Jump to content

Bret Hart: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
Y2Joel (talk | contribs)
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
Non-notable, does not warrant inclusion
 
(999 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{About|the professional wrestler|the American author|Bret Harte}}
{{short description|Canadian-American professional wrestler}}
{{hatgrp|{{About|the professional wrestler|the author|Bret Harte|the wrestler billed as "Brett Hart"|Barry Horowitz}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{redirect-multi|2|Bret "Hitman" Hart|Hitman Hart|the biography|Bret "Hitman" Hart – The Best There Is, the Best There Was, the Best There Ever Will Be{{!}}''Bret "Hitman" Hart – The Best There Is, the Best There Was, the Best There Ever Will Be''|the documentary film|Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows{{!}}''Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows''}}}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=April 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|image = Bretsigning.JPG
|name = Bret Hart
|birthname = Bret Hart
|image = Bret Hart Photo Op GalaxyCon Raleigh 2023.jpg
|caption = Hart in 2023
|spouse = {{Marriage|Julie Smadu|1982|2002|end=div}}<br />{{Marriage|Cinzia Rota|2004|2007|end=div}}<br>{{Marriage|Stephanie Washington|2010}}
|birthname = Bret Sergeant Hart<ref name="Historical Dictionary of Wrestling">{{cite book|title=Historical Dictionary of Wrestling|publisher=Scarecrow Press, inc.|year=2014|isbn = 978-0-8108-7926-3|page=129}}</ref><ref name="Hart 2001 22 pp">{{cite book|last=Hart|first=Diana|author-link=Diana Hart|author2=McLellan, Kirstie|title=Under the Mat: Inside Wrestling's Greatest Family|publisher=Fenn|year=2001|isbn=1-55168-256-7|page=22|title-link=Under the Mat: Inside Wrestling's Greatest Family}}</ref>
|children = 4
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|7|2|mf=yes}}
|caption = Hart in 2010.
|birth_place = [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], Canada<ref name=OWOW/>
|alt =
|names = Bret Hart<ref name=OWOW>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/bret-hart.html|accessdate=2008-07-30|title=Bret Hart profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref><br />Buddy Hart<ref name=OWOW/>
|ring_names = '''Bret Hart'''<ref name=OWOW>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/bret-hart.html|access-date=July 30, 2008|title=Bret Hart profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref><br />Buddy Hart<ref name=OWOW/>
|family = [[Hart wrestling family|Hart]]
|height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}
|relatives = [[Harry Smith (runner)|Harry Smith]] (maternal grandfather)<ref name="Exhibiting our pride">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingBretHart/hart_00jan23.html|title=Exhibiting our pride|date=January 23, 2000|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222164753/http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingBretHart/hart_00jan23.html|archive-date=December 22, 2015}}</ref>
|weight = {{convert|234|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
|alma_mater = [[Mount Royal University|Mount Royal College]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Bret 'Hitman' Hart honoured with MRU degree — 40 years after he dropped out |url=http://calgarysun.com/sports/other-sports/bret-hitman-hart-comes-full-circle-with-honorary-mru-degree |website=Calgary Sun |date=May 31, 2018}}</ref>
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1957|7|2}}
|spouse = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|Julie Smadu<br />|July 8, 1982|June 24, 2002|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Cinzia Rota<br />|September 15, 2004|September 2007|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Stephanie Washington<br />|July 24, 2010}}}}
|birth_place = [[Calgary|Calgary, Alberta]], Canada<ref name=OWOW/>
|children = 4
|height = 6 ft 0 in<ref name=wwebio>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/brethart|title=WWE Hall of Fame: Bret Hart|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref>
|weight = 235 lb<ref name=wwebio/>
|billed = Calgary, Alberta, Canada
|billed = Calgary, Alberta, Canada
|trainer = [[Stu Hart]]<ref name=OWOW/><br />[[Mr. Hito]]<ref name=OWOW/><br />[[Kazuo Sakurada]]
|trainer = [[Stu Hart]]<ref name=OWOW/>{{Efn|Stu mainly trained Bret in amateur wrestling.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|pp=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/bret-hart-interview-stu-hart-dungeon |title = Exclusive interview: Bret Hart separates fact from fiction on who really trained in Stu Hart's Dungeon}}</ref>}}<br />[[Mr. Hito|Katsuji Adachi]]<ref name=OWOW/><br />[[Kazuo Sakurada]]<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=37}}</ref>
|debut = <!--HART'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY DETAILS HIS 1978 IN-RING DEBUT. CITES SUPPORTING 1976 REFER TO NON-WRESTLING DUTIES.-->1978<ref name="debut">{{Harv|Hart|2007|pp=35–41}}</ref>
|debut = March 29, 1978<ref name="debut">{{Harv|Hart|2007|pp=35–41}}</ref>
|retired = September 12, 2011<ref name="retirement">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingBretHart/00oct27_retire-can.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722203532/http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingBretHart/00oct27_retire-can.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 22, 2017|title=Bret Hart retires|date=October 27, 2000|publisher=Slam Canoe}}</ref>{{Efn|Hart announced his retirement on January 10, 2000, but would later participate in 11 matches from 2010 to 2011 which involved minimal physical risk.}}
|retired = 2010<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=526}}</ref>
|website = {{URL|brethart.com}}
}}
|signature=Bret Hart Signature.png}}
{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}
'''Bret Sergeant Hart''' (born July 2, 1957) is a Canadian-American retired [[professional wrestler]]. A member of the [[Hart wrestling family]] and a second-generation wrestler, he has an [[amateur wrestling]] background at [[Ernest Manning High School]] and [[Mount Royal University|Mount Royal College]]. A major international [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Draw|draw]] within professional wrestling, he is credited with changing the perception of mainstream North American professional wrestling in the early 1990s by bringing technical wrestling to the fore.<!--LEDE MATERIAL CITED WITHIN ARTICLE PER WP:LEDE.--> He is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time; [[Sky Sports]] noted that [[#Legacy|his legacy]] is that of "one of, if not the greatest, to have ever graced the squared circle". For the majority of his career, he used the [[nickname]] "'''The Hitman'''".


Hart joined his father [[Stu Hart]]'s [[Professional wrestling promotion|promotion]] [[Stampede Wrestling]] in 1976 as a referee and made his in-ring debut in 1978. He gained championship success during the 1980s and 1990s in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now [[WWE]]), where he helmed [[The Hart Foundation]] [[stable (professional wrestling)|stable]]. He left for [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) following the controversial "[[Montreal Screwjob]]" in November 1997, where he remained until October 2000. Having been inactive from in-ring competition since January 2000, owing to a December 1999 [[concussion]], he officially retired in October 2000, shortly after his departure from the company. He returned to sporadic in-ring competition from 2010 to 2011 with WWE, where he won his final championship, headlined the [[SummerSlam (2010)|2010]] [[SummerSlam]] event, and served as the [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Raw brand authorities|general manager]] of [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]. Throughout his career, He headlined [[WrestleMania IX]], [[WrestleMania X|X]], and [[WrestleMania XII|XII]], and headlined [[Starrcade]] in [[Starrcade (1999)|1999]]. He was inducted into the [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame|''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' Hall of Fame]] upon its inception in 1996, while still an active performer.
'''Bret Hart''' (born July 2, 1957) is a writer, actor and retired [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]]. A member of the [[Hart wrestling family]] and a second-generation wrestler, he has an [[amateur wrestling]] background, wrestling at [[Ernest Manning High School]] and [[Mount Royal University|Mount Royal College]]. Along with his nickname "The Hitman", Hart was known by the monikers "The Excellence of Execution", "The Best There Is, The Best There Was and The Best There Ever Will Be" and "The Pink and Black Attack".


Hart held championship titles in five decades from the 1970s to the 2010s, 32 throughout his career and 17 between the WWF/WWE and WCW. Among other accolades, he is a [[List of WWE Champions|five-time]] [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]] and a [[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|two-time]] [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|WCW World Heavyweight Champion]]. He went the most [[List of WWE Champions#Reigns|combined days as WWF Champion]] during the 1990s (654) and was the [[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions#Title history|first]] WCW World Heavyweight Champion born outside the United States. He is the second [[List of wwe triple crown champions|WWF Triple Crown Champion]] and fifth (with [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]]) [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)#List of WCW Triple Crown winners|WCW Triple Crown Champion]], and the first man to win both the WWF and WCW Triple Crown Championships. He is also the [[Royal Rumble (1994)|1994]] [[Royal Rumble#Match|Royal Rumble match]] winner (with [[Lex Luger]]), and the only two-time [[King of the Ring tournament|King of the Ring]], winning the [[King of the Ring (1991)|1991 tournament]] and the first [[King of the Ring (1993)|King of the Ring pay-per-view in 1993]]. [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], with whom he headlined multiple [[List of WWE pay-per-view events|pay-per-view events]] as part of [[#Championships and accomplishments|an acclaimed rivalry]] from 1996 to 1997, inducted him into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] [[WWE Hall of Fame (2006)|class of 2006]]. In [[WWE Hall of Fame (2019)|2019]], he became one of seven people to enter the WWE Hall of Fame twice, when he was inducted again as a member of [[The Hart Foundation]], with brother-in-law [[Jim Neidhart]].<!-- ALL MATERIAL IN LEDE CITED WITHIN ARTICLE. -->
Hart joined his father [[Stu Hart]]'s [[Professional wrestling promotion|promotion]] [[Stampede Wrestling]] in 1976, and made his in-ring debut in 1978.<ref name="debut"/> He gained popularity and championship success throughout the 1980s and 1990s in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), where he helmed [[The Hart Foundation]] faction. He left for [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) following the controversial "[[Montreal Screwjob]]" in November 1997, where he remained until October 2000. Having been inactive from in-ring competition since January 2000, owing to a December 1999 [[concussion]], he officially retired in October 2000, shortly after his departure from the company. In a publication that year, WCW described Hart as "universally respected by other wrestlers", and "perhaps the greatest pure wrestler ever to lace up a pair of boots."<ref name="wcw"/>


Outside of wrestling, Hart has appeared in numerous films and television shows such as ''[[The Simpsons]]'' as well as featuring in several documentaries, both about himself specifically and others about his family or the wrestling industry in general. He also helped found and lent his name to the [[junior hockey|major junior]] [[ice hockey]] team the [[Calgary Hitmen]] and has written two biographies along with a weekly column for the ''[[Calgary Sun]]'' for over a decade. After his retirement, he spent much of his time on charitable efforts concerning [[stroke recovery]] and [[cancer]] awareness, due to his experiences with the two.
He returned to sporadic in-ring competition in <!--HART COMPETED IN WRESTLING MATCHES IN STAGE PRODUCTIONS IN 2004 AND 2006, WHICH ARE COVERED LATER IN ARTICLE.-->2004 and 2006, and in 2010 with WWE, where he won his final championship, headlined that year's [[SummerSlam (2010)|SummerSlam]] event, and served as the [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Raw brand authorities|general manager]] of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]''. He makes occasional appearances for WWE, who has described him as both an "innovator of offense" and "arguably the greatest technical wrestler in WWE history."<ref name="wwebio"/> The promotion has also described Hart as one of the biggest names in the history of the business,<ref name="wwetitle"/><ref name="mountieic"/> and perhaps the most popular in the world by the mid-1990s.<ref name="darkdays"/> He headlined [[WrestleMania]]s [[WrestleMania IX|IX]], [[WrestleMania X|X]] and [[WrestleMania XII|XII]], and participated in the headlining matches of the [[Starrcade (1997)|1997]] and [[Starrcade (1999)|1999]] editions of WCW [[Starrcade]] – as a [[Professional wrestling match types#Special referee|special enforcer]] in the former.


== Early life ==
Hart has held championships in four decades from the 1970s to the 2010s, with a total of 32 held throughout his career, and 17 held between the WWF/WWE and WCW. He is a seven-time [[World Heavyweight Championship (professional wrestling)|world champion]], having held the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] [[List of WWE Champions|five times]] and the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] [[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|twice]]. He spent more [[List of WWE Champions#Reigns|time]] as WWF Champion than any other wrestler during the 1990s, with a total of 654 days as champion, and was the [[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions#Title history|first]] WCW World Heavyweight Champion born outside the United States. He is also a record-tying [[List of WWE United States Champions|five-time]] [[WWE United States Championship|WCW/WWE United States Champion]], the second [[List of wwe triple crown champions|WWF Triple Crown Champion]] and fifth (with Goldberg) [[Triple Crown Championship#List of WCW Triple Crown Champions|WCW Triple Crown Champion]].
The eighth child of wrestling patriarch [[Stu Hart]] and his wife Helen, Bret Hart was born in [[Calgary|Calgary, Alberta]], Canada into the [[Hart wrestling family]]. He is of [[Greeks|Greek]] descent through his maternal grandmother and of [[Irish People|Irish]] descent through his maternal grandfather.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Hart|first1=Diana|last2=McLellan|first2=Kirstie|author-link=Diana Hart|title=Under the Mat: Inside Wrestling's Greatest Family|publisher=Fenn|year=2001|isbn=1-55168-256-7|page=16|title-link=Under the Mat: Inside Wrestling's Greatest Family}}</ref><ref>{{Harv|McCoy|2007|p=30}}</ref> His father was of [[Scottish People|Scottish]], Irish and [[English People|English]] ancestry.<ref>{{cite book|title=Slamthology: Collected Wrestling Writings 1991–2004|publisher=jnlister|year=2005|isbn=1-4116-5329-7|page=252}}</ref><ref>{{Harv|McCoy|2007|p=16}}</ref> Hart is a [[Dual citizenship in United States|dual citizen]] of Canada and the United States since his mother Helen was born in New York.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Martha Hart|author2= Eric Francis|title=Broken Harts: The Life and Death of Owen Hart|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]]|year=2004|isbn=978-1-59077-036-8|page=84|author1-link= Martha Hart}}</ref><ref name="SLAM!">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingBretHart9799/hitman_may17.html|title=An open letter to Shawn Michaels|date=May 17, 1997|publisher=Slam Wrestling|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305011939/http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingBretHart9799/hitman_may17.html|archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref> Hart has stated that he considers himself to be North American and that he is equally proud of his U.S. and Canadian nationality.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=412}}</ref> His maternal grandfather was long-distance runner [[Harry Smith (athlete)|Harry Smith]].


Hart grew up in a household with eleven siblings, seven brothers [[Smith Hart|Smith]], [[Bruce Hart (wrestler)|Bruce]], [[Keith Hart (wrestler)|Keith]], [[Wayne Hart (wrestling)|Wayne]], [[Dean Hart|Dean]], [[Ross Hart|Ross]] and [[Owen Hart|Owen]], as well as four sisters, Ellie, Georgia, Alison and [[Diana Hart|Diana]]. As a child he was the closest with his older brother [[Dean Hart|Dean]] who was the nearest to him in age of all his older brothers, being three years his senior. Together they would often fight with Bret's two older sisters, Ellie, who was two years older, and Georgia, who was one year older.<ref name="Hart 2007 11">{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=11}}</ref> Hart's family were [[Nondenominational Christianity|non-denominational Christians]], but he and all of his siblings were baptized by a local Catholic priest.<ref name="Hart 2007 11"/>
Hart was the first man to win both the WWF and WCW Triple Crown Championships. He is also the [[Royal Rumble (1994)|1994 Royal Rumble]] winner (with [[Lex Luger]]), and the only two-time [[King of the Ring]], winning the [[King of the Ring 1991|1991 tournament]] and the first [[King of the Ring (1993)|King of the Ring pay-per-view in 1993]]. [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]], with whom Hart headlined multiple [[pay-per-view]] events<ref>See: [[In Your House 13: Final Four]], [[In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker]] and [[In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede]].</ref> as part of [[#Championships and accomplishments|a critically acclaimed rivalry]] from 1996–1997, inducted him into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] in 2006.<!--ALL MATERIAL IN LEDE CITED WITHIN ARTICLE.-->


Hart spent the vast majority of his childhood in the [[Hart House (Alberta)|Hart family mansion]] which was owned by his father. During one period his father was housing a bear known as [[Terrible Ted (bear)|Terrible Ted]] chained under the building, the bear had had all of its teeth removed and Hart would sometimes as a very young child let the bear lick ice cream off his toes since he thought it was a good way to keep them clean.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Hitman/2004/04/17/426674.html|title=Positive heroes key for kids|work=Slam! Wrestling|publisher=[[Canoe.ca|Canadian Online Explorer]]|date= April 17, 2004|access-date=March 5, 2016|author=Hart, Bret|archive-date=January 15, 2018|url-status= usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180115160521/http://www.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Hitman/2004/04/17/426674.html}}</ref>
==Early life==
The eighth child of wrestling patriarch [[Stu Hart]], Bret Hart was born in his native [[Calgary|Calgary, Alberta]] into the [[Hart wrestling family]]. He is of [[Greeks|Greek]] descent through his maternal grandparents. His introduction to professional wrestling came at an early age. As a child, he witnessed his father training future wrestling stars like [[Superstar Billy Graham|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, had him hand out fliers to local wrestling shows. In the 1998 documentary ''[[Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows]]'', Hart reflected on his father's discipline, describing how Stu inflicted excruciating [[Grappling hold|submission holds]] while uttering morbid words to his teenage son. The suffering endured in these sessions even left broken blood vessels in his eyes. Hart also cited his father's otherwise pleasant demeanor and growing up in the professional wrestling atmosphere. Hart also repeated these statements in his 2007 autobiography.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=4}}</ref>


His introduction to professional wrestling came at an early age. As a child, he witnessed his father training future wrestlers like [[Superstar Billy Graham]] in the [[Hart Dungeon|Dungeon]], his household basement which served as a training room. Before school, Hart's father, also a wrestling promoter, had him hand out fliers to local wrestling shows. In the 1998 documentary ''[[Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows]]'', Hart reflected on his father's discipline, describing how Stu uttered morbid words while inflicting excruciating [[Grappling hold|submission holds]] that left broken blood vessels in Bret's eyes. Hart claimed his father had an otherwise pleasant demeanour.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=4}}</ref>
==Amateur wrestling==
[[File:Hartamateur.jpg|thumb|upright|Hart as a [[collegiate wrestling|collegiate wrestler]].]]
At [[Ernest Manning High School]], Hart became a standout student in the [[scholastic wrestling|amateur wrestling]] division. Hart has stated that he joined the wrestling team "for the sole reason that my dad expected me to... no-one asked me to."<ref name="DVD"/> He would go on to win significant championships in tournaments throughout [[Alberta]], including the 1974 city championships in Calgary. He would score a victory over competitor Bob Eklund – who would go on to become a [[Canadian Interuniversity Sport]] national champion, winning "Outstanding Wrestler of the Year 1980–1981"<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20110706204255/http://www.sportuniversitaire.ca/e/championships/wrestling/2008/past.cfm "Championship History"]. [[Canadian Interuniversity Sport]]. [[Wayback Machine]]. Retrieved July 6, 2011.</ref> – en route to the championship.<ref name="Hart, Bret 2007 p. 32">{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=32}}</ref> Hart describes the moment where he displayed the medal to his father, Stu, as a "powerful moment", and that the relationship with his father "took a different direction from that point on."<ref name="DVD"/> To this day, Hart considers his scholastic medal as one of his most prized possessions, "The fact is, even after winning all the big pro wrestling championships in both organizations, including seven world heavyweight titles that took me around the world, I still hold in high regard the city championship medal I won back in '74. It did so much to bolster my confidence and self esteem that it proved to be one of the biggest turning points in my entire life." After reading a ''[[Calgary Sun]]'' column by Hart, Canadian Olympic amateur wrestling gold medalist [[Daniel Igali]] told Hart that it means a lot to him to know how much that medal means to Hart.<ref name="slam">Hart, Bret. [http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBretHart/010127-sun.html "Special Memories"]. ''[[Calgary Sun]]''. 2001-01-27. Retrieved 2010-08-07. Archived at ''[[Canoe.ca|SLAM! Sports]]''.</ref>


Hart's first work in wrestling involved pulling out lucky numbers out of a metal box during intermission at the Stampede Wrestling shows when he was four years old. When he got slightly older, he would sell programs to the shows, something all Hart's seven brothers would do. He would often compete for customers with his little brother [[Ross Hart|Ross]] since the fans would often want to buy from the youngest Hart child.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=15}}</ref>
By 1977, Hart was [[collegiate wrestling|collegiate]] champion at [[Mount Royal University|Mount Royal College]], where he was studying filmmaking;<ref name="DVD"/><ref name="Hart, Bret 2007 p. 36">{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=36}}</ref> his coaches and other people around him felt that he had shown sufficient promise to compete at the following year's [[Commonwealth Games]], and encouraged him to begin training for the event. Hart, however, was beginning to find amateur wrestling unrewarding amid injuries and [[Scholastic wrestling#Unhealthy weight loss|fluctuating weight]], and wanted to "get off this train".<ref name="DVD"/><ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=33}}</ref> Stu still believed that his son, whom he described as being able to "turn around in his own skin", was capable of making it to the Olympic or Commonwealth Games if he put forth the effort.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=38}}</ref> Hart felt that the only way to give up amateur wrestling without disappointing his father was to become a professional wrestler. His college grades became poorer as his interest in filmmaking waned; he dedicated himself to professional wrestling, and began training with his father's [[Stampede Wrestling]] promotion.<ref name="DVD"/> Hart has often spoken of how helpful his amateur background was in his professional wrestling career, and also of what a positive effect amateur wrestling has on junior high school and high school-aged boys in terms of building self-confidence.<ref name="slam"/>


==Professional wrestling career==
== Amateur wrestling ==
Like his father, Hart was an excellent amateur wrestler since an early age, having begun training as a nine-year-old.<ref>{{Harv|McCoy|2007|p=147}}</ref> At [[Ernest Manning High School]], Hart became a standout student in the [[scholastic wrestling|amateur wrestling]] division. Hart has stated that he joined the wrestling team "for the sole reason that my dad expected me to... no-one asked me to".<ref name="DVD">''[[Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be]]'' (aka "''The Bret Hart Story''"), [[WWE Home Video]] (2005)</ref> He won significant championships in tournaments throughout [[Alberta]], including the 1974 city championships in Calgary. He scored a victory over competitor Bob Eklund – who would go on to become a [[Canadian Interuniversity Sport]] national champion, winning "Outstanding Wrestler of the Year 1980–1981"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportuniversitaire.ca/e/championships/wrestling/2008/past.cfm |title=Championship History |access-date=August 7, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706204255/http://www.sportuniversitaire.ca/e/championships/wrestling/2008/past.cfm |archive-date=July 6, 2011 }}. [[Canadian Interuniversity Sport]]. [[Wayback Machine]]. Retrieved July 6, 2011.</ref> – en route to the championship.<ref name="Hart, Bret 2007 p. 32">{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=32}}</ref> He described his display of the medal to Stu as a "powerful moment", and said his relationship with his father "took a different direction from that point on".<ref name="DVD"/> Hart considered the medals to be one of his most prized possessions.<ref name="Historical Dictionary of Wrestling"/>


By 1977, Hart was [[Collegiate wrestling|collegiate]] champion at [[Mount Royal University|Mount Royal College]], where he was studying filmmaking;<ref name="DVD"/><ref name="Hart, Bret 2007 p. 36">{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=36}}</ref> his coaches and other people around him felt that he had shown sufficient promise to compete at the following year's [[Commonwealth Games]] and encouraged him to begin training for the event. He began to find amateur wrestling unrewarding amid injuries and [[Scholastic wrestling#Unhealthy weight loss|fluctuating weight]].<ref name="DVD"/><ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=33}}</ref> Stu still believed his son capable of making it to the Olympic or Commonwealth Games if he put forth the effort.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=38}}</ref> Bret said he believed that even if he became an exceptionally successful amateur wrestler, it would not have led to a career that interested him, rather one as a wrestling coach or high school gym teacher.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=37}}</ref>
===Stampede Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling (1976–1984)===
In 1976, Hart began working for his father's [[Stampede Wrestling]] promotion in Calgary. Hart first began helping the promotion by refereeing matches, but at one fateful event, a wrestler was unable to perform his match.<ref name="debut"/> This forced Stu to ask his son to 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 felt the only way to give up amateur wrestling without disappointing his father was to become a professional wrestler. His college grades became poorer as his interest in filmmaking waned; he dedicated himself to professional wrestling and began training with his father's [[Stampede Wrestling]] promotion.<ref name="DVD"/> Hart has spoken of how helpful his amateur background was in his professional wrestling career, and also of what a positive effect amateur wrestling has on junior high school and high school-aged boys in terms of building self-confidence.<ref name="slam">{{cite web|author=Hart, Bret|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBretHart/010127-sun.html|title=Special Memories|via=Canoe.com|date=January 27, 2001|access-date=August 7, 2010|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130120202935/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBretHart/010127-sun.html|archive-date=January 20, 2013}}</ref>
Hart gained some of his most prominent experience with Japanese combatants and real-life trainers [[Mr. Hito]] and [[Kazuo Sakurada|Mr. Sakurada]], later praising them as his most significant teachers. 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 [[nepotism|ride on the shoulders of his elders]] 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."<ref name="DVD"/> Although he dreaded partaking in 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 [[Satoru Sayama|Tiger Mask]] in [[New Japan Pro Wrestling]], a promotion for whom he often wrestled during the early to mid-1980s. He 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.


== Professional wrestling career ==
===World Wrestling Federation===


=== Stampede Wrestling (1976–1984) ===
====Debut and The Hart Foundation (1984–1991)====
In 1976, Hart began working for his father's [[Stampede Wrestling]] promotion in Calgary. Hart first began helping the promotion by refereeing matches.<ref name="debut"/> At a 1978 event in [[Saskatoon]], Saskatchewan, a wrestler was unable to perform his match, forcing Stu to ask his son to stand in as a replacement. Before long, he became a regular contender, eventually partnering with brother [[Keith Hart (wrestler)|Keith]] to win the Stampede International Tag Team Championship four times.
{{Main|The Hart Foundation}}
[[File:The Hart Foundation Tag Team.jpg|thumb|right|Hart (left) with [[Jim Neidhart]] behind him as [[The Hart Foundation]].]]
Hart was asked to start out in the World Wrestling Federation as a singles wrestler with a [[cowboy]] [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#G|gimmick]] but refused, citing that where he comes from "if you called yourself a cowboy, you'd better be one".<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=170}}</ref> He instead requested to join [[Jimmy Hart]]'s [[Over (professional wrestling)|heel]] stable, The Hart Foundation, which included brother-in-law [[Jim Neidhart]]. He made his televised World Wrestling Federation debut on August 29, 1984, in a tag team match where he teamed with the [[Dynamite Kid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/84.htm|title=WWF @ Brantford, Ontario – August 29, 1984|publisher=The History of WWE|accessdate=2011-02-21}}</ref> On September 11, in [[Poughkeepsie, New York]], Hart defeated [[Aldo Ortiz|Aldo Marino]] in his televised debut singles match, which aired on the edition of September 29 of ''Superstars''. By 1985, he was billed as Bret "Hit Man" Hart<ref name="wwebio">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/brethart/|title=biography|publisher=[[WWE]]|accessdate=2011-03-29}}</ref> and began to increasingly team with Neidhart in order to build the promotion's tag team division. The "Hart Foundation" name then became exclusive to Hart, Neidhart and manager Jimmy Hart, due to the similar family names of both team members and their manager.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/hart-foundation-original.html|title=Hart Foundation Profile|accessdate=2008-10-29|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Hart's agile, technical style—which earned him the moniker "The Excellence of Execution" (coined by [[Gorilla Monsoon]])<ref name="wwebio"/><ref>''WWE Byte This'' interview (2005)</ref>—created an intriguing contrast with his partner Neidhart's strength and brawling skills. During this time, Hart began wearing his signature<ref name="glasses">Zeigler, Zack. [http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08202007/articles/trevorshat "Hats off to Trevor Murdoch"]. [[WWE]]. August 21, 2007. Retrieved April 16, 2011</ref> [[mirrored sunglasses]], initially to conceal his nervousness during [[Promos (professional wrestling)|promos]].<ref name="DVD"/> Hart considers his microphone work throughout his career to have been a weakness in his repertoire: he instead relied on his in-ring performances to win over the fans.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=3}}</ref>


Hart gained some of his most prominent experience with Japanese combatants and real-life trainers [[Mr. Hito]] and [[Kazuo Sakurada|Mr. Sakurada]]. Hart also had high-impact matches against Tom Billington, who was better known by his in-ring name as the [[Dynamite Kid]]. In the midst of wrestling alongside his family, Hart made a point not to [[Nepotism|ride on the shoulders of his elders]]. 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".<ref name="DVD"/> Although he dreaded partaking in 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 [[Satoru Sayama|Tiger Mask]] in [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW), a [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Promotion|promotion]] for whom he often wrestled during the early to mid-1980s. He remained one of Stampede's most successful performers until the promotion, along with several wrestlers, was acquired by the [[History of WWE#World Wrestling Federation|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF) in August 1984.
In 1986, Hart began his first singles program, with [[Ricky Steamboat]]. In a match originally planned for [[WrestleMania 2]],<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=191}}</ref> he lost to Steamboat at the [[Boston Garden]] on March 8, 1986, which would be included on Hart's 2005 DVD as one of his all-time favorite matches.<ref name="DVD"/> At WrestleMania 2, Hart would instead participate in a 20-man battle royal which was eventually won by [[André the Giant]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm2/results|title=WrestleMania 2 Official Results|accessdate=2008-10-29|publisher=WWE|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071210055536/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm2/results/|archivedate=December 10, 2007|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Hart was the last man to be eliminated by André, however.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/march/2.htm|title=WrestleMania 2 review|publisher=pWwew – Everything Wrestling|accessdate=2008-05-25}}</ref> He lost to Steamboat again on the edition of July 28, 1986 of ''[[WWF Prime Time Wrestling|Prime Time Wrestling]]''.<ref name="prime">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfprimetime.htm|title=''WWF Prime Time Wrestling'' results|work=Wrestling Information Archive|accessdate=2012-09-03|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110104003624/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfprimetime.htm|archivedate=January 4, 2011|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Hart headlined his first televised WWF card when he beat [[Raymond Rougeau|Ray Rougeau]], of [[The Fabulous Rougeaus]], in the main event of the edition of November 3, 1986 of ''Prime Time Wrestling''.<ref name="prime"/> The Hart Foundation won their first of two [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Wrestling Federation Tag Team Championships]] on the edition of February 7, 1987 of ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|Superstars]]'' when they defeated the British Bulldogs. They would then team with [[Daniel Briley|Danny Davis]] to face The British Bulldogs and [[Tito Santana]] at [[WrestleMania III]]. They would win the match when Davis pinned [[Davey Boy Smith]] after hitting him with Jimmy Hart's megaphone.<ref name="superstars"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413212221|title=History of the World Tag Team Championship – Hart Foundation(1)|accessdate=2007-12-20|publisher=WWE}}</ref>


=== World Wrestling Federation ===
The Hart Foundation would adopt the nickname, "The Pink and Black Attack", which would continue to be used by Bret after the team's disbandment. This was in reference to the team's ring attire, as well as Hart's signature mirrored sunglasses, which he would routinely give away to a young audience member before matches, following his [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Face|face]] turn in 1988.<ref name="glasses"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/12282009/|title=''Raw'' results, December 28, 2009|work=[[WWE]]|first=Greg|last=Adkins|accessdate=2010-02-01}}</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/content/media/video/vms/raw/2009/december29-31/13118236 "''Raw'': A special look at Bret Hart's WWE history"]. [[WWE]]. 0:25 minutes in. [[Vince McMahon]]: "The Pink and Black Attack, here it comes."</ref> As Hart's WWF career progressed, he would also increasingly describe himself as "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be" (derived from the 1984 film ''[[The Natural (film)|The Natural]]''), which he would later justify through three claims: he never injured an opponent through any fault of his own, through the entire course of his career, he missed only one show (as a result of flight difficulties), and that he only once refused to lose a match—his final WWF match with long-time adversary Shawn Michaels at the [[Survivor Series (1997)|Survivor Series]] event in 1997, which culminated in the now infamous [[Montreal Screwjob]].<ref name="Best">Hart, B. "[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/columns/news/brethartonflair.html When I boast about being the best there is, it is because of three reasons...]," Bret Hart Calgary Sun column.</ref>


==== The Hart Foundation (1984–1991) ====
[[File:Bret Hart entrance.jpg|thumb|left|For his entrances, Hart often wore a leather jacket with shoulder tassels (epaulets), Mylar wrap-around (originally silver, later pink) sunglasses and bright pink attire.]]
{{main|The Hart Foundation}}
The Hart Foundation lost the WWF Tag Team Championship to [[Strike Force (professional wrestling)|Strike Force]] on the edition of October 27 of ''Superstars''. The Hart Foundation then led a team against another team led by Strike Force at [[Survivor Series (1987)|Survivor Series 1987]]. Although Neidhart pinned [[Tito Santana]] and eliminated Strike Force from the match, The Hart Foundation was eliminated when Bret Hart was pinned by [[Jim Brunzell]] of [[The Killer Bees (professional wrestling)|The Killer Bees]]. Hart's team lost when the last remaining members, [[The Islanders (professional wrestling)|The Islanders]] were also eliminated by The Killer Bees.<ref name="superstars"/> Hart subsequently competed in his most high-profile singles contest to date on the edition of November 28, 1987 of ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event]]'', when he faced [[Randy Savage]] in a losing effort.<ref>''The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event''. [[WWE Home Video]]. 2009.</ref> He began 1988 with a decisive victory over [[Paul Roma]] of [[The Young Stallions]] (who had scored an upset victory over the Hart Foundation the previous year<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/87.htm|title=WWF Show Results 1987|accessdate=April 7, 2007|author=Graham Cawthon|quote=Roma & Jim Powers defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (w/ Jimmy Hart) via disqualification when the champions illegally double teamed the challengers}}</ref>) on edition of January 11 of ''Prime Time Wrestling'',<ref name="prime"/> and, at [[Royal Rumble (1988)|Royal Rumble 1988]], was the first man to enter the Royal Rumble match. He lasted 25 minutes and 42 seconds before being eliminated by [[Don Muraco]]. At [[WrestleMania IV]], The Hart Foundation were in the [[battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]]. Neidhart was eliminated [[George Steele]] while Bret Hart assisted [[Allen Coage|Bad News Brown]] in eliminating the [[Junkyard Dog]]. He was then attacked by Bad News and eliminated last. However, Bret Hart reentered the ring and attacked Bad News Brown after the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm4/results/|title=WrestleMania IV official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2009-04-12|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110525165317/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm4/results/|archivedate=May 25, 2011|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Due to Hart's increasing popularity, Vince McMahon approached him with the idea of splitting up The Hart Foundation and turning him face, telling Hart that he received the most fan mail of any of his wrestlers.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=223}}</ref> Ultimately, McMahon decided that the Hart Foundation were too [[Over (professional wrestling)|over]] to split up, but would turn the team face, and have them sack Jimmy Hart as their manager. This led to a feud with [[The Fabulous Rougeaus]] that lasted from the fall 1988 to early 1989, who had turned heel and taken Jimmy Hart as their manager. In storyline, Jimmy Hart still had a contract with The Hart Foundation and was giving his percentage of the Foundation's earnings to the Rougeau's as a bonus.They also challenged [[Demolition (professional wrestling)|Demolition]] for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] at [[SummerSlam (1988)|SummerSlam 1988]]. They lost the match by pinfall due to interference from Jimmy Hart. As a face, Hart enjoyed significant popularity in singles wrestling. In his first singles championship opportunity, he challenged [[The Honky Tonk Man]] for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]] in the main event of the edition of July 18 of ''Prime Time Wrestling'', with the match ending in a double count-out.<ref name="prime"/> At [[Survivor Series (1988)|Survivor Series 1988]], The Hart Foundation participated in a Survivor Series elimination match on a team captained by The [[Powers of Pain]] against a team captained by Demolition. They were eliminated when Bret Hart was pinned by [[Tully Blanchard]] of The [[Brain Busters]].
Hart was asked to start out in the WWF as a singles wrestler with a [[cowboy]] [[gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]] but refused, stating that in Calgary, "if you called yourself a cowboy, you'd better be one".<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=170}}</ref> He made his televised WWF debut on August 29, 1984, in a [[Professional wrestling match types|tag team match]] where he teamed with the [[Dynamite Kid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/84.htm|title=WWF @ Brantford, Ontario – August 29, 1984|publisher=The History of WWE|access-date=February 21, 2011}}</ref> On September 11, in [[Poughkeepsie, New York]], Hart defeated [[Aldo Ortiz|Aldo Marino]] in his televised debut singles match, which aired on the September 29 episode of ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|Superstars of Wrestling]]''. In 1985, after acquiring the nickname of "Hit Man",<ref name="wwebio"/> he requested to join [[Jimmy Hart]]'s [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Stable|stable]], [[The Hart Foundation (tag team)|The Hart Foundation]], which included brother-in-law [[Jim Neidhart]]. Bret began to increasingly team with Neidhart,<ref name="DVD"/> in order to build the promotion's tag team division. The "Hart Foundation" name then became exclusive to Bret, Neidhart and manager Jimmy Hart, due to the similar family names of both team members and their manager.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/hart-foundation-original.html|title=Hart Foundation Profile|access-date=October 29, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091230114444/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/hart-foundation-original.html|archive-date=December 30, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bret's agile, technical style – which earned him the moniker "The Excellence of Execution" (coined by [[Gorilla Monsoon]])<ref name="wwebio"/><ref>''WWE Byte This'' interview (2005)</ref> – created a contrast with his partner Neidhart's strength and brawling skills. During this time, Hart began wearing his signature<ref name="glasses">{{cite web|author=Zeigler, Zack|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08202007/articles/trevorshat|title=Hats off to Trevor Murdoch|publisher=WWE|date=August 21, 2007|access-date=April 16, 2011}}</ref> [[sunglasses]], initially to conceal his nervousness during [[Promos (professional wrestling)|promos]]. Hart considers his microphone work to have been a weakness throughout his early career.<ref name="DVD"/><ref name="pwtorchbyte"/>


