Bret Hart

:This article refers to the professional wrestler. For the American author, see Bret Harte.

Wrestling career

Hart's appearance was highlighted by his wrap-around mirrored sunglasses and leather jacket. He is still regarded by many as one of the most technically sound professional wrestlers ever to grace a ring. He was once labeled by Vince McMahon as the 'greatest storyteller in the business' and was adept at creating tense and entertaining matches. He began his career in his father's Stampede Wrestling promotion in Calgary before joining the WWF.

Related Topics:
Sunglasses - Leather jacket - Vince McMahon - Stampede Wrestling

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World Wrestling Federation

Hart rose to fame in the WWF in the 1980s, winning the WWF World Tag Team Championships twice as one half of The Hart Foundation. Hart's technical style created a intriguing clash with his partner Jim Neidhart's strength and brawling skills. The duo were originally a heel team managed by "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart, and actually wore blue and black (as opposed to the more recognisable pink and black colour scheme which they later adopted). Eventually, they turned face, adopting the nickname "The Pink and Black Attack." Their most notable feuds were with the British Bulldogs and Demolition.

Related Topics:
WWF - 1980s - WWF World Tag Team Championships - The Hart Foundation - Jim Neidhart's - Jimmy Hart - British Bulldogs - Demolition

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Following a loss to the Nasty Boyz at WrestleMania VII, the Foundation split and Hart went on to pursue a singles career. He won the WWF Intercontinental Championship twice, defeating Mr. Perfect at Summerslam 1991 and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper at WrestleMania VIII. After dropping the belt to his brother-in-law Davey Boy Smith in a legendary match at Summerslam 1992, he was elevated to main-event status and won the WWF World Heavyweight Championship from Ric Flair. He lost the title to Yokozuna at WrestleMania IX, but shortly after won the original televised "King of the Ring" tournament in 1993. He reclaimed the World belt one year later from Yokozuna at WrestleMania X.

Related Topics:
WrestleMania VII - WWF Intercontinental Championship - Mr. Perfect - Summerslam 1991 - "Rowdy" Roddy Piper - WrestleMania VIII - Davey Boy Smith - Summerslam 1992 - WWF World Heavyweight Championship - Ric Flair - Yokozuna - WrestleMania IX - King of the Ring - 1993 - WrestleMania X

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It was at this time that Bret Hart entered into his memorable feud with his younger brother, the late Owen Hart. For the family-friendly WWF of the early 1990s, a brother vs. brother feud was edgy, and the fans responded well. The storyline involved Owen becoming jealous of Bret. The younger Hart actually defeated his brother in the opening match of WrestleMania X, and when Bret won the WWF Championship in the event's final match Owen stated he should be champion. The two put on highly technical matches and would feud in some way or another for three years.

Related Topics:
Owen Hart - 1990s - WrestleMania X

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Hart dropped the title to Bob Backlund at the 1994 Survivor Series. In 1995, he feuded with various WWF undercarders such as Hakushi, Jean-Pierre Lafitte, and Issac Yankem, DDS. He finally reclaimed the World title with a victory over Diesel at the 1995 Survivor Series. He held the title until dropping it to Shawn Michaels in a 60-minute Iron Man Match at WrestleMania XII. The match was not without controversy (Michaels actually won it in a sudden death overtime), and would mark the beginning of a seven-month hiatus from the WWF for Bret. He entertained a lucrative offer from World Championship Wrestling, but eventually signed a "lifetime" contract with the WWF.

Related Topics:
Bob Backlund - 1994 - Survivor Series - 1995 - Jean-Pierre Lafitte - Issac Yankem, DDS - Diesel - Shawn Michaels - Iron Man Match - WrestleMania XII - World Championship Wrestling

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Hart returned to face off against Stone Cold Steve Austin at Survivor Series 1996. Austin was the new face of a changing WWF product: a loud-mouthed antihero who drank beer after matches, ignored rules, and frequently lashed out at Hart, mocking his pink trunks and old-school attitude. Although Hart defeated Austin at Survivor Series, the fans did something the WWF and Hart would have never predicted: they began to turn on Hart and support Austin. Hart defeated Austin, Vader, and the Undertaker in a Four-Way Match for the WWF title belt at an In Your House PPV in February 1997. But Austin made sure Hart's fourth reign was short-lived, costing him a match against "Sycho" Sid Vicious the next night on RAW.

Related Topics:
Stone Cold Steve Austin - 1996 - Vader - Undertaker - February - 1997 - "Sycho" Sid Vicious

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Hart's frustration got the best of him. He lowered himself to Austin's level at WrestleMania 13. After defeating him in what some consider the greatest match in Wrestlemania history, a submission match, Hart continued to attack his opponent. This, combined with a bloody Austin's refusal to submit, turned Austin into a new breed of face, and Hart into a new breed of heel.

