Bret Hart
303089
226138386
2008-07-17T00:07:01Z
86.157.193.92
/* In wrestling */
{{Infobox Wrestler
|name=Bret Hart
|image=BretHartJuly242005.JPG
|img_capt=Bret Hart in [[July 2005]].
|names='''Bret "The Hitman" Hart'''<br>Brett Hart<br>"Cowboy" Bret Hart<br>Buddy "The Heartthrob"
|height= {{height|m=1.85}}
|weight={{convert|106.3|kg|lb st|abbr=on|lk=on}}
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1957|7|2}}
|birth_place =[[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], [[Canada]]
|resides=Calgary, Alberta, Canada
|billed=
|trainer=[[Stu Hart]]<br />[[Katsuji Adachi]]<br />[[Kazuo Sakurada]]<br>[[Harley Race]]
|debut=[[1976]]<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.brethart.com/bio/columns/trip-down-memory-lane-saskatoon-regina |title=A trip down memory lane (Saskatoon & Regina) |accessdate= |author=Hart, Bret |date= |year=2007 |month=|publisher=BretHart.com}} </ref>
|retired=[[October 25]] [[2000]]
|}}
{{for|the location in California|Bret Harte, California}}
'''Bret Sergeant Hart''' (born [[July 2]], [[1957]]) is a retired [[Canada|Canadian]] [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] and [[actor]], and is a member of the [[Hart wrestling family]]. In the course of his career, he is best known by his ring name '''Bret "The Hitman" Hart'''. He also used the monikers "The Excellence of Execution" (originally dubbed as such by [[Gorilla Monsoon]]), "The Hart Foundation" (primarily while teamed with [[Jim Neidhart]]) and perhaps the most resounding, "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be" (derived from the [[1984 in film|1984]] [[film]] ''[[The Natural (film)|The Natural]]'', which starred [[Robert Redford]]). Hart justifies the last moniker through three claims: He never injured an opponent through any fault of his own; through the entire course of his career he only missed two shows (both as a result of traffic and flight difficulties); and he rarely refused to [[Job (professional wrestling)|job]] (lose a scripted match).<ref name="Best">Hart, B. "[http://www.brethart.com/comments.asp When I boast about being the best there is, it is because of three reasons...]," BretHart.com</ref> Hart was widely regarded as one of the most popular and gifted technical professional wrestlers ever.<ref name="Bret Hart DVD">[http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/brethart/bio/ Bret Hart's WWE Profile]</ref>
Throughout his career in the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF) and [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), Hart competed in the [[tag team]], mid-card and heavyweight divisions, achieving success in all three divisions. He was a [[List of WWE Champions|5-time]] [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]],<ref name="wwetitle"/><ref name="titlehistory"/> [[List of WWE Intercontinental Champions|2-time]] [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Champion]]<ref name="ictitle"/><ref name="titlehistory"/> and [[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|2-time]] [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|Tag Team Champion]] with [[Jim Neidhart]]<ref name="worldtagteam"/><ref name="titlehistory"/> in the WWF as well as the winner of the very first [[King of the Ring]] in 1993,<ref name="titlehistory"/> and the [[Royal Rumble (1994)|1994]] [[Royal Rumble]] co-winner with [[Lex Luger]].<ref name="titlehistory">[http://www.wwe.com/superstars/brethart/bretharttitlehistory WWE: Superstars > Hall of Fame > Bret Hart > Bret Hart Title History]</ref> In WCW, he was a [[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|2-time]] [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|World Heavyweight Champion]],<ref name="wcwtitle"/><ref name="titlehistory"/> a [[List of WWE United States Champions|4-time]] [[WWE United States Championship|United States Heavyweight Champion]]<ref name="ustitle"/><ref name="titlehistory"/> and a [[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions|1-time]] [[WCW World Tag Team Championship|World Tag Team Champion]] with [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]].<ref name="wcwtagtitle"/><ref name="titlehistory"/> Hart was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] in 2006 by [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]].<ref name="HOF">Droste, R. "[http://www.pwtorch.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/25/17375 Hall of Fame Inductions Report]", [[Wade Keller|Pro Wrestling Torch]]</ref>
==Career==
===Early life===
Bret Hart was born in [[Calgary|Calgary, Alberta]], the eighth child of wrestling patriarch and promoter [[Stu Hart]]. His seven brothers were either wrestlers or involved backstage with the wrestling business; his four sisters all married professional wrestlers. Three of his brothers-in-law, the [[Dynamite Kid]], [[Davey Boy Smith]], and [[Jim Neidhart]], had very successful careers in the business. His youngest brother, [[Owen Hart]], became a decorated wrestler in his own right before his death in 1999.
In terms of in-ring ability, Hart is known for his fluid technical skills and agility. Once labeled "the greatest storyteller in the history of the business" by [[Vince McMahon]], he was adept at creating tense and entertaining matches. [[Gene Okerlund|Mean Gene Okerlund]] has also placed him in the top five best technical wrestlers of all time.
Hart's introduction to professional wrestling came at an incredibly early age. As a child, he witnessed his father training with future wrestling stars like [[Billy Graham (wrestler)|Billy Graham]] in the [[Hart House (Alberta)#The Dungeon|Dungeon]], his household basement which served as possibly the most notorious training room in the world of wrestling. Before school, Hart's father, also a wrestling promoter, would have him hand out flyers to local wrestling shows. At Ernest Manning High School, Hart would gain experience in the [[scholastic wrestling|amateur wrestling]] division. Despite being "skin and bones," as Hart refers to his teenage physique, he won significant championships. This would later offer credibility to his career in professional wrestling as being legit. However, rather than directly following his father's foot steps, Hart pursued a college degree.
===Stampede Wrestling (1976-1984)===
Hart enrolled in [[Mount Royal College]] with aspirations of becoming a director. At the age of 19, however, Hart began working for his father's [[Stampede Wrestling]] promotion in Calgary, with his father serving as his manager for a time. Hart first began helping the promotion by refereeing matches, but at one fateful event, a wrestler was unable to perform his match. This forced Stu to request his son stand in as a replacement, paving the way for Hart's very first match in [[Saskatoon]], [[Saskatchewan]]. Before long, he became a regular contender, eventually partnering with brother [[Keith Hart (wrestler)|Keith]] to win the Tag Team Championship four times. Earlier on, however, he was still unsure he wanted to make a career of professional wrestling and continually contemplated the idea.
Hart would gain some of his most prominent experience with [[Japan]]ese combatants [[Katsuji Adachi|Mr. Hito]] and [[Kazuo Sakurada|Mr. Sakurada]], later praising them as his most significant trainers. And before long, Hart was amazing crowds with his high-impact matches against the [[Dynamite Kid]]. In the midst of wrestling alongside his brothers and even his aging father, Hart made a point not to ride on the shoulders of his elder as other sons of promoters have. Hart faithfully [[job (professional wrestling)|jobbed]] as requested of him, taking pride in the believability of his performances. As he said himself, "no one could take a shit kicking like Bret Hart."
Although he dreaded doing interviews and speaking in front of a crowd, Hart went on to win the promotion's top titles including two British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championships, five International Tag Team Championships, and six North American Heavyweight Championships. Hart also wrestled the famous [[Mitsuharu Misawa]] (as Tiger Mask II) in [[New Japan Pro Wrestling]] and remained one of Stampede's most successful performers until the promotion, along with several wrestlers, was acquired by the World Wrestling Federation in August 1984.