In 1986, Hart began his first singles program with [[Ricky Steamboat]], and in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Singles match|singles match]] originally planned for [[WrestleMania 2]],<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=191}}</ref> he lost to Steamboat at the [[Boston Garden]] on March 8, 1986, which would be included on Hart's 2005 DVD as one of his all-time favourite matches.<ref name="DVD"/> At WrestleMania 2, Hart instead participated in a [[Professional wrestling battle royal|20-man battle royal]] which was eventually won by [[André the Giant]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm2/results|title=WrestleMania 2 Official Results|access-date=October 29, 2008|publisher=WWE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210055536/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm2/results/|archive-date=December 10, 2007}}</ref> He lost to Steamboat again on the July 28, 1986, episode of ''[[WWF Prime Time Wrestling|Prime Time Wrestling]]''.<ref name="prime">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfprimetime.htm|title=''WWF Prime Time Wrestling'' results|work=Wrestling Information Archive|access-date=September 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104003624/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfprimetime.htm|archive-date=January 4, 2011}}</ref> Hart headlined his first televised WWF card when he beat [[Raymond Rougeau|Ray Rougeau]], of [[The Fabulous Rougeaus|The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers]], in the main event of the November 3, 1986, episode of ''Prime Time Wrestling''.<ref name="prime"/>
At [[Royal Rumble (1989)|Royal Rumble 1989]], The Hart Foundation teamed with [[Jim Duggan]] to defeat The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers and Dino Bravo. They would also defeat [[Greg Valentine]] and [[The Honky Tonk Man]], who were also managed by Jimmy Hart, at [[WrestleMania V]]. At an event in [[Milan]] on April 8, 1989, broadcast live on [[Tele2|Tele+2]], André the Giant requested to work a singles match with Hart. Hart lost the match, which was later released on his 2013 DVD set, ''The Dungeon Collection'', but considered André's praise and encouragement after the match to be of key importance in his singles career.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|pp=232–233}}</ref> He wrestled his first pay-per-view singles match on October 10, losing to [[Dino Bravo]] in the first British WWF pay-per-view, which was held at the [[London Arena]] and broadcast on [[Sky (UK and Ireland)|Sky Television]]<ref>[http://thetvdb.com/?tab=episode&seriesid=70353&seasonid=117&id=3946&lid=7 WWF UK PPV (London Arena)]. TheTVDB.com. Retrieved June 18, 2011.</ref> (Hart was in fact booked to win the match, but incurred a broken [[sternum]], causing an unplanned count-out loss<ref name="DVD"/>). Hart would score victories over the likes of [[Barry Horowitz]] (who had previously wrestled as "Brett Hart"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/horowitz.html|title=Barry Horowitz|accessdate=2009-08-03}}</ref>),<ref name="challenge">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfchallenge.htm|title=''WWF Wrestling Challenge'' results|work=Wrestling Information Archive|accessdate=2012-09-03|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110104003709/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfchallenge.htm|archivedate=January 4, 2011|deadurl=yes}}</ref> [[Steve Lombardi]]<ref name="superstars">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfsup.htm|title=''WWF Superstars'' results archives|work=Wrestling Information Archive|accessdate=2012-09-03|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110525182827/http://100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfsup.htm|archivedate=May 12, 2011|deadurl=yes}}</ref> (whom Hart had wrestled in his first WWF match<ref name="DVD"/>) and defecting Hart Foundation member [[Dan Marsh|"Dangerous" Danny Davis]]<ref name="superstars"/> throughout 1989. At [[SummerSlam (1989)|SummerSlam 1989]], The Hart Foundation lost a non-title match against the tag team champions The [[Brain Busters]]. In the first televised contest of a rivalry that would span Hart's WWF and WCW careers, he lost to [[Curt Hennig|Mr. Perfect]] on the edition of November 6, 1989 of ''Prime Time Wrestling'', when Perfect pulled Hart's tights during a roll-up.<ref>''[[WWF Prime Time Wrestling|Prime Time Wrestling]]''. [[USA Network]]. November 6, 1989. At [[Survivor Series (1989)|Survivor Series 1989]], Bret Hart teamed with Jim Duggan, [[Hercules (wrestler)|Hercules]], and [[Ron Garvin|Ronnie Garvin]] as The 4x4s to take on The King's Court ("Macho King" Randy Savage, Dino Bravo, Greg Valentine, and [[John Tenta|Canadian Earthquake]]. Bret Hart was eliminated by Randy Savage as The 4x4s lost the match.</ref> In their first ever singles meeting, [[Shawn Michaels]] and Hart wrestled to a double count-out on the edition of February 11, 1990 of the ''Wrestling Challenge''.<ref name="wweclassics">{{cite web|url=http://www2.wwe.com/subscriptions/wweclassics/hof/brethart/|title=Bret Hart|work=WWE Classics|publisher=WWE|archivedate=February 8, 2010|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100208224617/http://www.wwe.com/subscriptions/wweclassics/hof/brethart/|deadurl=yes}}</ref>


The Hart Foundation won their first of two [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] on the February 7, 1987, episode of ''Superstars of Wrestling'' when they defeated [[The British Bulldogs]]. They then teamed with [[Daniel Briley|Danny Davis]] to face The British Bulldogs and [[Tito Santana]] at [[WrestleMania III]]. They won the match when Davis pinned [[Davey Boy Smith]] after hitting him with Jimmy Hart's megaphone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413212221|title=History of the World Tag Team Championship – Hart Foundation(1)|access-date=December 20, 2007|publisher=WWE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051129090811/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413212221|archive-date=November 29, 2005}}</ref>
After participating at the [[Royal Rumble (1990)|1990 Royal Rumble]], The Hart Foundation defeated [[The Bolsheviks]] in 19 seconds at [[WrestleMania VI]] and began feuding with Demolition, who had just won the tag team titles against The [[Colossal Connection]] at WrestleMania VI. At [[SummerSlam (1990)|SummerSlam]] in 1990, The Hart Foundation began their second, and final, WWF Tag Team Championship reign by defeating [[Demolition (professional wrestling)|Demolition]] members [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Crush]] and [[Barry Darsow|Smash]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types|two out of three falls match]] with some help from the [[Road Warriors|Legion of Doom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1990/results/|title=SummerSlam 1990 official results|accessdate=2008-10-29|publisher=WWE|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080908212016/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1990/results/|archivedate=September 8, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132161|title=History of the World Tag Team Championship – Hart Foundation(2)|date=December 30, 2007|publisher=WWE}}</ref> On October 30, the Hart Foundation lost the title to [[The Rockers]] ([[Marty Jannetty]] and Shawn Michaels), but a few days later, President [[Jack Tunney]] returned the title 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 would then team with [[Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)|Dusty Rhodes]] and [[Koko B. Ware]] as the Dream Team to take on The Million $ Team of [[Ted DiBiase]], [[The Undertaker]], and [[Rhythm and Blues (professional wrestling)|Rhythm & Blues]]. Bret Hart was the last person to be eliminated when he was pinned by DiBiase. Bret Hart was once again the first entrant in the Royal Rumble match at [[Royal Rumble (1991)|Royal Rumble 1991]] and lasted over 20 minutes before being eliminated by Undertaker. The Hart Foundation's reign lasted until [[WrestleMania VII]], where they lost to [[The Nasty Boys]], after which the team split.<ref name="worldtagteam">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam|title=WWE World Tag Team Championship history}}</ref>


The Hart Foundation adopted the nickname, "The Pink and Black Attack", which Hart continued to use after the [[tag team]]'s disbandment. This was in reference to the team's ring attire, as well as Hart's signature mirrored sunglasses, which he would routinely give away to a young audience member before matches, following his [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Turn|turn]] in 1988.<ref name="glasses"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/12282009/|title=''Raw'' results, December 28, 2009|work=[[WWE]]|first=Greg|last=Adkins|access-date=February 1, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109114326/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/12282009/|archive-date=January 9, 2010}}</ref> As Hart's WWF career progressed, he increasingly described himself as "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be" (derived from the 1984 film ''[[The Natural (film)|The Natural]]''), which he would later justify through three claims: he never injured an opponent through any fault of his own; through the entire course of his career, he missed only one show (as a result of flight difficulties); and that he only once refused to lose a match – his final WWF match with long-time adversary Shawn Michaels at the [[Survivor Series (1997)|Survivor Series]] event in 1997, which culminated in the [[Montreal Screwjob]].<ref name="brethartonflair">{{cite web|author=Hart, Bret|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/columns/news/brethartonflair.html|title=Bret "Hitman" Hart Responds to Ric Flair's Book|quote=When I boast about being the best there is, it is because of three reasons...|publisher=Calgary Sun}}</ref>
====Intercontinental Champion (1991–1992)====
Hart won his first [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]] by defeating Mr. Perfect with the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]] at [[SummerSlam (1991)|SummerSlam]] in 1991,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/1991/results|title=SummerSlam 1991 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322440|title=History of the Intercontinental Championship(1)|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref> and subsequently won the [[King of the Ring 1991|1991 King of the Ring]] tournament on September 7, 1991 at the [[Dunkin' Donuts Center|Providence Civic Center]] in [[Providence, Rhode Island]]. At [[Survivor Series (1991)|Survivor Series 1991]], Bret Hart teamed with The British Bulldog, [[Mike Jones (wrestler)|Virgil]], and [[Roddy Piper]] against Ted DiBiase, [[Jacques Rougeau|The Mountie]], [[Ric Flair]], and [[Terry Szopinski|The Warlord]]. Hart was counted out alongside with The Mountie, DiBiase, Piper, and Virgil to make Flair the sole survivor. Hart's first pay-per-view title defense occurred at [[This Tuesday in Texas]], where he beat the undefeated [[Steve Keirn|Skinner]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1990s.html#tuesday|title=WWF This Tuesday in Texas results/info|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|accessdate=2009-10-18}}</ref>


[[File:Bret Hart entrance.jpg|thumb|left|For his entrances, Hart often wore a leather jacket with shoulder tassels (epaulets), Mylar wrap-around (originally silver, later pink) sunglasses and bright pink attire<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.complex.com/style/2011/08/the-50-greatest-wrestling-costumes-of-all-time/49 |title = The 50 Greatest Wrestling Costumes of All TimeBret Hart/The Hart Foundation|website = [[Complex Networks]]}}</ref>]]
In January 1992, Hart placed in a feud with 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]]. On January 17, 1992, Bret Hart dropped the Intercontinental Championship to The Mountie. Following the loss, [[Roddy Piper]] (his real life cousin) defeated Mountie with a sleeper hold two days later at the [[Royal Rumble (1992)|1992 Royal Rumble]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881152/results|title=Official 1992 Royal Rumble results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> and Bret would later pin Piper for his second Intercontinental Championship at [[WrestleMania VIII]] later that year,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/8/results|title=WrestleMania VIII official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322452|title=History of the Intercontinental Championship – Bret Hart(2)|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref> making him the first, and one of few wrestlers to ever pin Piper's shoulders to the mat.<ref name="DVD"/> At a ''[[WWF Wrestling Challenge|Wrestling Challenge]]'' taping on July 21, 1992, Hart defeated [[Shawn Michaels]], with the Intercontinental Championship suspended above the ring, in the WWF's first ever [[Ladder match]], which would subsequently be made available on multiple [[WWE Home Video|Coliseum/WWE Home Video]] releases.<ref>[http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/92.htm WWF @ Portland, ME – Civic Center – July 21, 1992]. The History of WWE. Retrieved May 30, 2011.</ref> Hart dropped the Intercontinental Championship to his brother-in-law, [[Davey Boy Smith]], in Hart's first WWF pay-per-view main event at [[SummerSlam (1992)|SummerSlam]] 1992 held before over 80,000 fans at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1992/results|title=SummerSlam 1992 results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'' readers voted it the "Match of the Year";<ref name=MOTY/> WWE has named the match as the greatest in the history of SummerSlam.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brother, can you spare some gold?|last=Dee|first=Louie|date=September 1, 2007|accessdate=2008-08-01|publisher=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/listthis/greatestsslammoments/greatestsslammoments1}}</ref> Upon induction into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] in 2006, Hart would cite the contest as his favorite match of his career.<ref>Bret Hart's induction speech. [[WWE Hall of Fame]]. 2006. "That was my favorite match that I ever had, and I'm happy to tell you that."</ref>
The Hart Foundation lost the WWF Tag Team Championship titles to [[Strike Force (professional wrestling)|Strike Force]] on the October 27 episode of ''Superstars of Wrestling''. Hart subsequently competed in his most high-profile singles contest to date on the November 28, 1987, episode of ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event XIII]]'', when he faced [["Macho Man" Randy Savage]] in a losing effort.<ref>''The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event''. [[WWE Home Video]]. 2009.</ref> He began 1988 with a decisive victory over [[Paul Roma]] of [[The Young Stallions]] (who had scored an upset victory over The Hart Foundation the previous year)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/87.htm|title=WWF Show Results 1987|access-date=April 7, 2007|author=Graham Cawthon|quote=Roma & Jim Powers defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (w/ Jimmy Hart) via disqualification when the champions illegally double-teamed the challengers}}</ref> on the January 11 episode of ''Prime Time Wrestling'',<ref name="prime"/> and, at the [[Royal Rumble (1988)|Royal Rumble]] in January 1988, was the first entrant in the inaugural [[Royal Rumble#Match|Royal Rumble match]]. He lasted 25 minutes and 42 seconds before being eliminated by [[Don Muraco]].


Entered into another battle royal at [[WrestleMania IV]], Hart was again one of the final two combatants as he was enlisted by former frequent Stampede opponent [[Allen Coage|Bad News Brown]] to eliminate [[Junkyard Dog]] before Brown turned on Hart, eliminating him to win the event. This turned Hart back into a [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favourite]] and triggered a feud between the two. Neidhart soon came to Hart's side in the feud, but manager Jimmy Hart discouraged the feud, leading to a fallout between the team and manager. This led to matches pitting Hart against Davis and also his first singles championship opportunity, in which he challenged [[The Honky Tonk Man]] for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship]] in the main event of the July 18 episode of ''Prime Time Wrestling'', with the match ending in a double countout.<ref name="prime"/> As relations between the Harts and their former mentor further deteriorated, Jimmy Hart assisted tag team champions [[Demolition (professional wrestling)|Demolition]] in a successful defence of their belts against the Harts at [[SummerSlam (1988)|SummerSlam]] in August 1988, before enlisting old enemies The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, who had recently turned heel, to resume their feud with the Harts.
====WWF Champion and hiatus (1992–1996)====
[[File:WWF Champion Bret Hart in jacket.jpg|thumb|Hart with his [[WWE World Heavyweight Championship|WWF Championship]] belt underneath his jacket.]]
Hart won the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] from [[Ric Flair]] at a ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|Superstars]]'' taping at [[Credit Union Centre|Saskatchewan Place]] in [[Saskatoon]], Saskatchewan on October 12 of that year, in a match not originally broadcast on WWF television<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454135|title=History of the WWE Championship: Bret Hart(1)|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref>—the match was instead made available on a series of Coliseum/WWE Home Video releases.<ref>[http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/92.htm WWF @ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Center – October 12, 1992]. The History of WWE. Retrieved May 30, 2011.</ref> Hart dislocated one of the fingers on his left hand during the match and popped it back in himself so it would not affect the rest of the match.<ref name="DVD"/> He would headline his first pay-per-view as champion with a successful title defense against Shawn Michaels at the [[Survivor Series (1992)|1992 Survivor Series]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1992/mainevent|title=Survivor Series 1992 main event|publisher=WWE}}</ref> and defeated [[Scott Hall (wrestler)|Razor Ramon]] at the [[Royal Rumble (1993)|1993 Royal Rumble]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881161/results|title=Royal Rumble 1993 official results|publisher=WWE}}</ref> He would also defend the title against contenders such as [[Charles Wright (wrestler)|Papa Shango]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/nov081992|title=Saturday Night's Main Event XXXI official results|publisher=WWE}}</ref> and former champion Ric Flair<ref name="wwebio"/> before losing the title to [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]] in his first WrestleMania main event at [[WrestleMania IX]], after interference from [[Mr. Fuji]]. Fuji then challenged [[Hulk Hogan]], who had come out to help Hart, to compete for the title; Hogan then won his fifth WWF Championship from Yokozuna.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/9/results|title=WrestleMania 9 results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> Shortly after, however, Hart won the first [[pay-per-view]] [[King of the Ring#1993|King of the Ring]] tournament in 1993 (prior King of the Ring tournaments were non-televised live events), defeating Razor Ramon, Mr. Perfect, and [[Bam Bam Bigelow]], thus becoming the only two-time King of the Ring.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/brethart/bretharttitlehistory|title=Bret Hart's Title History|publisher=WWE}}</ref> After being crowned as the King of the Ring, Hart was attacked by [[Jerry Lawler|Jerry "The King" Lawler]]. Lawler claimed he was the rightful King and began a barrage against Hart and his family. The two met at [[SummerSlam (1993)|SummerSlam]] in 1993, to determine the "Undisputed King of the World Wrestling Federation",<ref>{{cite video|title=SummerSlam 1993|medium=VHS|publisher=[[WWE Home Video|Coliseum Video]]|year=1993}}</ref> 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/1993/results|title=SummerSlam 1993 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> (according to Hart, he was scheduled to defeat WWF Champion Hulk Hogan at the event, but Hogan elected to drop the belt to Yokozuna instead in his last televised WWF appearance until 2002 at the 1993 King of the Ring).<ref>{{cite episode|title=Off The Record|network=[[The Sports Network|TSN]]|airdate=2003}}</ref> Hart and his younger brother, [[Owen Hart]], would also feud with Lawler during 1993 in the [[United States Wrestling Association]] (USWA), with Lawler notably defeating Owen for Owen's [[USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/j/jerry-lawler.html|title=Online World of Wrestling|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2011-01-15}}</ref> Hart's feud with Lawler was named "[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards|Feud of the Year]]" by ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'', and voted "[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards|Feud of the Year]]" by readers of ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''.<ref name=PWIfeud/>


At the [[Royal Rumble (1989)|Royal Rumble]] in January 1989, The Hart Foundation teamed with [[Jim Duggan]] to defeat the Rougeaus and Dino Bravo. They also defeated [[Greg Valentine]] and [[The Honky Tonk Man]], who were also managed by Jimmy Hart, at [[WrestleMania V]]. At an event in [[Milan]] on April 8, 1989, broadcast live on [[Tele2|Tele+2]], André the Giant requested to work a singles match with Hart, who lost the match, which was later released on his 2013 DVD set, ''The Dungeon Collection'', but considered André's praise and encouragement after the match to be of key importance in his singles career.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|pp=232–233}}</ref> He wrestled his first pay-per-view singles match on October 10, losing to [[Dino Bravo]] in the first British WWF pay-per-view, which was held at the [[London Arena]] and broadcast on [[Sky (UK and Ireland)|Sky Television]]<ref>[http://thetvdb.com/?tab=episode&seriesid=70353&seasonid=117&id=3946&lid=7 WWF UK PPV (London Arena)]. TheTVDB.com. Retrieved June 18, 2011.</ref> (Hart was in fact booked to win the match, but incurred a broken [[sternum]], causing an unplanned countout loss).<ref name="DVD"/>
After months of dealing with Lawler, Hart invoked his rematch clause from his match with WWF Champion Yokozuna at [[WrestleMania IX]] on the edition of November 20 of ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|WWF Superstars]]''. When Bret appeared to have the match won, with Yokozuna locked in the sharpshooter, Owen came to ringside to congratulate his brother. The referee began questioning Owen's motives, which allowed Fuji to assault Bret. Owen then involved himself in the match, resulting in a victory for Yokozuna via disqualification. On the [[House show|non-televised]] but now-[[Canon (fiction)|canon]] edition of November 22 of ''Monday Night Raw'', Hart again challenged Yokozuna for the WWF Championship, and again failed to regain the championship due to similar involvement from Owen.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/videos/the-lost-episode-of-raw-november-22-1993-full-episode-26086346 The Lost Episode of Raw: November 22, 1993]. [[WWE]]. Retrieved January 24, 2013.</ref> The brothers' disagreements set the wheels in motion for a family feud that would span the entirety of 1994.<ref>''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|WWF Superstars]]''. [[USA Network]]. November 20, 1993.</ref> At [[Survivor Series (1993)|Survivor Series]], the Harts (Bret, Owen, [[Bruce Hart (wrestler)|Bruce]], and [[Keith Hart (wrestler)|Keith]]) took on Shawn Michaels (a substitution for Lawler, who was facing legal troubles<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/lawler.html|title=SLAM Bio: Jerry Lawler|publisher=SLAM! Sports|accessdate=2007-10-08|date=February 5, 2005}}</ref>) and his knights. The Harts won the match, with all of the brothers surviving except for Owen, the only Hart family member eliminated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1993/results|title=Survivor Series 1993 official results|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Bitter about his elimination, Owen blamed Bret for this and in the weeks ahead, blamed Bret for holding him back. Owen demanded a one-on-one match with Bret, which Bret refused to accept. In the storyline, Bret, along with his parents, worked over the Christmas holidays to reunite the family and to settle their rivalry. Bret was voted "WWF Superstar of the Year" 1993 by fans,<ref name="soty">{{cite episode|title=[[WWE Raw|WWF Monday Night Raw]]|network=[[USA Network]]|airdate=1993-11-29}}</ref> as well as the [[PWI 500|greatest wrestler]] of the year by ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' readers.<ref name="pwi#1"/>


At [[SummerSlam (1989)|SummerSlam]] in August 1989, The Hart Foundation lost a non-title match against then WWF Tag Team Champions The [[Brain Busters]]. In the first televised contest of a rivalry that would span Hart's WWF and WCW careers, he lost to [[Curt Hennig|Mr. Perfect]] on the November 6, 1989, episode of ''Prime Time Wrestling'', when Perfect pulled Hart's tights during a roll-up.<ref>''[[WWF Prime Time Wrestling|Prime Time Wrestling]]''. [[USA Network]]. November 6, 1989.</ref> In their first ever singles meeting, [[Shawn Michaels]] and Hart wrestled to a double countout on the February 11, 1990, episode of the ''Wrestling Challenge''.<ref name="wweclassics">{{cite web|url=http://www2.wwe.com/subscriptions/wweclassics/hof/brethart/|title=Bret Hart|work=WWE Classics|publisher=WWE|archive-date=February 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208224617/http://www.wwe.com/subscriptions/wweclassics/hof/brethart/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Bret & Owen Hart Wrestling.jpg|thumb|left|Bret's rivalry with his brother [[Owen Hart|Owen]] won them ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''s Feud of the Year award and featured a highly rated steel cage match at [[SummerSlam (1994)|SummerSlam]].]]
At the [[Royal Rumble (1994)|Royal Rumble]] in January, Bret and Owen took on [[The Quebecers]] for the WWF Tag Team Championship. [[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>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/january/1994.htm|title=Royal Rumble 1994 results|publisher=pwwew.com}}</ref> Later on, Hart managed to participate and win the 1994 Royal Rumble match amid 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 title shots at [[WrestleMania X]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811421/mainevent|title=Royal Rumble 1994 main event|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Luger won the chance to face Yokozuna first, with Hart having to wrestle his brother Owen, before receiving his title shot. Hart lost his match against Owen<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/listthis/ruggedroadstomania/roadstomania7|title=Most Rugged Roads To WrestleMania (1994)|accessdate=2007-10-12|publisher=WWE}}</ref> but went on to defeat Yokozuna for his second WWF Championship.<ref name="wmx">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/10/results|title=WrestleMania X results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454127|title=History of the WWE Championship: Bret Hart(2)|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref>


After participating at the [[Royal Rumble (1990)|Royal Rumble]] in January 1990, The Hart Foundation defeated [[The Bolsheviks]] in 19 seconds at [[WrestleMania VI]] and began feuding with [[Demolition (professional wrestling)|Demolition]], who had just won the WWF Tag Team Championship against [[The Colossal Connection]] at WrestleMania VI. At [[SummerSlam (1990)|SummerSlam]] in 1990, The Hart Foundation began their second, and final, WWF Tag Team Championship reign by defeating Demolition members [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Crush]] and [[Barry Darsow|Smash]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types|two out of three falls match]] with some help from [[The Road Warriors|Legion of Doom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1990/results/|title=SummerSlam 1990 official results|access-date=October 29, 2008|publisher=WWE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908212016/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1990/results/|archive-date=September 8, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132161|title=History of the World Tag Team Championship – Hart Foundation(2)|date=December 30, 2007|publisher=WWE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127182005/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132161|archive-date=November 27, 2005}}</ref> On October 30, the Hart Foundation lost the title to [[The Rockers]] ([[Marty Jannetty]] and Shawn Michaels), but a few days later, President [[Jack Tunney]] reversed the decision and the win was never acknowledged on television. The Hart Foundation's reign lasted until [[WrestleMania VII]], where they lost to [[The Nasty Boys]], after which the team split.<ref name="worldtagteam">{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/titlehistory/world-tag-team-championship|title=World Tag Team Championship|website=WWE}}</ref>
Hart continued to feud with his brother Owen while he also started feuding with [[Kevin Nash|Diesel]]. Hart's friend and former tag team partner Jim Neidhart returned to the WWF and reunited with Hart. At [[King of the Ring (1994)|King of the Ring]], Hart defended the WWF Championship against Diesel. When Hart 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 Hart, Neidhart interfered. Diesel won by disqualification but Hart retained his title. Neidhart left when Diesel and Michaels attacked Hart following the match. Neidhart's motivation was made clear when he helped Owen win the tournament that night, so that he could receive a title shot against his brother.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/june/1994.htm|title=King of the Ring 1994 results|publisher=pwwew.net}}</ref> At [[SummerSlam (1994)|SummerSlam]], Hart successfully retained the WWF Championship against Owen in a [[steel cage match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/1994/results|title=SummerSlam 1994 results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> This match received a five-star rating from [[Dave Meltzer]] of ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'', and the brothers' feud was voted "[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards|Feud of the Year]]" by readers of ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''.<ref name=PWIfeud/>


==== Intercontinental Champion (1991–1992) ====
Hart eventually lost his WWF Championship at [[Survivor Series (1994)|Survivor Series]] in a submission match against [[Bob Backlund]] where the manager of either competitor (Davey Boy Smith for Hart, Owen for Backlund) would have to 'throw in the towel' for the wrestler they were representing. When Hart 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 Hart, giving Backlund the championship victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454125|title=History of the WWE Championship – Bob Backlund(2)|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Bret's feud with Backlund would continue into the following year. He was voted the greatest wrestler of 1994 by ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' readers, winning the vote for the second straight year.<ref name="pwi94"/>
Hart won his first [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]] by defeating Mr. Perfect with the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]] at [[SummerSlam (1991)|SummerSlam]] in 1991,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/1991/results|title=SummerSlam 1991 official results|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322440|title=History of the Intercontinental Championship(1)|access-date=December 30, 2007|publisher=WWE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070423141755/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322440|archive-date=April 23, 2007}}</ref> and subsequently won the [[King of the Ring (1991)|1991]] [[King of the Ring tournament]] on September 7, 1991, at the [[Providence Civic Center]] in [[Providence, Rhode Island]]. Hart's first pay-per-view title defense occurred at [[This Tuesday in Texas]], where he beat the undefeated [[Steve Keirn|Skinner]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1990s.html#tuesday|title=WWF This Tuesday in Texas results/info|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=October 18, 2009}}</ref>


In January 1992, Hart was placed in a feud with Jacques Rougeau, who by now was wrestling as "The Mountie" and using the gimmick of a power-hungry, corrupt member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This feud, the first for Hart and Rougeau as singles competitors, came about when the Mountie's manager, Jimmy Hart, threw water on Hart, and The Mountie proceeded to shock Hart with a [[cattle prod]]. On January 17, 1992, Hart dropped the Intercontinental Championship to The Mountie. Following the loss, [[Roddy Piper]] defeated Mountie with a sleeper hold two days later at the [[Royal Rumble (1992)|1992 Royal Rumble]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881152/results|title=Official 1992 Royal Rumble results|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 23, 2012}}</ref> and Bret later pinned Piper for his second Intercontinental Championship at [[WrestleMania VIII]] later that year,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/8/results|title=WrestleMania VIII official results|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322452|title=History of the Intercontinental Championship – Bret Hart(2)|access-date=December 30, 2007|publisher=WWE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125065535/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322452|archive-date=November 25, 2005}}</ref> making him the first wrestler in the WWF – and one of few wrestlers ever – to pin Piper's shoulders to the mat.<ref name="DVD"/> At a ''[[WWF Wrestling Challenge|Wrestling Challenge]]'' taping on July 21, 1992, Hart defeated [[Shawn Michaels]], with the Intercontinental Championship belt suspended above the ring, in the WWF's first ever [[ladder match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/92.htm|title=WWF @ Portland, ME – Civic Center|date=July 21, 1992|publisher=The History of WWE|access-date=May 30, 2011}}</ref> Hart dropped the Intercontinental Championship to his brother-in-law, [[Davey Boy Smith]], in Hart's first WWF pay-per-view main event at [[SummerSlam (1992)|SummerSlam]] in August 1992, held before over 80,000 fans at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1992/results|title=SummerSlam 1992 results|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 23, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523084527/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1992/results|archive-date=May 23, 2006}}</ref> ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'' readers voted it the "Match of the Year",<ref name=MOTY/> and WWE named the match as the greatest in the history of SummerSlam.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brother, can you spare some gold?|last=Dee|first=Louie|date=September 1, 2007|access-date=August 1, 2008|publisher=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/listthis/greatestsslammoments/greatestsslammoments1}}</ref> Upon induction into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] [[WWE Hall of Fame (2006)|class of 2006]], Hart cited the contest as his favourite match of his career.<ref>Bret Hart's induction speech. [[WWE Hall of Fame]]. 2006. "That was my favourite match that I ever had, and I'm happy to tell you that".</ref>
[[File:Bret Hart in 1995.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Hart in 1995.]]
Three days after Hart's title loss, Diesel would swiftly defeat Backlund with a jackknife powerbomb to become the new WWF Champion. By 1995, Hart was focusing on projects outwith the business, such as acting, and shifted to the number two face in the company, behind Diesel.<ref>''Greatest Rivalries: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart''. [[WWE Home Video]]. 2011.</ref> Hart challenged for Diesel's WWF Championship at the 1995 [[Royal Rumble (1995)|Royal Rumble]], in a match that was continually marred by outside interference and ruled a draw. Both men embraced in a display of sportsmanship after the match. In a rematch from Survivor Series, Hart defeated [[Bob Backlund]] in an [["I Quit" Match]] at [[WrestleMania XI]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/11/results|title=WrestleMania XI results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> Hart would be the focal point of the first event in the [[In Your House]] pay-per-view series, competing in two matches at [[In Your House 1]]. He defeated [[Jinsei Shinzaki|Hakushi]] in the very first match of the in Your House series. Hart's acclaimed feud with [[Jerry Lawler]] was reignited at the event, losing to him in the penultimate match of the card due to Hakushi's (now Lawler's protégé) interference. Hart beat Lawler in a "Kiss My Foot" match at [[King of the Ring (1995)|King of the Ring]], and defeated his private dentist, the seven-foot, 320 pound [[Kane (wrestler)|Isaac Yankem]], by disqualification at [[SummerSlam (1995)|SummerSlam 1995]]. Their King of the Ring match would end with one of the most iconic images in WWF history, with Hart shoving his foot into Lawler's mouth, then forcing Lawler to kiss his own foot.<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering95/ King of the Ring 1995]. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved May 17, 2011.</ref> Although Hart was victorious in their in-ring feud, Lawler remained strongly opposed to Hart as a commentator, however, and would routinely encourage Hart's opponents during matches; it would not be until [[Over the Limit (2011)|Over the Limit 2011]], some sixteen years later, that both men would finally bury the hatchet. After disposing of Lawler, Hart shifted his focus back to the WWF Championship, defeating Diesel in a [[No Disqualification match]] at [[Survivor Series (1995)|Survivor Series]] to commence his third reign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1995/mainevent|title=Survivor Series 1995 main event|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454121|title=History of the WWE Championship – Bret Hart(3)|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref>


==== WWF Champion (1992–1996) ====
In a rematch from their SummerSlam 1992 encounter, Hart successfully defended his title against the now [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] Davey Boy Smith at [[In Your House 5: Seasons Beatings]]. He lost to [[The Undertaker]] by disqualification at the [[Royal Rumble (1996)|1996 Royal Rumble]] when Diesel interfered, ultimately retaining the WWF Championship, and defeated The Undertaker by disqualification in a rematch on the edition of February 5 of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', again due to Diesel's interference.<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1996/ ''Raw'' results: February 5, 1996.]. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 9, 2011.</ref> Hart retained his WWF Championship against Diesel in a steel cage match at [[In Your House 6]], and defeated [[Triple H|Hunter Hearst Helmsley]], who was undefeated on ''Raw'', on the edition of March 4 of the show.<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1996/ ''Raw'' results: March 4, 1996.]. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 9, 2011.</ref> WWF Commissioner Roddy Piper ruled that Hart would face Shawn Michaels, who had earned a WWF Championship match at [[WrestleMania XII]] by winning the Royal Rumble,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811412/mainevent|title=1996 Royal Rumble match|publisher=WWE}}</ref> in a 60-minute [[Iron Man match]] at the event. The wrestler with the most decisions during the 60 minutes would win the match and the WWF Championship.
[[File:WWF Champion Bret Hart in jacket.jpg|thumb|Hart with his [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] belt underneath his jacket]]
Hart won the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] from [[Ric Flair]] at a ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|Superstars]]'' taping at [[SaskTel Centre|Saskatchewan Place]] in [[Saskatoon]], Saskatchewan on October 12 of that year, in a match not originally broadcast on WWF television<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454135|title=History of the WWE Championship: Bret Hart(1)|access-date=December 30, 2007|publisher=WWE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051231061522/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454135|archive-date=December 31, 2005}}</ref> – the match was instead made available on a series of Coliseum/WWE Home Video releases.<ref>[http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/92.htm WWF @ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Center – October 12, 1992]. The History of WWE. Retrieved May 30, 2011.</ref> Hart dislocated one of the fingers on his left hand during the match and popped it back in himself so it would not affect the rest of the match.<ref name="DVD"/> He made successful title defenses against [[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]], [[John Nord|The Berzerker]] and [[Charles Wright (wrestler)|Papa Shango]]. He would headline his first pay-per-view as champion with a successful title defense against Shawn Michaels at the [[Survivor Series (1992)|1992 Survivor Series]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1992/mainevent|title=Survivor Series 1992 main event|publisher=WWE}}</ref> and defeated [[Scott Hall (wrestler)|Razor Ramon]] at the [[Royal Rumble (1993)|1993 Royal Rumble]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881161/results|title=Royal Rumble 1993 official results|publisher=WWE}}</ref> He would also defend the title against contenders such as Papa Shango<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/nov081992|title=Saturday Night's Main Event XXXI official results|publisher=WWE}}</ref> and former champion Ric Flair<ref name="wwebio"/> before losing the title to [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]] in his first WrestleMania main event at [[WrestleMania IX]], after interference from [[Mr. Fuji]]. Fuji then challenged [[Hulk Hogan]], who had come out to help Hart, to compete for the title; Hogan then won his fifth WWF Championship from Yokozuna.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/9/results|title=WrestleMania 9 results|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 23, 2012}}</ref> In June, Hart won the first [[pay-per-view]] [[King of the Ring (1993)|King of the Ring]] tournament, defeating Razor Ramon, Mr. Perfect, and [[Bam Bam Bigelow]], thus becoming the only two-time King of the Ring.<ref name="titlehistory"/> According to Hart, he was scheduled to regain the WWF Championship from Hulk Hogan at [[SummerSlam (1993)|SummerSlam]], but Hogan chose to drop the title to Yokozuna instead at King of the Ring.<ref>{{cite episode|series=Off the Record|title=Off The Record|network=[[The Sports Network|TSN]]|airdate=2003}}</ref> Hart instead entered a feud with [[Jerry Lawler|Jerry "The King" Lawler]], who interrupted Hart's coronation, claimed he was the only king, attacked Hart and began a barrage against Hart and his family. The two met at SummerSlam in 1993, to determine the "Undisputed King of the World Wrestling Federation".<ref>{{cite video|title=SummerSlam 1993|medium=VHS|publisher=[[WWE Home Video|Coliseum Video]]|year=1993}}</ref> Hart originally won the match by submission, via the Sharpshooter, but as he would not let go of the hold, the decision was reversed to a Lawler victory by disqualification.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/1993/results|title=SummerSlam 1993 official results|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 23, 2012}}</ref> Hart and his younger brother, [[Owen Hart]], would also feud with Lawler during 1993 in the [[United States Wrestling Association]] (USWA), with Lawler notably defeating Owen for Owen's [[USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/j/jerry-lawler.html|title=Online World of Wrestling|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=January 15, 2011}}</ref> Hart's feud with Lawler was named "[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards|Feud of the Year]]" by ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'', and voted "[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards|Feud of the Year]]" by readers of ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''.<ref name=PWIfeud/>


After months of dealing with Lawler, Hart received a [[WrestleMania IX]] rematch with WWF Champion Yokozuna on the November 20 episode of ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|WWF Superstars]]''. When Bret appeared to have the match won, with Yokozuna locked in the sharpshooter, Owen came to ringside to congratulate his brother. The referee began questioning Owen's motives, which allowed Fuji to assault Bret. Owen then involved himself in the match, resulting in a victory for Yokozuna via disqualification. On the [[House show|non-televised]] but now-[[Canon (fiction)|canon]] November 22 episode of ''Monday Night Raw'', Hart again challenged Yokozuna for the WWF Championship, and again failed to regain the championship due to similar involvement from Owen.{{Citation needed|date=May 2018}} The brothers' disagreements set the wheels in motion for a family feud that would span the entirety of 1994.<ref>''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|WWF Superstars]]''. [[USA Network]]. November 20, 1993.</ref> At [[Survivor Series (1993)|Survivor Series]], the Harts (Bret, Owen, [[Bruce Hart (wrestler)|Bruce]], and [[Keith Hart (wrestler)|Keith]]) took on Shawn Michaels (a substitution for Lawler, who was facing legal troubles)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/lawler.html|title=SLAM Bio: Jerry Lawler|publisher=SLAM! Sports|access-date=October 8, 2007|date=February 5, 2005|archive-date=July 14, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714192415/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/lawler.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> and his knights. The Harts won the match, with all of the brothers surviving except for Owen, the only Hart family member eliminated when he was rolled up by Michaels after inadvertently knocking Bret off the apron.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1993/results|title=Survivor Series 1993 official results|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Bitter about his elimination, Owen blamed Bret for this and in the weeks ahead, blamed Bret for holding him back. Owen demanded a one-on-one match with Bret, which Bret refused to accept. In the storyline, Bret, along with his parents, worked over the Christmas holidays to reunite the family and to settle their rivalry. Bret was voted "WWF Superstar of the Year" 1993 by fans,<ref name="soty">{{cite episode|series=WWF Television|title=[[WWE Raw|WWF Monday Night Raw]]|network=[[USA Network]]|airdate=November 29, 1993}}</ref> as well as the [[PWI 500|greatest wrestler]] of the year by ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'' readers.<ref name="pwi#1"/>
At WrestleMania, 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 (sport)|sudden death]] overtime. Michaels hit a superkick to win the championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/12/mainevent|title=WrestleMania XII main event|publisher=WWE|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' readers voted it the "Match of the Year";<ref name=MOTY/> in 2004, WWE fans voted the match as the greatest in the history of WrestleMania.<ref>{{cite episode|title=WrestleMania's 10 Greatest matches|credits=[[WWE]] [[Spike (TV channel)|Spike TV]]|airdate=2004-03-09}}</ref> After WrestleMania, Hart took his hiatus from television. Towards the end of the year, he would consider offers of employment from both WCW and the WWF, but would ultimately re-sign with the WWF.<ref>''Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows'' (1998)</ref> He was inducted into the [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame|''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' Hall of Fame]] [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#1996 inductees|Class of 1996]].


