List of WrestleMania 13 Storyline Build and Feuds

Hart vs. Austin — King of the Ring 1996 Origin

Austin's KOTR Speech Mocking Hart Started Everything

The Hart-Austin feud began when Austin won the 1996 King of the Ring tournament and delivered his famous 'Austin 3:16' speech while also taunting the absent Bret Hart — Austin repeatedly insulted Hart to provoke his return, which eventually happened in October 1996.

Survivor Series 1996 — Hart Defeated Austin

First Encounter — Hart Won but Austin Made His Case

Bret Hart defeated Steve Austin at Survivor Series 1996 — the first chapter of their WM13 build. Austin's performance impressed the crowd despite the loss, with Hart winning cleanly but Austin proving his main event credibility.

Royal Rumble 1997 — Hart and Austin Were Final Two

Hart and Austin Last Eliminated From Rumble

At Royal Rumble 1997, Bret Hart and Steve Austin were the final two participants — Austin was eliminated but the referees missed his feet touching the floor first, creating controversy that escalated the feud further.

HBK's Withdrawal — Austin Replaced Michaels Against Hart

HBK's 'Injury' Reshaped WM13's Greatest Match

Shawn Michaels had been scheduled to face Bret Hart in a WM12 rematch at WM13 — HBK withdrew at Survivor Series 1996 claiming a career-ending knee injury, and Steve Austin was inserted as Hart's opponent, creating the greatest WM match in history.

Undertaker vs. Sycho Sid — Championship Build

Bret Hart Interfered in Sid-Taker Build Repeatedly

The build to the Undertaker-Sid WM13 main event was complicated by Bret Hart's involvement — Hart won a Four Corners match for the vacant WWF title at In Your House 13, but Undertaker's interference helped Sid win a steel cage match on Raw the week before WM13 to keep the title match.

Nation of Domination vs. LOD & Ahmed Johnson

Faarooq's Attack on Ahmed Johnson — Kidney Injury Feud

Faarooq attacked Ahmed Johnson on Raw in July 1996, causing real kidney problems that forced Johnson to vacate the IC title — the kayfabe explanation was Faarooq's attack caused the injury, building the Chicago Street Fight at WM13.

HHH vs. Goldust — Chyna's Early Feud

Goldust's Wife Marlena vs. Chyna Subplot

Triple H's feud with Goldust involved the subplot of Chyna intimidating and threatening Goldust's wife Marlena — creating a layered character dynamic that extended to WM13's finish where Chyna held Marlena in a bearhug.

Rocky Maivia vs. The Sultan — IC Title Defense

Sultan's Iranian/Samoan Character vs. Young Champion Rocky

Rocky Maivia had won the IC title as a crowd-pleasing young star — The Sultan (Rikishi) and his managers Bob Backlund and Iron Sheik presented the challenge that Rocky defended against at WM13.