===World Wrestling Federation (1984-1997)===
====WWF debut (1984)====
Bret Hart started out in the WWF with a [[cowboy]] [[List of professional wrestling slang#G|gimmick]] but soon requested that it be dropped. He made his first televised WWF debut in August 1984, in a tag team match where he teamed with his friend the Dynamite Kid.<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/84.htm 1984 WWF Results]</ref>
====Hart Foundation (1985-1991)====
{{main|The Hart Foundation}}
In 1985, he was eventually partnered up with [[Jim Neidhart]] to build the promotion's tag team division. The duo were originally a heel team managed by "The Mouth of the South" [[Jimmy Hart]]. The team was known as [[The Hart Foundation]] due to the similar last names of both team members and their manager.<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/hart-foundation-original.html Hart Foundation Profile]</ref> Bret and Jim made their [[WrestleMania]] debut at [[WrestleMania 2]] where they participated in a 20-man battle royal which was won by [[André the Giant]].<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm2/results WrestleMania 2 Official Results]</ref> Bret's agile, technical style created an intriguing contrast with his partner Neidhart's strength and brawling skills.
Hart rose to fame in the WWF in the mid 1980s, and [[the Hart Foundation]] won the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] twice. Eventually, they turned face and adopted the nickname "The Pink and Black Attack." Their most notable feuds were with the [[British Bulldogs]], [[The Fabulous Rougeaus]], [[Strike Force (professional wrestling)|Strike Force]], [[The Rockers]], and [[Demolition (professional wrestling)|Demolition]]. Their first reign started on the January 26, 1987 edition of ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|Superstars]]'' when they defeated the British Bulldogs to win the titles.<ref name="superstars">[http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/superstars.htm WWF Superstars of Wrestling results]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413212221 Hart Foundation's first World Tag Team Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref> They went on to lose the titles to Strike Force on the October 27 edition of ''Superstars''.<ref name="superstars"/>
At ''[[SummerSlam (1990)|SummerSlam 1990]]'', the Hart Foundation began their second reign by defeating Demolition members [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Crush]] and [[Barry Darsow|Smash]] in a [[two out of three falls match]] with some help from the [[Road Warriors|Legion of Doom]].<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1990/results SummerSlam 1990 official results]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132161 Hart Foundation's second World Tag Team Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref> On [[October 30]], the Hart Foundation lost the titles to The Rockers ([[Marty Jannetty]] and [[Shawn Michaels]]) in a very controversial match. A few days later, President [[Jack Tunney]] returned the titles to the Hart Foundation because the decision had been reversed due to a rope coming off of the turnbuckle during the match and the win was never acknowledged on television. The Hart Foundation's reign lasted from [[August 27]], [[1990]] to [[March 24]], [[1991]].<ref name="worldtagteam">[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam World Tag Team Championship official title history]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref>
====Mid-card success (1991-1992)====
Following a loss to [[The Nasty Boys]] at ''[[WrestleMania VII]]'',<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm7/results WrestleMania VII official results]</ref> the Foundation split and Hart went on to pursue a singles career which would become very successful. He won his first [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]] by defeating [[Curt Hennig|Mr. Perfect]] with the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]] at ''[[SummerSlam (1991)|SummerSlam 1991]]''.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1991/results SummerSlam 1991 official results]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322440 Bret Hart's first Intercontinental Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref> Hart was then placed in a feud with [[Jacques Rougeau|the Mountie]]. This feud came about when the Mountie's manager, Jimmy Hart, threw water on Hart. Then the Mountie proceeded to shock Hart with a [[cattle prod]].
<!-- Someone wrote over the beginning of this paragraph, would need to be completed again -->When Hart lost the WWF Intercontinental Championship to The Mountie, he was supposedly suffering from a [[fever]]; however, this was a [[work (professional wrestling)|work]] to protect his character when he lost the title. In reality, Hart was booked to lose the title because his current contract was expiring. Following the loss, [[Roddy Piper]] defeated Mountie with a sleeper hold at the ''[[Royal Rumble (1992)|1992 Royal Rumble]]'',<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881152/ Official 1992 Royal Rumble results]</ref> and Bret would later pin "The Rowdy One" for his second Intercontinental Championship at ''[[WrestleMania VIII]]'' later that same year.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm8/results WrestleMania VIII official results]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322452 Bret Hart's second Intercontinental Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref>
In July 1992, Hart defeated [[Shawn Michaels]] in what was the first ever ladder match in the World Wrestling Federation. While many remember Michaels as the main innovator of the ladder match due to his later success in those matches, it was actually Hart who introduced this match format to the WWF.<ref>Hart, Bret (2007). ''Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling'', pg. 343</ref>
====Elevating to heavyweight division (1992-1993)====
After dropping the Intercontinental Championship to his brother-in-law, [[Davey Boy Smith]], in a match at ''[[SummerSlam (1992)|SummerSlam 1992]]'' held before over 80,000 fans at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], Hart was elevated to main-event status.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1992/mainevent SummerSlam 1992 main event]</ref> He won the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] from [[Ric Flair]] at [[Credit Union Centre|Saskatchewan Place]] in [[Saskatoon]], [[Saskatchewan]] on October 12 of that year at a television taping, in a match never broadcast on WWF TV.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454135 Bret Hart's first WWE Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref> The match was only available on a [[WWE Home Video|Coliseum Video]] release. Many believe that not airing this match hurt Hart's early status with the fans, because up until this win, he was not seen as a main event wrestler. Hart dislocated one of the fingers on his right hand during the match and popped it back in himself so it would not affect the rest of the match. Hart became the sixteenth man to win the WWF Championship, the first Canadian, and the second WWE Triple Crown winner (the first being [[Pedro Morales (wrestler)|Pedro Morales]]).
Hart went on to defend the title against contenders such as [[Charles Wright (wrestler)|Papa Shango]],<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/nov081992 Saturday Night's Main Event XXXI official results]</ref> [[Shawn Michaels]],<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1992/mainevent Survivor Series 1992 main event]</ref> and [[Scott Hall|Razor Ramon]]<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881161/results Royal Rumble 1993 official results]</ref> before losing the title to [[Rodney Anoa'i|Yokozuna]] at ''[[WrestleMania IX]]'' after interference from [[Harry Fujiwara|Mr. Fuji]]. Mr. Fuji then challenged [[Hulk Hogan]], who had come out to help Bret Hart, to compete for the title; Hogan then won his fifth WWF Championship from Yokozuna.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm9/mainevent WrestleMania 9 main event]</ref> Shortly after, however, Hart won the first [[Pay-Per-View]] ''[[King of the Ring#1993|King of the Ring]]'' tournament in 1993, defeating [[Scott Hall|Razor Ramon]], [[Curt Hennig|Mr. Perfect]], and [[Bam Bam Bigelow]]<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/brethart/bretharttitlehistory/ Bret Hart's Title History]</ref> (prior King of the Ring tournaments were just house show events). After being crowned as the King of the Ring, Hart was attacked by announcer [[Jerry Lawler|Jerry "The King" Lawler]]. Lawler claimed he was the rightful King and began a barrage against Hart and his family. The feud culminated in a match between the two at ''[[SummerSlam (1993)|SummerSlam 1993]]'', where Hart originally won the match by submission, via the Sharpshooter. Hart, however, would not let go of the hold and the decision was reversed to a Lawler victory by disqualification.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1993/results SummerSlam 1993 official results]</ref>
As noted by Hart himself, the original plan for ''SummerSlam'' was to pit WWF Champion Hulk Hogan against Hart in a colossal passing of the torch. Promotional photos were even taken of the two playing [[tug of war]] with the belt, but later on, anyone Hart mentioned the plans to acted as though they did not recall it.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSaMZO9Ie9U&mode=related&search= Bret Hart off the Record]</ref> Instead, Hogan lost to Yokozuna before leaving the WWF, with Hart reclaiming the title much later.