[[File:Bret & Owen Hart Wrestling.jpg|thumb|left|Bret's rivalry with his brother [[Owen Hart|Owen]] won them ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''{{'s}} Feud of the Year award and featured a highly rated steel cage match at [[SummerSlam (1994)|SummerSlam]]]]
====The Hart Foundation reunion and the Montreal Screwjob (1996–1997)====
At the [[Royal Rumble (1994)|Royal Rumble]] in January, Bret and Owen took on [[The Quebecers]] ([[Jacques Rougeau|Jacques]] and [[Carl Ouellet|Pierre]]) for the WWF [[Tag team|Tag Team]] Championship. [[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>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/january/1994.htm|title=Royal Rumble 1994 results|publisher=pwwew.com}}</ref> Later on, Hart managed to participate and win the 1994 Royal Rumble match amid 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 title shots at [[WrestleMania X]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811421/mainevent|title=Royal Rumble 1994 main event|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Luger won the chance to face Yokozuna first, with Hart having to wrestle his brother Owen, before receiving his title shot. Hart lost his match against Owen<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/listthis/ruggedroadstomania/roadstomania7|title=Most Rugged Roads To WrestleMania (1994)|access-date=October 12, 2007|publisher=WWE}}</ref> but went on to defeat Yokozuna for his second WWF Championship.<ref name="wmx">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/10/results|title=WrestleMania X results|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454127 |title=History of the WWE Championship: Bret Hart(2) |access-date=December 30, 2007 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105083457/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454127 |archive-date=January 5, 2008 }}</ref>
{{Main|The_Hart_Foundation#The_.28New.29_Hart_Foundation|l1=Hart Foundation reunion|Montreal Screwjob}}
[[File:WWE - Birmingham 210695 (24).jpeg|thumb|left|Hart would pose for the crowd with his arms open.]]
Over the summer, [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]], who was fresh from winning the [[King of the Ring 1996|1996 King of the Ring]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/june/1996.htm|title=King of the Ring 1996|publisher=pwwew.net}}</ref> continually taunted Hart and challenged him to come back and have a match. After an eight-month hiatus from television, Hart returned and defeated Austin at [[Survivor Series (1996)|Survivor Series]] in a match for the number one contender spot to the WWF Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1996/results|title=Survivor Series 1996 official results|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Hart challenged champion [[Sid Vicious (wrestler)|Sycho Sid]] at the following month's [[In Your House 12: It's Time]]; Shawn Michaels, who was serving as a guest commentator at ringside, accidentally cost Hart the victory when he attempted to become involved in the match after being assaulted by Sid. The building tension between Hart and Michaels climaxed after the match, when Hart assaulted Michaels, Afterwards Hart quietly began a [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Tweener|tweener]] turn. Hart's feud with Austin escalated 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 win the Rumble.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988114111/results|title=1997 Royal Rumble results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> Hart quit the WWF the next night on ''Raw'' in protest. In order to deal with this controversy, a [[Three Way Dance|Fatal Four-Way]] between Austin and the participants he eliminated after re-entering the ring ([[Big Van Vader|Vader]], [[The Undertaker]] and Hart) was set up for [[In Your House 13: Final Four]], with the winner becoming the number one contender. After current champion Shawn Michaels relinquished the belt, though, the match officially became one for the WWF Championship. Hart defeated Austin, Vader, and The Undertaker in the Fatal Four-Way.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/february/1997.htm|title=In Your House XIII|publisher=pwwew.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454113|title=History of the WWE Championship – Bret Hart(4)|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref> However, Austin made sure Hart's fourth reign was short-lived, costing him a title match against Sid the next night on ''Raw'', and making it the only reign of Hart's to last [[List of WWE Champions#Reigns|less than three months]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/raw021797|title=WWF Raw: February 17, 1997|date=February 17, 1997|publisher=The Other Arena|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080601030026/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/raw021797|archivedate=June 1, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Hart challenged for Sid's WWF Championship in a [[steel cage match]] shortly before [[WrestleMania 13]] (Hart's twelfth consecutive and final WrestleMania until WrestleMania XXVI), which saw Austin actually attempt to help Hart win, in order to make their scheduled match at WrestleMania 13 a title match. Concurrently, The Undertaker, who had a scheduled title match with Sid at WrestleMania, attempted to help Sid win. Sid ultimately retained, leading to a pure grudge match for Hart and Austin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/raw031797|title=WWF Raw: March 17, 1997|date=March 17, 1997|publisher=The Other Arena|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080601030031/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/raw031797|archivedate=June 1, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Following his loss to Sid, Hart shoved "announcer" [[Vince McMahon]] to the ground when he attempted to conduct a post-match interview, and engaged in an [[worked shoot]], [[Profanity|expletive]]-laden rant against McMahon and WWF management. This incident has been cited as one which helped lay the foundations of the WWF's [[The Attitude Era|Attitude Era]], as well as the starting point of McMahon's on-air character, the tyrannical WWF owner [[Mr. McMahon]].<ref>{{cite video|year=2006|title=McMahon|medium=DVD|publisher=WWE}}</ref>


Hart continued to feud with his brother Owen while he also started feuding with [[Kevin Nash|Diesel]]. Hart's friend and former tag team partner Jim Neidhart returned to the WWF and reunited with Hart. At [[King of the Ring (1994)|King of the Ring]], Hart defended the WWF Championship against Diesel. When Hart was winning the match, Shawn Michaels interfered on Diesel's behalf; Diesel appeared close to victory after he delivered a [[Release powerbomb|Jackknife Powerbomb]] yet before he could pin Hart, Neidhart interfered, therefore Diesel won by disqualification, but Hart retained his title. Neidhart left when Diesel and Michaels attacked Hart following the match. Neidhart's motivation was made clear when he helped Owen win the tournament that night, so that he could receive a title shot against his brother.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/june/1994.htm|title=King of the Ring 1994 results|publisher=pwwew.net}}</ref> At [[SummerSlam (1994)|SummerSlam]], Hart successfully retained the WWF Championship against Owen in a [[Steel Cage match|steel cage match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/1994/results|title=SummerSlam 1994 results|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 23, 2012}}</ref> This match received a five-star rating from [[Dave Meltzer]] of ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'', and the brothers' feud was voted "[[PWI Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]]" by readers of ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''.<ref name=PWIfeud/>
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; background:#b0c4de; width:20em;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |[To Vince McMahon] Frustrated isn't the goddamn word for it! This is BULLSHIT! You screwed me, everybody screwed me and nobody does a goddamn thing about it! Nobody in the building cares, nobody in the dressing room cares, so much goddamn injustice around here, I've had it up to here! Everybody knows it! I know it! EVERYBODY knows it, I should be the World Wrestling Federation Champion! Everybody just keeps turning a blind eye, you keep turning a blind eye to it, I've got that Gorilla Monsoon, he turns a blind eye to it, everybody in that goddamn dressing room knows that I'm the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be! [turns to fans] And if you don't like it, tough SHIT!<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0185103/quotes "WWF Raw Is War" (1997) – Memorable quotes<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
| style="text-align: right;" | – Bret Hart's [[Profanity|expletive]]-laden rant on the March 17, 1997 ''[[WWE Raw|WWF Raw is War]]''.
|}
At WrestleMania 13, Hart and Austin had their rematch in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Submission match]] that would later get a 5-star rating from [[Dave Meltzer]]. In the end, Hart locked the Sharpshooter on a bloody Austin, who refused to give up. In fact, Austin never quit, but passed out from the blood loss and pain. [[Ken Shamrock]], the special guest referee, awarded Hart the match, after which he continued to assault Austin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/13/results|title=WrestleMania 13 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> This turned Austin face, and Hart became a heel. It was named "[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards|Match of the Year]]" by ''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'', and voted "Match of the Year by" ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' readers.<ref name=MOTY/> Later that night, Hart would confront Psycho Sid and The Undertaker prior to their match for the WWF Championship, Hart insulted Undertaker, told Shawn Michaels (who was a guest commentator for the match)not to interfere. Sid would powerbomb Hart knocking him out, even though Sid was a heel, he was cheered for his actions against Hart due to the latter's post match attack on Austin earlier in the night. Undertaker would win his third WWF championship, (which ended with Hart hotshotting Sid on the ropes, therefore costing him the title. The next night on RAW Hart would criticize the American fans' for their support of Austin over him the night before, (this would be a trend that would last until Hart departure at the survivor Series 1997). Hart challenged [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]] in the main event of the edition of March 31 of ''Raw''. The Rock won by disqualification when Hart refused to release a figure-four leglock applied around the ringpost. He would face Austin again in the main event of [[In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker]], to determine who would challenge the WWF Champion in a title match at the following month's [[In Your House 15: A Cold Day in Hell]]. Austin had Hart locked in his own finishing move, the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]], in the middle of the ring when [[Davey Boy Smith|The British Bulldog]] interfered on Hart's behalf, resulting in disqualification and giving Austin the victory and title match. They would meet once again in a street fight on the edition of April 21 of ''Raw'', in which Austin injured the now-heel Hart's ankle with a steel chair. The match was ultimately awarded to Austin when Hart refused to tap out of the sharpshooter. Austin continued to beat Hart while on a stretcher in the back of an ambulance.


Hart eventually lost his WWF Championship at [[Survivor Series (1994)|Survivor Series]] in a submission match against [[Bob Backlund]] where the manager of either competitor (Davey Boy Smith for Hart, Owen for Backlund) would have to "throw in the towel" for the wrestler they were representing. When Hart was in Backlund's [[crossface chickenwing]] and Davey Boy was [[kayfabe]] knocked out, Owen persuaded his mother Helen to throw in the towel for Hart, giving Backlund the championship victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454125|title=History of the WWE Championship – Bob Backlund(2)|publisher=WWE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050717025736/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454125|archive-date=July 17, 2005}}</ref> Bret's feud with Backlund would continue into the following year. He was voted the greatest wrestler of 1994 by ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' readers, winning the vote for the second straight year.<ref name="pwi94">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50094.htm|access-date=June 30, 2008|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 – 1994|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522005445/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50094.htm|archive-date=May 22, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Bret Canada t-shirt.jpg|thumb|upright|In 1997, Hart became a tweener: generally cheered for by Canadian and international fans, and booed by American fans, while remaining largely consistent in character.]]
Hart's feud with Austin saw Hart shift to the top heel in the company. 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-Americanism|anti-American]] [[Smark|stable]] which was popular within Canada and Europe. As the leader of this stable, Hart would routinely carry a [[Flag of Canada|Canadian flag]] to the ring and engage in promos where he declared the superiority of his home nation; he became so despised by U.S. audiences that they would often throw debris during his ring entrances, interviews and matches.<ref name="DVD"/> He would go on to be voted by ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' readers as the "[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards|Most Hated Wrestler of the Year]]" 1997.<ref name="pwihated"/> At [[In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede]], in Hart's home town of Calgary, the Hart Foundation would defeat the team of Steve Austin, Ken Shamrock, [[Dustin Rhodes|Goldust]] and [[Road Warriors|The Legion of Doom]], representing the U.S., in a ten-man tag team match main event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/iyh16.html|title=WWF in Your House 16: "Canadian Stampede"|accessdate=2011-02-09|work=CompleteWWE.com}}</ref> The Canada vs U.S. rivalry escalated on the edition of July 21 of ''Raw'' in [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax, Nova Scotia]], where Bret, Owen and Davey Boy Smith, representing Canada and the Hart Foundation, defeated the team of [[Mick Foley|Dude Love]], Austin and The Undertaker, representing the U.S., in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Flag match|Flag Match]].<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1997/ ''Raw'' results: July 21, 1997]. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 9, 2011.</ref> The Hart Foundation's feud with Austin was named "[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards|Feud of the Year]]" by ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'', and voted "[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards|Feud of the Year]]" by readers of ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''.<ref name=PWIfeud/> Hart vowed that if he could not defeat The Undertaker for the WWF Championship at [[SummerSlam (1997)|SummerSlam]], he would never wrestle in the United States again. The Undertaker agreed to the match, and Hart won his fifth WWF Championship after spitting in [[Special guest referee|guest referee]] Shawn Michaels' face; Michaels swung a steel chair in retaliation, which accidentally struck the Undertaker. Michaels, who, as part of another pre-match stipulation, would be banned from wrestling in the United States if he did not remain impartial as referee, had no option but to count the pinfall, giving his bitter rival Hart the victory and the WWF Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/1997/mainevent|title=SummerSlam 1997 main event|publisher=WWE|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/30445417|title=History of the WWE Championship: Bret Hart(5)|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref>


[[File:Bret Hart in 1995.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Hart in 1995]]
After SummerSlam, Michaels was pushed as the top heel in the company and negative fan reactions towards Hart in the U.S. softened somewhat, as he declared, "I'm not so much anti-American as I am just very, very pro-Canadian".<ref name="DVD"/> In real life, Hart did not like the new [[Attitude Era]], instead preferring traditional values. This was used as part of his character, as Hart would insult the U.S. fans because of the success of the Attitude Era.<ref name="MondayNightWars01-6" >{{cite DVD|title=Monday Night War S01 E06:The Hart of War|publisher=WWE|}}</ref> Hart successfully defended his title against [[Del Wilkes|The Patriot]], with whom Hart had become involved in a feud as part of the Canada vs U.S. storyline, at [[Ground Zero: In Your House]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1990s.html#17|title=WWF Ground Zero: In Your House info/results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|accessdate=2011-02-09}}</ref> avenging a loss to him weeks earlier on ''Raw'',<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1997/ ''Raw'' results: July 28, 1997]. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 9, 2011.</ref> and the Canada vs U.S. feud would conclude at [[Badd Blood: In Your House]], where Hart and Davey Boy Smith, representing Canada and The Hart Foundation, defeated The Patriot and Vader, representing the U.S., in a Flag Match.<ref>[http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/badd.html WWF Badd Blood Results]. prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011.</ref> Erstwhile, in a rematch from SummerSlam, The Undertaker challenged Hart for the WWF Championship at [[WWF One Night Only|One Night Only]]; after reversing a Tombstone Piledriver attempt from Hart, The Undertaker dumped Hart on the apron when he would not let go of the ropes. As a result, Hart's neck was caught in the ropes, and The Undertaker was disqualified.<ref>{{cite web|title=One Night Only|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/wwfuk.html#onenight|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|accessdate=2011-02-09}}</ref> Hart would cite this as his favorite of all his matches with The Undertaker,<ref name="DVD"/> and his last great match in the WWF.<ref name="slam97"/> During the Hart Foundation's feud with the Shawn Michaels-led [[D-Generation X]], DX framed the Hart Foundation in vandalizing the locker room of the African American stable, [[Nation of Domination]] with racist motifs. In retaliation, during a promo with D-Generation X, Hart called members Triple H (previously billed as "Hunter Hearst Helmsley") and Shawn Michaels "[[homosexuality|homos]]". Hart later apologized for his participation in the storyline and said that he had been pressured into it, saying, "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 name="slam97">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBretHart/hart_bret_interview.html|title=SLAM! Wrestling: The Bret Hart Interview|publisher=SLAM! Sports}}</ref> Hart successfully defended the WWF Championship against Nation of Domination leader, [[Ron Simmons|Faarooq]], on the edition of October 20 of ''Raw'',<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1997/ ''Raw'' results: October 20, 1997.]. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 9, 2011.</ref> and, in his penultimate WWF Championship match, wrestled Ken Shamrock to a no-contest on the edition of October 27 of RAW which saw the referee being knocked out, after which Shamrock had Hart locked in Shamrock's finishing move the Ankle Lock and Hart tapped out. Suddenly Shamrock was attacked by members of the Hart Foundation until Shawn Michaels made the save for Shamrock and attacked Hart.<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1997/ ''Raw'' results: October 27, 1997.]. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 9, 2011.</ref>
Three days after Hart's title loss, Diesel defeated Backlund in eight seconds with a jackknife powerbomb to become the new WWF Champion. By 1995, Hart was focusing on projects outside the business, such as acting, and shifted to the number two face in the company, behind Diesel.<ref>''Greatest Rivalries: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart''. [[WWE Home Video]]. 2011.</ref> Hart challenged for Diesel's WWF Championship at the 1995 [[Royal Rumble (1995)|Royal Rumble]], in a match that was continually marred by outside interference and ruled a draw. Both men embraced in a display of sportsmanship after the match. In a rematch from Survivor Series, Hart defeated [[Bob Backlund]] in an [["I Quit" match]] at [[WrestleMania XI]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/11/results|title=WrestleMania XI results|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 23, 2012}}</ref> Hart was critical with the match against Backlund, claiming it was "probably my worst pay-per-view match I ever had".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/bret-hart-steve-austin-talk-wrestlemania-13-match/ | title=411Mania}}</ref> Hart would be the focal point of the first event in the [[In Your House]] pay-per-view series, competing in two matches at [[In Your House 1]]. He defeated [[Jinsei Shinzaki|Hakushi]] in the first match of the in Your House series. Hart's acclaimed feud with Jerry Lawler was reignited at the event when Lawler defeated Hart due to Hakushi's (now Lawler's protégé) interference.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=The History of WWE|editor=Graham Cawthon|first1=Scott|last1=Criscuolo|first2=Justin|last2=Rozzero|title=In Your House #1|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/IYH1review.htm|access-date=February 3, 2016|date=May 22, 2007|archive-date=May 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529000540/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/IYH1review.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hart beat Lawler in a "Kiss My Foot" match at [[King of the Ring (1995)|King of the Ring]], and defeated Lawler's [[kayfabe]] dentist, [[Kane (wrestler)|Isaac Yankem]], by disqualification at [[SummerSlam (1995)|SummerSlam 1995]].<ref>{{cite web|title=SummerSlam 1995 Results|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/1995/results|publisher=WWE|access-date=February 3, 2016}}</ref> Their King of the Ring match ended with Hart shoving his foot into Lawler's mouth, then forcing Lawler to kiss his own foot.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211708/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering95/ King of the Ring 1995]. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved May 17, 2011.</ref> Although Hart was victorious in their in-ring feud, Lawler remained strongly opposed to Hart as a commentator, and would routinely encourage Hart's opponents during matches; it would not be until [[Over the Limit (2011)|Over the Limit]], sixteen years later, that both men would finally bury the hatchet. After disposing of Lawler, Hart engaged in a three-month feud with [[Carl Ouellet|Jean-Pierre Lafitte]], who would be stealing the mirrored sunglasses from fans at ringside and his trademark leather jacket. At [[In Your House 3]], Hart defeated Lafitte, to end the feud. Hart shifted his focus back to the WWF Championship, defeating Diesel in a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Holds Barred match|no disqualification match]] at [[Survivor Series (1995)|Survivor Series]] to commence his third reign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1995/mainevent|title=Survivor Series 1995 main event|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454121|title=History of the WWE Championship – Bret Hart(3)|access-date=December 30, 2007|publisher=WWE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050717022714/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454121|archive-date=July 17, 2005}}</ref>


In a rematch from their SummerSlam 1992 encounter, Hart successfully defended his title against the now [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] Davey Boy Smith at [[In Your House 5: Seasons Beatings]]. He lost to [[The Undertaker]] by disqualification at the [[Royal Rumble (1996)|1996 Royal Rumble]] when Diesel interfered, ultimately retaining the WWF Championship, and defeated The Undertaker by disqualification in a rematch on the February 5 episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', again due to Diesel's interference.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080607173217/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1996/ ''Raw'' results: February 5, 1996.]. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 9, 2011.</ref> Hart retained his title once again against Diesel in a steel cage match at [[In Your House 6]], and defeated [[Triple H|Hunter Hearst Helmsley]], who was undefeated on ''Raw'', on the March 4 episode of the show.<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1996/ ''Raw'' results: March 4, 1996.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106083518/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1996/ |date=January 6, 2011 }}. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 9, 2011.</ref> WWF Commissioner Rowdy Roddy Piper ruled that Hart would face Shawn Michaels, who had earned a WWF Championship match at [[WrestleMania XII]] by winning the Royal Rumble,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811412/mainevent|title=1996 Royal Rumble match|publisher=WWE}}</ref> in a 60-minute [[Iron Man match]] at the event. The wrestler with the most decisions during the 60 minutes would win the match and the WWF Championship.
[[File:WWF Champion Bret Hart.jpg|thumb|left|Hart (along with [[Hulk Hogan]]) held the record for most [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] reigns until [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]]'s sixth reign in 2001.]]
Around this time, Hart's on-air rivalry with 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. Although Hart was signed to a 20-year contract back in 1996, the WWF was in a rough financial position by late 1997 and could not afford the contract. Although Hart was arguably the biggest wrestler in the world during the mid-1990s,<ref name="darkdays"/> McMahon also felt that the value of his character was beginning to wane,<ref>''Off The Record'' with Vince McMahon, [[The Sports Network|TSN]], 2–24–98: "...his value was beginning to wane..." (archived [http://web.archive.org/web/20091102140143/http://watch.tsn.ca/off-the-record/best-of-otr-vince-mcmahon---02-24-98/ video] at tsn.ca)</ref> and he strongly encouraged Hart to approach the [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) about a contract, hopefully one similar to their original offer. This was despite Hart's reluctance to leave the WWF and willingness to re-negotiate.<ref>Jay 1998, [[Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows]]</ref><ref name="dvd"/> Hart subsequently signed a three-year contract with WCW. His final match with the WWF would be a title match against his real life rival Shawn Michaels at [[Survivor Series (1997)|Survivor Series]] in Montreal. Hart did not want to end his WWF career with a loss to Michaels in his home country particularly with the context of their nationality-fuelled feud; and offered to lose, forfeit or otherwise give over the belt to Michaels in any other way that McMahon wanted. McMahon agreed to Hart's idea of forfeiting the championship the next night on ''Raw'' or losing it a few weeks later.


At WrestleMania, 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. Michaels did not submit in the last 30 seconds, so the match ended in a tie. WWF President [[Gorilla Monsoon]] ruled that the match would continue in [[Sudden death (sport)|sudden death]] overtime. Michaels hit a superkick to win the championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/12/mainevent|title=WrestleMania XII main event|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 23, 2012}}</ref> ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' readers voted it the "Match of the Year";<ref name=MOTY/> in 2004, WWE fans voted the match as the greatest in the history of WrestleMania.<ref>{{cite episode|series=WWF Television|title=WrestleMania's 10 Greatest matches|credits=[[WWE]] [[Spike (TV channel)|Spike TV]]|airdate=March 9, 2004}}</ref> After WrestleMania, Hart went on a European tour over the next two weeks, coming out victorious against [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] and Hunter Hearst Helmsley. The tour ended on April 22, and after this he took his hiatus from television. His final televised appearance was an interview taped while on the European tour in which he described his passion for wrestling was diminished and stated that although there were offers from competing companies, he might be finished with wrestling.
Although Hart stated to 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">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AOEPU2|title=''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]]. Even though Hart did not submit to the Sharpshooter, referee [[Earl Hebner]] called for the bell as if he had, on McMahon's orders. This resulted in Hart "losing" the WWF Championship to Michaels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1997/mainevent|title=Survivor Series 1997 main event (Montreal Screwjob)|publisher=WWE}}</ref> The night ended with an irate Hart spitting in McMahon's face, destroying television equipment, and punching McMahon backstage in front of [[Gerald Brisco]], [[Pat Patterson (wrestler)|Pat Patterson]], and McMahon's son [[Shane McMahon|Shane]]. Hart also confronted Michaels backstage about the match finish. Many behind-the-scenes events leading up to the Montreal Screwjob were filmed for the documentary ''[[Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows]]'', released in 1998. WWE has described the Montreal Screwjob as "arguably the most controversial, most jarring moment in the annals of sports entertainment."<ref>Tello, Craig. [http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/harttenyearslaterpt1 The Hit Man: Ten years later – Part One]. [[WWE]]. November 8, 2007. Retrieved December 11, 2010.</ref>


That fall, Hart would indeed receive competing offers of employment from both WWF and [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW). WCW presented a 3-year, $9M contract offer to Hart,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/faq/?article=brethart|title=Pro Wrestling FAQ |website=Wrestleview.com}}</ref> while the World Wrestling Federation responded with an unprecedented 20-year contract. Finishing up his original WWF deal, Hart returned to action on a tour of South Africa on September 8, 1996, defeating Davey Boy Smith in Durban.<ref name="thehistoryofwwe.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/96.htm |title=The History of WWE : 1996|website=Thehistoryofwwe.com|access-date=March 1, 2022}}</ref> On October 21, Hart elected to re-sign with the World Wrestling Federation.<ref>''Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows'' (1998)</ref> He was inducted into the [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame|''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' Hall of Fame]] [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#Inductees|Class of 1996]].
===World Championship Wrestling===


==== Feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin (1996–1997) ====
====Various feuds (1997–1999)====
{{main|The Hart Foundation#The Hart Foundation (1997 incarnation)|l1=Hart Foundation reunion}}
Hart signed a three-year contract with [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) in November 1997, the perks of which included a salary of $2.5 million per year (a $1 million increase from his WWF contract) as well as a greatly reduced live schedule and complete [[artistic control|creative control]] over his television character.<ref>''Off The Record''. [[The Sports Network|TSN]]. December 3, 1997.</ref> A day after the Survivor Series pay-per-view, [[Eric Bischoff]], while with the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|New World Order]] (nWo), announced that Hart was going to be coming to WCW, and joining the nWo. Hart made his debut on ''[[WCW Monday Nitro]]'' on December 15, 1997,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/nitro121597|title=WCW Nitro: December 15, 1997|date=December 15, 1997|publisher=The Other Arena|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080701013554/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/nitro121597|archivedate=July 1, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> and was heavily involved in that month's [[Starrcade (1997)|Starrcade]] pay-per-view. Due to a 60-day no-compete clause from the WWF, he served as the special guest referee for the match between Bischoff and [[Larry Zbyszko]]; during the [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] versus [[Hulk Hogan]] main event for the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]], he used his referee's license to step in toward the conclusion of the match 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), and declaring Sting the winner and new champion by submission.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#97|title=Starrcade 1997 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> During Bischoff's period in control of the company, the goodwill towards Hart generated by the Montreal Screwjob resulted in his being pushed as a face. In January, his no-compete clause expired, and his first feud in WCW was against Ric Flair: both Flair and Hart considered themself the greatest professional wrestler of all time. Hart defeated Flair at [[Souled Out#1998|Souled Out 1998]] in his first WCW match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/nwoppv.html#98|title=Souled Out 1998 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> Hart bested Flair again at [[Boston Brawl]]. After this, Hart would elect to defend the honor of WCW against the nWo, defeating members [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Brian Adams]] in his debut ''Nitro'' match on March 2, and old WWF rival [[Curt Hennig]] (formerly known as "Mr. Perfect") at [[Uncensored 1998|Uncensored]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#98|title=Uncensored 1998 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref>
[[File:WWE - Birmingham 210695 (24).jpeg|thumb|left|Hart posing for the crowd with his arms open]]
Over the summer, [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], who was fresh from winning the [[King of the Ring (1996)|1996 King of the Ring]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/june/1996.htm|title=King of the Ring 1996|publisher=pwwew.net}}</ref> continually taunted Hart and challenged him to come back and have a match. After an eight-month hiatus from television, Hart returned and defeated Austin at [[Survivor Series (1996)|Survivor Series]] in a match for the number one contender spot to the WWF Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1996/results|title=Survivor Series 1996 official results|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Hart challenged champion [[Sid Vicious (wrestler)|Sycho Sid]] at the following month's [[In Your House 12: It's Time]]; Shawn Michaels, who was serving as a guest commentator at ringside, accidentally cost Hart the victory when he attempted to become involved in the match after being assaulted by Sid. The building tension between Hart and Michaels climaxed after the match when Hart assaulted Michaels. Hart's feud with Austin escalated 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 win the Royal Rumble match, while the referees were distracted by [[Mick Foley|Mankind]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988114111/results|title=1997 Royal Rumble results|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 23, 2012}}</ref> Hart quit the WWF the next night on ''Raw'' in protest. 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 ([[Big Van Vader|Vader]], [[The Undertaker]], and Hart) was set up for [[In Your House 13: Final Four]], with the winner becoming the number one contender. After then-champion Shawn Michaels relinquished the belt, though, the match officially became for the WWF Championship. Hart defeated Austin, Vader, and The Undertaker in the Fatal Four-Way.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/february/1997.htm|title=In Your House XIII|publisher=pwwew.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454113|title=History of the WWE Championship – Bret Hart(4)|access-date=December 30, 2007|publisher=WWE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050719012851/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454113|archive-date=July 19, 2005}}</ref> Austin ensured Hart's fourth reign was short-lived, costing him a title match against Sid the next night on ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/raw021797|title=WWF Raw: February 17, 1997|date=February 17, 1997|publisher=The Other Arena|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601030026/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997%2Fraw021797|archive-date=June 1, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hart challenged for Sid's WWF Championship in a steel cage match shortly before [[WrestleMania 13]], which saw Austin actually attempt to help Hart win, in order to make their scheduled match at WrestleMania 13 a title match. Concurrently, The Undertaker, who had a scheduled title match with Sid at WrestleMania, attempted to help Sid win. Sid ultimately retained, leading to a pure grudge match for Hart and Austin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/raw031797|title=WWF Raw: March 17, 1997|date=March 17, 1997|publisher=The Other Arena|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601030031/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997%2Fraw031797|archive-date=June 1, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following his loss to Sid, Hart shoved [[Vince McMahon]] to the ground when he attempted to conduct a post-match interview, and engaged in a [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#worked shoot|worked shoot]], [[Profanity|expletive]]-laden rant against McMahon and WWF management. This incident has been cited as one which helped lay the foundations of the WWF's [[Attitude Era]], as well as the starting point of McMahon's on-air character, the tyrannical WWF owner "Mr. McMahon".<ref>{{cite video|year=2006|title=McMahon|medium=DVD|publisher=WWE}}</ref>


At WrestleMania 13, Hart and Austin had their rematch in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|submission match]] that would later get a 5-star rating from [[Dave Meltzer]]. In the end, Hart locked the Sharpshooter on a bloody Austin, who refused to give up. In fact, Austin never quit, but passed out from the blood loss and pain. [[Ken Shamrock]], the special guest referee, awarded Hart the match, after which he continued to assault Austin, thus turning heel for the first time since 1988.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/13/results|title=WrestleMania 13 official results|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 23, 2012}}</ref> It was named "[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Match of the Year|Match of the Year]]" by ''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' and voted "[[PWI Match of the Year|Match of the Year]]" by ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' readers.<ref name=MOTY/> Later that night, Hart confronted Sycho Sid and The Undertaker prior to their match for the WWF Championship; Hart insulted Undertaker and told Shawn Michaels (who was a guest commentator for the match) not to interfere. Undertaker won the match, which ended with Hart hot shotting Sid on the ropes, therefore costing him the title.
In April 1998, Hart turned heel by interfering in a ''Nitro'' main event between Hogan and Randy Savage, helping Hogan recapture the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]]. He became an associate of the nWo, but did not officially join the group. Hart defeated Savage in singles action at [[Slamboree#1998|Slamboree]], thanks to assistance from Hogan. The following night on ''Nitro'', however, guest referee Roddy Piper changed his decision and declared Savage as the winner by disqualification.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/slambore.html#98|title=Slamboree 1998 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> In a tag team match at [[The Great American Bash]], Hart and Hogan defeated Savage and Piper.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/gabash.html#98|title=The Great American Bash 1998 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref>


Hart challenged [[Dwayne Johnson|Rocky Maivia]] for the Intercontinental Championship in the main event of the March 31 episode of ''Raw''. [[Dwayne Johnson|Rocky Maivia]] won by disqualification when Hart refused to release a figure-four leglock applied around the ring post. He faced Austin again in the main event of [[In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker]], to determine who would challenge the WWF Champion Undertaker in a title match at the following month's [[In Your House 15: A Cold Day in Hell]]. Austin had Hart locked in his own finishing move, the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]], in the middle of the ring when [[Davey Boy Smith|The British Bulldog]] interfered on Hart's behalf, resulting in disqualification and giving Austin the victory and title match. They met once again in a street fight on the April 21 episode of ''Raw Is War'', in which Austin injured Hart's ankle with a steel chair. The match was ruled a no-contest and Austin afterward continued to beat Hart while on a stretcher in the back of an ambulance.
[[File:Bret Hart in 1994.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A [[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|two-time]] [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|WCW World Heavyweight Champion]] and the first born outside the United States, Hart is also a record-tying [[List of WWE United States Champions|five-time]] [[WWE United States Championship|WCW/WWE United States Champion]], with his four WCW reigns being the most in the history of the organization.]]
Hart competed in his second ''Nitro'' match on June 22, defeating [[Chris Benoit]] with assistance from nWo members: Hart had attempted to recruit his long-time friend into the nWo, but the offer was rejected.<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/nitro/1998.html ''Nitro'' results: June 22, 1998]. OWOW. Retrieved March 27, 2011.</ref> At [[Bash at the Beach]], Hart competed in his first championship match in WCW when he faced [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] for Booker's [[WCW World Television Championship]]. He was disqualified after hitting Booker with a steel chair.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#98|title=Bash at the Beach 1998 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> He would headline his first ''Nitro'' card on July 20, defeating [[Diamond Dallas Page]] for the vacant [[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]], with assistance from nWo member, [[Big Show|The Giant]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411114|title=History of the United States Championship – Bret Hart(1)|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref> WWE would later write, "Hart added to the significance of the already prestigious championship as many major WCW events were headlined by a U.S. Title bout rather than a WCW World Title contest."<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/classics/wcw/50-greatest-wcw-stars/page-11 The 50 Greatest Stars in WCW History: Bret Hart]. WWE. Retrieved May 24, 2012.</ref> On the edition of August 10 of ''Nitro'', Hart lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to fellow WWF alumnus Lex Luger.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998/nitro081098|title=Monday Nitro – August 10, 1998|date=August 10, 1998|publisher=The Other Arena|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080701013614/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998/nitro081098|archivedate=July 1, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Hart regained the title from Luger, the next night on ''[[WCW Thunder|Thunder]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411123|title=History of the United States Championship – Bret Hart(2)|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref> In the main event of [[Fall Brawl]], Hart would compete for the No. 1 contender spot to the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, losing to [[Diamond Dallas Page]] in a [[WarGames match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wcwppv/fallbrawl98.html|title=Online World of Wrestling|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|date=September 13, 1998|accessdate=2011-02-21}}</ref> Hart subsequently asked the fans for forgiveness, turning his back on Hogan and the nWo and ostensibly turning face again. A match between Hart and Hogan was booked for the edition of September 28 of ''Nitro''. During the match, Hart sustained a knee injury, with [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] taking his place. Hart's rift with Hogan had been a [[Smark|swerve]]: Hart turned on Sting, delivering a DDT, and the match was officially ruled a no-contest. Sting, a member of the rival [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|nWo Wolfpac]], was assaulted after the match; this betrayal began an intense feud between Hart and Sting. On the edition of October 11 of ''Nitro'', Sting and the [[Warrior (wrestler)|Warrior]] beat Hart and Hogan. Hart's feud with Sting ended at [[Halloween Havoc]] with Hart controversially defending the United States Heavyweight Championship and ([[kayfabe]]) injuring Sting. On the edition of October 26 of ''Nitro'', Hart lost the title to Diamond Dallas Page.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998/nitro102698|title=Monday Nitro – October 26, 1998|date=October 26, 1998|publisher=The Other Arena|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080701013619/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998/nitro102698|archivedate=July 1, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> The two would headline the following month's [[World War 3 1998|World War 3]] pay-per-view in a title match which Hart lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/ww3.html#98|title=World War 3 1998 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> Hart regained the title from Page on the edition of November 30 of ''Nitro'' in a [[No Disqualification match]] with help from The Giant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411312|title=History of the United States Championship: Bret Hart(3)|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref>


[[File:Bret Canada t-shirt.jpg|thumb|upright|In 1997, Hart became a tweener: generally cheered for by Canadian and international fans, and booed by American fans, while remaining largely consistent in character]]
On the edition of February 8 of ''Nitro'', Hart lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to family friend Roddy Piper.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro020899|title=Monday Nitro – February 8, 1999|date=February 8, 1999|publisher=The Other Arena|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080701013635/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro020899|archivedate=July 1, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> In subsequent weeks, Hart declared that he was shifting his focus back to the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. On the edition of March 29, 1999 of ''Nitro'' held at [[Toronto]]'s [[Air Canada Centre]], Hart appeared in street clothes and derided champion Ric Flair, as well as Hogan, for avoiding a match with him. Finally, he called out "franchise player" [[Bill Goldberg]], claiming he could beat him in five minutes and verbally coercing 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, announced over the mic "Hey WCW, Bischoff, I quit!", to close the show, arising speculation on whether Hart was actually leaving the company. In reality, Hart had suffered a [[groin]] injury at the hands of [[Dean Malenko]] in November, and needed time off for surgery, removing him from the WCW World Heavyweight Championship picture.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|pp=478–479}}</ref> On May 23, 1999, the night before Hart was scheduled to make an appearance on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'' to hype his imminent WCW return, his brother [[Owen Hart]] died in an accident during a [[Over the Edge (1999)|WWF pay-per-view]]. Hart took a further four months off from WCW to be with his family.
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 Hart Foundation (1997 incarnation)|new Hart Foundation]] with [[Brian Pillman]]; this incarnation was an [[Anti-Americanism|anti-American]] [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Stable|stable]] which was popular within Canada and Europe. As the leader of this stable, Hart routinely carried a [[Flag of Canada|Canadian flag]] to the ring and engaged in promos where he declared the superiority of his home nation; he became so despised by U.S. audiences that they would often throw debris during his ring entrances, interviews, and matches.<ref name="DVD"/> He was voted by ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' readers as the "[[PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year|Most Hated Wrestler of the Year]]" in 1997.<ref name="pwihated"/> At [[In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede]], in Hart's home town of Calgary, the Hart Foundation defeated the team of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Ken Shamrock, [[Goldust]], and [[The Road Warriors|The Legion of Doom]], representing the United States, in a ten-man tag team match main event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/iyh16.html|title=WWF in Your House 16: "Canadian Stampede"|access-date=February 9, 2011|work=CompleteWWE.com|archive-date=February 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229161059/http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/iyh16.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Canada vs. U.S. rivalry escalated on the July 21 episode of ''Raw Is War'' in [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax, Nova Scotia]], where Bret, Owen, and Davey Boy Smith, representing Canada and the Hart Foundation, defeated the team of [[Mick Foley|Dude Love]], Austin, and The Undertaker, representing the U.S., in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Flag match|Flag match]].<ref name="1997rawresults">[https://web.archive.org/web/20080607173222/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1997/ ''Raw'' results, 1997]. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 9, 2011.</ref> The Hart Foundation's feud with Austin was named "[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]]" by ''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' and voted "[[PWI Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]]" by readers of ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''.<ref name=PWIfeud/> Hart vowed that if he could not defeat The Undertaker for the WWF Championship at [[SummerSlam (1997)|SummerSlam]], he would never wrestle in the United States again. The Undertaker agreed to the match, and Hart won his fifth and last WWF Championship after spitting in [[Special guest referee|guest referee]] Shawn Michaels' face; Michaels swung a steel chair in retaliation, which accidentally struck the Undertaker. Michaels, who, as part of another pre-match stipulation, would be banned from wrestling in the United States if he did not remain impartial as referee, had no option but to count the pinfall, giving his rival Hart the victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/1997/mainevent|title=SummerSlam 1997 main event|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/30445417|title=History of the WWE Championship: Bret Hart(5)|access-date=December 30, 2007|publisher=WWE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051129204514/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/30445417|archive-date=November 29, 2005}}</ref>


After SummerSlam, Michaels was pushed as the top heel in the company and negative fan reactions toward Hart in the United States softened somewhat, as he declared: "I'm not so much anti-American as I am just very, very pro-Canadian."<ref name="DVD"/> In real life, Hart did not like the new Attitude Era, instead preferring traditional values. This was used as part of his character, as Hart would insult the U.S. fans because of the success of the Attitude Era.<ref name="MondayNightWars01-6">{{cite AV media|title=Monday Night War S01 E06: The Hart of War|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Hart successfully defended his title against [[The Patriot (wrestler)|The Patriot]], with whom Hart had become involved in a feud as part of the Canada vs. U.S. storyline, at [[Ground Zero: In Your House]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1990s.html#17|title=WWF Ground Zero: In Your House info/results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=February 9, 2011}}</ref> avenging a loss to him on the July 28 ''Raw''.<ref name="1997rawresults"/> The Canada vs. U.S. feud would conclude at [[Badd Blood: In Your House]], where Hart and Davey Boy Smith, representing Canada and The Hart Foundation, defeated The Patriot and Vader, representing the U.S., in a Flag match.<ref>[http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/badd.html WWF Badd Blood Results]. prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011.</ref> Erstwhile, in a rematch from SummerSlam, The Undertaker challenged Hart for the WWF Championship at [[WWF One Night Only|One Night Only]]; after reversing a Tombstone Piledriver attempt from Hart, The Undertaker dumped Hart on the apron when he would not let go of the ropes. As a result, Hart's neck was caught in the ropes, and The Undertaker was disqualified.<ref>{{cite web|title=One Night Only|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/wwfuk.html#onenight|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=February 9, 2011}}</ref> Hart later cited this as his favourite of all his matches with The Undertaker,<ref name="DVD"/> and his last great match in the WWF.<ref name="slam97"/>
====WCW Champion and retirement (1999–2000)====
Hart returned to wrestling as a face on the edition of September 13, 1999 of ''Nitro'' in a match with [[Hulk Hogan]] against [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] and Lex Luger. On the edition of October 4, 1999 of ''Nitro'' he defeated [[Chris Benoit]] in a tribute match for Owen – this match took place in [[Kemper Arena]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], where Owen had died months earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro100499|title=Monday Nitro – October 4, 1999|publisher=Other Arena|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080701013640/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro100499|archivedate=July 1, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Hart challenged for Sting's [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] on the edition of October 18 of ''Nitro'', but lost the match when he was attacked by Lex Luger.<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/nitro/1999.html ''Nitro'' results: October 18, 1999.]. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 23, 2011.</ref> Due to controversy over a series of WCW World Heavyweight Championship matches between Sting, Hogan, and Goldberg at [[Halloween Havoc 1999|Halloween Havoc]], the title was declared vacant. A tournament then took place over several episodes of ''Nitro''. Hart's first round match came against Goldberg the night after Halloween Havoc, with the match being a tournament match for a berth in the next round, as well as being a match for the United States Heavyweight Championship that Goldberg had won the night before. Thanks to outside interference, Hart was able to defeat Goldberg, handing him his second official WCW loss, and winning the United States Heavyweight Championship for the fourth time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/304454112211|title=History of the United States Championship – Bret Hart(4)|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref><ref name="ustitle"/>


In September 1997, Hart faced [[Terry Funk]] at [[Terry Funk's WrestleFest]] in what was billed as Funk's retirement match.<ref name="Brown">{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/411-video-review-terry-funks-wrestlefest-1997/|title=411 Video Review: Terry Funk's WrestleFest (1997)|website=411Mania.com|last=Brown|first=Sydney|access-date=October 24, 2020|date=September 23, 2002}}</ref>
On the edition of November 8 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">{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro110899|title=Monday Nitro – November 8, 1999|date=November 8, 1999|publisher=The Other Arena|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080701013650/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro110899|archivedate=July 1, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Hart went on to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship tournament by defeating [[Perry Saturn]],<ref name="08NOV99"/> [[Billy Kidman]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro111599|title=Monday Nitro – November 15, 1999|date=November 15, 1999|publisher=The Other Arena|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080701013655/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro111599|archivedate=July 1, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Sting, and Chris Benoit at [[Mayhem 1999|Mayhem]], held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, giving him his first of two reigns in WCW and his sixth [[World Heavyweight Championship (professional wrestling)|world title]] overall.