Related Topics:
WrestleMania 13 - Heel

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In the ensuing weeks, Hart denounced all American fans and reunited with brother Owen and brother-in-law Davey Boy Smith. The trio formed the new Hart Foundation with Brian Pillman and Jim Neidhart, an anti-American stable which was popular within Canada. Hart captured his fifth World title at Summerslam 1997 after guest-referee Shawn Michaels struck The Undertaker with a steel chair, allowing Hart to get the pin.

Related Topics:
Hart Foundation - Brian Pillman - American - Stable - Canada - Summerslam 1997 - The Undertaker

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Frustrated with the WWF and his character's direction, Hart left the WWF following a controversial match (known to fans as the Montreal Screwjob or The Double Cross) with Shawn Michaels at Survivor Series 1997. Michaels "beat" Hart, in Canada, with a Sharpshooter, even though Hart never tapped. Both sides have their stories (Hart's being that he was supposed to leave the match as the WWF World Heavyweight Champion and later vacate the title) and to this day Michaels is disliked by many wrestling fans in Canada, particularly in Montreal. Hart reportedly punched Vince McMahon in a dressing room after the affair, and McMahon had a visible black eye in the days immediately after the event.

Related Topics:
Montreal Screwjob - Shawn Michaels - 1997 - Sharpshooter - WWF World Heavyweight Champion - Montreal - Vince McMahon

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Hart was so upset over the way things turned out that he stated he would never again return to the WWF, and did not appear on the two-hour RAW telecast dedicated to his brother Owen following his death on May 23, 1999. He has also refused to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Related Topics:
May 23 - 1999 - WWE Hall of Fame

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WWE has used images and references to Hart sparingly in recent years because of their fragile relationship. Many consider Chris Benoit's angle with Shawn Michaels in 2004 to be an apology of sorts to Hart. In a triple-threat match against Michaels and Triple H in Canada, Benoit forced Michaels to tap out to the Sharpshooter, and Earl Hebner rang the bell.

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Hart retains a cult following around the world, especially in the traditionally knowledgeable Canadian and New York crowds. Fans will rapidly chant "We Want Bret" at any mention or reference to Hart. The fans would also chant "You Screwed Bret", specifically to either Vince McMahon and/or Shawn Michaels, to taunt and remind them that they have not, nor will ever forget, the infamous "Montreal Screwjob". To this day, especially in Canada, this antic is directed at them while conducting interviews.

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It is now known that on November 15, WWE will release a three disc DVD set titled, "The Bret Hart Story: The Best There Is, Was, And Ever Will Be." On August 3, 2005, it was reported that Bret Hart arrived at WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut regarding that DVD. It was confirmed later that week that WWE and Hart have agreed to the deal and there will be a DVD release chronicling the career of Bret "The Hitman" Hart. Rumors also persist that the meeting also focused on a pending induction into WWE Hall of Fame.

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World Championship Wrestling

Immediately after Survivor Series, Hart left the WWF and joined WCW. WCW's policy of giving big-name stars like Hulk Hogan "creative control" clauses in their contracts meant that the organisation found it hard to give Hart a push anything like that which he enjoyed in the WWF. During Eric Bischoff's period in control of the company, the good-will towards Hart generated by the Montreal Screwjob resulted in him being pushed as a face. However, this was short-lived, and in early 1998, Hart turned heel in a WCW Monday Nitro main event involving Sting and Hogan, and joined the nWo.

Related Topics:
WCW - Hulk Hogan - Eric Bischoff - 1998 - WCW Monday Nitro - Sting - NWo

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As part of the faction, Hart was no-longer pushed as a main event superstar, instead competing for the less-prestigous United States Heavyweight Championship, which he won four times. Like many wrestlers at the time, Hart suffered from misdirection and mismanagement by the WCW creative team. Many feel he was never used effectively and often fans couldn't figure out whether to root for or against him.

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He remained in the upper mid-card bracket until the WWF's top writer Vince Russo "jumped ship" in 1999 and joined WCW. Russo instigated an angle which involved a controversy over a series of World Heavyweight Championship matches between Sting, Hogan and Goldberg at Halloween Havoc 1999, ultimately leading to the title being declared vacant. A tournament then took place over several episodes of Nitro, with the final rounds taking place on the Mayhem pay-per-view. The event saw Bret Hart defeat Chris Benoit in the main event, capturing his first of two WCW Championship belts in the process.

Related Topics:
Vince Russo - 1999 - World Heavyweight Championship - Goldberg - Halloween Havoc - Mayhem - Chris Benoit

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He later participated in an nWo reformation with Jeff Jarrett, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and the Harris Brothers. At the 1999 StarrCade pay-per-view event (largely considered to be WCW's equivalent of WrestleMania), Hart defended his WCW Championship against Goldberg. During the match Hart was struck with a stiff kick to the head, resulting in a severe concussion that ultimately forced his retirement from professional wrestling.

Related Topics:
Jeff Jarrett - Kevin Nash - Scott Hall - The Harris Brothers - StarrCade - WrestleMania - Concussion

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