====Family problems (1993-1994)====
[[Image:Bret Hart in 1994.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Hart at a WWF event in 1994]]
It was at this point that Bret Hart entered into a feud with his younger brother, [[Owen Hart]]. For the family-friendly WWF of the early 1990s, a brother-versus-brother feud was edgy and the fans responded well to it. The storyline involved Owen becoming jealous of Bret. It began at ''[[Survivor Series (1993)|Survivor Series 1993]]'', when the Harts (Bret, Owen, [[Bruce Hart (wrestler)|Bruce]], and [[Keith Hart (wrestler)|Keith]]) took on Shawn Michaels (a last-minute substitution for Lawler) and his knights. All of the brothers survived the match except for Owen, the only Hart family member eliminated.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1993/results Survivor Series 1993 official results]</ref> Owen blamed Bret for his elimination and in the weeks ahead, blamed Bret for holding him back. Owen demanded a one-on-one match with Bret, which Bret refused to do. In the storyline, Bret, along with his parents, worked over the [[Christmas]] holidays to reunite the family and to settle their rivalry.<ref name="rugged"/>
At ''[[Royal Rumble (1994)|Royal Rumble 1994]]'', Bret and Owen took on [[The Quebecers]] for the WWF Tag Team Championship. The [[Referee (professional wrestling)|referee]] [[Tim White (wrestling)|Tim White]] stopped the match after he considered Bret unable to continue after he sustained a [[kayfabe]] knee injury during the match. After the match, Owen berated his brother for costing him a title opportunity and attacked the injured knee, setting the feud between the two.<ref>[http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/january/1994.htm Royal Rumble 1994 results]</ref> Later on, Hart managed to participate and win the 1994 Royal Rumble match but with controversy. Hart and [[Lex Luger]] were the final two participants and the two were eliminated over the top rope at the same time. Therefore, both men were named co-winners of the 1994 Royal Rumble match and received a title shot at ''[[WrestleMania X]]''.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811421/mainevent Royal Rumble 1994 main event]</ref><ref name="rugged"/>
Meanwhile, Bret had to also focus in his feud with Owen Hart. Owen demanded a match against Bret which Bret repeatedly refused.<ref name="rugged">[http://www.wwe.com/inside/listthis/ruggedroadstowrestlemania/roadstomania7 Most Rugged Roads To WrestleMania (1994)]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-10-12]]</ref> This situation was complicated because of Bret co-winning the Royal Rumble. Jack Tunney decided that both Hart and Luger would get title shots at WrestleMania X, but were faced with the possibility of wrestling two matches at the event.<ref name="rugged"/> Luger won a coin toss televised on an edition of ''[[WWE Raw|RAW]]'' and won the chance to face Yokozuna first.<ref name="rugged"/> If he had lost the toss, he would have wrestled Crush before facing Yokozuna. Under the rules set forth by Tunney, Bret was required to wrestle Owen in the opening match at WrestleMania.<ref name="rugged"/> Owen won the match.<ref name="wmx">[http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm10/results WrestleMania X results]</ref> Luger would go on to face Bret if he had become the champion, but he lost by disqualification,<ref name="wmx"/> and Yokozuna went on to fight Hart for the WWF Championship in the main event. He defeated Yokozuna for his second WWF Championship.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm10/mainevent WrestleMania 10 main event]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454127 Bret Hart's second WWE Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref>
Bret continued to feud with his brother Owen while he also started feuding with [[Kevin Nash|Diesel]]. Bret's friend and former tag team partner Jim Neidhart returned to WWF and reunited with Bret. At ''[[King of the Ring (1994)|King of the Ring 1994]]'', Bret defended the WWF Championship against Diesel. When Bret was winning the match, Shawn Michaels interfered on Diesel's behalf. Diesel appeared close to victory after he delivered a [[Powerbomb#Release Powerbomb|Jackknife Powerbomb]] yet before he could pin Bret, Neidhart interfered. Diesel won by disqualification but Hart retained his title. Neidhart [[List of professional wrestling slang#T|turned]] on Hart after leaving when Diesel and Michaels attacked Hart following the match.<ref>[http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/june/1994.htm King of the Ring 1994 results]</ref> At ''[[SummerSlam (1994)|SummerSlam 1994]]'', Bret defended the WWF Championship against Owen in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]]. Bret successfully retained the title.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1994/mainevent SummerSlam 1994 main event]</ref>
Hart eventually lost his WWF Championship at [[Survivor Series (1994)|Survivor Series 1994]] in a submission match against [[Bob Backlund]] where the manager of either competitor (Davey Boy Smith for Bret, Owen Hart for Backlund) would have to 'throw in the towel' for the wrestler they were representing. When Bret was in Backlund's [[Professional wrestling holds#Crossface Chickenwing|Crossface Chickenwing]] and Davey Boy was ([[kayfabe]]) knocked out, Owen persuaded his mother Helen to throw in the towel for Bret, therefore giving Backlund the championship victory.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1994/mainevent Survivor Series 1994 main event]</ref> Bret's feud with Backlund would continue at [[WrestleMania XI]] where he would defeat Backlund in another [["I Quit" match|submission match]] when special guest referee "Rowdy" Roddy Piper would misconstrue Backlund's grunting while Bret locked him in his own Crossface Chickenwing as a submission victory for Hart.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm11/results WrestleMania XI official results]</ref>
====Historic rivalries (1995-1997)====
Bret would then go after Diesel's WWF Championship in 1995. After their match at the [[Royal Rumble (1995)|Royal Rumble]] was continually marred by outside interference, Bret won his third WWF Championship at [[Survivor Series (1995)|Survivor Series]] in a No DQ match against Diesel.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1995/mainevent Survivor Series 1995 main event]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454121 Bret Hart's third WWE Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref> After Hart's real-life rival [[Shawn Michaels]] won the [[Royal Rumble (1996)|1996 Royal Rumble]],<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811412/mainevent 1996 Royal Rumble match]</ref> a 60 minute [[Iron Man match]] was set up between the two at [[WrestleMania XII]]. The wrestler with the most decisions during the 60 minutes would win the match and the WWF Championship. With less than a minute left on the clock and the score still 0-0, Michaels jumped from the middle rope; his legs were caught by Hart, and Hart locked in his Sharpshooter. However, Michaels did not submit in the last 30 seconds so the match ended in a tie. President [[Gorilla Monsoon]] ruled that the match would continue in sudden death overtime. Michaels hit a superkick to achieve his boyhood dream and win the gold.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm12/mainevent WrestleMania XII main event]</ref>
[[Image:Bret Hart in 1995.jpg|thumb|left|Hart in 1995]]
Hart would take a break from wrestling during 1996. Over the summer, [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], who was fresh from winning the [[King of the Ring#1996|1996 King of the Ring]],<ref>[http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/june/1996.htm King of the Ring 1996]</ref> would continually taunt Bret and challenge him to come back and have a match. After an eight-month absence, Bret would face Austin at [[Survivor Series (1996)|Survivor Series 1996]]. Hart would reverse Austin's Million Dollar Dream submission into a [[pin (professional wrestling)#roll-up|roll-up]] for a victory.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1996/results Survivor Series 1996 official results]</ref> This would be the first match between the two in a feud between the old-school 'baby face' (Hart) and the new school anti-hero (Austin).