During the Hart Foundation's feud with the Shawn Michaels-led [[D-Generation X]] (DX), DX framed the Hart Foundation in vandalizing the locker room of the African American stable, [[Nation of Domination]] with racist motifs. In retaliation, during a promo with DX, Hart called members Triple H (previously billed as "Hunter Hearst Helmsley") and Shawn Michaels "[[Homosexuality|homos]]". Hart later apologized for his participation in the storyline and said that he had been pressured into it, saying, "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 name="slam97">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBretHart/hart_bret_interview.html|title=SLAM! Wrestling: The Bret Hart Interview|publisher=SLAM! Sports|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205235437/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBretHart/hart_bret_interview.html|archive-date=December 5, 2012}}</ref> Hart successfully defended his title against Nation of Domination leader, [[Ron Simmons|Faarooq]], on the October 20 episode of ''Raw''.<ref name="1997rawresults"/> In his penultimate title defence, Hart wrestled Ken Shamrock to a no-contest on the October 27 episode of ''Raw Is War''; while the referee was knocked out, Shamrock put Hart in an ankle lock; members of the Hart Foundation then attacked Shamrock until Shawn Michaels made the save for Shamrock and attacked Hart.<ref name="1997rawresults"/>
On December 7, Hart and Goldberg won the [[WCW World Tag Team Championship]] from Creative Control, thus not only making Hart a double champion (as he was still World Champion at that point) but also the first wrestler to win both the WWF and WCW version of the [[Triple Crown Championship]]. Also, he and Goldberg won the Triple Crown at exactly the same time, as both have been United States and World Champion leading to this win.


==== The Montreal Screwjob and departure (1997) ====
Hart and Goldberg would lose the tag team titles to [[The Outsiders (professional wrestling)|The Outsiders]] on the edition of December 13 of ''Nitro''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro121399|title=Monday Nitro – December 13, 1999|date=December 13, 1999|publisher=The Other Arena|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080701013700/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro121399|archivedate=July 1, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</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#super kick|thrust 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#99|title=Starrcade 1999 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</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 when Goldberg failed to receive the move correctly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1999123p.htm|title=WCW Starrcade Sunday, December 19, 1999|date=December 19, 1999|publisher=DDTDigest}}</ref> 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.brethart.com/bio/columns/story-about-goldberg-jericho|title=Story about Goldberg & Jericho|date=May 9, 2003|publisher=brethart.com}}</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" /> As with the Montreal Screwjob, referee Roddy Piper simply rung the bell when Hart held Goldberg in the Sharpshooter, although Goldberg did not submit. Piper simply walked away, leaving both Goldberg and Hart bewildered.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/dec20_starrcade.html|title=Goldberg screwed at Starrcade|first=John|last=Powell|date=December 20, 1999|publisher=SLAM! Sports|accessdate=2008-06-14}}</ref> This would be Hart's last WCW pay-per-view.
{{main||Montreal Screwjob|Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows}}
[[File:WWF Champion Bret Hart.jpg|thumb|left|Hart (along with [[Hulk Hogan]]) held the record for most [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] reigns until [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]]'s sixth reign in 2001]]
Around this time, Hart's on-air rivalry with 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. Although Hart had signed a 20-year contract back in 1996, the WWF was in a rough financial position by late 1997 and could no longer afford to honour the contract. Although Hart was arguably the biggest wrestler in the world during the mid-1990s,<ref name="darkdays">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/theirdarkdays/|title=Their Dark Days: How can you be so Hart-less?|work=[[WWE]]|first=James|last=Vermillion|access-date=December 7, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015044627/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/theirdarkdays/|archive-date=October 15, 2009}}</ref> McMahon also felt that the value of his character was beginning to wane,<ref>''Off The Record'' with Vince McMahon, [[The Sports Network|TSN]], 2–24–98: "...his value was beginning to wane..." (archived{{cite web|url=http://watch.tsn.ca/off-the-record/best-of-otr-vince-mcmahon---02-24-98/ |title=video at tsn.ca |access-date=January 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091102140143/http://watch.tsn.ca/off-the-record/best-of-otr-vince-mcmahon---02-24-98/ |archive-date=November 2, 2009 }} )</ref> and he encouraged Hart to approach [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) about a contract, hopefully one similar to their original offer. This was despite Hart's reluctance to leave the WWF and willingness to re-negotiate.<ref name="DVD"/><ref>Jay 1998, [[Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows]]</ref> Hart subsequently signed a three-year contract with WCW. His final match with the WWF would be a title match against his real-life rival Shawn Michaels at [[Survivor Series (1997)|Survivor Series]] in Montreal. Hart did not want to end his WWF career with a loss to Michaels in his home country particularly with the context of their nationality-fueled feud; and offered to lose, forfeit or otherwise give over the belt to Michaels in any other way that McMahon wanted. McMahon agreed to Hart's idea of forfeiting the championship the next night on ''Raw Is War'' or losing it a few weeks later.


Although Hart stated to McMahon he would not take the WWF Championship with him to WCW television and despite insistence from then-WCW President [[Eric Bischoff]]<ref name="DVD"/> that Hart would join WCW with a "clean slate", McMahon was still concerned and paranoid; this led to him breaking his word in what eventually came to be known as the [[Montreal Screwjob]]. Even though Hart did not submit to the Sharpshooter, referee [[Earl Hebner]] called for the bell as if he had, on McMahon's orders. This resulted in Hart "losing" the WWF Championship to Michaels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1997/mainevent|title=Survivor Series 1997 main event (Montreal Screwjob)|publisher=WWE}}</ref> The night ended with an irate Hart spitting in McMahon's face, destroying television equipment, and punching McMahon backstage in front of [[Gerald Brisco]], [[Pat Patterson (wrestler)|Pat Patterson]], and McMahon's son [[Shane McMahon|Shane]]. Hart also confronted Michaels backstage about the match finish. Many behind-the-scenes events leading up to the Montreal Screwjob were filmed for the documentary ''[[Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows]]'', released in 1998. WWE has described the Montreal Screwjob as "arguably the most controversial, most jarring moment in the annals of sports entertainment".<ref>{{cite web|author=Tello, Craig|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/harttenyearslaterpt1|title=The Hit Man: Ten years later – Part One|publisher=WWE|date=November 8, 2007|access-date=December 11, 2010}}</ref>
Out of respect for Goldberg, Hart vacated the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on the edition of December 20 of ''Nitro'' and suggested that he, without the championship advantage, face Goldberg that night to determine the true champion. During the match, [[Scott Hall (wrestler)|Scott Hall]] and [[Kevin Nash]] came to the ring looking to attack Goldberg with baseball bats. Hart convinced them to stop, then in a swerve hit Goldberg with one of the bats. The three continued to beat down Goldberg and were eventually joined by [[Jeff Jarrett]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/nitro99.htm|title=WCW Monday Nitro 1999|publisher=The History of WWE|accessdate=2011-01-15}}</ref> As a result, not only did Hart regain the championship, the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|nWo]] was reformed (now billed as "nWo 2000"), and Hart turned heel once again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro122099|title=Monday Nitro – December 20, 1999|date=December 20, 1999|publisher=The Other Arena|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080701013753/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro122099|archivedate=July 1, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411039|title=History of the WCW Championship: Bret Hart(2)|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Hart wrestled [[Terry Funk]] to a no-contest in a non-title, hardcore rules match on the edition of January 6 of ''Thunder''. In his final match in WCW, he defended the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Kevin Nash on the edition of January 10 of ''Nitro'', which also ended in a no-contest. Hart vacated the title in late January 2000 when he was forced to withdraw from the main event of WCW's [[Souled Out 2000|Souled Out]] due to his injuries. Hart continued to make appearances on WCW television, generally cutting promos. He was an unofficial participant in a battle royal on the edition of May 3, 2000 of ''Thunder'' to determine the number one contender for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship: the extent of his involvement in the match—ultimately won by Ric Flair—was to hit Hulk Hogan with a chair and join the New Blood. It would be the last time Bret Hart had any situation involving Hogan where he wanted to fight him or even the possibly of a match between them which would never officially happen. His final WCW appearance occurred on the edition of September 6, 2000 of ''Thunder'', in a promo where he confronted Bill Goldberg on the injury he sustained nine months prior. WCW released Hart from his contract in October 2000, due to his ongoing incapacity, and he announced his retirement from professional wrestling soon afterward.


Hart's likeness would continue to be featured in WWF media into 1998, including the title video of ''Raw'' (brawling in a ring within a warehouse),<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Title video|series=WWF Raw|series-link=WWE Raw|network=[[USA Network]]|station=USA Networks, Inc|date=January 5, 1998|number=241|minutes=1}}</ref> action figure for Slammers Series 1<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.figurerealm.com/actionfigure?action=actionfigure&id=18770&figure=brethart | title=Bret Hart - WWF (Jakks Pacific) }}</ref> and the ''[[WWF War Zone]]'' video game.<ref>[https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=565&page=19 "Bret Hart: Wrestling Games"]. Cagematch.net. Retrieved May 12, 2018.</ref>
Hart and several critics considered his storylines during his tenure to be lacklustre. Hart said he was creatively handcuffed from the beginning. Former WCW wrestler Chris Jericho said the reason was the backstage politics and creative mayhem.<ref name="MondayNightWars01-6" /> Nonetheless he had, upon departing, held seven titles, including the WCW Triple Crown, and headlined multiple pay-per-views for WCW.<ref name="DVD"/><ref>Bischoff, Eric: ''Controversy Creates Cash'', [[WWE Books]], 2006 (p.265)</ref> Hart has cited his WCW World Heavyweight Championship victory at Mayhem 1999, the "steel plate" segment with Goldberg and his tribute match to Owen, against Chris Benoit, as his greatest moments with the company.<ref name="DVD"/>


=== World Championship Wrestling ===
===Retirement appearances===


==== United States Heavyweight Champion (1997–1999) ====
====World Wrestling All-Stars (2001; 2003)====
Hart's three-year contract with [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) included a salary of $2.5 million per year (a $1 million annual increase from his WWF contract), as well as a light schedule and a measure of [[artistic control|creative control]] over his television character.<ref>''Off The Record''. [[The Sports Network|TSN]]. December 3, 1997.</ref> A day after the WWF's Survivor Series pay-per-view, [[Eric Bischoff]], while with the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|New World Order]] (nWo), announced that Hart was going to be coming to WCW and joining the nWo. Hart made his debut on ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]'' on December 15, 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/nitro121597|title=WCW Nitro: December 15, 1997|date=December 15, 1997|publisher=The Other Arena|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701013554/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997%2Fnitro121597|archive-date=July 1, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was also heavily involved in that month's [[Starrcade (1997)|Starrcade]] pay-per-view. Due to a 60-day no-compete clause from the WWF, he served as the special guest referee for the match between Bischoff and [[Larry Zbyszko]]; during the [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] versus [[Hulk Hogan|Hollywood Hogan]] main event for the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]], he stepped in toward the conclusion of the match as impromptu referee, declaring Sting the winner and new champion by submission, establishing Hart as a face in the process.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G4aFAwAAQBAJ&q=sting+hogan+bret&pg=PT140|title=Death of WCW, The: 10th Anniversary Edition of the Bestselling Classic – Revised and Expanded|last1=Reynolds|first1=R. D.|last2=Alvarez|first2=Bryan|date=October 1, 2014|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=9781770906426|language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#97|title=Starrcade 1997 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> In January, his no-compete clause expired, and his first feud in WCW was against Ric Flair, as both wrestlers considered themselves the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. Hart defeated Flair at [[Souled Out (1998)|Souled Out]] in his first WCW match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/nwoppv.html#98|title=Souled Out 1998 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> After this, Hart elected to defend the honour of WCW against the nWo, defeating members [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Brian Adams]] in his debut ''Nitro'' match on March 2, and [[Curt Hennig]] at [[Uncensored (1998)|Uncensored]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#98|title=Uncensored 1998 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> In April 1998, Hart interfered in a ''Nitro'' main event between Hollywood Hogan and Randy Savage, helping Hogan recapture the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, turning heel in the process. He became an associate of the nWo, but did not officially join the group.
In 2001, Hart became the on-screen commissioner of [[World Wrestling All-Stars]] (WWA), a role that ended prematurely due to a 2002 stroke, which temporarily rendered him a [[wheelchair]] user.<ref>Gray, Richard. [http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/wwe-news/bret-hart-vince.php Bret Hart Says He's Careful About What He Does, Says Vince Is Focused As Ever & Wants To Remain King, More]. ''Wrestling News World''. February 10, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2011.</ref> In his first major appearance since recovering, Hart traveled to Australia to appear at another WWA event in May 2003.


[[File:Bret Hart in 1994.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.9|Hart held the [[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] [[List of WWE United States Champions|four time]]s from 1998 to 1999 (a record within WCW), and he was seen to raise its prestige, as many WCW events were headlined by a match for that title during the time period in which Hart was associated with it<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/classics/wcw/50-greatest-wcw-stars/page-11 The 50 Greatest Stars in WCW History: Bret Hart]. WWE. Retrieved May 24, 2012.</ref>]]
====Theater and return to the ring (2004; 2006)====
Hart competed in his second ''Nitro'' match on June 22, defeating [[Chris Benoit]] with assistance from nWo members: Hart had attempted to recruit his long-time friend into the nWo, but the offer was rejected.<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/nitro/1998.html ''Nitro'' results: June 22, 1998]. OWOW. Retrieved March 27, 2011.</ref> At [[Bash at the Beach (1998)|Bash at the Beach]], Hart competed in his first championship match in WCW when he faced [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] for the [[WCW World Television Championship]]. He was disqualified after hitting Booker with a steel chair.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#98|title=Bash at the Beach 1998 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> He headlined his first ''Nitro'' card on July 20, defeating [[Diamond Dallas Page]] for the vacant [[WWE United States Championship|United States Heavyweight Championship]], with assistance from nWo member, [[Big Show|The Giant]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411114|title=History of the United States Championship – Bret Hart(1)|access-date=December 30, 2007|publisher=WWE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050810020106/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411114|archive-date=August 10, 2005}}</ref> On the August 10 episode of ''Nitro'', Hart lost his title to [[Lex Luger]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998/nitro081098|title=Monday Nitro – August 10, 1998|date=August 10, 1998|publisher=The Other Arena|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701013614/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998%2Fnitro081098|archive-date=July 1, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> He regained it from Luger the next night on ''[[WCW Thunder|Thunder]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411123|title=History of the United States Championship – Bret Hart(2)|access-date=December 30, 2007|publisher=WWE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050730021616/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411123|archive-date=July 30, 2005}}</ref> In the main event of [[Fall Brawl (1998)|Fall Brawl]], Hart was defeated in a [[WarGames match]] for the No. 1 contender spot to the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wcwppv/fallbrawl98.html|title=Online World of Wrestling|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|date=September 13, 1998|access-date=February 21, 2011}}</ref>
Hart donned his famed "Hit Man" singlet, along with additional costume, and wrestled in-ring matches against [[Job (professional wrestling)#Jobbers|jobbers]] (playing minor villain characters) as part of his performance as the Genie in a 2004 stage production of ''[[Aladdin]]'', which capitalized on his past as a professional wrestler.<ref>"Bret Hart's stroke and his battle to survive". [[The Sports Network]]. December 6, 2004.</ref> He reprised the role in 2006.


Hart subsequently asked the fans for forgiveness, pretending to turn his back on Hogan and the nWo. A match between Hart and Hogan was booked for the September 28 episode of ''Nitro''. During the match, Hart sustained a knee injury, with the bout ending in a no-contest; [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] came to Hart's aid and initiated a match with Hogan. Hart turned on Sting, delivering a DDT, and this bout was also ruled a no-contest. Sting, a member of the rival [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|nWo Wolfpac]], was assaulted after the match; this betrayal began an intense feud between Hart and Sting. On the October 12 episode of ''Nitro'', Sting and [[The Ultimate Warrior|The Warrior]] beat Hart and Hogan by disqualification. Hart's feud with Sting ended at [[Halloween Havoc (1998)|Halloween Havoc]] with Hart controversially defending the United States Heavyweight Championship and ([[kayfabe]]) injuring Sting. On the October 26 episode of ''Nitro'', Hart lost the title to Diamond Dallas Page.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998/nitro102698|title=Monday Nitro – October 26, 1998|date=October 26, 1998|publisher=The Other Arena|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701013619/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1998%2Fnitro102698|archive-date=July 1, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The two headlined the following month's [[World War 3 (1998)|World War 3]] pay-per-view in a title match which Hart lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/ww3.html#98|title=World War 3 1998 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> Hart regained the title from Page on the November 30 episode of ''Nitro'' in a [[Hardcore match|No Disqualification match]] with help from The Giant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411312|title=History of the United States Championship: Bret Hart(3)|access-date=December 30, 2007|publisher=WWE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051202093017/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/30445411312|archive-date=December 2, 2005}}</ref>
====World Wrestling Entertainment (2005–2006)====
In mid-2005, Hart worked with the renamed World Wrestling Entertainment for the first time since 1997, contributing hours of interview footage and selecting matches for his [[WWE Home Video]] release, ''[[Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, the Best There Was, the Best There Ever Will Be]]''. He was interviewed by [[Todd Grisham]] on the edition of November 16, 2005 of ''Byte This!'', marking his first appearance on WWE programming since his departure.<ref>Clark, Ryan. [http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2005/1119/2048/ Bret Hart On Byte This Recap]. Wrestling Inc. November 19, 2005. Retrieved April 27, 2011.</ref> In April 2006, he was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] by former on-screen rival, [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] however he didn't appear at Wrestlemania 22's Hall of Fame Line up.


On the February 8, 1999, episode of ''Nitro'', Hart lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to family friend [[Roddy Piper]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro020899|title=Monday Nitro – February 8, 1999|date=February 8, 1999|publisher=The Other Arena|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701013635/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999%2Fnitro020899|archive-date=July 1, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> On the March 29 episode of ''Nitro'' held at [[Toronto]]'s [[Air Canada Centre]], Hart appeared in street clothes and derided WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair, as well as Hogan, for avoiding a match with him. Finally, he called out "franchise player" [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]], claiming he could beat him in five minutes and verbally coercing Goldberg into giving him the spear. Hart was wearing a metal [[breastplate]] under his [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] jersey, which resulted in Goldberg being knocked out. Hart then counted his own [[Pin (professional wrestling)|pinfall]] over Goldberg's unconscious body and announced over the mic: "Hey Bischoff, and the WCW, I quit!" In reality, he had sustained a [[groin]] injury at the hands of [[Dean Malenko]] in November and needed time off for surgery.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|pp=478–479}}</ref>
====Independent promotions (2007–2009)====
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">{{cite web|url=http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070509&content_id=1954651&vkey=pr_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb|title=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 pre-taped interview voicing his opinions on Vince McMahon as part of "Mr. McMahon Appreciation Night." During the months of October and November 2008, Hart went on tour with American Wrestling Rampage promotions, touring many places throughout the UK and Ireland, posing for photographs and signing autographs before the show. On the weekend of July 11, 2009, he made an appearance at [[One Pro Wrestling]] in [[Doncaster]], England, where he held a Q&A, and then entered the ring to address the fans at the show. On September 27, 2009, Hart appeared in New York City's Manhattan Center to sign autographs during a [[Ring of Honor]] event. He spoke to the crowd, reminiscing about some of his more memorable matches in New York.


On May 23, 1999, the night before Hart was scheduled to make an appearance on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'' to hype his imminent WCW return, his brother [[Owen Hart]] died in an accident during a [[Over the Edge (1999)|WWF pay-per-view]]. Hart took a further four months off from WCW to be with his family.
===Return to WWE===


Hart returned to wrestling on the September 13, 1999, episode of ''Nitro'' in a tag team match with [[Hulk Hogan]] against [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] and Lex Luger, reestablishing himself as a face in the process. On the October 4 ''Nitro'', Hart defeated [[Chris Benoit]] in a special "Owen Hart Tribute Match" at [[Kemper Arena]] in Kansas City, Missouri, where Owen had died that previous May. Hart challenged for Sting's [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] on the October 18 episode of ''Nitro'', but lost the match when he was attacked by Luger.<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/nitro/1999.html ''Nitro'' results: October 18, 1999.]. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 23, 2011.</ref> Due to controversy over a series of WCW World Heavyweight Championship matches between Sting, Hogan, and Goldberg at [[Halloween Havoc (1999)|Halloween Havoc]], the title was declared vacant. A tournament then took place over several episodes of ''Nitro''. Hart's first round match came against Goldberg the night after Halloween Havoc, with the bout being a tournament match for a berth in the next round, as well as being a match for the United States Heavyweight Championship that Goldberg had won the night before. Thanks to outside interference by [[Sid Eudy|Sid Vicious]] and [[Outsiders (professional wrestling)|The Outsiders]], Hart defeated Goldberg and won the U.S. Heavyweight Championship for the fourth time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/304454112211|title=History of the United States Championship – Bret Hart(4)|publisher=WWE|access-date=December 30, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051213033852/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/304454112211|archive-date=December 13, 2005}}</ref><ref name="ustitle"/> On the November 8 episode of ''Nitro'', Hart lost the title to Scott Hall in a [[ladder match]] that also involved Sid Vicious and Goldberg.<ref name="08NOV99">{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro110899|title=Monday Nitro – November 8, 1999|date=November 8, 1999|publisher=The Other Arena|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701013650/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999%2Fnitro110899|archive-date=July 1, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
====Feud with Vince McMahon (2009–2010)====
[[File:Bret vs HBK Jan 4 2010.jpg|right|thumb|Hart confronts Michaels on January 4, 2010.]]
Hart re-signed with WWE in late December 2009. On December 28, after weeks of controversy surrounding Hart and his presence in World Wrestling Entertainment, Chairman [[Vince McMahon]] announced that Hart would be special guest host on the January 4 ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tello|first=Craig|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/special/allspecialguesthosts/brethartreturns|title=TV Shows > Raw > Special Guest Stars > Pink and black is back|publisher=WWE|date=December 28, 2009|accessdate=2011-01-15}}</ref> Hart made his first live appearance on Raw in over 12 years by hosting the program. There, he thanked the fans for their continued support, jokingly teased announcer [[Jerry Lawler]] about their long running 1990s feud, and confronted [[Shawn Michaels]] and Vince McMahon regarding the [[Montreal Screwjob]] at [[Survivor Series (1997)|Survivor Series]] in 1997. Hart and Michaels were able to agree on a truce, shaking hands and hugging. While many cast doubts on the sincerity of their reconciliation, both men have confirmed that it was indeed genuine and [[Legit (professional wrestling)|not part of storyline]].<ref name="calgary">{{cite web|url=http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Back+Ring/2425695/story.html|title=Back in the Ring: Hart seeks closure in comeback|work=[[Calgary Sun]]|first=Heath|last=McCoy|accessdate=2010-01-11|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100408032740/http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Back+Ring/2425695/story.html|archivedate=April 8, 2010|deadurl=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2010/03/qa_with_shawn_michaels_1.html|title=Q&A with Shawn Michaels|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|first=Kevin|last=Eck|accessdate= 2010-04-04}}</ref> It also appeared that he had buried the hatchet with Vince later in the night, until Vince subsequently kicked Bret in the crotch (this was in fact part of a storyline, as Bret and Vince have been on speaking terms since 2005).<ref name="calgary"/>


==== World Heavyweight Champion and injury (1999–2000) ====
During different encounters the following month, Hart and McMahon would reproduce similar events that occurred in the Montreal Screwjob: McMahon spitting in Hart's face (as Hart did to McMahon), and Hart destroying parts of the technical equipment that goes into producing ''Raw'' (as he did to the Survivor Series equipment).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_38858.shtml|title=Caldwell's WWE RAW Report 2/8: Complete coverage of Unified tag title match, WWE champ vs. ECW champ, Hart-McMahon|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=February 8, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|accessdate=2010-02-11}}</ref> On the February 15 ''Raw'', Hart made a farewell from WWE, but as he left to go inside his limousine, another vehicle reversed into the door of his limo and injured his left leg. On the March 1 ''Raw'', Mr. McMahon, who would take advantage of Hart's condition, challenged Hart to a match at [[WrestleMania XXVI]]; Hart accepted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03012010/|title=A long, strange trip to WrestleMania|last=Adkins|first=Greg|date=March 1, 2010|publisher=[[WWE]]|accessdate=2011-02-21}}</ref> The match was later changed to a [[Hardcore wrestling|No Holds Barred Match]] as Hart revealed (with help from [["Stone Cold" Steve Austin]], the special guest host that night) the [[screenplay|staging]] of his injury. Hart, along with his [[Hart wrestling family|family]], inducted his father [[Stu Hart]] into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]], a controversial decision that aggravated Hart and McMahon's rivalry in 2010. At WrestleMania, McMahon attempted to buy Hart's family into turning against him; however, they turned against McMahon instead and helped Hart defeat McMahon.<ref name="wm26">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/26/matches/13662452|title=Bret Hart def. Mr. McMahon in a No Holds Barred Match|date=March 28, 2010|publisher=[[WWE]]|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref>
Hart won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship tournament by defeating [[Perry Saturn]],<ref name="08NOV99"/> [[Billy Kidman]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro111599|title=Monday Nitro – November 15, 1999|date=November 15, 1999|publisher=The Other Arena|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701013655/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999%2Fnitro111599|archive-date=July 1, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sting, and Chris Benoit at [[Mayhem (1999)|Mayhem]]. On December 7, Hart and Goldberg won the [[WCW World Tag Team Championship]] from Creative Control, making Hart a double champion. Hart and Goldberg lost the tag team titles to The Outsiders on the December 13 episode of ''Nitro''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro121399|title=Monday Nitro – December 13, 1999|date=December 13, 1999|publisher=The Other Arena|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701013700/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999%2Fnitro121399|archive-date=July 1, 2008|url-status=dead}}</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#super kick|thrust 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#99|title=Starrcade 1999 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> For example, Hart placed Goldberg on the post in a [[Professional wrestling holds#Figure-four leglock|figure four leglock]] which ended with Hart hitting his head on the concrete floor when Goldberg failed to receive the move correctly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1999123p.htm|title=WCW Starrcade Sunday, December 19, 1999|date=December 19, 1999|publisher=DDTDigest}}</ref> The sum total of those injuries left Hart with [[post-concussion syndrome]] and ultimately forced his retirement from professional wrestling. Hart later claimed that Goldberg "had a tendency to injure everyone he worked with".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brethart.com/bio/columns/story-about-goldberg-jericho|title=Story about Goldberg & Jericho|date=May 9, 2003|publisher=brethart.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122071313/http://www.brethart.com/bio/columns/story-about-goldberg-jericho|archive-date=January 22, 2008}}</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"/> Referee Roddy Piper rang the bell when Hart held Goldberg in the Sharpshooter, although Goldberg did not submit. Piper simply walked away, leaving both Goldberg and Hart bewildered.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/dec20_starrcade.html|title=Goldberg screwed at Starrcade|first=John|last=Powell|date=December 20, 1999|publisher=SLAM! Sports|access-date=June 14, 2008|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722084502/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/dec20_starrcade.html|archive-date=July 22, 2012}}</ref>


Out of respect for Goldberg, Hart vacated the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on the December 20 episode of ''Nitro'' and suggested that he, without the [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Championship advantage|championship advantage]], face Goldberg that night to determine the true champion. During the match, [[Scott Hall]] and [[Kevin Nash]] came to the ring looking to attack Goldberg with baseball bats. Hart convinced them to stop, then hit Goldberg with one of the bats, turning heel once again. The three continued to beat down Goldberg and were eventually joined by [[Jeff Jarrett]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/nitro99.htm|title=WCW Monday Nitro 1999|publisher=The History of WWE|access-date=January 15, 2011}}</ref> Hart regained the championship, even though it was Roddy Piper who was covering Goldberg (to try and protect him) when the three count was made. The [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|nWo]] was reformed (now billed as "nWo 2000").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/nitro122099|title=Monday Nitro – December 20, 1999|date=December 20, 1999|publisher=The Other Arena|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701013753/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999%2Fnitro122099|archive-date=July 1, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411039|title=History of the WCW Championship: Bret Hart(2)|access-date=December 30, 2007|publisher=WWE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229010502/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411039|archive-date=December 29, 2007}}</ref> Hart wrestled [[Terry Funk]] to a no contest in a non-title, hardcore rules match on the January 6 episode of ''Thunder''. In his final match in WCW, he defended the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Nash on the January 10 episode of ''Nitro'', which also ended in a no contest. Hart vacated the title in late January 2000 when he was forced to withdraw from the main event of WCW's [[Souled Out (2000)|Souled Out]] due to his injuries. Hart continued to make appearances on WCW television, generally cutting promos. On the May 3 episode of ''Thunder'', Hart made a run in during an over the top rope battle royal where he hit Hogan with a chair. His final WCW appearance occurred on the September 6, 2000, episode of ''Thunder'', in a promo where he confronted Goldberg on the injury he sustained nine months prior. WCW terminated Hart's contract via FedEx letter on October 20, 2000, due to his ongoing incapacity, and he announced his retirement from professional wrestling 6 days later on October 26, 2000.<ref name="retirement"/>
====United States Champion and Raw general manager (2010)====
[[File:Bret.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Hart with WWE in 2010.]]
On the ''Raw'' episode after WrestleMania, Hart was about to announce his farewell from WWE until Unified [[WWE Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Champions]] [[ShoMiz]] taunted Hart. This led Hart to request a match between the champions and [[The Hart Dynasty]] ([[David Hart Smith]] and [[Tyson Kidd]]), a stable stemmed from the Hart family. Ultimately, the Dynasty would win a championship match that culminated in them winning the championship on April 26. Hart would manage in the Dynasty's corners while they battled with the Miz and Show in various matches, which eventually led to The Miz losing a match that guaranteed a [[WWE United States Championship]] match to a Hart family member against him. Instead of choosing a member of the Dynasty, The Miz chose Bret; with the help of the Dynasty, Hart would defeat The Miz to win his record-tying fifth United States Championship on May 17 in [[Toronto]], Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05172010/|title=Without limits|last=Adkins|first=Greg|date=May 17, 2010|accessdate=February 21, 2011}}</ref>


Hart and several critics considered his storylines during his tenure to be lacklustre.<ref name="DVD"/><ref>Bischoff, Eric: ''Controversy Creates Cash'', [[WWE Books]], 2006 (p.265)</ref> Former WCW wrestler [[Chris Jericho]] attributed this to backstage politics and creative mayhem.<ref name="MondayNightWars01-6"/> Hart cited his "steel plate" segment with Goldberg and his tribute match to Owen, against Chris Benoit, as his two worthwhile moments with the company. He said he was "proud" to have been WCW World Heavyweight Champion for a short time prior to his injury.<ref name="DVD"/>
On the edition of May 24 of ''Raw'', Hart was named the new [[Professional wrestling authority figures|general manager]] of Raw. He set up qualifying matches for Fatal 4-Way Pay-per-view, but one of which involving the injured [[Dave Batista|Batista]] and [[Randy Orton]]. Batista refused to take part and quit the WWE. He vacated the United States title, which was later won by [[Ron Killings|R-Truth]], and once again retired from the ring to fulfill his duties as general manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1274757307|title=Raw Results – May 24, 2010|date=May 24, 2010|last=Martin|first=Adam|accessdate=2010-06-22|work=WrestleView}}</ref> The next week, he was confronted by Vince McMahon who congratulated Hart on becoming general manager but warned him that he would have to make tough decisions in the future. Hart retaliated by declaring a Viewer's Choice episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1275362557|title=Raw Results – May 31, 2010|date=May 31, 2010|last=Martin|first=Adam|accessdate=2010-06-22|work=WrestleView}}</ref> The week after the Viewer's Choice episode, he confronted the NXT rookies who demanded WWE contracts. Hart denied their requests and fired NXT Season 1 winner [[Wade Barrett]]. At the end of the night, the NXT rookies attacked Hart and demanded for contracts giving Hart until the [[WWE Fatal 4-Way|Fatal 4-Way]] pay per view for his answer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1276572395|title=Raw Results – June 14, 2010|date=June 14, 2010|last=Stephens|first=David|accessdate=2010-06-22|work=WrestleView}}</ref> Hart legitimately did not appear at the pay-per-view or the following night's ''Raw'' as advertised. On ''Raw'', Vince McMahon scolded Hart for failing to appear at the pay-per-view, and to hire extra security to prevent the "chaos" caused by the NXT rookies, relieving him of his duties as general manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_42106.shtml|title=WWE Raw results 6/21: Keller's report on the fallout from the Fatal 4-Way PPV event, Jericho puts his career on the line|date=June 21, 2010|last=Keller|first=Wade|accessdate=2010-06-22|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Hart's profile was subsequently removed from the ''Raw'' roster on WWE.com. Some speculated that Hart had left the company, with the most commonly reported explanation being that [[Lloyd's of London]], with whom he has an insurance settlement following his career-ending injury in WCW, were unhappy with the level of physicality involved in his WWE appearances.<ref>[http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/3026487/Bret-Hart-has-left-WWE-at-the-same-time-as-the-widow-of-his-brother-Owen-announced-she-is-suing-the-company.html "WWE suffer Hart problems"]. McNichol, Rob. ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]''. Retrieved June 23, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://headlineplanet.com/home/2010/06/22/bret-hart-done-with-wwe-details-on-raw-storyline/ "Bret Hart Done With WWE?"]. Headline Planet. Retrieved June 22, 2010.</ref>


=== Independent wrestling appearances (2001–2009) ===
After a five-week absence from WWE programming, Hart returned to ''Raw'' on July 19, where it was announced by [[John Cena]] that he, [[The Great Khali]], [[R-Truth (wrestler)|R-Truth]], [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]], [[Chris Jericho]], [[John Morrison (wrestler)|John Morrison]], and Hart would face the NXT rookies, now known as [[The Nexus (professional wrestling)|The Nexus]], at [[SummerSlam (2010)|SummerSlam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1279596135|title=Raw Results – July 19, 2010|work=WrestleView|last=Stephens|first=David|date=July 19, 2010|accessdate=2010-07-21}}</ref> The following week, Hart teamed with [[John Cena]] to wrestle SummerSlam teammates [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] and [[Chris Jericho]] to a no contest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/08/10/14974251.html|title=RAW: Team WWE makes a stand|date=August 10, 2010|last=Plummer|first=Dale|accessdate=December 23, 2012|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> In the SummerSlam main event, Hart's first pay-per-view headlining match since [[Starrcade (1999)|Starrcade 1999]], he was disqualified for using a steel chair on [[Ryback|Skip Sheffield]]. However, his team went on to win the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2010/08/15/15031141.html|title=Rumored return helps Team WWE fend off Nexus at SummerSlam|date=August 15, 2010|last=Plummer|first=Dale|author2=Tylwalk, Nick|accessdate=2010-08-16|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canoe.ca]]}}</ref> On the edition of August 16 of ''Raw'', Bret Hart introduced the new tag team title belts to the champions, The Hart Dynasty. Later on in the night during The Nexus vs. Raw challenge, Hart was scheduled to face [[Justin Gabriel]], but was unable to compete after the anonymous GM, citing his disdain for Hart, removed him from the match and replaced him with [[Randy Orton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1282015348|title=Raw Results – August 16, 2010|date=August 16, 2010|last=Stephens|first=David|accessdate=2010-08-18|work=WrestleView}}</ref> On August 30 Hart appeared on the 900th episode of ''Raw'' and was booked in a match against The Undertaker by the anonymous general manager. The match, however, would never take place as The Undertaker was assaulted by The Nexus and [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_43450.shtml|title=Caldwell's WWE Raw results 8/30: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live Raw No. 900 – Nexus vs. Team WWE|date=August 30, 2010|last=Caldwell|first=James|accessdate=2010-08-31|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On September 25, 2010, WWE hosted a tribute event to Hart in [[Madison Square Garden]], where he and the Hart Dynasty defeated Nexus members [[Heath Slater]], Justin Gabriel and [[Michael Tarver]] in a six-man tag team match, when Gabriel submitted to Hart's Sharpshooter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_44049.shtml|title=9/25 WWE results in New York City at MSG: Bret Hart tribute night, Nexus vs. Harts – Raw announcer special referee, Street Fight main event|date=September 26, 2010|last=Omansky|first=Mike|accessdate=2010-09-26|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> At ''Raw'' on October 18, 2010, Hart made an appearance in his hometown of Calgary, working as the special enforcer in the main event [[dark match]] between Randy Orton, [[Sheamus]] and Wade Barrett and, after the match, saved Orton from a Nexus beatdown and locked Heath Slater in a Sharpshooter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/10/19/15746171.html|title=Hart-felt return makes lackluster RAW memorable|date=October 19, 2010|last=Clevett|first=Jason|accessdate=2010-10-20|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canoe.ca|Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> In November 2010, Hart's WWE contract had expired.<ref>Middleton, Mark [http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/17014 Bret Hart’s WWE Status, Survivor Series DVD News, More] ProWrestling.com. November 26, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.ifight365.com/2010/11/update-on-bret-harts-wwe-contract-status-future/ Update On Bret Hart’s WWE Contract Status & Future]. iFight365.com. November 25, 2010.</ref><ref>Windham, Jack. [http://bleacherreport.com/articles/526781-bret-hart-should-come-back-to-wwe-and-help-his-relatives-out Bret Hart Should Come Back to WWE and Help His Relatives Out]. [[Bleacher Report]]. November 24, 2010.</ref>
In 2001, Hart became the on-screen commissioner of [[World Wrestling All-Stars]] (WWA), a role that ended prematurely due to a 2002 stroke, which temporarily required him to use a [[wheelchair]].<ref>Gray, Richard. [http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/wwe-news/bret-hart-vince.php Bret Hart Says He's Careful About What He Does, Says Vince Is Focused As Ever & Wants To Remain King, More] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105132425/http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/wwe-news/bret-hart-vince.php |date=November 5, 2011 }}. ''Wrestling News World''. February 10, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2011.</ref> In his first major appearance since recovering, Hart travelled to [[Auckland]], New Zealand to appear at another WWA event in May 2003.<ref name="The Day of (WWA: The) Reckoning">{{cite web|url=http://www.nzpwi.co.nz/2016/05/the-day-of-wwa-the-reckoning/|title=The Day of (WWA: The) Reckoning|publisher=NZPWI|access-date=September 12, 2018|date=May 26, 2016}}</ref>


In 2007, Hart signed autographs at "The Legends of Wrestling" show at the [[Tropicana Field]] in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]].<ref name="Legends of Wrestling">{{cite web|url=http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070509&content_id=1954651&vkey=pr_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb|title=Bret Hart returns to Pro Wrestling|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012223835/http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070509&content_id=1954651&vkey=pr_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb|archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref> On the weekend of July 11, 2009, he made an appearance at [[One Pro Wrestling]] in [[Doncaster]], England, where he held a Q&A, and then entered the ring to address the fans at the show. On September 27, 2009, Hart appeared in New York City's Manhattan Center to sign autographs during a [[Ring of Honor]] event. He spoke to the crowd, reminiscing about some of his more memorable matches in New York.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://insidepulse.com/2009/05/11/bret-hart-interview-why-roh-and-not-tna/|title=Bret Hart Interview: Why ROH And Not TNA?|author=Curran, Brad |publisher=Insidepulse.com|date=May 11, 2009|access-date=March 12, 2016}}</ref>
====Sporadic appearances (2011–present)====
Hart appeared on WWE.com's ''Legends of Wrestling: Rivalries'' on March 23, 2011, discussing the greatest professional wrestling rivalries of all time with other prominent industry figures. On the edition of April 25, 2011 of ''[[WWE Tough Enough|Tough Enough]]'', the contestants focused on developing their agility. Hart, who was described in his introduction by host Steve Austin as the personification of "courage, technique and agility", motivated the contestants by giving a talk on the attributes required to be successful in WWE.<ref>[http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/wwe-news/tonight-on-wwe-tough-enough-bret-hart-visits-the-contestants.php Tonight On WWE Tough Enough – Bret Hart Visits The Contestants<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> On May 22 at [[Over the Limit (2011)|Over the Limit]], Hart's long-running 1990s rival, [[Jerry Lawler]], defeated [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]] in a Kiss My Foot match. Harking back to Hart's victory over Lawler in a [[professional wrestling match types#Kiss My Foot match|Kiss My Foot Match]] at the [[King of the Ring (1995)|1995]] [[King of the Ring]], Hart came to the ring after the match and, along with [[Jim Ross]] and [[Eve Torres]], forced Michael Cole back into the ring so he could kiss Lawler's foot, as agreed in the pre-match stipulation; Hart placed Cole in the Sharpshooter to accomplish this. Hart and Lawler then embraced, laying past animosities to rest. The following night on ''Raw'', Hart refereed the main event, which saw [[John Cena]] and [[Rey Mysterio]] defeat [[R-Truth (wrestler)|R-Truth]] and [[CM Punk]] with Hart's assistance. On the August 23, 2011 tapings of the edition of August 26, 2011 of ''SmackDown'', Hart served as guest general manager. Hart announced that [[Mark Henry]] would get a shot at [[Randy Orton]]'s [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] the following week, but he was forced to give [[Christian (wrestler)|Christian]] a title shot instead, after Christian invoked his rematch clause. Hart, however, used his authority to add a steel cage stipulation to the match. Hart also [[Special guest referee|guest refereed]] a [[hardcore wrestling|Street Fight]] between Randy Orton and Christian in a Dark Match. After the match, Christian squared off with Bret, who applied the [[sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|sharpshooter]] on Christian. On September 12, 2011 Hart appeared on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' and was placed in a tag team match with [[John Cena]] against [[Alberto Del Rio]] and [[Ricardo Rodriguez (wrestler)|Ricardo Rodriguez]] which he won after putting Rodriguez into a [[sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|sharpshooter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gerweck.net/2011/09/12/live-raw-supershow-recap/|title=Detailed 9/12 Raw Super show}}</ref> Later that week on Smackdown, which was filmed in Toronto, he took part in a post-show tribute for one of his biggest fans (who also was forced to retire early, due to injuries), [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]].


