Bret Hart

This article refers to the professional wrestler. If you're interested in the American author, see Bret Harte.

Bret Sergeant Hart (born July 2, 1957) was a Canadian professional wrestler spawned from the famous Hart family of wrestling. He had several monikers: Bret "The Hitman" Hart, (adopted from boxer Thomas Hearns), the "Excellence of Execution," and perhaps the most resounding, "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be."

Early life

He was born in Calgary, Alberta as the eighth of the 12 children of wrestling promoter Stu Hart. His seven brothers were either wrestlers or involved backstage with the wrestling business; his four sisters all married professional wrestlers. Two of his brothers-in-law, Davey Boy Smith and Jim Neidhart, had very successful careers in the business. His youngest brother, Owen Hart, became a prominent wrestler in his own right before his death in 1999 when a wrestling stunt went horribly wrong.

Profile

• Height: 6'0"
• Weight: 233 lbs.
• Birthday: July 2, 1957
• Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
• Managers: Jimmy Hart

Wrestling career

Hart's appearance was highlighted by his wrap-around sunglasses and he is still regarded by many as one of the most technically sound pro wrestlers ever to grace a wrestling 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 rose to fame in the World Wrestling Federation in the early 1990s, 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.

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.

It was at this time that Bret Hart entered into his memorable fued 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. The two put on highly technical matches and would feud in some way or form for about three years.

Hart dropped the title to Bob Backlund at the 1994 Survivor Series. In 1995, he feuded with various WWF undercarders such as Hakushi, Jean-Paul Lafiette, and Issac Yankem, DDS. He finally reclaimed the World title with a victory over Kevin "Diesel" Nash 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.

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 attitute. 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.

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.

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.

Frustrated with the WWF and his character's direction, Hart left the WWF following a controversial match (known to fans as the Montreal Screwjob) 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 and to this day Michaels is disliked by many wrestling fans in Canada, particularly in Montreal.

Immediately after Survivor Series, Hart left the WWF and joined WCW. In WCW, he wasn't given the same push he was given in the WWF, although he had four United States Heavyweight Championship reigns and won the World Heavyweight Championship twice in 1999. He also participated in an nWo reformation with Jeff Jarrett, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and the Harris Brothers. Hart suffered from misdirection in the WCW; he was never used effectively and often fans couldn't figure out whether to root for or against him. He left the company full-time following a career-ending concussion he suffered from a stiff kick in a match with Bill Goldberg.

After wrestling

In late 1999, he suffered a severe concussion in a match against Bill Goldberg, which turned out to be career-ending.

In 2002, he suffered a stroke after falling off his bicycle. He has made a remarkable recovery from the stroke. He currently writes a column for the Calgary Sun newspaper and is working on his three-volume autobiography.

In 2004, Hart was chosen as one of the Greatest Canadians, coming in at number thirty-nine. He was also the advocate for Don Cherry during the televised portion of the competition.

The Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League take their nickname and colours from Hart, who is part owner.

Famous Quotes

• "The Excellence of Execution" (originally dubbed as such by the late Gorilla Monsoon)
• "I'm the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be."

Signature and Finishing maneuvers

• Sharpshooter
• Hart Attack (tandem maneuver with Jim Neidhart)
• Ring Post Figure Four

Titles/Accomplishments

• 5-Time WWF World Heavyweight Champion
• 2-Time WWF Intercontinental Champion
• 3-Time WWF World Tag Team Champion (with Jim Neidhart)
• 2-Time WCW World Heavyweight Champion
• 4-Time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion
• 1-Time WCW World Tag Team Champion (with Bill Goldberg)
• 6-Time Stampede Wrestling North American Champion
• 2-Time Stampede Wrestling British Commonwealth Champion
• 4-Time Stampede Wrestling Tag Team Champion (with Keith Hart 3 times and Leo Burke once)
• 1-Time WWC Carribean Tag Team Champion (with Smith Hart)

• 1994 Royal Rumble Winner
• Won the King of the Ring twice, in 1991 and 1993.

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # 4 of the best 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003. He was also ranked # 37 of the best Tag Teams of the "PWI Years" with Jim Neidhart.

• Bret won several PWI Awards over the years. He won Most Inspirational in 1994, Comeback of the Year in 1997, Most Hated in 1997, was involved in the Feud of the Year in 1993 (vs. Jerry Lawler and 1994 (vs. Owen Hart) and was in the Match of the Year three times, 1992 (vs. Davey Boy Smith, 1996 (vs. Shawn Michaels) and 1997 (vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin. He was awarded the PWI Editor's Award in 2003.

External links

• Bret Hart's column
• Bret Hart's Web Page
• Archive of Bret's Columns