The feud continued at the ''[[Royal Rumble (1997)|Royal Rumble]]'', when Hart tossed Austin out of the ring, only for Austin (unbeknownst to the referees) to climb back into the ring, and go on to win the Rumble.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988114111 1997 Royal Rumble match]</ref> In order to deal with this controversy, a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic elimination matches|Fatal Four-Way]] between Austin and the participants he eliminated after re-entering the ring was set up for the February [[In Your House]] PPV, with the winner becoming the number one contender. After current champion Shawn Michaels relinquished the belt, though, the match officially became for the WWF Championship.
Hart defeated Austin, [[Big Van Vader|Vader]], and [[The Undertaker]] in the Fatal Four-Way to become a 4-time WWF champion at [[In Your House 13: Final Four|In Your House: Final Four]].<ref>[http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/february/1997.htm In Your House XIII]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454113 Bret Hart's fourth WWE Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref> However, Austin made sure Hart's reign was short-lived, costing him a match against [[Sid Eudy|Sycho Sid]] the next night on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]''.<ref>[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/raw/021797 WWF Raw: February 17, 1997]</ref> The two would have a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]] shortly before ''[[WrestleMania 13]]'' (Hart's twelfth consecutive and final WrestleMania), which saw Austin actually attempt to help Hart win, in order to make their match at WrestleMania 13 a title match. Concurrently, The Undertaker, who had a scheduled match with Sid at ''WrestleMania'', attempted to help Sid win. Sid ultimately retained, leading to a pure grudge match for Hart and Austin.<ref>[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/raw/031797 WWF Raw: March 17, 1997]</ref>
At WrestleMania 13, Hart and Austin had their rematch, in what some consider the greatest match in WrestleMania history (alongside [[Randy Savage]] vs. [[Ricky Steamboat]] at ''[[WrestleMania III]]''). This match, which was a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Submission match]], featured incredible brawling and mat wrestling from two extremely skilled technical wrestlers. In the end, Hart locked the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]] on a bloody Austin, who refused to give up. In fact, Austin never quit, but passed out from the blood loss/pain. [[Ken Shamrock]], the special guest referee, awarded Hart the match, after which he continued to assault Austin.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm13/results WrestleMania 13 official results]</ref> This turned Austin face, and Hart became a [[heel (professional wrestling)|heel]]. This was Hart's favorite match with Austin and to date is Hart's last ''[[WrestleMania]]'' appearance. According to Austin himself, this match helped Austin become a main event star and a legend in his own right. The original plan for ''WrestleMania 13'' was a Hart vs. Michaels championship rematch in which Michaels was slated to drop the belt to Hart, a return for Bret having lost to Michaels the year prior. However, Michaels injured his knee two weeks after the 1997 Royal Rumble. The injury resulted in Shawn dropping the title with the infamous "Lost My Smile" speech. Rumors immediately began flying that Shawn did not want to drop the belt to Bret. Hart actually came out during the main event at WrestleMania 13 and challenged Michaels to step in the ring and stated (in a shoot [[Promo (professional wrestling)|promo]]) that Michaels had a "pussy foot injury." McMahon, commentating at ringside alongside Michaels, immediately got up from his seat and tried to keep Michaels calm.
Despite their on-camera differences, Hart and Austin always got along, and continue to have respect for one another, a fact illustrated when Austin inducted Hart into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] the evening prior to ''[[WrestleMania 22]]''.
====Reunion of Hart Foundation & Montreal Screwjob (1997)====
{{main|Montreal Screwjob}}
In the ensuing weeks, Hart denounced American fans, because of their negative reaction to him in the recent weeks in contrast to his continued popularity through the rest of the world, and reunited with brother Owen and brothers-in-law Davey Boy Smith and [[Jim Neidhart]]. The family members formed a [[The Hart Foundation#The (New) Hart Foundation|''new'' Hart Foundation]] with [[Brian Pillman]]; this incarnation was an anti-[[United States|American]] [[List of professional wrestling slang#S|stable]] which was popular within [[Canada]] and [[Europe]]. Hart captured his fifth WWF Championship at ''[[SummerSlam (1997)|SummerSlam 1997]]'' after spitting in [[referee (professional wrestling)#special referees|guest referee]] Shawn Michaels' face; Michaels swung a steel chair in retaliation, which accidentally struck the Undertaker and allowed Hart to get the pin.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1997/mainevent SummerSlam 1997 main event]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/30445417 Bret Hart's fifth WWE Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref>
Around this time, Hart's on-air rivalry with "announcer" [[Vince McMahon]] also escalated. A heated ringside altercation between the two led many fans to dislike McMahon, who at the time was being exposed as owner of the WWF more and more frequently on-air.
[[Image:Seriesscrewjob.jpg|thumb|275px|The "screwjob"—[[Earl Hebner]] calls for the bell as soon as [[Shawn Michaels]] holds Bret Hart in the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]].]]
Although Hart had signed a 20 year contract, Vince McMahon had asked him to talk to WCW about possibly taking a second look at their original offer to him, as the WWF was in a rough financial position at the time and could not afford the contract. Hart's final match with the WWF would come in Montreal at [[Survivor Series (1997)|Survivor Series 1997]]. Hart did not want to end his career with a loss to Shawn Michaels in his home country; Vince agreed to Bret's idea of forfeiting the championship the next night on RAW or losing it a few weeks later. Although Hart stated to Vince McMahon he would not take the WWF Championship with him to WCW TV (and despite insistence from then-WCW President [[Eric Bischoff]] (according to Hart's DVD biography)<ref name="dvd">[http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AOEPU2 ''Bret "Hitman" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Every Will Be'']</ref> that Hart would join WCW with a "clean slate"), McMahon was still concerned; this led to him breaking his word in what eventually came to be known as the [[Montreal Screwjob]], one of the most controversial moments in recent wrestling history. Even though he did not submit to the Sharpshooter, referee [[Earl Hebner]] called for the bell as if he had, on orders of Vince McMahon. This resulted in Hart "losing" the WWF Championship to Shawn Michaels.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1997/mainevent Survivor Series 1997 main event (Montreal Screwjob)]</ref> The night ended with Hart spitting in Vince's face, destroying television equipment, and punching Vince in the eye backstage in front of [[Jack Brisco]], [[Pat Patterson (wrestler)|Pat Patterson]] and Vince's own son Shane. Also backstage Bret confronted [[Shawn Michaels]] about his involment. Michaels lied to Bret and said he knew nothing of the incident; however, years later Michaels admitted that he did know of the incident at least twenty-four hours in advance.
Bret also stated on a recent shoot interview that after the Montreal incident, [[Vince Russo]] called Bret Hart about Bret trying to get Owen out of his contract with WWF and come join Bret in WCW. Bret listened to Russo and explained that he was still going to try to get Owen out of his contract to come to WCW with him; a few minutes afterwards, Vince McMahon called Bret and told him he would sue him if he tried to get Owen out and continued to talk to Owen about his contract. Hart believed McMahon was on the phone the whole time with Russo/Bret and Bret says Vince Russo denies that claim to this day, and that it was just a coincidence that McMahon called a couple minutes after.