=== Return to WWE ===
Hart appeared on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw 1000]]'' on July 23, 2012 as the guest ring announcer for the Intercontinental Championship match between then champion [[Christian (wrestler)|Christian]] and [[The Miz]]. On the September 10 ''Raw'', Hart interviewed [[John Cena]] during which [[CM Punk]] interrupted. When Punk tried to punch him, Hart countered the attack and punched him right on the face, forcing him to roll out of the ring. He closed the show celebrating with Cena. Bret Hart then made an appearance at the 2013 Royal Rumble, in a segment with Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez. Hart appeared on the March 25 ''Raw'' alongside other legends, as they interviewed The Rock and John Cena. He also encouraged Daniel Bryan the next week to be tough, but [[Team Hell No]] would lose to [[The Shield (professional wrestling)|The Shield]] later on anyway.


==== WWE Hall of Fame (2004–2007) ====
On the post show of May 27, 2013 ''Raw'', Bret was honored by the city of [[Calgary]] and the [[WWE]] with a ''Bret Hart Appreciation Night'' which honored the work that Hart had done over his career. [[Pat Patterson (wrestler)|Pat Patterson]], [[Chris Jericho]], [[Shawn Michaels]] and [[Vince McMahon]] were inside the ring to pay their own tributes to Bret.
In 2004, Bret Hart appeared in a WWE game for the first time since 1998's ''[[WWF War Zone]]'' in the [[GameCube]] game ''[[WWE Day of Reckoning]]'' followed by ''[[WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw]]'' on the [[PlayStation 2]]. In mid-2005, Hart worked with the renamed World Wrestling Entertainment for the first time since 1997, contributing hours of interview footage and selecting matches for his [[WWE Home Video]] release, ''[[Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, the Best There Was, the Best There Ever Will Be]]''. He returned to WWE programming as a guest on the November 16 episode of web series, ''Byte This''.<ref name="pwtorchbyte">{{cite web|title= Interview Highlights: Byte This – Bret Hart has high praises for Kurt, Curt, and Eric |publisher=pwtorch.com| url= http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_15404.shtml}}</ref>


On April 1, 2006, Hart was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] [[WWE Hall of Fame (2006)|class of 2006]] by [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]. He did not appear alongside his fellow inductees at [[WrestleMania 22]] the following night. 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".
Bret was on the Pre-show of the first ever NXT Special Event Arrival as part of an expert panel including Kevin Nash and Paul Heyman. He appeared on the March 27, 2014 episode of NXT being in the corner of his niece Nattie. He was in her corner at the second NXT Special called NXT Takeover. He appeared on the July 7 episode of RAW in a segment with Damien Sandow he also appeared on The Main Event the following day.


==== In-ring return and second retirement (2010–2011) ====
==Legacy==
[[File:Bret vs HBK Jan 4 2010.jpg|right|thumb|Hart confronts Michaels on January 4, 2010]]
[[File:Bretplaque.jpg|right|upright|thumb|Bret Hart accepts his induction into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. July 15 2006]]
On December 28, 2009, after weeks of speculation surrounding Hart and his presence in World Wrestling Entertainment, Vince McMahon announced that Hart would be special guest host on the January 4, 2010 episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tello|first=Craig|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/special/allspecialguesthosts/brethartreturns|title=TV Shows > Raw > Special Guest Stars > Pink and black is back|publisher=WWE|date=December 28, 2009|access-date=January 15, 2011}}</ref> Hart thanked the fans for their continued support, jokingly teased announcer [[Jerry Lawler]] about their long-running 1990s feud, and confronted [[Shawn Michaels]] and McMahon regarding the [[Montreal Screwjob]] at [[Survivor Series (1997)|Survivor Series]] in 1997. Hart and Michaels were able to agree on a truce, shaking hands and hugging. While many cast doubts on the sincerity of their reconciliation, both men have confirmed that it was indeed genuine and [[Legit (professional wrestling)|not part of storyline]].<ref name="calgary">{{cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/Back+Ring/2425695/story.html|title=Back in the Ring: Hart seeks closure in comeback|work=[[Calgary Sun]]|first=Heath|last=McCoy|access-date=January 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408032740/http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Back%2BRing/2425695/story.html|archive-date=April 8, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2010/03/qa_with_shawn_michaels_1.html|title=Q&A with Shawn Michaels|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|first=Kevin|last=Eck|access-date=April 4, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330074622/http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2010/03/qa_with_shawn_michaels_1.html|archive-date=March 30, 2010}}</ref> It also appeared that he had buried the hatchet with McMahon later in the night, until McMahon subsequently kicked Bret in the crotch (this was in fact part of a storyline, as Hart and McMahon had been on speaking terms since 2005).<ref name="calgary"/>
Bret Hart is and will forever be known as being The Best There Is, The Best There Was, and The Best There Ever Will Be.
Hart has been credited by WWE and prominent industry figures as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.<ref name="wwebio"/><ref name="DVD">''[[Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be]]'' (aka "''The Bret Hart Story''"), [[WWE Home Video]] (2005)</ref> WWE has also described him as one of the biggest names in the history of the business,<ref name="wwetitle"/><ref name="mountieic">[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322444 History of the Intercontinental Championship: "The Mountie"]. WWE. Retrieved August 5, 2010.</ref> and said of his popularity, "In the mid '90s, there were very few, if any, Superstars as popular as Bret "Hit Man" Hart."<ref name="darkdays">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/theirdarkdays/|title=Their Dark Days: How can you be so Hart-less?|work=[[WWE]]|first=James|last=Vermillion|accessdate=2009-12-07}}</ref> WCW said, "Bret "Hit Man" Hart [is] perhaps the greatest pure wrestler ever to lace up a pair of boots. Universally respected by other wrestlers, Hart is almost as controversial as he is technically adept." The organization also called Hart "an incredible international draw, attracting standing room only crowds in every corner of the globe."<ref name="wcw">''WCW: The Ultimate Guide''. [[Dorling Kindersley|DK Books]]. 2000. (p.104-105)</ref> Since Hart's retirement, WWE chairman [[Vince McMahon]] has described him as the greatest technical wrestler and storyteller in the history of the business, and as having given the best match of the night every time he wrestled.<ref>''Bret Hart Story'' (2005). [[Vince McMahon]]: "His technical skills and knack for storytelling are basically unparalleled... [an] extraordinary star who you know is going to give you the best match of the night every time he goes out there".</ref> [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]],<ref>''Bret Hart Story'' (2005). [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]: (On their WrestleMania 13 submission match): "Anyone who's been in the ring with Bret knows how talented he is"... "that was the match of the year, that was awesome".</ref> [[The Undertaker]],<ref>[[The Undertaker]] interview. ''[[The Score Television Network|The Score]]''. 2003. "Some of my favorite matches are with [Bret Hart]... to this day I think my matches with Bret were some of the best."</ref> [[Shawn Michaels]],<ref>{{cite episode|title=Off The Record|network=[[The Sports Network|TSN]]|airdate=2003|minutes=20}} [[Shawn Michaels]] discussing his matches at [[WrestleMania]]. ''The [[WrestleMania XII|hour with Bret]], is that number one?'' "If it's not number one it's one and a half for sure"... "I loved wrestling him, I really did. You could go out there and just have a wrestling match with him – it was a sheer joy to be in the ring with him." ''You used to watch him backstage and think, 'that guy is unbelievable', didn't you?'' "I did, yeah. I used to think: 'I'd like to be out there with him'."</ref> [[Curt Hennig]],<ref>On ''Pro Wrestling Radio,'' [[Curt Hennig]] discussing his best in-ring moments. ''In your career, what are some of your more memorable matches that stand out to you?" I'll definitely have to say Bret Hart ... Bret Hart is probably the standout ... Out of all the matches I had, probably the best match I ever had would be with Bret Hart ... I have a good thing with Bret forever. Cf. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfrGRdgMY0A</ref> [[Chris Benoit]],<ref>''Bret Hart Story'' (2005). [[Chris Benoit]]: "The times that I was in the ring with Bret, those matches are up on a pedestal".</ref> [[Roddy Piper]],<ref>''Bret Hart Story'' (2005). [[Roddy Piper]]: (On their WrestleMania VIII match) "One of the few guys who has a 'total package'"... "I think he's one great man".</ref> [[Bam Bam Bigelow]],<ref>[[Bam Bam Bigelow]] shoot interview. ''RF Video''. 1998. On his [[King of the Ring (1993)|1993 King of the Ring]] final match with Hart: "One of the best matches in my career... Bret's just such a talent."</ref> [[Arn Anderson]],<ref>''Top 50 Superstars of All Time'' (2010). [[Arn Anderson]]: "Bret Hart is the vehicle that you've always dreamed of and it turned out you put 300,000 miles on it, and it cranked every single day."..."He was very consistent during periods of time when there wasn't a lot of consistency."</ref> and other wrestlers<ref>''Bret Hart Story'' (2005). [[Road Warrior Animal]]: (speaking on in-ring opponents): "I put Bret number two or three best of all time, technician-wise".</ref><ref>''Bret Hart Story'' (2005). [[Steve Lombardi]]: "One of the soundest"... "I've ever worked with in the ring".</ref> have named Hart as one of their favorite opponents. Veteran AWA, WWF/E and WCW announcer [[Gene Okerlund]] has asserted that Hart should appear in anyone's list of the top ten greatest wrestlers of all time.<ref>''Bret Hart Story'' (2005). [[Gene Okerlund]]: "Got to be in anyone's book... as one of the top ten greatest wrestlers of all time".</ref> WWE officials including [[Bruce Prichard]],<ref>''Top 50 Superstars of All Time'' (2010). [[Bruce Prichard]]: "To watch Bret a lot of times was like watching a wrestling clinic."</ref> [[Matt Striker]],<ref>''Top 50 Superstars of All Time'' (2010). [[Matt Striker]]: "Everyone knows that the Excellence of Execution belongs to Bret "The Hitman" Hart."</ref> and [[Jim Ross]],<ref>''Bret Hart Story'' (2005). [[Jim Ross]]: "You always, always knew what you were going to get from Bret Hart, and that was quality, and you were going to get a story told."</ref> have all praised Hart's wrestling ability and dedication to the business. Olympic [[wrestling]] [[gold medalist]] and former [[WWE Champion]] [[Kurt Angle]] said of Hart: "I consider him one of ''the'' absolute best ever. He earned my respect. I used to watch matches of him so that I could learn the psychology of wrestling... in that ring, as a technician, there wasn't anybody better."<ref>"Orlando Quinones Interviews Kurt Angle Part 2," link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr1TgdxhJ_k</ref>


During different encounters the following month, Hart and McMahon reproduced events similar to those that occurred in the Montreal Screwjob: McMahon spitting in Hart's face (as Hart did to McMahon), and Hart destroying parts of the technical equipment that goes into producing ''Raw'' (as he did to the Survivor Series equipment).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_38858.shtml|title=Caldwell's WWE RAW Report 2/8: Complete coverage of Unified tag title match, WWE champ vs. ECW champ, Hart-McMahon|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=February 8, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=February 11, 2010}}</ref> On the February 15 ''Raw'', Hart made a farewell from WWE, but as he left to go inside his limousine, another vehicle reversed into the door of his limo and injured his left leg. On the March 1 ''Raw'', McMahon challenged Hart to a match at [[WrestleMania XXVI]]; Hart accepted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03012010/|title=A long, strange trip to WrestleMania|last=Adkins|first=Greg|date=March 1, 2010|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=February 21, 2011}}</ref> The match was later changed to a [[Hardcore wrestling|No Holds Barred match]] as Hart revealed (with help from [["Stone Cold" Steve Austin]], the special guest host that night) the [[screenplay|staging]] of his injury. Hart, along with his [[Hart wrestling family|family]], inducted his father [[Stu Hart]] into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] [[WWE Hall of Fame (2010)|class of 2010]], a controversial decision that aggravated Hart and McMahon's rivalry in 2010. At WrestleMania, McMahon paid the Hart family to betray Bret. They doublecrossed McMahon instead and helped him lose.<ref name="wm26">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/26/matches/13662452|title=Bret Hart def. Mr. McMahon in a No Holds Barred Match|date=March 28, 2010|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=December 23, 2012}}</ref>
Veteran commentator and [[WWE Hall of Fame]]r [[Jim Ross]] has said: "Bret was one ofthe best in ring performers I ever saw and could maximize the presentation of a match with any talent with whom he was booked ... Just loved his skill set and his ability to get a good to great match out of virtually everyone that he worked with. I can't remember calling any 'bad matches' with Bret involved. Can't say that about many people. The business today would be better off with more Bret Hart's in it. Class act. Tough guy. Great friend." <ref>http://www.jrsbarbq.com/jrs-qa</ref>


[[File:Picture of Bret Hart in Montreal.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Hart with WWE in 2010]]
Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) readers voted Hart the greatest wrestler of 1993 and 1994 in the "[[PWI 500]]",<ref name="pwi#1"/> as well as the "[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year|Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year]]" 1994.<ref name="pwiinsp"/> He was voted "WWF Superstar of the Year" 1993 by fans.<ref name="soty"/> PWI ranked him No. 4 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#All-Time Top Fives|PWI Years]]" in 2003, after Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and André the Giant.<ref name="pwiyears"/> WWE has also credited Hart as the top "Submission Specialist" in professional wrestling history,<ref name="vids.wwe.com">[http://vids.wwe.com/10712/wwecom-countdown-top-10-submissi WWE.com Countdown: Top 10 Submission Specialists]. WWE. December 22, 2010.</ref> and for popularizing the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]], named by the organization as the most devastating submission hold in professional wrestling history.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/top25/top25submissions/ "The Top 25 Most Devastating Submission Maneuvers"]. WWE. Retrieved August 6, 2010.</ref>
Hart stood with [[The Hart Dynasty]] ([[David Hart Smith]] and [[Tyson Kidd]]), a stable stemmed from the Hart family, throughout their feud with [[ShoMiz]] ([[Big Show]] and [[The Miz]]); they ultimately won the [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Championship]] on April 26. When The Miz lost a match that guaranteed a [[WWE United States Championship]] match to a Hart family member, he chose Bret; with the help of the Dynasty, Hart defeated The Miz to win his fifth United States Championship on May 17 in [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]], Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05172010/|title=Without limits|last=Adkins|first=Greg|date=May 17, 2010|access-date=February 21, 2011}}</ref> On the May 24 episode of ''Raw'', Hart was named the new [[Professional wrestling authority figures|general manager]] of [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]. His first orders included vacating his United States Championship, which [[Ron Killings|R-Truth]] won, and setting up qualifying matches for [[WWE Fatal 4-Way|Fatal 4-Way]], which the injured [[Dave Batista|Batista]] took exception to and quit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1274757307|title=Raw Results – May 24, 2010|date=May 24, 2010|last=Martin|first=Adam|access-date=June 22, 2010|work=WrestleView|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528081824/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1274757307|archive-date=May 28, 2010}}</ref> The next week, Hart declared a Viewer's Choice episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1275362557|title=Raw Results – May 31, 2010|date=May 31, 2010|last=Martin|first=Adam|access-date=June 22, 2010|work=WrestleView|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602190224/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1275362557|archive-date=June 2, 2010}}</ref> He was attacked by [[The Nexus (professional wrestling)|NXT rookies]] after firing [[Wade Barrett]] and declining to offer them contracts on the June 14 episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1276572395|title=Raw Results – June 14, 2010|date=June 14, 2010|last=Stephens|first=David|access-date=June 22, 2010|work=WrestleView|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617191322/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1276572395|archive-date=June 17, 2010}}</ref> A week later, McMahon fired Hart as general manager for failing to control the rookies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_42106.shtml|title=WWE Raw results 6/21: Keller's report on the fallout from the Fatal 4-Way PPV event, Jericho puts his career on the line|date=June 21, 2010|last=Keller|first=Wade|access-date=June 22, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>


Hart returned five weeks later, where it was announced by [[John Cena]] that he, [[The Great Khali]], [[R-Truth (wrestler)|R-Truth]], [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]], [[Chris Jericho]], [[John Morrison (wrestler)|John Morrison]] and Hart would face the NXT rookies, now known as [[The Nexus (professional wrestling)|The Nexus]], at [[SummerSlam (2010)|SummerSlam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1279596135|title=Raw Results – July 19, 2010|work=WrestleView|last=Stephens|first=David|date=July 19, 2010|access-date=July 21, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723132939/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1279596135|archive-date=July 23, 2010}}</ref> The following week, Hart teamed with Cena to wrestle SummerSlam teammates Edge and Chris Jericho to a no contest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/08/10/14974251.html|title=RAW: Team WWE makes a stand|date=August 10, 2010|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=December 23, 2012|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=July 17, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717223623/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/08/10/14974251.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> In the SummerSlam main event, he was disqualified for using a steel chair on [[Ryback|Skip Sheffield]]; his team ultimately won the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2010/08/15/15031141.html|title=Rumored return helps Team WWE fend off Nexus at SummerSlam|date=August 15, 2010|last=Plummer|first=Dale|author2=Tylwalk, Nick|access-date=August 16, 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canoe.ca]]|archive-date=June 30, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630095657/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2010/08/15/15031141.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> On the August 16, episode of ''Raw'', Hart introduced the new tag team title belts to the champions, The Hart Dynasty. Later on in the night during The Nexus vs. ''Raw'' challenge, Hart was scheduled to face Justin Gabriel, but was unable to compete after the [[Anonymous Raw General Manager]], citing his disdain for Hart, removed him from the match and replaced him with [[Randy Orton]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1282015348 |title=Raw Results – August 16, 2010 |date=August 16, 2010 |last=Stephens |first=David |access-date=August 18, 2010 |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819043444/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1282015348 |archive-date=August 19, 2010 }}</ref> On September 25, WWE hosted a tribute event to Hart in [[Madison Square Garden]], where he and the Hart Dynasty defeated Nexus members [[Heath Slater]], Justin Gabriel and [[Michael Tarver]] in a six-man tag team match, when Gabriel submitted to Hart's Sharpshooter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_44049.shtml|title=9/25 WWE results in New York City at MSG: Bret Hart tribute night, Nexus vs. Harts – Raw announcer special referee, Street Fight main event|date=September 26, 2010|last=Omansky|first=Mike|access-date=September 26, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> In November 2010, Hart's WWE contract had expired.<ref>Middleton, Mark [https://web.archive.org/web/20101129000520/http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/17014 Bret Hart's WWE Status, Survivor Series DVD News, More] ProWrestling.com. November 26, 2010.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101129023210/http://www.ifight365.com/2010/11/update-on-bret-harts-wwe-contract-status-future/ Update On Bret Hart's WWE Contract Status & Future]. iFight365.com. November 25, 2010.</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]] during the televised portion of the competition. Hart said he would be done with professional wrestling following his U.S. book tour. He believed his wrestling career would be complete after saying good-bye to his American fans on various book signing tours to promote its release in the States. Hart was content saying good-bye to wrestling through his book and not working for a promotion after spending seven years on the project. "I'd be happy being remembered for really brilliant storytelling in my matches, not for some last chance to snap up some money," Hart said. "I respectfully understand my light in wrestling is fading. I can live with that." Hart said he nearly gave up on the project while trying to fight with the illnesses he faced after suffering a stroke in 2002. However, Hart wanted to bring closure on his wrestling career. "A lot of times, I thought about giving up because it was hard reliving some of these events. But I couldn't say goodbye to my wrestling character until I finished."


Hart has made infrequent appearances in minor roles, appearing on the April 25, 2011 episode of ''[[WWE Tough Enough|Tough Enough]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/wwe-news/tonight-on-wwe-tough-enough-bret-hart-visits-the-contestants.php |title=Tonight On WWE Tough Enough – Bret Hart Visits The Contestants<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=April 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430001052/http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/wwe-news/tonight-on-wwe-tough-enough-bret-hart-visits-the-contestants.php |archive-date=April 30, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> At [[Over the Limit (2011)|Over the Limit]], Hart came to the support of his long-running 1990s rival, [[Jerry Lawler]], forcing [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]] to kiss Lawler's foot. The following night on ''Raw'', Hart refereed the main event, which saw [[John Cena]] and [[Rey Mysterio]] defeat [[Ron Killings|R-Truth]] and [[CM Punk]] with Hart's assistance. On the August 23, 2011, tapings of ''SmackDown'' (aired August 26), Hart served as guest general manager. On September 12 tapings of ''Raw'' in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Hart teamed with John Cena in a match against [[Alberto Del Rio]] and [[Ricardo Rodriguez (wrestler)|Ricardo Rodriguez]], which he won after putting Rodriguez into a sharpshooter. This was Hart's final match.
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=March 6, 2006|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 declined the offer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingepicenter.com/articles/139448686.shtml|title=McMahon-Hart|accessdate=2007-11-28}}</ref> On April 1, 2006, Hart was inducted by "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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania22/2006/04/02/pf-1515997.html|title=Hall of Fame inductions sincere and entertaining|author=Oliver, Greg|work=Slam! Wrestling|publisher=[[Canoe.ca|Canadian Online Explorer]]|date=April 2, 2006|accessdate=2009-09-01}}</ref> Despite Hart's claims around the time of WrestleMania 22, the idea of a match between Hart and McMahon was revived in 2010 following Bret's guest appearance on the edition of January 4 of Raw. On March 1, 2010, it was confirmed that Hart and McMahon would have their match at [[WrestleMania XXVI]].


==== Sporadic appearances (2012–present) ====
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>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1153114227.shtml|title=Complete report from Hall of Fame ceremonies July 15 in IA|last=Droste|first=Ryan|publisher=WrestleView}}</ref>
[[File:2014-04-03 21-12-04 NEX-6 6401 DxO (13923848803).jpg|thumb|upright=0.68|Hart signing autographs in 2014]]
At ''[[Raw 1000]]'' and on the May 4, 2012, episode of ''Raw'' he served as guest ring announcer; he interviewed John Cena on September 10, 2012, during which CM Punk interrupted and got into a confrontation with Hart. He participated in backstage segments at the [[Royal Rumble (2013)|2013 Royal Rumble]] and [[WrestleMania 31]]. On the post-show of ''Raw'' on May 27, 2013, Hart was honoured by the city of Calgary and the WWE with a "[[Bret Hart Appreciation Night]]", a celebration of the work he had done in his career. Also present in the ring for this celebration were [[Pat Patterson (wrestler)|Pat Patterson]], [[Chris Jericho]], [[Shawn Michaels]] and [[Vince McMahon]], who each paid their own tributes to Hart. He has also served as an expert on panels, including the March 25, 2013, episode of ''Raw'' and at the [[NXT Arrival]] pre-show. Hart was in the corner of his niece [[Natalya Neidhart|Natalya]] on the March 27, 2014, episode of ''[[WWE NXT (TV series)|NXT]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_77299.shtml|title=PWTorch.com – JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 3/27: Neville defends NXT Title vs. Dallas, Bret Hart cameo, Yoshi, Xavier, Charlotte, more|website=Pwtorch.com|access-date=June 11, 2018}}</ref> at the second [[NXT TakeOver]] event<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_78704.shtml|title=PWTorch.com – JAMES'S WWE NXT TAKEOVER REPORT 5/29: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live special on WWE Network|website=Pwtorch.com}}</ref> and at the 2016 [[Payback (2016)|Payback]] event. The match ended when the referee, [[Charles Robinson (referee)|Charles Robinson]], called for the bell as [[Charlotte Flair|Charlotte]] had Natalya locked in the Sharpshooter. After the match both Natalya and Hart placed Charlotte and her father, Ric Flair, respectively in the Sharpshooter.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwepayback/2016/charlotte-natalya-results | title=Sharpshooters galore as Harts battle Flairs}}</ref>


On April 6, 2019, Hart became a two-time WWE Hall of Famer when he was inducted as a member of [[The Hart Foundation]] alongside [[Jim Neidhart]]. During Hart's speech, an audience member named Zach Madson charged into the ring and tackled Hart and his niece [[Natalya Neidhart|Natalya]] to the ground, but they were quickly saved by multiple wrestlers and security, and after several minutes, Hart continued and finished his speech. WWE later released a statement saying that the attacker was sent to the local authorities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/125514/video-of-what-happened-after-wwe-network-pulled-the-feed-when-bret-hart-was-accosted.html?p=1|title=Video of what happened after WWE Network pulled the feed when Bret Hart was accosted |website=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/125515/new-video-shows-entire-bret-hart-attack-aftermath.html?p=1|title=NEW VIDEO SHOWS ENTIRE BRET HART ATTACK, AFTERMATH |website=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WWE STATEMENT ON BRET HART INCIDENT AT WWE HALL OF FAME |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/125516/wwe-statement-on-bret-hart-incident-at-wwe-hall-of-fame.html?p=1 |website=PWInsider}}</ref> In August 2019, Hart appeared at WWE [[SummerSlam (2019)|SummerSlam]] pay-per-view backstage wishing [[Seth Rollins]] good luck in his match against [[Brock Lesnar]] for the Universal Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wwfoldschool.com/vince-mcmahon-reportedly-ribbed-bret-hart-at-summerslam-2019/|title=Vince McMahon Reportedly Ribbed Bret Hart at SummerSlam 2019|date=August 14, 2019}}</ref>
In June 2008, Hart returned to the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony, this time to induct his father [[Stu Hart]]. At the induction ceremony in [[Waterloo, Iowa]], he ridiculed Slam Wrestling editor Greg Oliver, calling him a "[[charlatan]]" and his books on wrestling "fiction" to the standing ovation of some wrestlers in attendance. At the end of the speech, Hart said ''"Either you go or I go."'' After Oliver refused to leave, Hart walked out of the ceremony with other wrestlers to scattered applause.<ref name="O#%">{{cite web|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2008/07/transcript_of_bret_harts_hall_of_fame_speech.html|title=Ring Posts: Transcript of Bret Hart's Hall of Fame speech|last=Eck|first=Kevin|publisher=Baltimore Sun}}</ref>


In September 2022, Hart appeared at ringside for WWE's first UK stadium show in 30 years, [[Clash at the Castle (2022)|Clash at the Castle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/bret-hart-and-other-stars-appear-at-wwe-clash-at-the-castle-ufc-title-belt-on-display/ |title=Bret Hart and Other Stars Appear at WWE Clash at The Castle, UFC Title Belt On Display |website=wrestlingheadlines.com |date=September 3, 2022 |access-date=October 12, 2022}}</ref> Hart returned to Raw on the September 9, 2024 episode, sharing a segment with [[Sami Zayn]] and [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Gunther (wrestler)|Gunther]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Raw results (9/9): Powell's live review of Jey Uso vs. Pete Dunne vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. Braun Strowman for a shot at the Intercontinental Title, Bret Hart appears, WWE Women's Tag Team Title match|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/09/09/wwe-raw-results-9-9-powells-live-review-of-jey-uso-vs-pete-dunne-vs-ilja-dragunov-vs-braun-strowman-for-a-shot-at-the-intercontinental-title-bret-hart-appears-wwe-womens-tag-team-title-mat/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=September 9, 2024|access-date=September 9, 2024}}</ref>
On October 16, 2010, Bret Hart was honored at MainStream Wrestling Entertainment's Maritime Wrestling Expo event in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Mayor of Halifax, Peter Kelly, declared the date as Bret "Hit Man" Hart Day and delivered a proclamation in honor of Bret's lifetime contributions to wrestling and for naming the City of Halifax as a favorite place in which to perform. Bret was also given a special custom-made plaque by MainStream Wrestling Entertainment, which was designed by Custom Design Cycle in Liverpool, Nova Scotia.


=== All Elite Wrestling (2019) ===
In December 2010, WWE released the "50 Greatest Superstars of All-Time" DVD in which Bret was ranked No. 4 behind Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, and Steve Austin. One point after he retired from wrestling, Hart made an offhand comment about his ring attire; "''I am perhaps one of a small handful of professional wrestlers that wore pink into the ring, and never got my a
On May 25, 2019, Hart made a surprise special appearance at [[All Elite Wrestling]]'s (AEW) inaugural pay-per-view, [[Double or Nothing (2019)|Double or Nothing]], to unveil the [[AEW World Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=AEW Double Or Nothing results: Powell's live review of Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho, The Young Bucks vs. Pentagon Jr. and Fenix for the AAA Tag Titles, Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes, Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose vs. Kylie Rae|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/05/25/aew-double-or-nothing-results-powells-live-review-of-kenny-omega-vs-chris-jericho-the-young-bucks-vs-pentagon-jr-and-fenix-for-the-aaa-tag-titles-cody-vs-dustin-rhodes-britt-baker-vs-nyla-r/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=May 25, 2019|date=May 25, 2019}}</ref>


In July 2023, it was revealed that Hart offered his services to AEW as an [[Producer (wrestling)|agent]], but was turned down.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Bishal |date=July 24, 2023 |title=Bret Hart Says AEW Declined His Offer To Work As An Agent |url=https://www.sescoops.com/aew/bret-hart-says-aew-declined-his-offer-to-work-as-an-agent |website=SE Scoops |access-date=February 19, 2024}}</ref>
==Outside the ring==


=== Impact Wrestling (2020) ===
===Writing===
On October 24, 2020, Hart was among those who appeared at [[Impact Wrestling]]'s [[Bound for Glory (2020)|2020 Bound for Glory]] via video message to congratulate [[Ken Shamrock]] for his induction into the [[Impact Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/10/25/powells-impact-wrestling-bound-for-glory-hit-list-eric-young-vs-rich-swann-for-the-impact-world-championship-deonna-purrazzo-vs-su-yung-for-the-knockouts-title-motor-city-machine-guns-vs-the-g/|title=Powell's Impact Wrestling Bound For Glory Hit List: Eric Young vs. Rich Swann for the Impact World Championship, Deonna Purrazzo vs. Su Yung for the Knockouts Title, Motor City Machine Guns vs. The Good Brothers vs. The North vs. Ace Austin and Madman Fulton for the Impact Tag Titles, EC3 vs. Moose|first=Jason|last=Powell|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=October 24, 2020|access-date=April 13, 2021}}</ref>
Hart wrote a weekly column for the ''[[Calgary Sun]]'' from June 1991 until October 2004.


== Professional wrestling style and persona ==
On October 16, 2007, Hart's autobiography titled ''Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling'', was released in Canada by Random House Canada, and released in fall 2008 in the United States by Grand Central Publishing, with a U.S. book signing tour. Hart began writing the book in July 1999 with Marcy Engelstein, his longtime close friend and business associate. They did not 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. Hart's chronicle is based on an audio diary that he kept for all of his years on the road in professional wrestling.
Hart is nicknamed "The Hitman", and often dubbed "The Best There Is, the Best There Was, and the Best There Ever Will Be". Hart usually wrestled in a pink attire and, during his time as The Hart Foundation, the tag team was nicknamed "The Pink and Black Attack", a nickname Hart used for himself during his singles career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/The_Specialists_34/article_73934.shtml|title=PWTorch.com – COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: The Five Coolest Wrestling Figures Decked Out in Pink|website=Pwtorch.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://superluchas.com/bret-hitman-hart-necesitando-otra-cirugia/ | title=Bret "The Hitman" Hart necesitando otra cirugía| date=March 28, 2014}}</ref>


Hart used the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]] as his finishing maneuver.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.foxsports.com/wwe/gallery/wwe-best-finishers-stone-cold-stunner-tombstone-piledriver-sweet-chin-music-ranking-080116 |title = The 25 best wrestling finishers ever, from the Stone Cold Stunner to the Mandible Claw}}</ref> In his biography, Hart said he learned the hold from [[Konnan]] and Pat Patterson named it.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://superluchas.com/cuando-konnan-le-enseno-a-bret-hart-a-aplicar-el-sharpshooter/ |title = Cuando Konnan le enseñó a Bret Hart a aplicar el Sharpshooter|date = May 4, 2016}}</ref> Due to Hart's success, the Sharpshooter is usually used by Canadian wrestlers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/japan/masa-saito-passes-away-after-long-battle-parkinsons-disease-261771 |title = Masa Saito passes away after long battle with Parkinson's disease|date = July 16, 2018}}</ref> Before ending his matches, Hart usually employed a sequence of five moves: inverted atomic drop, Russian leg sweep, backbreaker, elbow drop from the second rope, and Sharpshooter, being known as the "[[Five moves of doom|Five Moves of Doom]]".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://grantland.com/features/grantland-dictionary-pro-wrestling-edition/ |title = Grantland Dictionary: Pro Wrestling Edition|date = August 13, 2014}}</ref> During his time in the original Hart Foundation, he and Jim Neidhart performed the Hart Attack as their finishing manoeuver.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.skysports.com/wwe/news/14203/11472237/wrestling-world-pays-tribute-to-jim-the-anvil-neidhart |title = Wrestling world pays tribute to Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart}}</ref>
===Acting===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:BretHartTheSimpsons.jpg|right|thumb|An [[Animated cartoon|animated]] version of Hart in the ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode "[[The Old Man and the Lisa]]", which first aired in April 1997. Hart also [[Voice acting|voiced]] the character.]] -->
In 1994, Hart played a prison inmate in [[Oliver Stone]]'s ''[[Natural Born Killers]]''; however, the scene he appeared in was deleted.


== Legacy ==
From 1994 to 1995 Hart appeared in the ''[[Lonesome Dove (TV miniseries)|Lonesome Dove]]'' television series playing "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 episodes of the ''[[Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show|Honey I Shrunk The Kids TV series]]'' (along with his brother [[Owen Hart|Owen]]), ''[[The Adventures of Sinbad]]'', ''[[Big Sound]]'', and ''The Immortal''. Hart provides the voice of pro wrestler character "The Hooded Fang" in ''[[Jacob Two-Two (TV series)|Jacob Two-Two]]''.
[[File:Bretplaque.jpg|right|upright|thumb|Hart accepts his induction into the [[George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]], July 15, 2006]]
[[BBC]] and ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'' writers noted that Hart is "widely regarded" as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2008/11/24/bret_hart_feature.shtml|title=Bret Hart in Birmingham|last=Birks|first=Brett|date=November 24, 2008|publisher=BBC|access-date=March 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etonline.com/news/181377_pro_wrestling_legend_bret_hart_reveals_he_has_prostate_cancer_emotional_message/|title=Pro Wrestling Legend Bret Hart Reveals He Has Prostate Cancer in Emotional Message|last=Kile|first=Meredith B|date=February 1, 2016|website=[[Entertainment Tonight]]|access-date=September 7, 2016}}</ref>


[[Sky Sports]] described his legacy as "one of, if not the greatest, to have ever graced the squared circle".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/more-sports/news/13043/3981683/wwe-legends|title=WWE Legends: Bret Hart|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|access-date=March 3, 2017}}</ref>
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. 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.


Veteran industry journalist [[Dave Meltzer]] called Hart "one of the best ever,"<ref>{{cite web|title=Twitter account of @davemeltzerWON |url=https://twitter.com/davemeltzerWON/status/694201990541242369|website=twitter|language=en}}</ref> and further praised his [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#ring psychology|ring psychology]] as the best in WWE history (alongside that of [[Ricky Steamboat]], and "maybe [[Jake Roberts]]").<ref>{{cite web|title=Twitter account of @davemeltzerWON |url=https://twitter.com/davemeltzerWON/status/829366418265169920|website=twitter|language=en}}</ref> Jon Robinson of [[IGN]] called him "one of the greatest (if not the single best) pure wrestler to ever walk that aisle".<ref name="IGN05" />
Hart had a stint playing [[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.


Veteran wrestlers including [[CM Punk]],<ref>{{cite episode|title=CM Punk|series=The B.S. Report|series-link=The B.S. Report|first=Bill|last=Simmons|author-link=Bill Simmons|station=[[ESPN]]|date=July 27, 2011|minutes=25|quote=I'm not comparing myself to Bret Hart who's light years ahead of me, he's the greatest of all time.}}</ref> [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] and [[Michael Hayes (wrestler)|Michael Hayes]] have named Hart "the greatest of all time",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicbook.com/wwe/2016/07/02/happy-birthday-bret-the-hitman-hart-turns-59-today/|title=Bret 'The Hitman' Hart Turns 59 today|last=Pitts|first=Lan|date=July 2, 2016|website=ComicBook.com|access-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> with Hayes noting that he is considered by many as the best Canadian performer ever, if not the single greatest overall.<ref name="effect">{{Cite episode|title=Canadian Effect|series=[[WWE Legends of Wrestling|Legends of Wrestling]]|network=[[WWE Classics on Demand|Classics on Demand]]|station=[[WWE]]|date=April 1, 2011|season=1|number=27|minutes=29 (Hayes) & 58 (Okerlund)}}</ref>
===Wrestling-related===
Hart was the subject of 1998 documentary, ''[[Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows]]'', which chronicles the events leading up to his transition from WWF to WCW.


