Bret Hart

Lore & Background

His rivalry with 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin became the defining narrative of the Attitude Era, representing a clash between traditional values and rebellious chaos. This feud culminated in one of the most controversial moments in sports entertainment history at Survivor Series 1997, where Hart was scheduled to lose his title but instead won due to a last-minute script change, forever altering his relationship with the company.

Reader's Guide

Born into the famous Hart wrestling family, Bret Hart adopted the persona of 'The Hitman,' characterized by his military-style attire and a demeanor that balanced arrogance with deep respect for the craft. His ring style was renowned for its technical precision, utilizing moves like the Sharpshooter submission hold to dismantle opponents methodically. Hart's championship reigns were numerous and prestigious, including multiple Intercontinental titles and six World Heavyweight Championships in the WWF.

He is widely considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, known for his ability to tell compelling stories within the squared circle without relying on excessive gimmickry. Key moments in his career include his intense feud with Shawn Michaels, which culminated at WrestleMania XI, and the infamous 'Montreal Screwjob' incident. Despite leaving the company under controversial circumstances, Hart returned years later for a highly emotional farewell tour that saw him inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Did You Know?

• Bret Hart holds the record for the most World Heavyweight Championships won by a wrestler not named Hulk Hogan or Ric Flair during the 1990s.
• He is one of the few wrestlers to have held world titles in both the WWF and WCW simultaneously (in terms of reigns) before the merger of companies.
• The 'Sharpshooter' was originally developed by his brother, Owen Hart, but Bret perfected it into a signature finishing move.