===World Championship Wrestling (1997-2000)===
====Early WCW run (1997-1998)====
A day after the ''Survivor Series'' pay-per-view, [[Eric Bischoff]], while in the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|nWo]] announced that Hart was going to be coming to WCW, and joining the nWo.
About a month after ''Survivor Series'', Hart joined [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), the WWF's main competitor. He made his debut on ''[[WCW Monday Nitro]]'' on [[December 15]], [[1997]] when it was announced by WCW Chairman of the Board [[James J. Dillon|J.J. Dillon]] that Bret would be the special guest referee for the match between [[Eric Bischoff]] and [[Larry Zbyszko]] at ''[[Starrcade (1997)|Starrcade 1997]]''.<ref>[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/nitro121597 WCW Nitro: December 15, 1997]</ref> Bret was involved in the [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] versus [[Hulk Hogan]] match at ''Starrcade 1997'', stepping in toward its conclusion as impromptu referee. He attacked referee [[Nick Hamilton|Nick Patrick]], accusing him of making a fast count and shouting he would not let "it happen again" (a reference to the Montreal Screwjob).<ref>[http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#97 Starrcade 1997 results]</ref> During [[Eric Bischoff]]'s period in control of the company, the goodwill towards Hart generated by the Montreal Screwjob resulted in him being pushed as a face, defeating Ric Flair in his first WCW match at [[Souled Out#1998|Souled Out 1998]].<ref>[http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/nwoppv.html#98 Souled Out 1998 results]</ref>
====Heel turn & mid-card status (1998-1999)====
However, this was short-lived, and in early 1998, Hart turned heel in a ''Nitro'' main event involving Randy Savage and Hogan, and Bret unofficially joined the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|nWo]]. At [[Uncensored#1998|Uncensored]], Hart defeated Curt Hennig in a match.<ref>[http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#98 Uncensored 1998 results]</ref> Bret defeated Randy Savage in singles action at [[Slamboree#1998|Slamboree]]<ref>[http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/slambore.html#98 Slamboree 1998 results]</ref> and then in a tag team match with Hogan at [[The Great American Bash#1998|The Great American Bash]] in which Savage was partnered with Roddy Piper.<ref>[http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/gabash.html#98 The Great American Bash 1998 results]</ref> As part of the faction, Hart was no longer pushed as a main event superstar, instead becoming a mid-carder. At [[Bash at the Beach#1998|Bash at the Beach]], Hart faced [[Booker Huffman|Booker T]] in a match for Booker's [[WCW World Television Championship]] in which Hart got disqualified after hitting Booker with a steel chair.<ref>[http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#98 Bash at the Beach 1998 results]</ref>
On the [[July 20]] edition of ''Nitro'' a no-disqualification title match was setup and Hart defeated [[Diamond Dallas Page]] for the vacant [[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]].<ref>[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998/nitro072098 Monday Nitro - July 20, 1998]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411114 Bret Hart's first United States Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref> . Though still not officially a member of the NWO, his support among the faction was shown this match. As right towards the start of the match The Giant [[Paul Wight]] came out to the ring and choke slammed Page to the canvas. Hart locked in the sharpshooter on a completely knocked out Page. A few days later, Hart lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to fellow WWF alumni Lex Luger.<ref>[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998/nitro081098 Monday Nitro - August 10, 1998]</ref> Hart regained the title from Luger, the next night on ''[[WCW Thunder|Thunder]]''.<ref>[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998/thunder081398 WCW Thunder - August 13, 1998]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411123 Bret Hart's second United States Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref> At [[Fall Brawl#1998|Fall Brawl]], Hart and several other wrestlers lost to Diamond Dallas Page in a [[WarGames match#1998|WarGames match]].<ref>[http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/usa/wcw/fall.html#98 Fall Brawl 1998 results]</ref> On the [[October 26]] edition of ''Nitro'', Hart lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to Diamond Dallas Page.<ref>[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998/nitro102698 Monday Nitro - October 26, 1998]</ref> The two had a rematch at [[WCW World War 3#1998|World War 3]] for the title which Hart lost.<ref>[http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/ww3.html#98 World War 3 1998 results]</ref> Hart regained the title from Page on the [[November 30]] edition of ''Nitro'' in a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match|No Disqualification match]] with help from nWo member [[Paul Wight|The Giant]].<ref>[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998/nitro113098 Monday Nitro - November 30, 1998]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411312 Bret Hart's third United States Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref>
On the [[February 8]] edition of ''Nitro'', Hart lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to family friend Roddy Piper.<ref>[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro020899 Monday Nitro - February 8, 1999]</ref> He remained in the upper mid-card bracket until an incident on ''Nitro'' in March 1999 when Bret lamented about "what WCW had ''not'' done" to him. Hart, in street clothes, then called out superstar [[Bill Goldberg]] and verbally coerced Goldberg into tackling him. Hart was wearing a metal [[breastplate]] under his [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] sweater, which resulted in Goldberg being knocked out. Hart then counted his own [[pin (professional wrestling)|pinfall]] over Goldberg's unconscious body, although there was no match taking place, and left. The incident caused Hart to leave WCW for a short time. When Bret was about ready to return to WCW, his brother [[Owen Hart]] died in an accident during a [[Over the Edge (1999)|WWF PPV]]. As a result Bret took time off from WCW to be with his family.
====Main Eventer In WCW (1999-2000)====
Bret Hart returned to wrestling on the [[September 13]], [[1999]] edition of ''Nitro'' in a match with [[Hulk Hogan]] against [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] and [[Lex Luger]]. On the [[October 4]], [[1999]] edition of ''Nitro'' he wrestled in a tribute match for Owen against [[Chris Benoit]] -- this match took place in [[Kemper Arena]] in [[Kansas City]], where Owen had died months earlier.<ref>[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro100499 Monday Nitro - October 4, 1999]</ref> Around this same time, the WWF's top writer [[Vince Russo]] "jumped ship" to join WCW. Russo instigated an angle which involved a controversy over a series of [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|World Heavyweight Championship]] matches between Sting, Hogan, and Goldberg at ''[[Halloween Havoc#1999|Halloween Havoc]]'', ultimately leading to the title being declared vacant. A tournament then took place over several episodes of ''Nitro''. The first round took place on the [[October 25]] edition in which Bret Hart defeated Goldberg to advance to the second round and to also win Goldberg's WCW United States Heavyweight Championship.<ref>[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro102599 Monday Nitro - October 25, 1999]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/304454112211 Bret Hart's fourth United States Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref>
On the [[November 8]] edition of ''Nitro'', Hart lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to Scott Hall in a [[ladder match]] which also involved Sid Vicious and Goldberg.<ref name="08NOV99">[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro110899 Monday Nitro - November 8, 1999]</ref> Hart went on to win this tournament by defeating [[Perry Saturn]],<ref name="08NOV99"/> [[Billy Kidman]],<ref>[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro111599 Monday Nitro - November 15, 1999]</ref> Sting, and Chris Benoit to win the vacant [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]]. His tournament matches with Sting and Benoit occurred at [[WCW Mayhem#1999|Mayhem]] held in Hart's native [[Canada]].<ref>[http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/mayhem.html#mayhem Mayhem 1999 results]</ref><ref>[http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/worldus.html#world99 WCW World Title Tournament 1999]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110311 Bret Hart's first WCW Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref>
He later participated in an nWo reformation with [[Jeff Jarrett]], [[Scott Steiner]], [[Kevin Nash]], [[Scott Hall]], and [[Harris Brothers|Creative Control]]. On [[December 7]], Hart and Goldberg won the [[WCW World Tag Team Championship]] from Creative Control but lost the titles to [[The Outsiders (professional wrestling)|The Outsiders]] on the [[December 13]] edition of ''Nitro''.<ref>[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro121399 Monday Nitro - December 13, 1999]</ref> At ''[[Starrcade (1999)|Starrcade]]'', Hart defended his WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Goldberg. During the match, Hart was struck with a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Mule kick|mule kick]] to the head, resulting in a severe [[concussion]]. Hart later speculated that he may have suffered up to three additional concussions within matches over the course of that day along with the days immediately following ''Starrcade'', having been unaware of the severity of his injuries.<ref>[http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#99 Starrcade 1999 results]</ref> As a part of this, Hart placed Goldberg on the post in a [[Professional wrestling holds#Figure four leglock|figure-four leg lock]] which ended with Hart hitting his head on the concrete floor. The sum total of those injuries left Hart with [[post-concussion syndrome]], and ultimately forced his [[retirement]] from professional wrestling. Hart wrote a ''Calgary Sun'' column in which he said that Goldberg "had a tendency to injure everyone he worked with."<ref>[http://www.brethart.com/bio/columns/story-about-goldberg-jericho Bret Hart's Calgary Sun column from 9 May 2003]</ref> As part of his DVD documentary, Hart expressed regret that "someone as good-hearted as Bill Goldberg" was responsible for hurting him.<ref name="dvd">[http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AOEPU2 ''Bret "Hitman" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Every Will Be'']</ref>
Hart vacated the title on the [[December 20]] edition of ''Nitro'' as a result of the injury he sustained, but later that same night, Hart defeated Goldberg in a rematch for his second WCW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>[http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro122099 Monday Nitro - December 20, 1999]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411039 Bret Hart's second WCW Championship reign]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref> Overall, Hart was 3-0 against Goldberg, who was noted for his undefeated streak.