Veteran announcer [[Gene Okerlund]] dubbed Hart "the greatest ever",<ref name="effect" /> and stressed that he should appear in anyone's list of the all-time top 10 wrestlers.<ref name="DVD" /> [[Viscera (wrestler)|Viscera]] commented: "He was the best [WWF] Champion of all time. I mean, as far as international rapport, it's like he's a god."<ref>{{cite AV media|year=2009|title=Nelson Frazier Shoot Interview|medium=DVD|publisher=Pro Wrestling Diary}}</ref> Olympic [[wrestling]] [[gold medal]]ist and six-time [[WWE]] [[Professional wrestling world championship|world champion]] [[Kurt Angle]] studied tapes of Hart in order to learn the art of pro wrestling;<ref name="angle">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr1TgdxhJ_k| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/xr1TgdxhJ_k| archive-date=October 29, 2021|title=Orlando Quinones Interviews Kurt Angle Part 2| date=November 8, 2008|via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> he and [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] have ranked Hart as the best in-ring performer ever (Austin tying Hart with [[Shawn Michaels]]).<ref>{{cite episode|title=Kurt Angle|url=http://thestatement.podbean.com/e/the-statement-show-with-guest-kurt-angle/|access-date=February 2, 2017|series=The Statement Show|network=Podbean|date=January 4, 2017|minutes=2|quote=Bret was my favourite... an incredible wrestler. When he got in that ring, he did it better than anybody else.}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=Shawn Michaels|series=The Steve Austin Show|network=PodcastOne|date=December 21, 2015|number=283|minutes=16|quote=When I name my best of all time, you [Shawn Michaels] and him [Bret Hart] are always neck and neck. I just thought the world of his work.}}</ref> Similarly, former opponent [[Harley Race]] described Hart as being "as good as they got".<ref>{{cite web|title=SLAM! Wrestling Harley Race Chat|url=http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingHarleyRace/race_chat-can.html|publisher=Slam Wrestling|access-date=February 2, 2016|date=March 13, 2001|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927235617/http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingHarleyRace/race_chat-can.html|archive-date=September 27, 2015}}</ref> Whilst WWE chairman, [[Vince McMahon]] described Hart as having "unparalleled" technical wrestling and storytelling skills, and retrospectively characterized the late 1990s Hart as a performer "who you know is going to give you the best match of the night every time he goes out there".<ref name="DVD" /> Asked where he would rank Hart among the pantheon of wrestling greats, longtime announcer [[Jim Ross]] stated, "Right at the top. Bret was one of the all time best."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jrsbarbq.com/jrs-qa/wrestling/hey-jr-always-keep-good-work-i-was-wondering-where-you-would-rank-bret-hart-your-al|title=J.R.'s Answer|last=Ross|first=Jim|author-link=Jim Ross|date=May 13, 2015|website=J.R.'s Place|access-date=August 5, 2019|archive-date=August 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805185940/https://www.jrsbarbq.com/jrs-qa/wrestling/hey-jr-always-keep-good-work-i-was-wondering-where-you-would-rank-bret-hart-your-al|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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, WWE released a special magazine covering Hart's career. The collection was released on November 15, 2005.


[[IGN]] ranked him as the fifth greatest wrestler ever.<ref>{{Citation|title=Top 50 Wrestlers of All Time – IGN|date=November 2, 2012|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/02/top-50-wrestlers-of-all-time|language=en|access-date=June 5, 2021}}</ref>
On April 6, 2010, WWE released ''[[Hart & Soul: The Hart Family Anthology]]'', which is a 3 DVD set featuring a documentary on the Hart wrestling family as well as 12 matches. It is unique in that it also features previously unseen home movies from the Harts as well as candid interviews from surviving family members.


[[Sports Illustrated]] ranked him as the sixteenth greatest wrestler ever.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Winkie|first=Luke|title=A definitive ranking of the 101 greatest wrestlers|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/07/26/wwe-wcw-ecw-100-best-wrestlers-all-time|access-date=June 5, 2021|magazine=Sports Illustrated|language=en-us}}</ref>
Hart appeared 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 double murder and suicide]]. Hart is shown putting his finishing hold, the Sharpshooter, on [[Chris Benoit]] in the opening credits of ''[[Malcolm in the Middle]]'' which was footage from WCW Mayhem 1999 .


Asked for his favourite opponent, [[Ted DiBiase]] said: "In my own era, without a doubt, Bret Hart."<ref>{{cite web|author=Jon Robinson|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2003/10/24/ted-dibiase-million-dollar-smackdown?page=3|title=Ted DiBiase: Million Dollar Smackdown – PlayStation 2 Feature at IGN|date = October 24, 2003|publisher=Uk.sports.ign.com|access-date=November 19, 2011}}</ref> [[The Undertaker]] named Hart as his toughest opponent, adding: "Some of my favourite matches are with him... I think my matches with Bret were some of the best".<ref>[[The Undertaker]] interview (Part 2). ''[[The Score Television Network|The Score]]''. April 10, 2003.</ref> Recalling their WWF Championship bout from July 1994, [[Sean Waltman]] affirmed: "[Hart] gave me the best singles match of my career, and one of the best matches that's ever been on ''Monday Night Raw''."<ref>{{cite episode|title=[[WWE Hall of Fame (2019)]] (D-Generation X)|series=''[[WWE Hall of Fame]]''|network=[[WWE Network]]|date=April 6, 2019|minutes=193}}</ref> [[Curt Hennig]] stated: "Out of all the matches I had, probably the best match I ever had would be with Bret [at SummerSlam 1991]... I have a good thing with Bret forever."<ref>''Pro Wrestling Radio'' (November 22, 2000). Curt Hennig. ''In your career, what are some of your more memorable matches that stand out to you?'' "I'll definitely have to say Bret Hart ... Hart is probably the standout ... Out of all the matches I had, probably the best match I ever had would be with Bret ... I have a good thing with Bret forever." {{YouTube|tfrGRdgMY0A}}</ref> Shawn Michaels, who did not get along with Hart on a personal level, conceded that Hart was an "unbelievable" performer (an opinion shared by WWE executive and former opponent [[Triple H]]),<ref>{{cite episode|title=Triple H|series=Stone Cold Podcast|network=[[WWE Network]]|date=February 2, 2015|minutes=48}}</ref> calling him a "sheer joy" to work with and saying that the pair's match at [[WrestleMania XII]] was one of, if not his favourite WrestleMania bout.<ref>{{cite episode|series=Off the Record|title=Off The Record|network=[[The Sports Network|TSN]]|airdate=2003|minutes=20}} [[Shawn Michaels]] discussing his matches at [[WrestleMania]]. ''The [[WrestleMania XII|hour with Bret]], is that number one?'' "If it's not number one it's one and a half for sure"... "I loved wrestling him, I really did. You could go out there and just have a wrestling match with him – it was a sheer joy to be in the ring with him." ''You used to watch him backstage and think, 'that guy is unbelievable', didn't you?'' "I did, yeah. I used to think: 'I'd like to be out there with him'."</ref> [[Roddy Piper]] described Hart as "one great man", and "one of the few guys who has a 'total package'".<ref name="DVD"/> [[Lance Storm]] remarked: "[Hart's] matches always seemed more important than the individuals involved in them, and that's what made him great. Bret managed to dominate this sport... by wrestling, which is no easy task, and is to his credit". On Hart's influence, Storm said: "I've always tried to pattern my ring style or work ethic, at least, after that of 'The Hitman'".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stormwrestling.com/111207.html|title=StormWrestling.com – Commentary|website=Stormwrestling.com|access-date=June 11, 2018}}</ref>
In 2010, [[Fight Network|The Fight Network]] produced a documentary titled 'Bret Hart – Survival of the Hitman' produced by John Pollock, Jorge Barbosa and Wai Ting chronicling the rise of Hart, his split with WWE in 1997 and his road back to the company in January 2010. The documentary features interviews with Bret, members of the family, Carl DeMarco, former sports agent Gord Kirke, producer of 'Wrestling with Shadows' Paul Jay and more.


Along with Storm, [[Roman Reigns]] and [[Sami Zayn]] point to Hart as their top wrestling inspiration;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/wwe-s-roman-reigns-ready-to-prove-his-critics-wrong-at-wrestlemania-31-210550571.html|title=WWE's Roman Reigns' real story is better than his fake one|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/101698/live-ongoing-wwe-payback-ppv-coverage-united-states-title-match.html?p=1|title=COMPLETE WWE PAYBACK COVERAGE: STYLES VS. REIGNS, WOMEN'S TITLE MATCH, A NEW MEMBER OF THE COMMENTARY TEAM, A SCARY MOMENT & MORE|website=PWInsider|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> [[Seth Rollins]] and [[Jinder Mahal]] called him an idol,<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Seth Rollins|url=http://podcastone.com/pg/jsp/program/episode.jsp?programID=593&pid=1654477|access-date=June 4, 2016|series=Talk is Jericho|network=PodcastOne|date=June 2, 2016|number=253|minutes=11–12|quote=I have all the respect in the world for this guy... I idolized [Hart].}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/wwe/story/_/id/21031373/champion-jinder-mahal-fighting-greatest-ever|title=Face off: Champion Jinder Mahal fighting to be 'greatest ever'|last=Selvaraj|first=Jonathan|date=October 16, 2017|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=August 8, 2018}}</ref> and [[Jon Moxley]] cited him as an influence.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2010/05/10/pf-13893011.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611114357/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2010/05/10/pf-13893011.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 11, 2016 |title = CANOE – SLAM! Sports: Ng – Jon Moxley finds mean streets redemption in wrestling}}</ref> [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] listed his three idols within the business as "Bret, Shawn and Hulk".<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Edge|series=[[Off the Record with Michael Landsberg]]|network=[[The Sports Network|TSN]]|date=May 28, 2003}}</ref> [[Chris Jericho]] named Bret as his hero (along with [[Owen Hart]]), and said he aspired to be "half of" what Bret was.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_70882.shtml|title=PWTorch.com – CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 5/27 (Post-Show): Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Bret Hart Appreciation Night – HBK, McMahon, Jericho, Patterson, more take part in post-show|website=Pwtorch.com}}</ref> [[Chris Benoit]] remarked: "I always emulated him... I spent so many years looking up to, idolizing [Hart]; he was somewhat of a role model to me". Benoit added that his matches against Hart were "up on a pedestal".<ref name="DVD"/> [[Koji Nakagawa]] modelled his [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick|character]] and entire career on Bret Hart by adopting Hart's pink and black attire, an [[Music in professional wrestling|entrance theme]] identical to Hart's theme song, while also adopting his moveset.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fmwwrestling.us/Nakagawa.html|title=Koji Nakagawa's Bio|publisher=[[Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling|FMW Wrestling]]|access-date=January 22, 2018}}</ref> [[Ryback]] recalled a WWF event from his childhood, saying: "I remember it was Bret Hart against Diesel inside a steel cage in the main event, and I just knew I wanted to be a WWE wrestler... Bret [Hart], I love".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.northjersey.com/arts-and-entertainment/wwe-star-ryback-talks-about-his-road-to-wrestlemania-29-in-the-meadowlands-1.613924 |title=WWE star Ryback talks about his road to WrestleMania 29 in the Meadowlands |access-date=December 30, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113257/http://www.northjersey.com/arts-and-entertainment/wwe-star-ryback-talks-about-his-road-to-wrestlemania-29-in-the-meadowlands-1.613924 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref> [[Drew McIntyre]] named Hart his favourite wrestler,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjWdLvdHuVA&t=2m16s|title=Drew McIntyre on Broken Dreams theme, favorite wrestler growing up|date=February 5, 2020|publisher=WWE on FOX|access-date=February 8, 2020}}</ref> while [[Wade Barrett]] named Hart along with [[Davey Boy Smith|The British Bulldog]], [[The Ultimate Warrior]] and The Undertaker;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/interview-exclusive-interview-wwe-superstar-bad-news-barrett-speaks-about-the-nexus-john-cena-wwe-2k15-attitude-era-and-more-2019904 | title=Exclusive Interview: WWE superstar 'Bad News' Barrett speaks about the Nexus, John Cena, WWE 2K15, Attitude Era and more| date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> he called Hart vs. Bulldog, at [[SummerSlam (1992)|SummerSlam 1992]], his all-time favorite match.<ref>Wade Barrett interview. [[WIRK|103.1 The Buzz]]. March 2011. "Number one will always be the "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith. He was my biggest inspiration...That's [Smith vs. Hart at SummerSlam 1992] actually my favourite match that I've ever seen in my life."</ref> [[Scott Dawson (wrestler)|Scott Dawson]] said that Hart's work at [[King of the Ring (1993)|King of the Ring in 1993]] made him want to become a professional wrestler.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/article87904837.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124132919/https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/article87904837.html |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |title=WWE NXT Superstar Scott Dawson a two-time NXT tag champ |last=Varsallone |first=Jim |work=[[Miami Herald]] |date=July 6, 2016 |access-date=August 30, 2024}}</ref> Upon joining [[All Elite Wrestling]] for his hotly anticipated return to professional wrestling after seven years, [[CM Punk]] wore a Bret Hart T-shirt in one of his first televised appearances,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2021/09/04/cm-punk-pays-homage-to-bret-hart-during-aew-rampage/|title=CM Punk Pays Homage to Bret Hart During AEW Rampage|access-date=January 3, 2022|language=en-US}}</ref> and his first match, against [[Darby Allin]], included several sequences that mirrored a 1994 Hart match against [[Sean Waltman]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2021/9/6/22659778/cm-punk-darby-allin-aew-all-out-tribute-bret-hart-wwf-raw-123-kid|title=Did you catch which classic WWF Raw match CM Punk & Darby Allin were paying tribute to at All Out?|access-date=January 3, 2022|language=en-US}}</ref>
In June 2011, [[Twitter|tweets]] from [[Jim Ross]], Shawn Michaels and Hart announced that the three were working on a DVD chronicling the careers of Hart and Michaels that the WWE was planning to release in October 2011. The subject of the DVD would be their on-screen rivalry and real-life conflicts, with a particular focus on the Montreal screwjob. In his tweet, Hart described working on the DVD as a "cathartic" experience, and Ross asserted that both Hart and Michaels had been very honest and emotional in their interviews.


''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (PWI) readers voted Hart the greatest wrestler of 1993 and 1994 in the "[[PWI 500]]",<ref name="pwi#1"/> as well as the "[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year|Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year]]" 1994.<ref name="pwiinsp"/> He was voted "WWF Superstar of the Year" 1993 by fans.<ref name="soty"/> PWI ranked him No. 4 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#All-Time Top Fives|PWI Years]]" in 2003, after Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and André the Giant.<ref name="pwiyears">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years|access-date=March 22, 2009|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707054220/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|archive-date=July 7, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> WWE has also credited Hart as the top "Submission Specialist" in professional wrestling history,{{Citation needed|date=May 2018}} and for popularizing the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]], named by the organization as the most devastating submission hold in professional wrestling history.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/top25/top25submissions/ "The Top 25 Most Devastating Submission Maneuvers"]. WWE. Retrieved August 6, 2010.</ref> Hart's rise to singles success was seen to revolutionize the business; [[IGN]] wrote: "After Bret beat Ric Flair for the WWE Championship in 1992, it changed the entire industry, re-setting the WWF back to the days of technical wizardry and reshaping all our notions of what a great wrestling match should actually look and feel like".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/02/top-50-wrestlers-of-all-time?page=5|title=Top 50 Wrestlers of All Time|date=November 2, 2012|publisher=ign.com|access-date=December 7, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105210028/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/02/top-50-wrestlers-of-all-time?page=5|archive-date=November 5, 2012}}</ref> According to prominent industry historian [[Dave Meltzer]], Hart was "a major [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#D|draw]] in the United States and probably more so in Europe".<ref name="Meltzer">[[Dave Meltzer|Meltzer, Dave]]. ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter|Wrestling Observer]]''. November 17, 1997. {{cite web|url=http://www.brethart.com/facts.asp |title=The Montreal Incident |access-date=January 23, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060406153712/http://www.brethart.com/facts.asp |archive-date=April 6, 2006 }}</ref> Fellow journalists [[Bob Ryder]] and [[Dave Scherer]] described him as "an incredible international draw, attracting standing room only crowds in every corner of the globe."<ref name="wcw">[[Bob Ryder|Ryder, Bob]]; [[Dave Scherer|Scherer, Dave]]. ''WCW: The Ultimate Guide''. [[Dorling Kindersley|DK Books]]. 2000. (p.104-105)</ref> Fin Martin of ''[[Power Slam]]'' also spoke to Hart's drawing power, placing him number 7 in "The 10 Best U.S.-Style All-Rounders", a list that considered drawing ability, along with workrate and promo skills.<ref>Martin, Fin. The 10 Best U.S.-Style All-Rounders; 7. Bret Hart. ''[[Power Slam]]''. Issue 226/July 2013. p.26. "A wrestler who can work, draw money and talk is a U.S.-style all-rounder by the definition of this article."</ref> ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]''{{'}}s Corey Erdman wrote, "1997 was one of the hottest periods in the history of professional wrestling... Hart was the [WWF's] biggest star, arguably its biggest live gate draw globally."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/pa3xxm/how-the-montreal-screwjob-changed-the-wrestling-industry-forever|title=How The 'Montreal Screwjob' Changed The Wrestling Industry Forever|last=Erdman|first=Corey|author-link=Corey Erdman|date=November 10, 2017|website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|access-date=January 21, 2020}}</ref> Recalling WCW's acquisition of Hart that year, then WWE owner [[Vince McMahon]] argued that his chief competitor "could have really built the entire [[Franchise player|franchise]]... around this extraordinary star." McMahon felt that WCW misused Hart, which was "fortunate" for the WWF.<ref name="DVD"/>
==Personal life==


On the February 16, 2006, episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', it was announced that Hart would be an inductee into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] [[WWE Hall of Fame (2006)|class of 2006]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03062006/|title=McMahons 2, Michaels 0|date=March 6, 2006|access-date=January 16, 2008|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 declined the offer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingepicenter.com/articles/139448686.shtml|title=McMahon-Hart|access-date=November 28, 2007}}</ref> On April 1, 2006, Hart was inducted by "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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania22/2006/04/02/pf-1515997.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717145917/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania22/2006/04/02/pf-1515997.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 17, 2012|title=Hall of Fame inductions sincere and entertaining|author=Oliver, Greg|work=Slam! Wrestling|publisher=[[Canoe.ca|Canadian Online Explorer]]|date=April 2, 2006|access-date=September 1, 2009}}</ref> Veteran industry personality and former WWE executive [[Paul Heyman]] referred to Hart's oeuvre as "a body of work so spectacular that it is beyond comprehension how brilliant a career he enjoyed".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/node/26143772/page-4|title=Paul Heyman on Shane Douglas and the birth of Extreme|website=WWE}}</ref>
===Family===
Hart married Julie Smadu (born March 25, 1960) on July 8, 1982<!--Wasn't her sister married to Tom Billington? I would think that to be relevant if that were the case.-->. Bret and Julie have 4 children:<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=224,255}}</ref> Jade Michelle Hart (born March 31, 1983); Dallas Jeffery Hart (born August 11, 1984); Alexandra Sabina Hart (born May 17, 1988), nicknamed "Beans"; and Blade Colton Hart (born June 5, 1990).<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=255}}</ref> The 4 hearts located on the right thigh of his tights symbolize his 4 children, as do the 4 dots following his signature.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=254}}</ref> Bret and Julie separated in May 1998 and they eventually divorced on June 24, 2002 just hours before Bret suffered his stroke.<ref name="ReferenceA">Hitman: My life in the cartoon world of wrestling</ref> Hart married an Italian woman named Cinzia Rota in 2004, but they divorced in 2007 after failing to agree on where they should live.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1280182326|title=Bret Hart ties the web|last=Bluth|first=Michael|title=Bret Hart Marries Over The Weekend|url=http://www.sescoops.com/bret-hart-married-over-the-weekend-picture/|work=SEScoops|accessdate=July 26, 2010}}</ref> Through his daughter Jade, Hart has a granddaughter, Kyra Beans (born June 2010).<ref>{{cite web|last=Andrews|first=Kenai|title=MMA Crossfire Friday File – Jade Hart wrestles with the art of the kimono|url=http://blogs.canada.com/2012/01/13/mma-crossfire-friday-file-jade-hart-wrestles-with-the-art-of-the-kimono/|work=Canada.com|publisher=[[Postmedia News]]|accessdate=January 19, 2012|date=January 13, 2012}}</ref>


On July 15, 2006, 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 honour 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 honour for me."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1153114227.shtml|title=Complete report from Hall of Fame ceremonies July 15 in IA|last=Droste|first=Ryan|publisher=WrestleView}}</ref> In June 2008, Hart returned to the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony, this time to induct his father [[Stu Hart]].<ref name="O#%">{{cite web|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2008/07/transcript_of_bret_harts_hall_of_fame_speech.html|title=Ring Posts: Transcript of Bret Hart's Hall of Fame speech|last=Eck|first=Kevin|publisher=Baltimore Sun|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080707013356/http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2008/07/transcript_of_bret_harts_hall_of_fame_speech.html|archive-date=July 7, 2008}}</ref> In 2021, Hart would be inducted into [[Canada's Walk of Fame]] by Chris Jericho and the Rock.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bret Hart Inducted To the Canada Walk of Fame, Hart On Making History With The Induction|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/10/bret-hart-inducted-to-the-canada-walk-of-fame-hart-on-making-history-with-the-induction/|access-date=October 7, 2021|website=Wrestling Inc.|date=October 7, 2021 |language=en-us}}</ref>
His 7 brothers were either wrestlers or involved backstage with the wrestling business; his 4 sisters all married professional wrestlers. 3 of his brothers-in-law, [[Dynamite Kid|The Dynamite Kid]], [[Davey Boy Smith]], and [[Jim Neidhart]] had successful careers in the business. His youngest brother [[Owen Hart]] had become a decorated wrestler in his own right before his death in 1999, caused in a real-life accident at the WWF pay-per-view [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]]. Hart's daughter Alexandra "Beans" Hart is currently training to become a wrestler, hoping to eventually join her cousin and Hart's niece [[Natalya (wrestler)|Natalya]] as a [[WWE Diva]].<ref>https://twitter.com/lovebeanana/statuses/344222356883001344</ref>


===Health problems===
== Other media ==
On June 24, 2002, Bret Hart suffered a 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">{{cite web|url=http://uk.sports.ign.com/articles/667/667878p1.html|title=Bret Hart: The Hitman Returns|last=Robinson|first=J.|publisher=IGN}}</ref> Hart later became a spokesperson for [[March of Dimes Canada]]'s Stroke Recovery Canada program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marchofdimes.ca/dimes/national_programs/national_programs/src/The+Bret+Hart+Story.htm|title=The Bret Hart Story|publisher=[[March of Dimes Canada]]|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081113112359/http://www.marchofdimes.ca/dimes/national_programs/national_programs/src/The+Bret+Hart+Story.htm|archivedate=November 13, 2008}}</ref>


===Feud with Ric Flair===
=== Writing ===
Hart wrote a weekly column for the ''[[Calgary Sun]]'' from June 1991 until October 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/hart-bret-columns.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150919155029/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/hart-bret-columns.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= September 19, 2015 |title=Bret Hart Calgary Sun Columns|author=None|work=Slam! Wrestling|publisher=[[Canoe.ca|Canadian Online Explorer]]|date= April 21, 2015|access-date=January 30, 2016}}</ref>
In 2004, Hart engaged in an off-screen rivalry with [[Ric Flair]]. In his autobiography, Flair criticizes Hart for exploiting the death of his brother, [[Owen Hart]], and the controversy surrounding the [[Montreal Screwjob]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=887C21B7-3048-52EA-1E34C39B8C6042BE|title=Flair Pulls No Punches in Book|author=Mike Mooneyham|date=July 4, 2004|accessdate=2007-05-14|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070927224923/http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=887C21B7-3048-52EA-1E34C39B8C6042BE <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archivedate=September 27, 2007}}</ref> Flair also claimed in his autobiography that, despite Hart's popularity in Canada, he was not a formidable money-making [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#D|draw]] in the United States, a claim which Hart dismissed as "plain ridiculous" in a column written for the ''[[Calgary Sun]]''.<ref name="brethartonflair">[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/columns/news/brethartonflair.html Bret Hart on Ric Flair]. ''[[Calgary Sun]]''. July 13, 2004. Archived at onlineworldofwrestling.com</ref> Hart claimed that he drew greater revenue than Flair, citing his headlining performances on consistently sold-out tours throughout his WWF career, while Flair wrestled to allegedly near-empty arenas. He also criticized Flair on what he perceived as insults to fellow wrestlers [[Mick Foley]] and [[Randy Savage]]. Hart did acknowledge a decline in the WWF's popularity during the mid-1990s, but he, and others, felt that this was largely attributed to the WWF's well-publicised sex and steroid scandals, as well as WCW's acquisition of former top WWE stars.<ref name="brethartonflair"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/wwf-aims-shoots-high-wrestling-garden-roll-article-1.803878|title=Wwf Aims Low, Shoots High Wrestling Comes to the Garden on a Roll|publisher=Nydailynews.com|date=December 27, 1998|accessdate=July 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/World-Wrestling-Federation-Entertainment-Inc-Company-History.html|title=World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. – Company History|publisher=Fundinguniverse.com|accessdate=2011-02-21}}</ref> In contrast to Flair's claims, prominent industry historian [[Dave Meltzer]], of the ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter|Wrestling Observer]]'', said of Hart, "there is no denying he was a major draw in the United States";<ref>[[Dave Meltzer|Meltzer, Dave]]. ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter|Wrestling Observer]]''. November 17, 1997. [http://web.archive.org/web/20060406153712/http://www.brethart.com/facts.asp Archived version].</ref> WWE owner [[Vince McMahon]] has asserted that whichever company hired Hart could "have built the entire [[Franchise player|franchise]] around [him]," describing him as an "extraordinary star who you know is going to give you the best match of the night every time he goes out there." McMahon added that it was "fortunate for me, in terms of my company," that his chief competitor, WCW, did not utilize Hart to his full potential.<ref name="DVD"/> WCW described Hart as "an incredible international draw, attracting standing room only crowds in every corner of the globe."<ref name="wcw"/> Professional wrestling magazine ''[[Power Slam]]'' has asserted Hart's drawing power, placing him number 7 in "The 10 Best U.S.-Style All-Rounders", a list that considered drawing ability, along with workrate and promo skills.<ref>Martin, Fin. The 10 Best U.S.-Style All-Rounders; 7. Bret Hart. ''[[Power Slam]]''. Issue 226/July 2013. p.26. "A wrestler who can work, draw money and talk is a U.S.-style all-rounder by the definition of this article."</ref>


Hart used his poetry skills to win over [[Gord Kirke]] to act as his legal counsel.<ref name="Livesey">{{cite web|url=https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/article/the-champs-champion-8/|title=The champs' champion|last=Livesey|first=Bruce|date=January 25, 2006|website=Canadian Lawyer Magazine|access-date=May 2, 2019}}</ref>
===Other===
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 "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". Hart holds dual citizenship with Canada and the U.S. as his mother is originally from [[Long Island]], New York.<ref name="Dual">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBretHart9799/hitman_may17.html|title=An open letter to Shawn Michaels|last=Hart|first=Bret|publisher=[[Canoe.ca|Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref>


On October 16, 2007, Hart's autobiography titled ''Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling'', was released in Canada by Random House Canada, and released in fall 2008 in the United States by Grand Central Publishing, with a U.S. book signing tour. Hart began writing the book in July 1999 with Marcy Engelstein, his longtime close friend and business associate. They did not complete the book until eight years later in September 2007 due to Hart having his stroke in 2002, among numerous other tragedies that occurred during the writing. Hart's chronicle is based on an audio diary that he kept for all of his years on the road in professional wrestling.<ref>{{cite web|title= Bret "The Hitman" Hart sounds off on wrestling's bad rap |date= September 19, 2009 |publisher= avclub.com | url= http://www.avclub.com/article/bret-the-hitman-hart-sounds-off-on-wrestlings-bad--33020 }}</ref>
Hart lent his nickname to the [[Calgary Hitmen]] of the [[Western Hockey League]]; he was a founder and part-owner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calgary-for-newcomers.com/CalgaryHitmenHockey.html|title=The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Team Has Come a Long Way in a Short Time|publisher=Calgary for Newcomers.com|date=May 7, 1999|accessdate=2011-01-15}}</ref>


Hart also provided the forewords to Roddy Piper's autobiography, ''[[In the Pit with Piper]]'',<ref>{{cite book|author=Roddy Piper|title=In the Pit with Piper: Roddy Gets Rowdy|publisher=[[Berkley Books]]|year=2002|url=https://archive.org/details/inpitwithpiper00pipe/page/10|isbn=0-425-18721-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/inpitwithpiper00pipe/page/10 10]|author-link=Roddy Piper}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Art Crews |author2=Judy Burleigh-Crews |title=We Made 'em Look Good|publisher=Xlibris|year=2014|isbn=978-1493182374|page=218}}{{self-published source|date=December 2017}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|certain=yes|date=December 2017}} Harley Race's autobiography ''King of the Ring''<ref>{{cite book|author=[[Harley Race]], Gerry Tritz|title=King of the Ring: The Harley Race Story|publisher=[[Sports Publishing]]|year=2013|isbn=978-1613212110|page=8}}</ref> and Dave Meltzer's book ''[[Tributes II: Remembering More of the Worlds Greatest Wrestlers]]''.<ref>{{cite book |title= Tributes II: Remembering More of the Worlds Greatest Wrestlers |isbn= 1582618178 |last1= Meltzer |first1= Dave |year= 2004 |publisher= Sports Publishing LLC |url-access= registration |url= https://archive.org/details/tributesii00dave }}</ref>
==In wrestling==
*'''Finishing moves'''
<!--Do ''not'' change the order of the moves, as they comply with Wikipedia's Manual of Style-->
**[[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]]<ref name="wwebio"/><ref name=Souled/>
**[[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Jumping piledriver|Spike piledriver]]<ref name="OWOW" /><ref name="Slamboree" />


=== Acting ===
*'''Signature moves'''
In 1994, Hart played a prison inmate in a deleted scene from [[Oliver Stone]]'s ''[[Natural Born Killers]]'', restored for the director's cut.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}} From 1994 to 1995, he appeared in ''[[Lonesome Dove: The Series]]'' television show playing "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 episodes of the ''[[Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show|Honey I Shrunk The Kids TV series]]'' (along with his brother [[Owen Hart|Owen]]), ''[[The Adventures of Sinbad]]'', ''[[Big Sound]]'', and ''The Immortal''. He provided the voice of pro wrestler character "The Hooded Fang" in ''[[Jacob Two-Two (TV series)|Jacob Two-Two]]''.
** [[Professional wrestling throws#Bulldog|Bulldog]],<ref name="HallHav98">{{cite episode|title=Sting Vs. Bret Hart|series=WCW Halloween Havoc|credits=World Championship Wrestling|airdate=1998-10-25}}</ref> sometimes from the [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diving bulldog|second rope]]
** [[Pin#Crucifix|Crucifix]]
** [[Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|Clothesline]], sometimes from the [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diving clothesline|second rope]]
**[[DDT (professional wrestling)|DDT]]<ref name=Slamboree/><ref name=HallHav98/>
**[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Pointed elbow drop|Diving pointed elbow drop]] from the second (sometimes top) rope, often preceded by a [[Backbreaker#Pendulum backbreaker|pendulum backbreaker]]
**[[Dropkick]]
** [[Professional wrestling attacks#European uppercut|European uppercut]], sometimes multiple in a row
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Figure four leglock|Figure four leglock]],<ref name=Souled>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1998014p.htm|title=Souled Out report on January 24, 1998}}</ref> sometimes while using the [[Professional wrestling holds#Ringpost figure four leglock|ringpost]]<ref name=OWOW/> – Innovated
**[[Professional wrestling attacks#Headbutt|Headbutt]],<ref name=Slamboree>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1998053p.htm|title=Slamboree report on May 17, 1998}}</ref><ref name=HallHav98/> sometimes to [[Professional wrestling attacks#Headbutt drop|the opponent's lower abdomen]]<ref name=OWOW/><ref name=HallHav98/>
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Inverted atomic drop|Inverted atomic drop]],<ref name=OWOW/><ref name=HallHav98/> often succeeded by a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|clothesline]]
** Multiple [[Suplex]] variations
***[[Suplex#Belly to back suplex|Belly to back]]
***[[Suplex#German suplex|Bridging German]]
***[[Suplex#Snap suplex|Snap]]<ref name="OWOW" />
***[[Suplex#Superplex|Super]]<ref name="OWOW" />
***[[Suplex#Vertical suplex|Vertical]]
**[[Backbreaker#Pendulum backbreaker|Pendulum backbreaker]]<ref name=OWOW/><ref name=Souled/><ref name=Slamboree/><ref name=HallHav98/>
**[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Plancha|Plancha]]
**[[Professional wrestling attacks#Crossbody|Running crossbody]]
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Russian legsweep|Russian legsweep]]
**[[Seated senton]] to an opponent's leg draped over the first rope
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|Sleeper hold]]<ref name="OWOW" />
**[[Professional wrestling attacks#Stomp|Stomp]] to opponent's lower abdomen<ref name=OWOW/>
**[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Suicide|Suicide dive]]
**[[Neckbreaker#Swinging neckbreaker|Swinging neckbreaker]]


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. He 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'', which he decisively won.
*'''With [[Jim Neidhart]]'''
**''[[Professional wrestling double-team maneuvers#Hart Attack|Hart Attack]]''<ref name=OWOW/>


Hart donned his "Hit Man" singlet, along with additional costume, and executed wrestling maneuvers on villain characters, as part of his performance as the [[Genie (Disney character)|Genie]] in a 2004 stage production of ''[[Aladdin]]''.<ref>"Bret Hart's stroke and his battle to survive". [[The Sports Network]]. December 6, 2004.</ref> He reprised the role in 2006.
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Managers]]'''
**[[Jimmy Hart]]<ref name="hartfoundation">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/hart-foundation-original.html|title=Hart Foundation Profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bret Hart|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/hart-bret.html|accessdate=2009-01-03}}</ref>


In 2024, he played himself in the ''[[American Dad!]]'' episode "Under (and Over, and Beside) the Boardwalk".
*'''Wrestlers Managed'''
**[[The Hart Dynasty]] ([[Tyson Kidd]], [[Natalya (wrestler)|Natalya]] and [[David Hart Smith]])


=== Wrestling-related ===
*'''Nicknames'''
Hart was the subject of the 1998 documentary, ''[[Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows]]'', which chronicled many of the events in Hart's personal and professional life from September 1996 to November 1997, including the [[Montreal Screwjob]] and its immediate aftermath.
**Buddy "The Hearthrob" Hart<ref name=OWOW/>
**'''"The Hitman"'''<ref name=OWOW/>
**'''"The Excellence of Execution"'''<ref name=OWOW/>
**'''"The Best There Is, The Best There Was and The Best There Ever Will Be"'''<ref name="Best"/>
**"The Pink and Black Attack" (while teaming with Jim Neidhart)


A clip of Hart applying the [[sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|sharpshooter]] to Benoit at [[Mayhem (1999)|WCW Mayhem]] in 1999 is featured in the opening credits of ''[[Malcolm in the Middle]]''.
*'''[[Music in professional wrestling|Entrance themes]]'''
**"Eris" by [[Tony Williams (drummer)|Tony Williams]] (NJPW; 1980–1984)
**"Hart Beat" by [[Jimmy Hart]] and J.J. Maguire (WWF; 1988–1994)
**"Hart Attack" by [[Jim Johnston (composer)|Jim Johnston]], Jimmy Hart, and J.J Maguire (WWF; 1994–1997)
**"Hitman in the House" (WCW; 1997–1999)
**"Hitman Theme" by Keith Scott (WCW; 1999–2000)
**"Rockhouse" by [[Jimmy Hart]] and H. Helm (WCW; used while a part of the [[nWo 2000]]; 1999–2000)
**'''"Return of the Hitman"''' by Jim Johnston (WWE; 2010–present)


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]]. 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 collection was released on November 15, 2005.
*'''Wrestlers trained by Bret Hart'''
**[[Achim Albrecht|Brakkus]]<ref name="Hart2011" />
**[[Mark Henry]]<ref name="Hart2011">{{cite book|author=Bruce Hart|title=Straight from the Hart|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=jHKf2e9lin4C&pg=PT243|accessdate=September 23, 2012|date=January 14, 2011|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=978-1-55022-939-4|pages=243–}}</ref>
**[[Test (wrestler)|Test]]


Hart appeared on many talk shows (including ''[[Larry King Live]]'', ''[[Nancy Grace (TV program)|Nancy Grace]]'', ''[[Hannity & Colmes]]'', ''[[On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren]]'') discussing the [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide]]. Hart was a longtime friend of Benoit.
==Championships and accomplishments==


On April 6, 2010, WWE released ''[[Hart & Soul: The Hart Family Anthology]]'', which is a 3 DVD set featuring a documentary on the [[Hart wrestling family]] as well as 12 matches. It is unique in that it also features previously unseen home movies from the Harts as well as interviews from family members.
===Amateur===
*[[Scholastic wrestling|City championships]], Calgary (1974)<ref name="DVD"/><ref name="Hart, Bret 2007 p. 32"/>
*[[Mount Royal University|Mount Royal]] [[Collegiate wrestling|Collegiate Champion]] (1977)<ref name="DVD"/><ref name="Hart, Bret 2007 p. 36"/>


In 2010, [[Fight Network|The Fight Network]] produced a documentary titled ''[[Bret Hart: Survival of the Hitman|Bret Hart – Survival of the Hitman]]'' produced by John Pollock, Jorge Barbosa and Wai Ting chronicling the rise of Hart, his split with WWE in 1997 and his road back to the company in January 2010. The documentary features interviews with Hart, members of the Hart family, Hart's former business manager [[Carl De Marco]], former sports agent Gord Kirke, and producer of ''Wrestling with Shadows'' [[Paul Jay]].
===Professional wrestling===
*'''[[Cauliflower Alley Club]]'''
**Iron Mike Award (2008)


A DVD entitled ''Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart: WWE's Greatest Rivalries'' was released in November 2011. The subject of the DVD was their on-screen rivalry and real-life conflicts, with a particular focus on the Montreal Screwjob.
*'''[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]'''
**[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum#Modern Era (1985-1996)|Class of 2008]]


In 2016, Hart starred in the documentary film ''[[Nine Legends]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Werner|first=Barry|title=Mike Tyson, Bill Goldberg and Bret Hart are among the legends in 'Nine Legends.'|url=http://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/mike-tyson-bill-goldberg-bret-hart-lita-ron-van-dam-013016|work=foxsports.com|access-date=January 30, 2016|date=January 30, 2016}}</ref> Early that year, Hart launched a podcast named ''The Sharpshooter Show''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lelinwalla|first=Mark|title=Bret Hart Has Been Firing Off Harsh Opinions About WWE On His 'Sharpshooter' Podcast|url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/152110/20160421/bret-hart-firing-harsh-opinions-wwe-sharpshooter-podcast.htm|work=Tech Times|access-date=April 21, 2016|date=May 4, 2016}}</ref>
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
**[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards|PWI Comeback of the Year]] (1997)<ref>{{cite web|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|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110515112638/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwicome.htm|archivedate=May 15, 2011|deadurl=yes}}</ref>
**[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards|PWI Feud of the Year]] (1993)<ref name=PWIfeud>{{cite web|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|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110707054311/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwifoty.htm|archivedate=July 7, 2011|deadurl=yes}}</ref> <small>vs. [[Jerry Lawler]]</small>
**PWI Feud of the Year (1994)<ref name=PWIfeud/> <small>vs. [[Owen Hart]]</small>
**[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards|PWI Match of the Year]] (1992)<ref name=MOTY>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimoty.htm|accessdate=2009-03-26|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Match of the Year|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110707054315/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimoty.htm|archivedate=July 7, 2011|deadurl=yes}}</ref> <small>vs. [[Davey Boy Smith|British Bulldog]] at [[SummerSlam (1992)|SummerSlam]]</small>
**PWI Match of the Year (1996)<ref name=MOTY/> <small>vs. [[Shawn Michaels]] in an [[Iron Man match]] at [[WrestleMania XII]]</small>
**PWI Match of the Year (1997)<ref name=MOTY/> <small>vs. [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Submission match|Submission match]] at [[WrestleMania 13]]</small>
**[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards|PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year]] (1997)<ref name="pwihated">{{cite web|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|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110707054322/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimhoty.htm|archivedate=July 7, 2011|deadurl=yes}}</ref>
**[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards|PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year]] (1994)<ref name="pwiinsp">{{cite web|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|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110522012404/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiinsp.htm|archivedate=May 22, 2011|deadurl=yes}}</ref>
**[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards|PWI Stanley Weston Award]] (2003)<ref>{{cite web|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|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110103211804/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiedit.htm|archivedate=January 3, 2011|deadurl=yes}}</ref>
**PWI ranked him #'''1''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year in the [[PWI 500]] in 1993 and 1994<ref name="pwi#1">{{cite web|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|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110522004104/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50093.htm|archivedate=May 22, 2011|deadurl=yes}}</ref><ref name="pwi94">{{cite web|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|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110522005445/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50094.htm|archivedate=May 22, 2011|deadurl=yes}}</ref>
**PWI ranked him #'''4''' of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#All-Time Top Fives|PWI Years]]" in 2003<ref name="pwiyears">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years|accessdate=2009-03-22|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110707054220/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|archivedate=July 7, 2011|deadurl=yes}}</ref>
**PWI ranked him #'''37''' of the top 100 tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Jim Neidhart in 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi100tg.htm|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Tag Teams of the PWI Years|accessdate=2009-06-06|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110707054236/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi100tg.htm|archivedate=July 7, 2011|deadurl=yes}}</ref>


