Bret Hart is on a list of men and women in the sport of professional wrestling that needs no introduction. What he accomplished in the squared circle establishes him as a legend and a wrestler’s wrestler, as well as a beloved pro wrestler and celebrity for fans the world over.
Both the successes and tragedies that he went through are part of his story and what a story it has undoubtedly been. From a meteoric rise in the industry to a tragic end, Bret Hart gave of himself to the business and along the way he cemented his legacy.
He is also an accomplished writer, having penned his autobiography entitled Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling. He also wrote a weekly column for the Calgary Sun from 1991 to 2004. Of course he also furthered his celebrity with many acting gigs, specifically a run on the 90s era TV show, Lonesome Dove.
He hasn’t competed in a proper match since his retirement from the sport in 2000, he having been injured by Bill Goldberg in WCW at WCW Starrcade 1999…the effects of that concussion affecting him, leading to his early retirement.
via Attitude & Ruthless Aggression /YouTube
Recently, CM Punk gave a heartfelt speech during a media scrum detailing how he felt it unfair how Hart’s career ended at the hands of the inexperienced Goldberg at the time, Punk getting emotional as he spoke. Punk is a serious fan of Hart’s and often wears Bret’s colors to the ring in AEW, as he did on Dynamite just recently.
via Wrestle Clips /YouTube
Two other gentlemen that are serious fans are none other than Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler of FTR, who are evidently super fans of the legend. They recently competed against one another on Dynamite in an Owen Hart Foundation Cup qualifying match, Harwood coming out on top.
But this is where it gets interesting, because rumors have been running rampant for months that Hart would be managing the tag team in AEW. He will be managing them at an event down the line…specifically at Big Time Wrestling’s event at Webster Hall in Webster, MA on June 10th. FTR will be facing Brian Pillman Jr. and Brock Anderson; that duo being managed on that night by the legendary Arn Anderson. But still, Hart’s AEW future is unclear.
FTR will FINALLY get their chance to be managed by Bret Hart when they take on the team of Brian Pillman Jr & Brock Anderson with Arn Anderson!
Rumors were shut down by Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer when he stated that perhaps Hart had signed a “lucrative deal” with WWE a few weeks back. This deal would prevent him from being able to make any AEW appearances quite obviously, so that was the end of all that hype…or so it seemed.
Now, Meltzer has stated that perhaps it isn’t over just yet.
A little while back, when Bret Hart was asked if he’d be coming to AEW…if the rumors were true, he simply responded: “Go there and do what?” The response (Post Wrestling) was comical, but so Bret Hart…always wanting to have a purpose for his character that made sense.
Hart has a massive relationship with AEW however, and no matter where this goes. He did unveil the AEW World Heavyweight Championship at Double or Nothing 2019, as the company was first getting under way.
No matter what happens with this though, Hart will be secure as a forefather in this industry, but it would be pretty awesome to see him in AEW as opposed to WWE right now, where he can help shape the futures of AEW stars and be utilized correctly I feel. Fingers crossed, dear readers.