Hart never lost either WCW Heavyweight Championship he held, but forfeited them instead. The second vacated title came about in January 2000 when he was forced to withdraw from the main event of WCW's ''[[Souled Out#2000|Souled Out]]''. He wrestled his last matches in both the WWF and WCW as the World Heavyweight Champion of each respective promotion.
On October 26, 2000, Hart was released from his contract with WCW due to Hart's "ongoing incapacity." He would officially declare his retirement shortly afterwards.<ref name="Release">van Rassel, J. "[http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBretHart/oct21_hart-sun.html Hitman's cut loose by WCW]", [[Calgary Sun]]</ref>
==Life after professional wrestling==
===2002 stroke===
On June 23, 2002, Bret Hart suffered a major stroke after hitting his head in a bicycle accident. ''The Calgary Herald'' reported that Hart hit a pothole, flew over the handlebars of the bike, and landed on the back of his head. Hart suffered total paralysis on his left side, which required months of physical therapy. Hart has since recovered much of his mobility and is in good health, although he suffers from an emotional imbalance and other lasting effects common to stroke survivors. Hart wrote in detail about his stroke in his autobiography, ''Hitman: My Real Life In The Cartoon World of Wrestling''.<ref name="IGN">Robinson, J. "[http://uk.sports.ign.com/articles/667/667878p1.html Bret Hart: The Hitman Returns]", [[IGN]]</ref>
Hart is a spokesperson for [[March of Dimes Canada]]'s Stroke Recovery Canada program. {{Fact|date=May 2008}}
===''The Bret Hart Story''===
{{Main|Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be}}
Hart's relationship with Vince McMahon improved throughout the early-2000s (Hart stated in an interview that after he had the stroke, the first person to call him in the hospital was McMahon), with Hart being featured in WWE [[video game]]s, including the ''[[WWE Day of Reckoning 2]]'' and [[WWE SmackDown! (video game series)|Smackdown]] titles. In addition, Hart stated on his [[website]] that he would have liked to wrestle [[Kurt Angle]] and had watched [[Chris Benoit]]'s [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] title win at ''[[WrestleMania XX]]''.
In mid-2005, WWE announced the release of a three disc [[DVD]] originally named ''Screwed: The Bret Hart Story'', with the title a reference to the [[Montreal Screwjob]]. After he was approached about appearing in the DVD, Hart visited WWE Headquarters on [[August 3]], 2005 and met with Vince McMahon. Hart filmed over seven hours of interview footage for the DVD, which was renamed ''[[Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be]]''. The DVD includes a compendium of Hart's favorite matches, including a match against his brother Owen held in [[White Plains, New York]] and his first match with [[Ricky Steamboat]]. Before the DVD's release, the WWE released a special magazine covering Hart's career. The collection was released on [[November 15]], [[2005]].
Hart appeared on the [[November 16]], [[2005]], ''WWE Byte This!'' [[webcast]], marking his first live WWE appearance since [[November 9]], [[1997]].
===WWE Hall of Fame===
On the [[February 16]], [[2006]], episode of ''[[WWE Raw|RAW]]'', it was announced that Hart would be a 2006 inductee into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03062006/|title=McMahons 2, Michaels 0|date=2006-03-06|accessdate=2008-01-16|publisher=WWE|quote=Stone Cold will induct Bret “Hit Man” Hart}}</ref> Hart had also been approached by Vince McMahon for a potential match between the two at ''[[WrestleMania 22]]'', but "politely declined" the offer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingepicenter.com/articles/139448686.shtml|title=McMahon-Hart|accessdaymonthyear=28-11-2007}}</ref> Coincidentally, Hart's last WrestleMania appearance was also in Chicago (''[[WrestleMania 13]]'').
On [[April 1]], [[2006]], Hart was inducted by his old in-ring rival, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. He thanked every wrestler he worked with (even thanking Vince McMahon) and said he's "in a good place in life." He also told some humorous stories he had with other wrestlers during his career in the WWF - most notably with his late brother, Owen, and brother-in-law Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. Vince McMahon and his son Shane did not attend the ceremony. Hart did not appear the next day at ''[[WrestleMania 22]]'' with the 2006 [[WWE Hall of Fame]] Inductees at the [[Allstate Arena]] in [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]], saying that he did not feel "comfortable with the situation."
===Other honors===
[[Image:Bretplaque.jpg|right|thumb|Bret Hart accepts his induction into the ''George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame'']]
On [[July 15]], [[2006]], Bret Hart was inducted into the '''George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame''', at the International Wrestling Institute and Museum in [[Newton, Iowa]]. The induction took place in an immensely crowded and humid display room showcasing one of Hart's ring entrance jackets. The honor is only awarded to those with both a professional and amateur wrestling background, making Hart one of the youngest inductees. During his acceptance, Hart compared this induction to his place in the WWE Hall of Fame, saying "This is a much bigger honor for me."<ref name="HOF">Droste, R. "[http://www.pwtorch.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/25/17375 Hall of Fame Inductions Report]", [[Wade Keller|Pro Wrestling Torch]]</ref>
In 2004, Hart was chosen as one of [[the Greatest Canadian]]s, coming in at number thirty-nine. He was also the advocate for [[Don Cherry (ice hockey)|Don Cherry]] during the televised portion of the competition.
===Wrestling appearances===
On [[June 16]], [[2006]], Hart made the Bret Hart VIP Access in the Hotel San Juan in Puerto Rico where he signed autographs, visited with fans, and spoke about his life and career.