== Video games ==
*'''[[Stampede Wrestling]]'''
**[[Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Championship|NWA International Tag Team Championship ''(Calgary version)'']] ([[Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Championship#Title history|5 times]]) – with [[Keith Hart (wrestler)|Keith Hart]] (4) and [[Leo Burke]] (1)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/calg-t.html|title=Stampede International Tag Team Championship history|publisher=Wrestling=titles.com}}</ref>
**[[Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship#Title history|3 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/calg-mh.html|title=Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship history|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
**[[Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship#Title history|6 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/calg-h.html|title=Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Championship history|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
**[[Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/hof.html|title=Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1948–1990)|year=2003|publisher=Puroresu Dojo}}</ref>


Hart has appeared in numerous [[video games]]. They include:
*'''[[World Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|4 times]])<ref name="ustitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/unitedstates|accessdate=2007-12-30|title=WWE United States Championship history|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
**[[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|2 times]])<ref name="wcwtitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wcwchampionship|accessdate=2007-12-30|title=WCW World Heavyweight Championship title history|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
**[[WCW World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]]<ref name="wcwtagtitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-t.html|title=WCW World Tag Team Championship history|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
**[[Triple Crown Championship#World Championship Wrestling|Fifth]] [[Triple Crown Championship|Triple Crown Champion]] (with [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]])<sup>1</sup><ref name="titlehistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/brethart/bretharttitlehistory|title=Bret Hart's title history at WWE.com}}</ref><ref name="triplecrown">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/magazine/magazinefeatures/featureoftheweek20090423a/|title=Triple Crown Club|publisher=WWE|date=October 18, 2010|accessdate=2011-02-21}}</ref>


{|class="wikitable sortable"
*'''[[World Wrestling Council]]'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
**[[WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship]] ([[WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Smith Hart]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/pr/wwc/carib-t.html|title=WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship history|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | WWE Video games
|- style="text-align:center;"
! style="background:#ccc;" | Year
! style="background:#ccc;" | Title
! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1992
| ''[[WWF European Rampage Tour]]''
| Video game debut <br /> Cover athlete
|-
| ''[[WWF WrestleMania: Steel Cage Challenge]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1993
| ''[[WWF Royal Rumble (1993 video game)|WWF Royal Rumble]]''
| rowspan="3"| Cover athlete
|-
| ''[[WWF King of the Ring (video game)|WWF King of the Ring]]''
|-
| ''[[WWF Rage in the Cage]]''
|-
| 1994
| ''[[WWF Raw (1994 video game)|WWF Raw]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| 1995
| ''[[WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| 1996
| ''[[WWF In Your House (video game)|WWF In Your House]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| 1998
|''[[WWF War Zone]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2004
| ''[[WWE Day of Reckoning]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2005
| ''[[WWE WrestleMania 21 (video game)|WWE WrestleMania 21]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE Day of Reckoning 2]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006]]''
|
|-
| 2006
| ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007]]''
|
|-
| 2007
| ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008]]''
|
|-
| 2009
| ''[[WWE Legends of WrestleMania]]''
|
|-
| 2010
| ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011]]''
| DLC character For PS3 & Xbox 360
|-
| 2011
| ''[[WWE All Stars]]''
|
|-
| 2012
| ''[[WWE '13]]''
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[WWE 2K14]]''
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[WWE SuperCard]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2015
| ''[[WWE Immortals]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE 2K16]]''
|
|-
| 2016
| ''[[WWE 2K17]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2017''
| ''WWE Champions''
|
|-
| ''WWE Tap Mania''
|
|-
| ''[[WWE 2K18]]''
|
|-
| ''WWE Mayhem''
|
|-
| 2018
| ''[[WWE 2K19]]''
|
|-
| 2019
| ''[[WWE 2K20]]''
|
|-
| 2020
| '' [[WWE 2K Battlegrounds]]''
|
|-
| 2022
| ''[[WWE 2K22]]''
|
|}


{|class="wikitable sortable"
*'''[[WWE|World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment]]'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
**[[WWE United States Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|1 time]])<ref name="ustitle"/>
! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | WCW Video games
**[[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] ([[List of WWE Champions|5 times]])<ref name="wwetitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwechampionship|title=WWE Championship history|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
**[[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]] ([[List of WWE Intercontinental Champions|2 times]])<ref name="ictitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/intercontinental|title=WWE Intercontinental Championship history|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
! style="background:#ccc;" | Year
**[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|2 times]]) – with Jim Neidhart<ref name="worldtagteam"/>
! style="background:#ccc;" | Title
**[[King of the Ring]] ([[King of the Ring 1991|1991]], [[King of the Ring (1993)|1993]])
! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes
**WWF Superstar of the Year (1993)<ref name="soty"/>
|-
**Middle East Cup (1996)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/middleeast.html#middle|title=Middle East Cup Tournament|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory|accessdate=2014-11-30}}</ref>
| rowspan="2"| 1998
**[[Royal Rumble]] ([[Royal Rumble (1994)|1994]]) – with [[Lex Luger]]<sup>2</sup><ref name="titlehistory"/>
| ''[[WCW Nitro (video game)|WCW Nitro]]''
**[[Triple Crown Championship#World Wrestling Entertainment|Second]] [[Triple Crown Championship|Triple Crown Champion]]
| Video game debut <br /> Bret was featured in the Nintendo 64 version of the game, but was not in the PlayStation version
**[[WWE Hall of Fame]] ([[WWE Hall of Fame|Class of 2006]])
|-
**[[Slammy Award]] for Put a Fork in Him, He's Done ([[Slammy Award|1996]]) {{small|[[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|The Sharpshooter]]}}<ref name="slammy">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/andthewinneris|title=And the winner is|publisher=WWE|date=February 23, 2008|accessdate=2011-02-21}}</ref>
| ''[[WCW/nWo Revenge]]''
**Slammy Award for Best Music Video (1996)<ref name="slammy"/>
|
**Slammy Award for Which WWF champion, past or present, in attendance, is Hall of Fame bound? (1996)<ref name="slammy"/>
|-
**Slammy Award for Match of the Year (vs. [[Shawn Michaels]] at [[WrestleMania XII]]) (1996)<ref name="slammy"/>
| rowspan="2"| 1999
| ''[[WCW/nWo Thunder]]''
|
|-
| ''[[WCW Mayhem (video game)|WCW Mayhem]]''
|
|-
| 2000
| ''[[WCW Backstage Assault]]''
|
|}


{|class="wikitable sortable"
*'''[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards|Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards]]'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
**[[5-star match|5 Star Match]] (1994) {{small|vs. Owen Hart in a [[cage match]] at [[SummerSlam (1994)|SummerSlam]]}}
! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Legends of Wrestling Video games
**5 Star Match (1997) {{small|vs. Steve Austin in a Submission match at WrestleMania 13}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
**[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards|Best Pro Wrestling Book]] (2007) {{small|Hitman}}
! style="background:#ccc;" | Year
**[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards|Feud of the Year]] (1993) {{small|vs. Jerry Lawler}}
! style="background:#ccc;" | Title
**Feud of the Year (1997) {{small|with Owen Hart, Jim Neidhart, British Bulldog, and [[Brian Pillman]] vs. Steve Austin}}
! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes
**[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards|Match of the Year]] (1997) {{small|vs. Steve Austin in a Submission match at WrestleMania 13}}
|-
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#1996 inductees|Class of 1996]])
| 2001
| ''[[Legends of Wrestling]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Legends of Wrestling II]]''
| Cover athlete
|-
| 2004
|''[[Showdown: Legends of Wrestling]]''
|
|}


== Personal life ==
<sup>1</sup><small>Hart and Goldberg both became Triple Crown Champions upon winning the Tag Team Titles.</small>
Hart lent his nickname to the [[Calgary Hitmen]] of the [[Western Hockey League]]; he was a founder and part-owner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calgary-for-newcomers.com/CalgaryHitmenHockey.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513063206/http://www.calgary-for-newcomers.com/CalgaryHitmenHockey.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 13, 2008|title=The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Team Has Come a Long Way in a Short Time|publisher=Calgary for Newcomers.com|date=May 7, 1999|access-date=January 15, 2011}}</ref>


On August 23, 2018, Hart was honoured with a traditional [[Blackfoot Confederacy|Niitsitapi]] naming ceremony and named 'Courageous Chief' by Siksika Elder Miiksika'am ([[Clarence Wolfleg]]). The ceremony was done as recognition for his and his father Stu Hart's cultural relationship building contributions, such as promoting interest of the sport of amateur wrestling among indigenous youth throughout Western Canada.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://calgaryherald.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/bret-courageous-chief-hart-gets-blackfoot-name-at-calgary-ceremony/wcm/04c4d632-54fc-4527-90c6-480d45259fd7 |title='It tops Hitman:' Wrestler Bret Hart gets Blackfoot name at Calgary ceremony |author=The Canadian Press|publisher=Calgary Herald|date=August 23, 2018|access-date=August 23, 2018}}</ref>
<sup>2</sup><small>Hart and [[Lex Luger]] are recognized as co-winners after both simultaneously eliminated each other.</small>


==References==
=== Family ===
{{main|Hart wrestling family}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
Hart married Julie Smadu (born March 25, 1960) on July 8, 1982. They have four children.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=224,255}}</ref><ref name="Hart, Bret 2007 255">{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=255}}</ref> The four hearts located on the right thigh of his tights symbolize his children, as do the four dots following his signature.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=254}}</ref> Julie's sister Michelle was married to [[Dynamite Kid|Tom Billington]] from 1982 to 1991.{{sfn|Hart|2007|p=169}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://testside.users.whitehat.dk/Articles_chat.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107011357/http://testside.users.whitehat.dk/Articles_chat.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=January 7, 2013 |title = UNofficial Homepgae of the Dynamite Kid – Tom Billington}}</ref> Bret and Julie separated in May 1998,<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=470}}</ref> and after several brief reunions over the next 4 years,<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|pp=472–473}}</ref> eventually divorced on June 24, 2002, just hours before Hart had his stroke.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|pp=532–533}}</ref> Hart married an Italian woman named Cinzia Rota on September 15, 2004, but they divorced in 2007 after failing to agree on where they should live.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=547}}</ref> He married Stephanie Washington, an African-American woman several decades his junior, in 2010;<ref>{{cite web |last1=Amato |first1=Laura |title=Bret Hart Cancer Announcement: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |url=https://heavy.com/sports/2016/02/bret-hart-cancer-prostate-instagram-twitter-wife-wwe-kids-family-raw/ |website=heavy.com |date=February 2016 |access-date=June 13, 2021}}</ref> although at first his children were wary of their new stepmother, they have since embraced her as they realized that despite their differences in age, the love between her and their father is deep and genuine.<ref>{{cite web |title=WWE Legends, Season 1 Episode 8: "Bret 'Hitman' Hart" |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14410310/?ref_=ttep_ep8 |website=IMDb |date=June 6, 2021 |access-date=December 11, 2021}}</ref>
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 successful careers in the business. His youngest brother, [[Owen Hart]], had become a decorated wrestler in his own right before his death in 1999, caused by an accident at the WWF pay-per-view [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]]. Hart's niece [[Natalya (wrestler)|Natalya]] is a professional wrestler.


Fellow pro wrestler [[Roddy Piper]] claimed in his autobiography to be a cousin of Hart.<ref>{{cite book|author=Roddy Piper|title=In the Pit with Piper: Roddy Gets Rowdy|publisher=[[Berkley Books]]|year=2002|url=https://archive.org/details/inpitwithpiper00pipe/page/231|isbn=0-425-18721-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/inpitwithpiper00pipe/page/231 231]|author-link=Roddy Piper}}</ref> Hart has also stated that Piper was the only wrestler to visit him in the hospital after his stroke.<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|p=541}}</ref>
==Further information==

* {{Cite book | ref={{harvid|Hart|2007}}
=== Health problems ===
| last1=Hart| first1=Bret
On June 24, 2002, Hart had a 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 developed 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 has had other lasting effects common to stroke survivors (such as emotional imbalance). Hart wrote in detail about his stroke in his autobiography, ''Hitman: My Real Life In The Cartoon World of Wrestling''.<ref name="IGN05">{{cite web|url=http://uk.sports.ign.com/articles/667/667878p1.html|title=Bret Hart: The Hitman Returns|last=Robinson|first=Jon|date=November 17, 2005|publisher=IGN|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070804073424/http://uk.sports.ign.com/articles/667/667878p1.html|archive-date=August 4, 2007}}</ref> Hart later became a spokesperson for [[March of Dimes Canada]]'s Stroke Recovery Canada program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marchofdimes.ca/dimes/national_programs/national_programs/src/The+Bret+Hart+Story.htm|title=The Bret Hart Story|publisher=[[March of Dimes Canada]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113112359/http://www.marchofdimes.ca/dimes/national_programs/national_programs/src/The%2BBret%2BHart%2BStory.htm|archive-date=November 13, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> While recovering from his stroke Hart would train three days a week at B.J's Gym in Calgary, which was owned by his brother-in-law [[B. J. Annis]].<ref>{{Harv|McCoy|2007|p=292}}</ref>
| title=Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling

| url =http://books.google.ca/books?id=9w_ufNyxo3YC&lpg=PP1&dq=Bret%20%22Hitman%22%20Hart%3A&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=true
On February 1, 2016, Hart announced through a [[Facebook]] post that he had been diagnosed with [[prostate cancer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/bret-hart-reveals-he-has-prostate-cancer-makes-statement-206751 |title=Bret Hart reveals he has prostate cancer, makes statement |date=February 1, 2016 |access-date=February 1, 2016 |work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202014959/http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/bret-hart-reveals-he-has-prostate-cancer-makes-statement-206751 |archive-date=February 2, 2016 }}</ref> Jim Ross claimed on March 2, 2016, that Hart had beaten the disease following successful surgery and that it appeared not to have spread to other areas of his body.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/35714206/wwes-bret-the-hitman-hart-beats-prostate-cancer-after-having-surgery|title=WWE's Bret 'the Hitman' Hart beats prostate cancer after having surgery|work=[[BBC Newsbeat]]|access-date=March 4, 2016|date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> Hart responded to Jim Ross' comments through Facebook saying that although the surgery was a success and that he and his doctors were optimistic, he would continue to be monitored every three months by doctors until he can actually be cancer free.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bret-hart-hitman-prostate-cancer-recovery-1.3480166|title=Bret 'The Hitman' Hart, pro wrestler, hopeful about cancer recovery|work=[[CBC.ca]]|date=March 7, 2016}}</ref>
| publisher=[[Random House Canada]] (Canada), [[Grand Central Publishing]] (US)

| year=2007
=== Personal issues with Ric Flair ===
| pages=592pp
In October 1993, Hart gave a radio interview in which he said [[Ric Flair]] "sucks", and described his workplace, WCW, as "minor league".<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Oliver, Sean (director)|year=2014|title=Timeline: History of WCW – 93 – Told by Vader|medium=DVD|publisher=Kayfabe Commentaries|quote=1993 – October – Bret Hart buries Ric Flair and WCW – Bret Hart was on Toronto all-sports radio station 'The FAN' and buried WCW and Ric Flair during an interview, saying WCW is 'minor league' and Flair 'sucks'.}}</ref> In his autobiography, Flair accused Hart of exploiting the death of his brother, [[Owen Hart]], and the controversy surrounding the [[Montreal Screwjob]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=887C21B7-3048-52EA-1E34C39B8C6042BE|title=Flair Pulls No Punches in Book|author=Mike Mooneyham|date=July 4, 2004|access-date=May 14, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224923/http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=887C21B7-3048-52EA-1E34C39B8C6042BE <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref> Flair also claimed in his autobiography that, despite Hart's popularity in Canada, he was not a formidable money-making [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#D|draw]] in the United States, a claim which Hart dismissed as "plain ridiculous" in a column written for the ''[[Calgary Sun]]''.<ref name="brethartonflair"/> Hart claimed that he drew greater revenue than Flair, citing his headlining performances on consistently sold-out tours throughout his WWF career, while Flair wrestled to allegedly near-empty arenas. He also criticized Flair on what he perceived as insults to fellow wrestlers [[Mick Foley]] and [[Randy Savage]]. Hart did acknowledge a decline in the WWF's popularity during the mid-1990s, but he, and others, felt that this was largely attributed to the WWF's well-publicised sex and steroid scandals, as well as WCW's acquisition of former top WWF stars.<ref name="brethartonflair"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/wwf-aims-shoots-high-wrestling-garden-roll-article-1.803878|title=Wwf Aims Low, Shoots High Wrestling Comes to the Garden on a Roll|work=New York Daily News|date=December 27, 1998|access-date=July 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/World-Wrestling-Federation-Entertainment-Inc-Company-History.html|title=World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. – Company History|publisher=Fundinguniverse.com|access-date=February 21, 2011}}</ref> Hart also took aim at Flair in his autobiography, criticizing his in-ring talents and what Hart perceived as Flair's unsubtle [[Blading (professional wrestling)|blading]].<ref>{{Harv|Hart|2007|pp=286; 303}}</ref>
| nopp=y

| lastauthoramp=n| isbn=9780307355676}} ISBN 978-0-307-35567-6 (Canada) ISBN 978-0-446-53972-2 (US)
Flair and Hart have since reconciled and are now friends.<ref>Flair, Ric; Bret Hart, ''WOOOOO! Nation with Ric Flair'', "Episode 3: Bret "The Hitman" Hart", [[CBS Local Media]], May 19, 2015</ref>
* {{Cite book | ref={{harvid|Hart|2000}}

| last1=Hart |first1=Bret
===Claims Shawn Michaels and Triple H bullied The Rock===
| last2=Lefko |first2=Perry

| title=Bret "Hitman" Hart: The Best There Is, the Best There Was, the Best There Ever Will Be
On an episode on his "Confessions with the Hitman" podcast, Hart revealed that in 1996–97, [[Dwayne Johnson]], at that time a rookie in WWE, was a "marked guy" and that both [[Shawn Michaels]] and [[Triple H]] bullied him and did everything in their power to make The Rock leave the company. He claimed both superstars were jealous of him which is why they used to "work him" for the smallest of reasons; "He (Triple H) was always out to get The Rock. Shawn was out to get him and they just worked on him, and worked on him, and worked on him, and I left. [The Rock] was still in the doghouse with those guys. They wanted him [out] as bad as they wanted me out."<ref>{{cite web |last=Chiari |first=Mike |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2904404-bret-hart-says-triple-h-shawn-michaels-were-out-to-get-the-rock-in-1990s |title=Bret Hart Says Triple H, Shawn Michaels Were 'Out to Get' The Rock in 1990s |website=[[Bleacher Report]] |date=August 13, 2020 |access-date=August 3, 2022}}</ref>
| date=March 2000 | publisher=Balmur/Stoddart
{{external media
| location=
| float = right
| isbn=0-7737-6095-4}}
| width = 300px
;Documentary
| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM1NkCkLvp4 Dwayne Johnson & Emily Blunt Interview: Jungle Cruise], Screen Rant Plus (remarks about Hart start at 3:51)
* {{Cite AV media
| people = Paul Jay (Director); Bret Hart; Owen Hart; Vince McMahon
| title = [[Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows]]
| medium = Documentary film
| publisher = High Road Productions Inc; National Film Board of Canada
| location = Canada; U.S.A
| date = 1998
|asin=B001NG9GZ0
}}
}}
In 2021, Johnson himself acknowledged and praised Hart for his attitude, professionalism, as being a great person and for being exceptionally kind to him when he was a rookie in WWE during an interview with Joseph Deckelmeier of The Illuminerdi. Once he noticed that Deckelmeier was wearing a Hart shirt, he stated: "The t-shirt he's wearing is a guy who didn't have to be, but was so good to me when I was a rookie professional wrestler, and his name is Bret 'The Hitman' Hart. He comes from a very famous wrestling family, but at that time, he was world champion, and there were a lot of guys in that world at that time in '96 that didn't necessarily embrace me, just when I was a rookie coming in, because everyone is hungry for their spots, and he'll tell you, there's a lot of sharks in the water. But that guy, Bret, and he was world champion, to show me how it's done...I think [he did it] because he knew that our families ([[Anoaʻi family|Anoaʻi]] and Hart) knew each other and knew that I came from a lineage of pro wrestling and that I had a real love and respect for wrestling, and he was just a great guy, and I always like to give him props where I can."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/1247230-the-rock-bret-hart-jungle-cruise|title=The Rock: Bret Hart Was Kind To Me When I Was A Rookie, He's 'A Great Guy'|publisher=mandatory.com|date=August 2, 2021}}</ref>


== Championships and accomplishments ==
==External links==
[[File:Bret Hart WWF Champion.jpg|thumb|Hart is a five-time [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]], becoming the second man after [[Hulk Hogan]] to accomplish this feat]]
{{Portal|Professional wrestling}}

{{Commons category}}
=== Amateur wrestling ===
{{Wikiquote}}
*'''City of Calgary'''
*{{Official website|http://www.brethart.com}}
** [[Scholastic wrestling|City championships]], Calgary (1974)<ref name="DVD"/><ref name="Hart, Bret 2007 p. 32"/>
* {{twitter|BretHart}}
*'''Collegiate wrestling'''
* {{Facebook User|hitmanbrethart}}
** [[Mount Royal University|Mount Royal]] [[Collegiate wrestling|Collegiate Champion]] (1977)<ref name="DVD"/><ref name="Hart, Bret 2007 p. 36"/>
*[http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/brethart/ WWE Hall of Fame profile]
*'''[[National Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
** Class of 2006<ref>{{cite web|archive-date=January 30, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180130200341/https://nwhof.org/blog/dg-inductees/bret-hart/|url=https://nwhof.org/blog/dg-inductees/bret-hart/ |title=Inductee: Bret Hart|publisher=[[National Wrestling Hall of Fame]]|access-date=May 27, 2017}}</ref>

=== Professional wrestling ===
* '''[[Cauliflower Alley Club]]'''
** Iron Mike Award (2008)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/list-of-cac-award-winners/ |title=List of CAC Award Winners |access-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140413080042/http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/list-of-cac-award-winners/ |archive-date=April 13, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* '''Canadian Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame'''
** Class of 2021 – individually<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cpwhof.cwnonline.ca/2021-class/|title=2021 Class|work=Canadian Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame|access-date=November 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127164705/http://cpwhof.cwnonline.ca/2021-class/|archive-date=January 27, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Class of 2022 – as a member of the [[Hart Foundation]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cpwhof.cwnonline.ca/2022-class/|title=2022 Class|work=Canadian Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame|access-date=November 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601212617/http://cpwhof.cwnonline.ca/2022-class/|archive-date=June 1, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
*'''[[SLAM! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame|Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
**Individually<ref>{{cite web|author=Oliver, Greg|url=http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestling/harts.html|title=SLAM! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame: The Hart Family|date=April 3, 2016|work=Slam! Wrestling|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822132939/http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestling/harts.html|archive-date=August 22, 2015}}</ref>
**With the Hart family<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/hallofame.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429003907/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/hallofame.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 29, 2015 |title=Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame |date =April 3, 2016|work=Slam! Wrestling|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref>
*'''[[George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
** Class of 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Other_News_4/article_17375.shtml|title=Hall of Fame Inductions Report: Bret Hart, Larrry Hennig, Mike DiBiase, Dory Funk Sr., Bop Roop|date=July 6, 2006|access-date=August 27, 2018|work=[[PWTorch]]}}</ref>
* '''[[International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
** [[International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame#Members|Class of 2023]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2023/03/16/ipwhf-class-of-2023-both-great-and-gorgeous/|title=IPWHF Class of 2023 both 'Great' and 'Gorgeous'|work=Slam Wrestling|first=Greg|last=Oliver|date=March 16, 2023|accessdate=December 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507112606/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2023/03/16/ipwhf-class-of-2023-both-great-and-gorgeous/|archive-date=May 7, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''[[Prairie Wrestling Alliance]]'''
** Prairie Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame (Class of 2010)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2010/06/15/14402076.html|archive-url= https://archive.today/20180116095112/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2010/06/15/14402076.html|archive-date =January 16, 2018|access-date =January 16, 2018 |title=Booker T enjoying life away from the spotlight|author=Clevette, Jason|date= June 16, 2010|work=[[SLAM! Wrestling]]|publisher=[[Canoe.com]]}}</ref>
* '''[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]'''
** [[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum#Modern Era (1985–1996)|Class of 2008]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://0362dc8.netsolhost.com/halloffamers/inductees.asp|title=Hall of Famers|publisher=0362dc8.netsolhost.com|access-date=February 7, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026163526/http://0362dc8.netsolhost.com/halloffamers/inductees.asp|archive-date=October 26, 2016}}</ref>
* '''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
** [[PWI Comeback of the Year|Comeback of the Year]] (1997)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwicome.htm|access-date=June 30, 2008|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Comeback of the Year|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515112638/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwicome.htm|archive-date=May 15, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** [[PWI Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (1993) <small>vs. [[Jerry Lawler]]</small><ref name=PWIfeud>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwifoty.htm|access-date=June 30, 2008|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Feud of the Year|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707054311/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwifoty.htm|archive-date=July 7, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** Feud of the Year (1994) <small>vs. [[Owen Hart]]</small><ref name=PWIfeud/>
** [[PWI Match of the Year|Match of the Year]] (1992) <small>vs. [[Davey Boy Smith|British Bulldog]] at [[SummerSlam (1992)|SummerSlam]]</small><ref name="MOTY">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimoty.htm|access-date=March 26, 2009|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Match of the Year|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707054315/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimoty.htm|archive-date=July 7, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** Match of the Year (1996) <small>vs. [[Shawn Michaels]] in an [[Iron Man match]] at [[WrestleMania XII]]</small><ref name=MOTY/>
** Match of the Year (1997) <small>vs. [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Submission match|submission match]] at [[WrestleMania 13]]</small><ref name=MOTY/>
** [[PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year|Most Hated Wrestler of the Year]] (1997)<ref name="pwihated">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimhoty.htm|access-date=June 30, 2008|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Most Hated Wrestler of the Year|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707054322/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimhoty.htm|archive-date=July 7, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** [[List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards#Inspirational Wrestler of the Year|Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year]] (1994)<ref name="pwiinsp">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiinsp.htm|access-date=June 30, 2008|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Inspirational Wrestler of the Year|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522012404/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiinsp.htm|archive-date=May 22, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** [[PWI Stanley Weston Award|Stanley Weston Award]] (2003)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiedit.htm|access-date=June 30, 2008|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Editor's Award|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103211804/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiedit.htm|archive-date=January 3, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''[[PWI 500]]'' in 1993 and 1994<ref name="pwi#1">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50093.htm|access-date=June 30, 2008|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 – 1993|publisher=Wrestling Information|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919163155/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50093.htm|archive-date=September 19, 2011}}</ref>
** Ranked No. 4 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the ''PWI Years'' in 2003
** Ranked No. 37 of the top 100 tag teams of the ''PWI Years'' with [[Jim Neidhart]] in 2003
*'''[[Sports Illustrated]]'''
**Ranked No. 1 of the 20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time<ref name="SI_Oct2024">{{cite magazine |last1=Pullar III |first1=Sid |date=October 13, 2024 |title=20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/features/10-greatest-wwe-wrestlers-of-all-time |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=November 26, 2024}}</ref>
* '''[[Quebec Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
** Class of 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsiderxtra.com/ViewArticle.php?id=33999&p=1|title=Bret Hart, Kevin Owens inducted into Quebec Wrestling Hall of Fame|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=December 6, 2017|access-date=December 7, 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref>
*'''[[Sports Illustrated]]'''
**Ranked No. 9 of the 20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time<ref name="SI_Oct2024"/>
* '''[[Stampede Wrestling]]'''
** [[Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Championship|Stampede International Tag Team Championship]] ([[Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Championship#Title history|5 times]]) – with [[Keith Hart (wrestler)|Keith Hart]] (4) and [[Leo Burke]] (1)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/calg-t.html|title=Stampede International Tag Team Championship history|publisher=Wrestling=titles.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505025114/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/calg-t.html|archive-date=May 5, 2008}}</ref>
** [[Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship#Title history|3 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/calg-mh.html|title=Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship history|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
** [[Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Championship|Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship#Title history|6 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/calg-h.html|title=Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Championship history|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
** [[Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/hof.html|title=Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1948–1990)|year=2003|publisher=Puroresu Dojo}}</ref>
* '''[[World Championship Wrestling]]'''
** [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|2 times]])<ref name="wcwtitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wcwchampionship|access-date=December 30, 2007|title=WCW World Heavyweight Championship title history|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
** [[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|4 times]])<ref name="ustitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/unitedstates|access-date=December 30, 2007|title=WWE United States Championship history|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
** [[WCW World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]]<ref name="wcwtagtitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-t.html|title=WCW World Tag Team Championship history|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
** [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)#List of WCW Triple Crown winners|Fifth]] [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)|Triple Crown Champion]]<ref name="titlehistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/brethart/bretharttitlehistory|title=Bret Hart's title history at WWE.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728053910/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/brethart/bretharttitlehistory|archive-date=July 28, 2009}}</ref><ref name="triplecrown">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/magazine/magazinefeatures/featureoftheweek20090423a/|title=Triple Crown Club|publisher=WWE|date=October 18, 2010|access-date=February 21, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091104080930/http://www.wwe.com/magazine/magazinefeatures/featureoftheweek20090423a/|archive-date=November 4, 2009}}</ref>{{Efn|Hart and Goldberg both became Triple Crown Champions upon winning the WCW World Tag Team Championship.}}
* '''Universal Wrestling Promotions'''
** [[WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship|UWP Caribbean Tag Team Championship]] ([[WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Smith Hart]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/pr/wwc/carib-t.html|title=WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship history|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
* '''[[WWE|World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment/WWE]]'''
** [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] ([[List of WWE Champions|5 times]])<ref name="wwetitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwechampionship|title=WWE Championship history|access-date=December 30, 2007|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
** [[WWE United States Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|1 time]])<ref name="ustitle"/>
** [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]] ([[List of WWE Intercontinental Champions|2 times]])<ref name="ictitle">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/intercontinental|title=WWE Intercontinental Championship history|access-date=December 30, 2007|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
** [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)|2 times]]) – with Jim Neidhart<ref name="worldtagteam"/>
** [[King of the Ring tournament|King of the Ring]] ([[King of the Ring (1991)|1991]], [[King of the Ring (1993)|1993]])
** [[Royal Rumble]] ([[Royal Rumble (1994)|1994]]) – with [[Lex Luger]]<ref name="titlehistory"/>{{Efn|Hart and [[Lex Luger]] are recognized as co-winners after both simultaneously eliminated each other.}}
** [[List of WWE tournaments#Middle East Cup Tournament|Middle East Cup (1996)]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/middleeast.html#middle|title=Middle East Cup Tournament|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory|access-date=November 30, 2014}}</ref>
**[[WWE Hall of Fame]] (2 times)
*** [[WWE Hall of Fame (2006)|Class of 2006]] – individually
*** [[WWE Hall of Fame (2019)|Class of 2019]] – as a member of The Hart Foundation<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-of-fame/wwe-hall-of-fame-2019/article/hart-foundation-wwe-hall-of-fame-inductees-2019 | title=The Hart Foundation to join WWE Hall of Fame}}</ref>
** WWF Superstar of the Year (1993)<ref name="soty"/>
** [[List of wwe triple crown champions|Second]] [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)|Triple Crown Champion]] (2 times)
** [[Slammy Award]] (5 times)
*** Best New Generation Spot ([[1994 Slammy Awards|1994]]) – {{small|"Go Get 'em, Champ!" commercial}}<ref name="slammy"/>
*** Best Music Video ([[1996 Slammy Awards|1996]])<ref name="slammy">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/andthewinneris|title=And the winner is|publisher=WWE|date=February 23, 2008|access-date=February 21, 2011}}</ref>
*** Match of the Year ([[1997 Slammy Awards|1997]]) – {{small|vs. [[Shawn Michaels]] at [[WrestleMania XII]]}}<ref name="slammy"/>
*** Put a Fork in Him, He's Done (1996) – {{small|[[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|The Sharpshooter]]}}<ref name="slammy"/>
*** Which WWF World Heavyweight Champion, past or present, in attendance, is Hall of Fame bound? (1996)<ref name="slammy"/>
* '''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Pro Wrestling Book|Best Pro Wrestling Book]] (2007) {{small|''Hitman''}}
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Pro Wrestling DVD/Streaming Documentary|Best Pro Wrestling DVD]] (2006) {{small|''Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, the Best There Was, the Best There Ever Will Be''}}
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Pro Wrestling DVD/Streaming Documentary|Best Pro Wrestling DVD]] (2011) {{small|''Greatest Rivalries: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart''}}
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (1993) {{small|vs. Jerry Lawler}}
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Match of the Year|Match of the Year]] (1997) {{small|vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin in a Submission match at WrestleMania 13}}
** Feud of the Year (1997) {{small|with Owen Hart, Jim Neidhart, British Bulldog, and [[Brian Pillman]] vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin}}
** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#Inductees|Class of 1996]])

=== Other ===
* Hart was ranked the 39th [[The Greatest Canadian|greatest Canadian]] in 2004 in a poll by CBC which received more than 1.2 million votes.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wall|first=Karen L.|title=Game Plan: A Social History of Sports in Alberta|publisher=University of Alberta Press|year=2012|isbn=978-0888645944|page=276 pp}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Sornberger|first=Joe|title=Dreams and Due Diligence: Till & McCulloch's Stem Cell Discovery and Legacy|publisher=University of Toronto Press|year=2011|isbn=978-1442644854|page=? pp}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=MacGregor|first=Roy|title=Canadians: A Portrait Of A Country And Its People|publisher=Penguin Canada|year=2008|isbn=978-0143053088|page=? pp}}</ref>
* [[Canada's Walk of Fame]] (2021)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/153850/bret-hart-discusses-the-honor-that-to-him-is-bigger-than-the-wwe-hall-of-fame.html?p=1 |title=Bret Hart Discusses The Honor That To Him Is Bigger Than The Wwe Hall Of Fame |publisher=PWInsider |date=December 17, 2021 |access-date=February 26, 2022}}</ref>

== ''Luchas de Apuestas'' record ==
{{see also|Lucha libre#Luchas de Apuestas|l1=Luchas de Apuestas}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
! style="width:20%;" scope="col"|Winner (wager)
! style="width:20%;" scope="col"|Loser (wager)
! style="width:20%;" scope="col"|Location
! style="width:20%;" scope="col"|Event
! style="width:15%;" scope="col"|Date
! class="unsortable" style="width:5%;" scope="col"|Notes
|-
|Bret Hart (hair) || [[Don Jardine|The Spoiler]] (mask) || Toronto, Ontario || WWF Toronto || {{dts|1985|1|13}} ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&show=16836|title=WWF Toronto|website=Wrestlingdata.com}}</ref>
|}

== See also ==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
;[[Hart wrestling family|Family]]
* [[Matt Hart (wrestler)|Matt Hart]]
* [[Mike Hart (wrestler)|Mike Hart]]
* [[Bruce Hart Jr.]]
* [[Torrin Hart]]
{{Col-break}}
;General
* [[Professional wrestling in Canada]]
* [[Sport in Calgary]]
{{Col-break}}
;Other
* [[Hart Legacy Wrestling]]
* [[The Hitman (nickname)]]
* ''[[Stu Hart: Lord of the Ring]]''
* ''[[Pain and Passion]]''
* ''[[Hart Still Beating]]''
{{col-end}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Canada|Sports|Literature}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Sources ==
'''Print'''
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{Cite book|last1=Hart|first1=Bret|title=Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9w_ufNyxo3YC&q=Bret%20%22Hitman%22%20Hart%3A&pg=PP1|publisher=[[Random House Canada]] (Canada), [[Grand Central Publishing]] (US)|year=2007|pages=592pp|no-pp=y|isbn=9780307355676}} {{ISBN|978-0-307-35567-6}} (Canada) {{ISBN|978-0-446-53972-2}} (US)
* {{Cite book|author1= Hart, Martha|author2=Francis, Eric|title= Broken Harts: The Life and Death of Owen Hart |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SNNtABahlEYC&q=owen+hart |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] (Canada), M. Evans and Company, Inc (US)|year=2004|pages=288pp|no-pp=y|name-list-style=amp|isbn=978-1-59077-036-8}}
* {{Cite book|author= Hart, Bruce|title= Straight from the Hart|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=jHKf2e9lin4C&q=hart+foundation&pg=PT249 |publisher=[[ECW Press]]|year=2011|pages=272pp |isbn=978-1-55022-939-4}}
* {{Cite book|last=McCoy |first=Heath|title= Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=i_dGLlfvGJkC&q=pain+and+passion+the+history+of+stampede+wrestling|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|year=2007|pages=336pp |isbn=978-1550227871}}
* {{Cite book|author1= Hart, Diana|author2= McLellan, Kirstie|title= Under the Mat: Inside Wrestling's Greatest Family |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=L1bLPQAACAAJ&q=Diana+Hart+family|publisher=Fenn Pub|year=2001|pages=200pp |name-list-style=amp|isbn=978-1550227871}}
* {{Cite book|author= Erb, Marsha|title= Stu Hart: Lord of the Ring|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o5GfzUbazgwC&q=stu+hart+lord+of+the+ring|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|year=2002|pages=250pp |isbn=978-1550225082}}
* {{Cite book|title= Historical Dictionary of Wrestling |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KUsJAwAAQBAJ&q=Historical+Dictionary+of+Wrestling&pg=PR7|author=Grasso, John|publisher= Scarecrow Press, inc |year=2014|page=444|isbn=978-0-8108-7926-3}}
* {{Cite book|title=Slamthology: Collected Wrestling Writings |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=80DO1mB_69gC&q=Slamthology:+Collected+Wrestling+Writings |author= Lister, John|publisher= jnlister |year=2005|page=276|isbn=1-4116-5329-7}}
{{Refend}}
'''Film'''
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{Cite AV media|people=[[Paul Jay]] (Director); Bret Hart; Owen Hart; Vince McMahon|title=[[Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows]]|medium=Documentary film|publisher=High Road Productions Inc; National Film Board of Canada|location=Canada; U.S.A|date=1998|asin=B001NG9GZ0}}
* {{Cite AV media|people=Bret Hart (Subject); Stone Austin; Roddy Piper; Chris Benoit|title=[[Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, the Best There Was, the Best There Ever Will Be]]|medium=Documentary film|publisher= WWE|location= U.S.A; Canada|date=2005}}
{{Refend}}

