I suspect if I'd been a fan in '97, I definately would have been a Bret Hart fan but sadly I missed out on most of his career and have been playing catchup via YouTube - I particularly think his matches with Owen and HBK were some of his best.
Lance Storm just used to bore me half to death and I can't agree with you on Punk either - despite the fact I'll acknowledge him as a great heel. I mean, geez if I wanted to be preached to, I'd go to church FFS!