On [[May 9]], [[2007]], it was announced that Hart would make his first appearance for a [[professional wrestling]] event since the 2006 [[WWE Hall of Fame]]. Hart signed autographs at "The Legends of Wrestling" show at the [[Tropicana Field]] in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]].<ref name="Legends of Wrestling"> "[http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070509&content_id=1954651&vkey=pr_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb Bret Hart returns to Pro Wrestling]" </ref> On [[June 11]], 2007, Hart made his first appearance on ''[[WWE Raw|RAW]]'' since [[October 27]], [[1997]] when he appeared in a pretaped interview voicing his opinions on Vince McMahon as part of "Mr. McMahon Appreciation Night."
On [[June 24]], [[2007]], Bret Hart made his first appearance since the infamous [[Montreal Screwjob]] at Unison Bar & Billiard in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]]. During this appearance, he signed autographs and spent the night with over 1,000 fans. An emotional Hart was clearly overwhelmed with the crowd's reaction as he also mentioned that he would turn 50 in a few days; the crowd then sang "[[Happy Birthday to You|Happy Birthday]]".
==Writing==
Hart wrote a weekly column for the ''[[Calgary Sun]]'' from June 1991 until October 2004.
Hart co-wrote an illustrated [[autobiography]] with Perry Lefko in 2000. The book, entitled ''"Hitman"'', was somewhat concise, and focused primarily on Hart's [[World Championship Wrestling]] tenure.
On [[October 16]], [[2007]], Hart's second autobiography titled ''Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling'', was released in Canada by Random House Canada. It is slated for a fall, 2008 release in the United States by Grand Central Publishing, with a U.S. book signing tour. Upon its release Hart's book hit number one on the Canadian Globe & Mail bestseller list and remained in the top ten for four months. Hart's Canadian book signing tour is considered by those in the publishing industry to be one of the most successful book tours ever in Canada; the key organizers were Scott Sellers of Random House Canada and Marcy Engelstein, long time friend and business associate of Hart.
Hart began writing the book in July 1999 with Marcy Engelstein. They didn't complete the book until eight years later in September 2007 due to Hart suffering his stroke in 2002, among numerous other tragedies that occurred during the writing. At an invitation-only launch party at McNally Robinson in Calgary on [[October 17]], [[2007]] an emotional Hart acknowledged the completion of the book as one of the biggest milestones of his life and lamented that his parents were not alive to share the moment. He graciously acknowledged Anne Collins of Random House Canada as his editor.
Hart's chronicle is based on an audio diary that he kept for all of his years on the road in professional wrestling.
==Acting==
From 1995 to 1996 Hart appeared in the ''[[Lonesome Dove]]'' television series as '''Luther Root'''. He has made numerous televised appearances since, including a guest spot on ''[[The Simpsons]]'' in 1997 (as himself, in "[[The Old Man and the Lisa]]") and a stint playing [[Genie|The Genie]] in a theatrical production of ''[[Aladdin]]'' in 2004, a role which he reprised in the Canadian Touring production of ''[[Aladdin]]'' in late 2006. Hart also appeared in episodes of the ''[[Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show|Honey I Shrunk The Kids TV series]]'' (along with his brother), ''[[The Adventures of Sinbad]]'', ''[[Big Sound]]'', and ''The Immortal''.
Hart also guest starred on the [[sketch comedy]] series ''[[MADtv]]'' in 1997 where he acted as [[Enforcer (professional wrestling)|enforcer]] at a fan's house, appearing with his WWF Championship belt. It was heavily rumored at the time that Hart was interested in pursuing acting on a full-time basis and was willing to leave wrestling to do so. Hart later appeared again on ''MADtv'' in 1999 and 2000 in an angle with actor [[Will Sasso]] in which the two feuded on the set of ''MADtv'' and in World Championship Wrestling; this culminated in a grudge match on ''WCW Monday Nitro'', where Hart decisively defeated Sasso.
==Personal life==
Hart has four children, Jade Michelle Hart (b. [[March 31]], [[1983]]), Dallas Jeffery Hart (b. [[August 11]], [[1984]]), Alexandra Sabina "Beans" Hart (b. [[May 17]], [[1988]]), and Blade Colton Hart (b. [[June 5]],[[1990]]) with his ex-wife Julie Smadu-Hart (b. [[March 25]], [[1960]]).<ref>Hart, Bret (2007). ''Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling'', pp. 224, 255</ref> The four hearts located on the right thigh of his tights symbolize his four children, as do the four dots following his signature. On [[September 15]], [[2004]], he married (in Calgary) an [[Italy|Italian]] woman named Cinzia Rota,<ref name="dvd"/><ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0366170/bio Biography for Bret Hart]</ref> whom he had divorced, according to his book, by the time its writing was complete, because she did not want to live in Calgary so far away from her family and her home town of Almenno San Salvatore, Bergamo, Italy. <ref name="Moniz">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestle-complex.com/headlines/more_jericho_news_bret_hart_divorces_wife.shtml|author=Moniz, Shawn|title=Bret Hart quietly divorces second wife.|publisher=Wrestle-Complex.com|accessmonthday=October 23|accessyear=2007|date=[[October 23]], [[2007]]}}</ref>Two of his nephews, [[Teddy Hart]] and [[Harry Smith (wrestler)|Harry Smith]], work or worked in the wrestling industry. Both Harry Smith and his niece [[Nattie Neidhart]] currently wrestle on the [[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|SmackDown]] brand.
==Other media==
The [[Calgary Hitmen]] of the [[Western Hockey League]] took their name from Hart, who was a founder and part-owner.{{fact|date=July 2008}}
Hart made a cameo with his pink wrestling attire in [[The Simpsons]] where he purchased [[Mr. Burns]]' mansion.
Hart has recently been on many talk shows (''[[Larry King Live]]'', ''[[Nancy Grace#Chris Benoit murder/suicide case|Nancy Grace]]'', ''[[Hannity & Colmes]]'', ''[[On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren]]'', etc.) discussing the [[Chris Benoit]] [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide|tragedy]].
Hart continues to feature as an unlockable Legend in many newer WWE video games.
