically, the work is sound but joyless. Bret's body-part targeting and Benoit's selling are both serviceable, yet there's no tension or emotional core; just mechanical exchanges lacking urgency or depth. The structure hints at ideas, but they never develop before being drowned in interference. Worst of all, both men seem unwilling to adapt. They stubbornly insist on wrestling their own focused, technical match in an environment built for chaos. A brawl might have thrived amid the circus surrounding them, but instead, we get a match that feels like punching a timecard. A lifeless, joyless effort where even the greats can't overcome the concrete wasteland that was late-stage WCW. But it's still Hart and Benoit, so of course there's some sort of quality here. **1/2"

[7.0] "For all the damage they've done to this Toronto crowd, such a natural pairing can only fall so far. The work here is terrific, overcoming all surrounding factors for a worthy PPV main event. Admittedly, it wasn't the main event that this show deserved, actively limiting its ceiling along the way. They get it over the line though, threatening to produce something truly special along the way. ***1/2"

[8.0] "A technically very good match that is infected by the WCW over-booking bullshit. But talent wins the day and this is still good and enjoyable. It's two technical masters, it wasn't going to be bad."

[8.0] "[****] no reason this shouldn't be a five star, a motivated Bret Hart, a motivated Chris Benoit, mainevent of a PPV, and not a five star? weird! or... just stupid WCW booking..."

[7.0] "This was a good match, but this could have been an all time classic. However Russo just had to fill the match with all the interference that almost completely overshadowed the amazing in ring work between the two. Bret Hart won the WCW Championship with a Sharpshooter."

[5.0] "Well this is unfortunate. Bret vs Benoit world title match in Canada no less youd expect this to be at worse a good match but unfortunately this doesnt deliver. The in ring action itself isnt bad but I feel like its lacking in drama and excitement. Doesnt help that the hot Canadian crowd by this point had been dead for a while after the terrible show they were subjected too. Add on to it the multiple useless interferences from Goldberg malenko and the outsiders and it makes sense why the crowd were so dead for this. I did enjoy some of the work and the finsh is good. 2.75/5"

[4.0] "WCW put Benoit vs Bret for the title in the main event of a Canadian PPV. You would think they had absolutely nailed the booking. Alas the ppv had been such shit that by this point the crowd could not care less, loudest they got was for something going on in the crowd near the end. This is full of interference, the worst being Malenko who had such a good facepaint job that I am not sure the crowd picked up it was him. Crowd did wake up as Bret put on the Malcolm in the Middle sharpshooter for the win."

[5.0] "A very basic and somewhat dull match to tell you the truth. It was alright but just a real letdown considering the talent of both guys and how much time they got. Benoit didn't bring as much intensity as he usually does and that could have helped alot versus a guy like Bret, whose offense is just so basic and methodical."

[7.0] "Bret works the arm to start. Bret with an early sharpshooter attempt is countered for a cross face attempt that ends in a stalemate. Benoit gets thrown to the floor and Dean Malenko jumps out of the crowd and attacks him and he's dressed up like some goon mascot or something. Bret beats him up and puts Benoit in the ring for a pile driver for two and security take bitter Dean away. They exchange chops and Benoit gets a backdrop suplex for two. Good tombstone and swan dive gets two, but the Outsiders pull Charles Robinson out and deck him then attack. Goldberg spears Nash and the three of them brawl to the back. Benoit works the bad leg of Hart that is still being sold as hurt going back to Halloween Havoc. Figure four by Benoit, Hart makes the ropes. Bret comes back with a superplex, sounds as if the crowd is yelling about something going on in the audience, or they just started a chant because they are bored, which is sad. Benoit gets the nasty rolling suplexes and goes for the cross face, it ends in a nice counter finish and Bret rolls through multiple times and gets the sharpshooter and Benoit taps out at 18:21. Bret Hart, after 2 years wins his first world title and the building goes ape shit! Nice touch, as someone in the crowd has a sign "This ones for Owen". Fate would of course destroy this feel good moment as Hart gets kicked in the head by a sloppy Goldberg at Starrcade in a month ending the career of one of the top 10 ever. It's amazing how the match quality picks up when two wrestlers are allowed to just do what they do. There was some stupid interference, cooked up by the Evil One, and it served no purpose but to hurt the match."

[7.0] "One of the most frustrating 7s I've ever given. This match had potential to be amazing, given that it's you know, Bret Hart vs. Chris Benoit, in front of a Canadian crowd. That would be hot, in front of a receptive audience, and could be remembered as a highlight of WCW's decline... if they'd kept it clean. Russo just couldn't help himself, though, and four different men run in to wreck a match that was seriously good otherwise. Why must you do this to me, WCW... haven't I suffered enough?"

[7.0] "This should have been, and was close to being, an amazing match, but Russo just couldn't help himself and just couldn't let the wrestlers wrestle but instead had to fill it with bullshit interference. That it managed to be good despite that is testament to how good the two wrestlers were."

[5.0] "There was some nice technique here but outside interference ruined this match, nothing special here, major letdown considering the talent involved"

[7.0] "Probably could have been great if not for numerous run ins and overbooking, but it's a testament to the ability of Bret and especially Benoit that it's still pretty enjoyable when all is said and done. The crowd is heavily invested and it was fitting to have Bret take the title in this time and place."