==Controversy==
==="Canada vs. America" storyline===
When Hart began the controversial "Canada versus America" angle, he was criticized in public, accused of being [[Anti-Americanism|anti-American]] and often told by angry American fans to "go back where you came from". Hart responded in an interview with the ''[[Calgary Sun]]'', stating that "[there is] a difference between a show and reality". In actuality, Hart holds dual citizenship with Canada and the United States, as his mother is originally from [[Long Island]], [[New York]] in the United States.<ref name="Dual">Hart, B. "[http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBretHart9799/hitman_may17.html An open letter to Shawn Michaels]", [[Canadian Online Explorer]]</ref>
===Racial and homophobic remarks===
He was involved in a similar racial controversy during an [[List of professional wrestling slang#A|angle]] in which it appeared that the [[The Hart Foundation#The (New) Hart Foundation|Hart Foundation]] had vandalized the locker room of the [[African American]] stable, the [[Nation of Domination]] (in the storyline, DX framed the Hart Foundation). As kayfabe retaliation, during a promo with DX, Hart called both [[Triple H]] and Shawn Michaels "[[homosexuality|homos]]". After leaving the WWF, Hart apologized for the angles and said that he had been pressured into going through with them. He said, "I am not in any shape or form a racist. And I don't believe it is anything to kid around about. I also want to apologize for any remarks I made about gay people. It was a stupid mistake on my part."<ref>[http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBretHart/hart_bret_interview.html SLAM! Wrestling: The Bret Hart Interview<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==In wrestling==
*'''Finishing and signature moves'''
<!--Do NOT change the order of the moves, as they comply with Wikipedia's Manual of Style-->
**'''[[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Jumping piledriver|Jumping piledriver]]'''
**'''''[[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]]'''''
<!--Do NOT change the order of the moves, as they comply with Wikipedia's Manual of Style-->
**[[Suplex#German suplex|Bridging German suplex]]
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Bulldog|Bulldog]]
**[[Pin (professional wrestling)#Crucifix|Crucifix pin]]
**[[Dropkick]]
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Figure four leglock|Figure four leglock]], sometimes utilizing the [[Professional wrestling holds#Ringpost figure four leglock|ringpost for extra pressure]]
**[[Pin (professional wrestling)#Small package|Inside cradle]]
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Inverted atomic drop|Inverted atomic drop]]
**[[Professional wrestling attacks#Lariat takedown|Lariat takedown]]
**[[Backbreaker#Pendulum backbreaker|Pendulum backbreaker]]
**[[Pin (professional wrestling)#Roll-up|Roll-up]]
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Russian legsweep|Russian legsweep]]
**[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Axe handle elbow drop|Second rope axe handle elbow drop]]
**[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Plancha|Slingshot crossbody]]
**[[Suplex#Snap suplex|Snap suplex]]
**[[Leg drop|Standing leg drop]]
**[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Suicide|Suicide dive]]
**[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Sunset flip|Sunset flip]]
**[[Suplex#Superplex|Superplex]]
**[[Neckbreaker#Swinging neckbreaker|Swinging neckbreaker]]
**[[Pin (professional wrestling)#Victory roll|Victory roll]]
*'''With [[Jim Niedhart|Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart]]'''
**[[Professional wrestling double-team maneuvers#Hart Attack|'''''Hart Attack''''']]
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Managers]]'''
**[[Jimmy Hart]]
**[[William Shatner]]
*'''[[Nickname]]s'''
**The Hitman
**The Best There Is, The Best There Was and The Best There Ever Will Be
**The Excellence of Execution
**The Pink and Black Attack (while teamed with Jim Neidhart)
==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]'''
**[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum#Modern Era (1985-1996)|Class of 2008]]
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
**[[PWI Comeback of the Year]] (1997)<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwicome.htm|accessdate=2008-06-30|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Comeback of the Year|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive}}</ref>
**[[PWI Stanley Weston Award|PWI Editor's Award]] (2003)<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiedit.htm|accessdate=2008-06-30|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Editor's Award|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive}}</ref>
**[[PWI Feud of the Year]] (1993)<ref name=PWIfeud>{{citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwifoty.htm|accessdate=2008-06-30=title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Feud of the Year|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive}}</ref> - vs. [[Jerry Lawler]]
**PWI Feud of the Year (1994)<ref name=PWIfeud/> - vs. [[Owen Hart]]
**[[PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year]] (1997)<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimhoty.htm|accessdate=2008-06-30|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Most Hated Wrestler of the Year|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive}}</ref>
**[[PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year]] (1994)<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiinsp.htm|accessdate=2008-06-30|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Inspirational Wrestler of the Year |publisher=Wrestling Information Archive}}</ref>
**PWI ranked him # '''1''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year in the [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#PWI 500|PWI 500]] in 1993 and 1994<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50093.htm|accessdate=2008-06-30|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 1993|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50094.htm|accessdate=2008-06-30|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 1994|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive}}</ref>
*'''[[Stampede Wrestling]]'''
**[[Stampede International Tag Team Championship|NWA International Tag Team Championship ''(Calgary version)'']] ([[Stampede International Tag Team Championship#Title history|5 times]])<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/calg-t.html|title=Stampede International Tag Team Title|publisher=Wrestling=titles.com}}</ref> - with [[Keith Hart (wrestler)|Keith Hart]] (4) and [[Leo Burke]] (1)
**[[Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship#Title history|3 times]])<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/calg-mh.html|title=British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
**[[Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship#Title history|6 times]])<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/calg-h.html|title=Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Title|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
**[[Stampede Wrestling#Hall of Fame|Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{citeweb |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/hof.html|title=Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1948-1990)|accessdate=|date=|year=2003|publisher=Puroresu Dojo}}</ref>
*'''[[World Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|4 times]])<ref name="ustitle">{{citeweb|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates|accessdate=2007-12-30|title= WWE United States Championship official title history|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
**[[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|2 times]])<ref name="wcwtitle">{{citeweb|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship|accessdate=2007-12-30|title=WCW World Heavyweight Championship official title history|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
**[[WCW World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions|1 time]])<ref name="wcwtagtitle">{{citeweb|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-t.html|title=W.C.W. World Tag Team Title|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref> - with [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]]
*'''[[World Wrestling Council]]'''
**[[WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship]] ([[WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/pr/wwc/carib-t.html|title=Caribbean Tag Team Title|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref> - with [[Smith Hart]]
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation | World Wrestling Entertainment]]'''
**[[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] ([[List of WWE Champions|5 times]])<ref name="wwetitle">[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship WWE Championship official title history]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref>
**[[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]] ([[List of WWE Intercontinental Champions|2 times]])<ref name="ictitle">[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental WWE Intercontinental Championship official title history]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-30]]</ref>
**[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions|2 times]])<ref name="worldtagteam"/> - with [[Jim Neidhart]]
**[[WWE Hall of Fame]] ([[List of members of the WWE Hall of Fame|Class of 2006]])<ref name="HOF">Droste, R. "[http://www.pwtorch.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/25/17375 Hall of Fame Inductions Report]", [[Wade Keller|Pro Wrestling Torch]]</ref>
**[[King of the Ring|WWF King of the Ring]] ([[King of the Ring#1991|1991]])<ref name="titlehistory"/>
**[[King of the Ring|WWF King of the Ring]] ([[King of the Ring#1993|1993]])<ref name="titlehistory"/>
**[[Royal Rumble|WWF Royal Rumble]] co-winner ([[Royal Rumble (1994)|1994]])<ref name="titlehistory"/> – with [[Lex Luger]]
**[[Triple Crown Championship|WWF Triple Crown Championship]] (Second)
*'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards]]'''
**[[Dave Meltzer#Rating system|5 Star Match]] (1994) <small>vs. Owen Hart in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|cage match]] at [[SummerSlam (1994)|SummerSlam 1994]]</small>
**5 Star Match (1997) <small>vs. [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] at [[WrestleMania 13]]</small>
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the year|Feud of the Year award]] (1993) <small>vs. [[Jerry Lawler]]</small>
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#1996 inductees|Class of 1996]])
**Feud of the Year (1997) <small>with Owen Hart, Jim Neidhart, [[Davey Boy Smith|British Bulldog]], and [[Brian Pillman]] vs. [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]</small>
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{Portal|Professional wrestling|break=yes}}
{{Commonscat}}
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://www.brethart.com/ Official Website]
* [http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/brethart/ WWE Hall of Fame profile]
* [http://www.brethart.info/info/match.php Bret Hart Match History]
{{HartFamily}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hart, Bret}}
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Canadian television actors]]
[[Category:Canadian stage actors]]
[[Category:Canadian columnists]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadians of American descent]]
[[Category:Canadian professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Dungeon graduates]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Calgary]]
[[Category:World Wrestling Council]]
[[Category:WWE Hall of Fame]]
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[[da:Bret Hart]]
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[[nl:Bret Hart]]
[[ja:ブレット・ハート]]
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