== Further reading ==
'''Biographies'''
* {{cite book|first=Ross|last=Davies|title=Bret Hart|publisher=Rosen Publishing Group|isbn=0-8239-3494-2|year=2001}}
* {{Cite book|title=Pure Dynamite: The Price you Pay for Wrestling Stardom|author1=Billington, Tom|author2=Coleman, Alison|publisher= Winding Stair Press|year=2001|isbn=1-55366-084-6}}
*McCoy, Heath. ''Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling''. Toronto: CanWest Books, 2005. {{ISBN|0-9736719-8-X}}
* {{Cite book|title=Hart Strings|author=Hart, Julie|publisher=Tightrope Books|year=2013|isbn=978-1926639635}}
* {{Cite book|title=The Hitman's Legacy: A Fan's Guide to the Rise of Bret Hart Through the WWE and WCW, and the Heartbreak Faced in and Out of the Ring |author=Rally, Carter|publisher= Webster's|year=2011|isbn=978-1270792185}}
* {{Cite book|title=Bret Hart: The Story of the Wrestler They Call "the Hitman" |author=Mudge, Jacqueline|publisher=Turtleback Books |year=1999|isbn=9780613210454}}
* {{Cite book|title= In the Ring with Bret Hart|author=Payan, Michael|publisher=PowerKids Press |year=2002|isbn=9780823960477}}
* {{Cite book|title= Superstar Series: The Hart Foundation |author1=James Dixon |author2=Lee Maughan |author3=Arnold Furious |others=Bob Dahlstrom (Illustrator) |publisher= HistoryOfWrestling|year=2013|isbn=9781291538410}}
* {{Cite book|title= Face to face with Bret "Hit Man" Hart|author=R Ricciuti, Edward|publisher= Topdog Publications|year=1994|isbn=978-1567110753}}
* {{Cite book|title= Bret Hart: "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be"|author=Martin, Marlow J|publisher= CreateSpace Independent Publishing|year=2016|isbn=978-1523811182}}

'''Documentaries'''
* {{Cite AV media|people=John Pollock (Writer); Bret Hart; Ross Hart; Keith Hart; Bruce Hart|title=[[Bret Hart: Survival of the Hitman]]|medium=Documentary film|publisher= Fight Network|location=Canada; U.S.A|date=2010}}
* {{Cite AV media|people=Jim Ross (Interviewer); Bret Hart; Shawn Michaels|title= Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart: WWE's Greatest Rivalries
|medium=Documentary film|publisher= WWE|location= U.S.A; Canada|date=2011}}
* {{Cite AV media|people=Bret Hart (Subject)|title= Bret Hitman Hart – The Dungeon Collection
|medium=Documentary film|publisher= WWE|location= U.S.A; Canada|date=2013}}

'''Radio'''
* {{Cite AV media|people= Anna Maria Tremonti (Host); Bret Hart|title=Wrestler Bret Hart's childhood memories |medium=Radio|publisher= CBC|location=Canada|date=2007|url=http://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/wrestler-bret-harts-childhood-memories}}
* {{Cite AV media|people= Bret Hart|title=Bret 'The Hitman' Hart opens up on Ottawa Morning |medium=Radio|publisher=CBC |location=Canada|date=2014|url=http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2471776590}}

'''Videos'''
* {{Cite AV media|people= Bret Hart|title=Bret Hart's Calgary: Famed pro wrestler tours most memorable places in his home town |medium=Video|publisher=CBC |location=Canada|date=2016|url= http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bret-hart-calgary-video-tour-calgary-crossroads-1.3435286}}
* {{Cite AV media|people= Bret Hart|title= Bret Hart discusses returning to Ottawa|medium=Video|publisher=CBC |location=Canada|date=2015|url= http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/bret-hart-discusses-returning-to-ottawa-1.2699848}}

'''Interviews'''
* {{cite interview |subject= Bret Hart |interviewer= Jan Murphy |title= From The Archives: Interview with Bret 'Hitman' Hart |via= Chinlock.com |date= 2010 |url= http://www.chinlock.com/2013/11/from-the-archives-interview-with-bret-hitman-hart/ |access-date= May 1, 2016 |archive-date= March 25, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190325164012/http://www.chinlock.com/2013/11/from-the-archives-interview-with-bret-hitman-hart/ |url-status= dead }}

'''Articles'''
* {{Citation | last =Konuwa | first = Alfred | title =Bret Hart Criticizes His Legendary Match Against British Bulldog In New Documentary | newspaper = Forbes | date = February 1, 2016| url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2016/02/01/bret-hart-criticizes-his-legendary-match-against-british-bulldog-in-new-documentary/#10d953264598}}
* {{Citation| last = Warmington| first = Joe| title = Hitman's son has confidence in his dad| newspaper = Toronto Sun| date = January 10, 2001| url = http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBretHart/01jan10_blade.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190108093115/http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBretHart/01jan10_blade.html |archive-date=January 8, 2019}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|voy=no|wikt=no|b=no|q=Bret Hart|s=no|commons=Bret Hart|n=no|v=no|d=Q81324}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{wwe superstar|name=Bret Hart}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160618221317/http://0362dc8.netsolhost.com/halloffamers/bios/hart_bret.asp Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Profile]


{{Navboxes|
{{Navboxes|
|list1=
|list1=
{{Bret Hart}}
{{Calgary Hitmen}}
{{Hart family}}
{{Stampede Wrestling British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship}}
{{Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Championship}}
{{Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Championship}}
{{WWE Hall of Fame}}
{{WWE Hall of Fame}}
{{Grand Slam-Triple Crown Champions}}
{{Grand Slam-Triple Crown Champions}}
Line 429: Line 694:
{{WCW World Heavywieght Championship}}
{{WCW World Heavywieght Championship}}
{{WCW World Tag Team Championship}}
{{WCW World Tag Team Championship}}
{{Hart family}}
{{The Hart Foundation}}
{{New World Order}}
}}
}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Hart, Bret}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hart, Bret}}
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Bret Hart| ]]
[[Category:Canadian columnists]]
[[Category:Canadian columnists]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate professional wrestling people in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate professional wrestlers in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian male film actors]]
[[Category:Canadian male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Canadian male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Canadian people of American descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Greek descent]]
[[Category:Canadian male stage actors]]
[[Category:Canadian male stage actors]]
[[Category:Canadian male television actors]]
[[Category:Canadian male television actors]]
[[Category:Fictional kings]]
[[Category:Canadian male voice actors]]
[[Category:Canadian podcasters]]
[[Category:The New World Order (professional wrestling) members]]
[[Category:Canadian people of American descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of English descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Greek descent]]
[[Category:Hart wrestling family members]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male actors from Calgary]]
[[Category:New World Order (professional wrestling) members]]
[[Category:NWA/WCW/WWE United States Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Calgary]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Calgary]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling authority figures]]
[[Category:Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]
[[Category:Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling podcasters]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling referees]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling trainers]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling trainers]]
[[Category:Stroke survivors]]
[[Category:Stampede Wrestling alumni]]
[[Category:Stampede Wrestling British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:The Hart Foundation members]]
[[Category:WWE Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:Hart Foundation members]]
[[Category:WCW World Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:WCW World Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:WWE Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:WWF/WWE Intercontinental Champions]]
[[Category:King of the Ring tournament winners]]
[[Category:WWE Champions]]
[[Category:World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)]]
[[Category:Royal Rumble match winners]]

Latest revision as of 15:57, 24 December 2024

Bret Hart
Hart in 2023
Birth nameBret Sergeant Hart[1][2]
Born (1957-07-02) July 2, 1957 (age 67)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada[3]
Alma materMount Royal College[4]
Spouse(s)
  • Julie Smadu
    (m. 1982; div. 2002)
  • Cinzia Rota
    (m. 2004; div. 2007)
  • Stephanie Washington
    (m. 2010)
Children4
RelativesHarry Smith (maternal grandfather)[5]
FamilyHart
Websitebrethart.com
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Bret Hart[3]
Buddy Hart[3]
Billed height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)[6]
Billed weight235 lb (107 kg)[6]
Billed fromCalgary, Alberta, Canada
Trained byStu Hart[3][a]
Katsuji Adachi[3]
Kazuo Sakurada[9]
DebutMarch 29, 1978[10]
RetiredSeptember 12, 2011[11][b]
Signature

Bret Sergeant Hart (born July 2, 1957) is a Canadian-American retired professional wrestler. A member of the Hart wrestling family and a second-generation wrestler, he has an amateur wrestling background at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal College. A major international draw within professional wrestling, he is credited with changing the perception of mainstream North American professional wrestling in the early 1990s by bringing technical wrestling to the fore. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time; Sky Sports noted that his legacy is that of "one of, if not the greatest, to have ever graced the squared circle". For the majority of his career, he used the nickname "The Hitman".

Hart joined his father Stu Hart's promotion Stampede Wrestling in 1976 as a referee and made his in-ring debut in 1978. He gained championship success during the 1980s and 1990s in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), where he helmed The Hart Foundation stable. He left for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) following the controversial "Montreal Screwjob" in November 1997, where he remained until October 2000. Having been inactive from in-ring competition since January 2000, owing to a December 1999 concussion, he officially retired in October 2000, shortly after his departure from the company. He returned to sporadic in-ring competition from 2010 to 2011 with WWE, where he won his final championship, headlined the 2010 SummerSlam event, and served as the general manager of Raw. Throughout his career, He headlined WrestleMania IX, X, and XII, and headlined Starrcade in 1999. He was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame upon its inception in 1996, while still an active performer.

Hart held championship titles in five decades from the 1970s to the 2010s, 32 throughout his career and 17 between the WWF/WWE and WCW. Among other accolades, he is a five-time WWF Champion and a two-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion. He went the most combined days as WWF Champion during the 1990s (654) and was the first WCW World Heavyweight Champion born outside the United States. He is the second WWF Triple Crown Champion and fifth (with Goldberg) WCW Triple Crown Champion, and the first man to win both the WWF and WCW Triple Crown Championships. He is also the 1994 Royal Rumble match winner (with Lex Luger), and the only two-time King of the Ring, winning the 1991 tournament and the first King of the Ring pay-per-view in 1993. Stone Cold Steve Austin, with whom he headlined multiple pay-per-view events as part of an acclaimed rivalry from 1996 to 1997, inducted him into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2006. In 2019, he became one of seven people to enter the WWE Hall of Fame twice, when he was inducted again as a member of The Hart Foundation, with brother-in-law Jim Neidhart.

Outside of wrestling, Hart has appeared in numerous films and television shows such as The Simpsons as well as featuring in several documentaries, both about himself specifically and others about his family or the wrestling industry in general. He also helped found and lent his name to the major junior ice hockey team the Calgary Hitmen and has written two biographies along with a weekly column for the Calgary Sun for over a decade. After his retirement, he spent much of his time on charitable efforts concerning stroke recovery and cancer awareness, due to his experiences with the two.

Early life

The eighth child of wrestling patriarch Stu Hart and his wife Helen, Bret Hart was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada into the Hart wrestling family. He is of Greek descent through his maternal grandmother and of Irish descent through his maternal grandfather.[12][13][14] His father was of Scottish, Irish and English ancestry.[15][16] Hart is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States since his mother Helen was born in New York.[17][18] Hart has stated that he considers himself to be North American and that he is equally proud of his U.S. and Canadian nationality.[19] His maternal grandfather was long-distance runner Harry Smith.

Hart grew up in a household with eleven siblings, seven brothers Smith, Bruce, Keith, Wayne, Dean, Ross and Owen, as well as four sisters, Ellie, Georgia, Alison and Diana. As a child he was the closest with his older brother Dean who was the nearest to him in age of all his older brothers, being three years his senior. Together they would often fight with Bret's two older sisters, Ellie, who was two years older, and Georgia, who was one year older.[20] Hart's family were non-denominational Christians, but he and all of his siblings were baptized by a local Catholic priest.[20]

Hart spent the vast majority of his childhood in the Hart family mansion which was owned by his father. During one period his father was housing a bear known as Terrible Ted chained under the building, the bear had had all of its teeth removed and Hart would sometimes as a very young child let the bear lick ice cream off his toes since he thought it was a good way to keep them clean.[21]

His introduction to professional wrestling came at an early age. As a child, he witnessed his father training future wrestlers like Superstar Billy Graham in the Dungeon, his household basement which served as a training room. Before school, Hart's father, also a wrestling promoter, had him hand out fliers to local wrestling shows. In the 1998 documentary Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows, Hart reflected on his father's discipline, describing how Stu uttered morbid words while inflicting excruciating submission holds that left broken blood vessels in Bret's eyes. Hart claimed his father had an otherwise pleasant demeanour.[22]

Hart's first work in wrestling involved pulling out lucky numbers out of a metal box during intermission at the Stampede Wrestling shows when he was four years old. When he got slightly older, he would sell programs to the shows, something all Hart's seven brothers would do. He would often compete for customers with his little brother Ross since the fans would often want to buy from the youngest Hart child.[23]

Amateur wrestling

Like his father, Hart was an excellent amateur wrestler since an early age, having begun training as a nine-year-old.[24] At Ernest Manning High School, Hart became a standout student in the amateur wrestling division. Hart has stated that he joined the wrestling team "for the sole reason that my dad expected me to... no-one asked me to".[25] He won significant championships in tournaments throughout Alberta, including the 1974 city championships in Calgary. He scored a victory over competitor Bob Eklund – who would go on to become a Canadian Interuniversity Sport national champion, winning "Outstanding Wrestler of the Year 1980–1981"[26] – en route to the championship.[27] He described his display of the medal to Stu as a "powerful moment", and said his relationship with his father "took a different direction from that point on".[25] Hart considered the medals to be one of his most prized possessions.[1]

By 1977, Hart was collegiate champion at Mount Royal College, where he was studying filmmaking;[25][28] his coaches and other people around him felt that he had shown sufficient promise to compete at the following year's Commonwealth Games and encouraged him to begin training for the event. He began to find amateur wrestling unrewarding amid injuries and fluctuating weight.[25][29] Stu still believed his son capable of making it to the Olympic or Commonwealth Games if he put forth the effort.[30] Bret said he believed that even if he became an exceptionally successful amateur wrestler, it would not have led to a career that interested him, rather one as a wrestling coach or high school gym teacher.[31]

Hart felt the only way to give up amateur wrestling without disappointing his father was to become a professional wrestler. His college grades became poorer as his interest in filmmaking waned; he dedicated himself to professional wrestling and began training with his father's Stampede Wrestling promotion.[25] Hart has spoken of how helpful his amateur background was in his professional wrestling career, and also of what a positive effect amateur wrestling has on junior high school and high school-aged boys in terms of building self-confidence.[32]

Professional wrestling career

Stampede Wrestling (1976–1984)

In 1976, Hart began working for his father's Stampede Wrestling promotion in Calgary. Hart first began helping the promotion by refereeing matches.[10] At a 1978 event in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a wrestler was unable to perform his match, forcing Stu to ask his son to stand in as a replacement. Before long, he became a regular contender, eventually partnering with brother Keith to win the Stampede International Tag Team Championship four times.

Hart gained some of his most prominent experience with Japanese combatants and real-life trainers Mr. Hito and Mr. Sakurada. Hart also had high-impact matches against Tom Billington, who was better known by his in-ring name as the Dynamite Kid. In the midst of wrestling alongside his family, Hart made a point not to ride on the shoulders of his elders. Hart faithfully 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".[25] Although he dreaded partaking in 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 Tiger Mask in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), a promotion for whom he often wrestled during the early to mid-1980s. He remained one of Stampede's most successful performers until the promotion, along with several wrestlers, was acquired by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in August 1984.

World Wrestling Federation

The Hart Foundation (1984–1991)

Hart was asked to start out in the WWF as a singles wrestler with a cowboy gimmick but refused, stating that in Calgary, "if you called yourself a cowboy, you'd better be one".[33] He made his televised WWF debut on August 29, 1984, in a tag team match where he teamed with the Dynamite Kid.[34] On September 11, in Poughkeepsie, New York, Hart defeated Aldo Marino in his televised debut singles match, which aired on the September 29 episode of Superstars of Wrestling. In 1985, after acquiring the nickname of "Hit Man",[6] he requested to join Jimmy Hart's heel stable, The Hart Foundation, which included brother-in-law Jim Neidhart. Bret began to increasingly team with Neidhart,[25] in order to build the promotion's tag team division. The "Hart Foundation" name then became exclusive to Bret, Neidhart and manager Jimmy Hart, due to the similar family names of both team members and their manager.[35] Bret's agile, technical style – which earned him the moniker "The Excellence of Execution" (coined by Gorilla Monsoon)[6][36] – created a contrast with his partner Neidhart's strength and brawling skills. During this time, Hart began wearing his signature[37] sunglasses, initially to conceal his nervousness during promos. Hart considers his microphone work to have been a weakness throughout his early career.[25][38]

In 1986, Hart began his first singles program with Ricky Steamboat, and in a singles match originally planned for WrestleMania 2,[39] he lost to Steamboat at the Boston Garden on March 8, 1986, which would be included on Hart's 2005 DVD as one of his all-time favourite matches.[25] At WrestleMania 2, Hart instead participated in a 20-man battle royal which was eventually won by André the Giant.[40] He lost to Steamboat again on the July 28, 1986, episode of Prime Time Wrestling.[41] Hart headlined his first televised WWF card when he beat Ray Rougeau, of The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, in the main event of the November 3, 1986, episode of Prime Time Wrestling.[41]

The Hart Foundation won their first of two WWF Tag Team Championship on the February 7, 1987, episode of Superstars of Wrestling when they defeated The British Bulldogs. They then teamed with Danny Davis to face The British Bulldogs and Tito Santana at WrestleMania III. They won the match when Davis pinned Davey Boy Smith after hitting him with Jimmy Hart's megaphone.[42]

The Hart Foundation adopted the nickname, "The Pink and Black Attack", which Hart continued to use after the tag team's disbandment. This was in reference to the team's ring attire, as well as Hart's signature mirrored sunglasses, which he would routinely give away to a young audience member before matches, following his face turn in 1988.[37][43] As Hart's WWF career progressed, he increasingly described himself as "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be" (derived from the 1984 film The Natural), which he would later justify through three claims: he never injured an opponent through any fault of his own; through the entire course of his career, he missed only one show (as a result of flight difficulties); and that he only once refused to lose a match – his final WWF match with long-time adversary Shawn Michaels at the Survivor Series event in 1997, which culminated in the Montreal Screwjob.[44]

For his entrances, Hart often wore a leather jacket with shoulder tassels (epaulets), Mylar wrap-around (originally silver, later pink) sunglasses and bright pink attire[45]

The Hart Foundation lost the WWF Tag Team Championship titles to Strike Force on the October 27 episode of Superstars of Wrestling. Hart subsequently competed in his most high-profile singles contest to date on the November 28, 1987, episode of Saturday Night's Main Event XIII, when he faced "Macho Man" Randy Savage in a losing effort.[46] He began 1988 with a decisive victory over Paul Roma of The Young Stallions (who had scored an upset victory over The Hart Foundation the previous year)[47] on the January 11 episode of Prime Time Wrestling,[41] and, at the Royal Rumble in January 1988, was the first entrant in the inaugural Royal Rumble match. He lasted 25 minutes and 42 seconds before being eliminated by Don Muraco.

Entered into another battle royal at WrestleMania IV, Hart was again one of the final two combatants as he was enlisted by former frequent Stampede opponent Bad News Brown to eliminate Junkyard Dog before Brown turned on Hart, eliminating him to win the event. This turned Hart back into a fan favourite and triggered a feud between the two. Neidhart soon came to Hart's side in the feud, but manager Jimmy Hart discouraged the feud, leading to a fallout between the team and manager. This led to matches pitting Hart against Davis and also his first singles championship opportunity, in which he challenged The Honky Tonk Man for the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship in the main event of the July 18 episode of Prime Time Wrestling, with the match ending in a double countout.[41] As relations between the Harts and their former mentor further deteriorated, Jimmy Hart assisted tag team champions Demolition in a successful defence of their belts against the Harts at SummerSlam in August 1988, before enlisting old enemies The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, who had recently turned heel, to resume their feud with the Harts.

At the Royal Rumble in January 1989, The Hart Foundation teamed with Jim Duggan to defeat the Rougeaus and Dino Bravo. They also defeated Greg Valentine and The Honky Tonk Man, who were also managed by Jimmy Hart, at WrestleMania V. At an event in Milan on April 8, 1989, broadcast live on Tele+2, André the Giant requested to work a singles match with Hart, who lost the match, which was later released on his 2013 DVD set, The Dungeon Collection, but considered André's praise and encouragement after the match to be of key importance in his singles career.[48] He wrestled his first pay-per-view singles match on October 10, losing to Dino Bravo in the first British WWF pay-per-view, which was held at the London Arena and broadcast on Sky Television[49] (Hart was in fact booked to win the match, but incurred a broken sternum, causing an unplanned countout loss).[25]

At SummerSlam in August 1989, The Hart Foundation lost a non-title match against then WWF Tag Team Champions The Brain Busters. In the first televised contest of a rivalry that would span Hart's WWF and WCW careers, he lost to Mr. Perfect on the November 6, 1989, episode of Prime Time Wrestling, when Perfect pulled Hart's tights during a roll-up.[50] In their first ever singles meeting, Shawn Michaels and Hart wrestled to a double countout on the February 11, 1990, episode of the Wrestling Challenge.[51]

After participating at the Royal Rumble in January 1990, The Hart Foundation defeated The Bolsheviks in 19 seconds at WrestleMania VI and began feuding with Demolition, who had just won the WWF Tag Team Championship against The Colossal Connection at WrestleMania VI. At SummerSlam in 1990, The Hart Foundation began their second, and final, WWF Tag Team Championship reign by defeating Demolition members Crush and Smash in a two out of three falls match with some help from Legion of Doom.[52][53] On October 30, the Hart Foundation lost the title to The Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels), but a few days later, President Jack Tunney reversed the decision and the win was never acknowledged on television. The Hart Foundation's reign lasted until WrestleMania VII, where they lost to The Nasty Boys, after which the team split.[54]

Intercontinental Champion (1991–1992)

Hart won his first WWF Intercontinental Championship by defeating Mr. Perfect with the Sharpshooter at SummerSlam in 1991,[55][56] and subsequently won the 1991 King of the Ring tournament on September 7, 1991, at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. Hart's first pay-per-view title defense occurred at This Tuesday in Texas, where he beat the undefeated Skinner.[57]

In January 1992, Hart was placed in a feud with Jacques Rougeau, who by now was wrestling as "The Mountie" and using the gimmick of a power-hungry, corrupt member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This feud, the first for Hart and Rougeau as singles competitors, came about when the Mountie's manager, Jimmy Hart, threw water on Hart, and The Mountie proceeded to shock Hart with a cattle prod. On January 17, 1992, Hart dropped the Intercontinental Championship to The Mountie. Following the loss, Roddy Piper defeated Mountie with a sleeper hold two days later at the 1992 Royal Rumble,[58] and Bret later pinned Piper for his second Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania VIII later that year,[59][60] making him the first wrestler in the WWF – and one of few wrestlers ever – to pin Piper's shoulders to the mat.[25] At a Wrestling Challenge taping on July 21, 1992, Hart defeated Shawn Michaels, with the Intercontinental Championship belt suspended above the ring, in the WWF's first ever ladder match.[61] Hart dropped the Intercontinental Championship to his brother-in-law, Davey Boy Smith, in Hart's first WWF pay-per-view main event at SummerSlam in August 1992, held before over 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.[62] Pro Wrestling Illustrated readers voted it the "Match of the Year",[63] and WWE named the match as the greatest in the history of SummerSlam.[64] Upon induction into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2006, Hart cited the contest as his favourite match of his career.[65]

WWF Champion (1992–1996)

Hart with his WWF Championship belt underneath his jacket

Hart won the WWF Championship from Ric Flair at a Superstars taping at Saskatchewan Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on October 12 of that year, in a match not originally broadcast on WWF television[66] – the match was instead made available on a series of Coliseum/WWE Home Video releases.[67] Hart dislocated one of the fingers on his left hand during the match and popped it back in himself so it would not affect the rest of the match.[25] He made successful title defenses against Kamala, The Berzerker and Papa Shango. He would headline his first pay-per-view as champion with a successful title defense against Shawn Michaels at the 1992 Survivor Series,[68] and defeated Razor Ramon at the 1993 Royal Rumble.[69] He would also defend the title against contenders such as Papa Shango[70] and former champion Ric Flair[6] before losing the title to Yokozuna in his first WrestleMania main event at WrestleMania IX, after interference from Mr. Fuji. Fuji then challenged Hulk Hogan, who had come out to help Hart, to compete for the title; Hogan then won his fifth WWF Championship from Yokozuna.[71] In June, Hart won the first pay-per-view King of the Ring tournament, defeating Razor Ramon, Mr. Perfect, and Bam Bam Bigelow, thus becoming the only two-time King of the Ring.[72] According to Hart, he was scheduled to regain the WWF Championship from Hulk Hogan at SummerSlam, but Hogan chose to drop the title to Yokozuna instead at King of the Ring.[73] Hart instead entered a feud with Jerry "The King" Lawler, who interrupted Hart's coronation, claimed he was the only king, attacked Hart and began a barrage against Hart and his family. The two met at SummerSlam in 1993, to determine the "Undisputed King of the World Wrestling Federation".[74] Hart originally won the match by submission, via the Sharpshooter, but as he would not let go of the hold, the decision was reversed to a Lawler victory by disqualification.[75] Hart and his younger brother, Owen Hart, would also feud with Lawler during 1993 in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), with Lawler notably defeating Owen for Owen's USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship.[76] Hart's feud with Lawler was named "Feud of the Year" by Wrestling Observer Newsletter, and voted "Feud of the Year" by readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated.[77]

After months of dealing with Lawler, Hart received a WrestleMania IX rematch with WWF Champion Yokozuna on the November 20 episode of WWF Superstars. When Bret appeared to have the match won, with Yokozuna locked in the sharpshooter, Owen came to ringside to congratulate his brother. The referee began questioning Owen's motives, which allowed Fuji to assault Bret. Owen then involved himself in the match, resulting in a victory for Yokozuna via disqualification. On the non-televised but now-canon November 22 episode of Monday Night Raw, Hart again challenged Yokozuna for the WWF Championship, and again failed to regain the championship due to similar involvement from Owen.[citation needed] The brothers' disagreements set the wheels in motion for a family feud that would span the entirety of 1994.[78] At Survivor Series, the Harts (Bret, Owen, Bruce, and Keith) took on Shawn Michaels (a substitution for Lawler, who was facing legal troubles)[79] and his knights. The Harts won the match, with all of the brothers surviving except for Owen, the only Hart family member eliminated when he was rolled up by Michaels after inadvertently knocking Bret off the apron.[80] Bitter about his elimination, Owen blamed Bret for this and in the weeks ahead, blamed Bret for holding him back. Owen demanded a one-on-one match with Bret, which Bret refused to accept. In the storyline, Bret, along with his parents, worked over the Christmas holidays to reunite the family and to settle their rivalry. Bret was voted "WWF Superstar of the Year" 1993 by fans,[81] as well as the greatest wrestler of the year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated readers.[82]

Bret's rivalry with his brother Owen won them Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Feud of the Year award and featured a highly rated steel cage match at SummerSlam

At the Royal Rumble in January, Bret and Owen took on The Quebecers (Jacques and Pierre) for the WWF Tag Team Championship. Referee 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.[83] Later on, Hart managed to participate and win the 1994 Royal Rumble match amid 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 title shots at WrestleMania X.[84] Luger won the chance to face Yokozuna first, with Hart having to wrestle his brother Owen, before receiving his title shot. Hart lost his match against Owen[85] but went on to defeat Yokozuna for his second WWF Championship.[86][87]

Hart continued to feud with his brother Owen while he also started feuding with Diesel. Hart's friend and former tag team partner Jim Neidhart returned to the WWF and reunited with Hart. At King of the Ring, Hart defended the WWF Championship against Diesel. When Hart was winning the match, Shawn Michaels interfered on Diesel's behalf; Diesel appeared close to victory after he delivered a Jackknife Powerbomb yet before he could pin Hart, Neidhart interfered, therefore Diesel won by disqualification, but Hart retained his title. Neidhart left when Diesel and Michaels attacked Hart following the match. Neidhart's motivation was made clear when he helped Owen win the tournament that night, so that he could receive a title shot against his brother.[88] At SummerSlam, Hart successfully retained the WWF Championship against Owen in a steel cage match.[89] This match received a five-star rating from Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, and the brothers' feud was voted "Feud of the Year" by readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated.[77]

Hart eventually lost his WWF Championship at Survivor Series in a submission match against Bob Backlund where the manager of either competitor (Davey Boy Smith for Hart, Owen for Backlund) would have to "throw in the towel" for the wrestler they were representing. When Hart was in Backlund's crossface chickenwing and Davey Boy was kayfabe knocked out, Owen persuaded his mother Helen to throw in the towel for Hart, giving Backlund the championship victory.[90] Bret's feud with Backlund would continue into the following year. He was voted the greatest wrestler of 1994 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated readers, winning the vote for the second straight year.[91]

Hart in 1995

Three days after Hart's title loss, Diesel defeated Backlund in eight seconds with a jackknife powerbomb to become the new WWF Champion. By 1995, Hart was focusing on projects outside the business, such as acting, and shifted to the number two face in the company, behind Diesel.[92] Hart challenged for Diesel's WWF Championship at the 1995 Royal Rumble, in a match that was continually marred by outside interference and ruled a draw. Both men embraced in a display of sportsmanship after the match. In a rematch from Survivor Series, Hart defeated Bob Backlund in an "I Quit" match at WrestleMania XI.[93] Hart was critical with the match against Backlund, claiming it was "probably my worst pay-per-view match I ever had".[94] Hart would be the focal point of the first event in the In Your House pay-per-view series, competing in two matches at In Your House 1. He defeated Hakushi in the first match of the in Your House series. Hart's acclaimed feud with Jerry Lawler was reignited at the event when Lawler defeated Hart due to Hakushi's (now Lawler's protégé) interference.[95] Hart beat Lawler in a "Kiss My Foot" match at King of the Ring, and defeated Lawler's kayfabe dentist, Isaac Yankem, by disqualification at SummerSlam 1995.[96] Their King of the Ring match ended with Hart shoving his foot into Lawler's mouth, then forcing Lawler to kiss his own foot.[97] Although Hart was victorious in their in-ring feud, Lawler remained strongly opposed to Hart as a commentator, and would routinely encourage Hart's opponents during matches; it would not be until Over the Limit, sixteen years later, that both men would finally bury the hatchet. After disposing of Lawler, Hart engaged in a three-month feud with Jean-Pierre Lafitte, who would be stealing the mirrored sunglasses from fans at ringside and his trademark leather jacket. At In Your House 3, Hart defeated Lafitte, to end the feud. Hart shifted his focus back to the WWF Championship, defeating Diesel in a no disqualification match at Survivor Series to commence his third reign.[98][99]

In a rematch from their SummerSlam 1992 encounter, Hart successfully defended his title against the now heel Davey Boy Smith at In Your House 5: Seasons Beatings. He lost to The Undertaker by disqualification at the 1996 Royal Rumble when Diesel interfered, ultimately retaining the WWF Championship, and defeated The Undertaker by disqualification in a rematch on the February 5 episode of Raw, again due to Diesel's interference.[100] Hart retained his title once again against Diesel in a steel cage match at In Your House 6, and defeated Hunter Hearst Helmsley, who was undefeated on Raw, on the March 4 episode of the show.[101] WWF Commissioner Rowdy Roddy Piper ruled that Hart would face Shawn Michaels, who had earned a WWF Championship match at WrestleMania XII by winning the Royal Rumble,[102] in a 60-minute Iron Man match at the event. The wrestler with the most decisions during the 60 minutes would win the match and the WWF Championship.

At WrestleMania, 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. Michaels did not submit in the last 30 seconds, so the match ended in a tie. WWF President Gorilla Monsoon ruled that the match would continue in sudden death overtime. Michaels hit a superkick to win the championship.[103] Pro Wrestling Illustrated readers voted it the "Match of the Year";[63] in 2004, WWE fans voted the match as the greatest in the history of WrestleMania.[104] After WrestleMania, Hart went on a European tour over the next two weeks, coming out victorious against Stone Cold Steve Austin and Hunter Hearst Helmsley. The tour ended on April 22, and after this he took his hiatus from television. His final televised appearance was an interview taped while on the European tour in which he described his passion for wrestling was diminished and stated that although there were offers from competing companies, he might be finished with wrestling.

That fall, Hart would indeed receive competing offers of employment from both WWF and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). WCW presented a 3-year, $9M contract offer to Hart,[105] while the World Wrestling Federation responded with an unprecedented 20-year contract. Finishing up his original WWF deal, Hart returned to action on a tour of South Africa on September 8, 1996, defeating Davey Boy Smith in Durban.[106] On October 21, Hart elected to re-sign with the World Wrestling Federation.[107] He was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Class of 1996.

Feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin (1996–1997)

Hart posing for the crowd with his arms open

Over the summer, Stone Cold Steve Austin, who was fresh from winning the 1996 King of the Ring,[108] continually taunted Hart and challenged him to come back and have a match. After an eight-month hiatus from television, Hart returned and defeated Austin at Survivor Series in a match for the number one contender spot to the WWF Championship.[109] Hart challenged champion Sycho Sid at the following month's In Your House 12: It's Time; Shawn Michaels, who was serving as a guest commentator at ringside, accidentally cost Hart the victory when he attempted to become involved in the match after being assaulted by Sid. The building tension between Hart and Michaels climaxed after the match when Hart assaulted Michaels. Hart's feud with Austin escalated at the Royal Rumble, when Hart tossed Austin out of the ring, only for Austin (unbeknownst to the referees) to climb back into the ring and win the Royal Rumble match, while the referees were distracted by Mankind.[110] Hart quit the WWF the next night on Raw in protest. In order to deal with this controversy, a Fatal Four-Way between Austin and the participants he eliminated after re-entering the ring (Vader, The Undertaker, and Hart) was set up for In Your House 13: Final Four, with the winner becoming the number one contender. After then-champion Shawn Michaels relinquished the belt, though, the match officially became for the WWF Championship. Hart defeated Austin, Vader, and The Undertaker in the Fatal Four-Way.[111][112] Austin ensured Hart's fourth reign was short-lived, costing him a title match against Sid the next night on Raw.[113] Hart challenged for Sid's WWF Championship in a steel cage match shortly before WrestleMania 13, which saw Austin actually attempt to help Hart win, in order to make their scheduled match at WrestleMania 13 a title match. Concurrently, The Undertaker, who had a scheduled title match with Sid at WrestleMania, attempted to help Sid win. Sid ultimately retained, leading to a pure grudge match for Hart and Austin.[114] Following his loss to Sid, Hart shoved Vince McMahon to the ground when he attempted to conduct a post-match interview, and engaged in a worked shoot, expletive-laden rant against McMahon and WWF management. This incident has been cited as one which helped lay the foundations of the WWF's Attitude Era, as well as the starting point of McMahon's on-air character, the tyrannical WWF owner "Mr. McMahon".[115]

At WrestleMania 13, Hart and Austin had their rematch in a submission match that would later get a 5-star rating from Dave Meltzer. In the end, Hart locked the Sharpshooter on a bloody Austin, who refused to give up. In fact, Austin never quit, but passed out from the blood loss and pain. Ken Shamrock, the special guest referee, awarded Hart the match, after which he continued to assault Austin, thus turning heel for the first time since 1988.[116] It was named "Match of the Year" by Wrestling Observer Newsletter and voted "Match of the Year" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated readers.[63] Later that night, Hart confronted Sycho Sid and The Undertaker prior to their match for the WWF Championship; Hart insulted Undertaker and told Shawn Michaels (who was a guest commentator for the match) not to interfere. Undertaker won the match, which ended with Hart hot shotting Sid on the ropes, therefore costing him the title.

Hart challenged Rocky Maivia for the Intercontinental Championship in the main event of the March 31 episode of Raw. Rocky Maivia won by disqualification when Hart refused to release a figure-four leglock applied around the ring post. He faced Austin again in the main event of In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker, to determine who would challenge the WWF Champion Undertaker in a title match at the following month's In Your House 15: A Cold Day in Hell. Austin had Hart locked in his own finishing move, the Sharpshooter, in the middle of the ring when The British Bulldog interfered on Hart's behalf, resulting in disqualification and giving Austin the victory and title match. They met once again in a street fight on the April 21 episode of Raw Is War, in which Austin injured Hart's ankle with a steel chair. The match was ruled a no-contest and Austin afterward continued to beat Hart while on a stretcher in the back of an ambulance.

In 1997, Hart became a tweener: generally cheered for by Canadian and international fans, and booed by American fans, while remaining largely consistent in character

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 new Hart Foundation with Brian Pillman; this incarnation was an anti-American stable which was popular within Canada and Europe. As the leader of this stable, Hart routinely carried a Canadian flag to the ring and engaged in promos where he declared the superiority of his home nation; he became so despised by U.S. audiences that they would often throw debris during his ring entrances, interviews, and matches.[25] He was voted by Pro Wrestling Illustrated readers as the "Most Hated Wrestler of the Year" in 1997.[117] At In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede, in Hart's home town of Calgary, the Hart Foundation defeated the team of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Ken Shamrock, Goldust, and The Legion of Doom, representing the United States, in a ten-man tag team match main event.[118] The Canada vs. U.S. rivalry escalated on the July 21 episode of Raw Is War in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where Bret, Owen, and Davey Boy Smith, representing Canada and the Hart Foundation, defeated the team of Dude Love, Austin, and The Undertaker, representing the U.S., in a Flag match.[119] The Hart Foundation's feud with Austin was named "Feud of the Year" by Wrestling Observer Newsletter and voted "Feud of the Year" by readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated.[77] Hart vowed that if he could not defeat The Undertaker for the WWF Championship at SummerSlam, he would never wrestle in the United States again. The Undertaker agreed to the match, and Hart won his fifth and last WWF Championship after spitting in guest referee Shawn Michaels' face; Michaels swung a steel chair in retaliation, which accidentally struck the Undertaker. Michaels, who, as part of another pre-match stipulation, would be banned from wrestling in the United States if he did not remain impartial as referee, had no option but to count the pinfall, giving his rival Hart the victory.[120][121]

After SummerSlam, Michaels was pushed as the top heel in the company and negative fan reactions toward Hart in the United States softened somewhat, as he declared: "I'm not so much anti-American as I am just very, very pro-Canadian."[25] In real life, Hart did not like the new Attitude Era, instead preferring traditional values. This was used as part of his character, as Hart would insult the U.S. fans because of the success of the Attitude Era.[122] Hart successfully defended his title against The Patriot, with whom Hart had become involved in a feud as part of the Canada vs. U.S. storyline, at Ground Zero: In Your House,[123] avenging a loss to him on the July 28 Raw.[119] The Canada vs. U.S. feud would conclude at Badd Blood: In Your House, where Hart and Davey Boy Smith, representing Canada and The Hart Foundation, defeated The Patriot and Vader, representing the U.S., in a Flag match.[124] Erstwhile, in a rematch from SummerSlam, The Undertaker challenged Hart for the WWF Championship at One Night Only; after reversing a Tombstone Piledriver attempt from Hart, The Undertaker dumped Hart on the apron when he would not let go of the ropes. As a result, Hart's neck was caught in the ropes, and The Undertaker was disqualified.[125] Hart later cited this as his favourite of all his matches with The Undertaker,[25] and his last great match in the WWF.[126]

In September 1997, Hart faced Terry Funk at Terry Funk's WrestleFest in what was billed as Funk's retirement match.[127]

During the Hart Foundation's feud with the Shawn Michaels-led D-Generation X (DX), DX framed the Hart Foundation in vandalizing the locker room of the African American stable, Nation of Domination with racist motifs. In retaliation, during a promo with DX, Hart called members Triple H (previously billed as "Hunter Hearst Helmsley") and Shawn Michaels "homos". Hart later apologized for his participation in the storyline and said that he had been pressured into it, saying, "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".[126] Hart successfully defended his title against Nation of Domination leader, Faarooq, on the October 20 episode of Raw.[119] In his penultimate title defence, Hart wrestled Ken Shamrock to a no-contest on the October 27 episode of Raw Is War; while the referee was knocked out, Shamrock put Hart in an ankle lock; members of the Hart Foundation then attacked Shamrock until Shawn Michaels made the save for Shamrock and attacked Hart.[119]

The Montreal Screwjob and departure (1997)

Hart (along with Hulk Hogan) held the record for most WWF Championship reigns until The Rock's sixth reign in 2001

Around this time, Hart's on-air rivalry with 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. Although Hart had signed a 20-year contract back in 1996, the WWF was in a rough financial position by late 1997 and could no longer afford to honour the contract. Although Hart was arguably the biggest wrestler in the world during the mid-1990s,[128] McMahon also felt that the value of his character was beginning to wane,[129] and he encouraged Hart to approach World Championship Wrestling (WCW) about a contract, hopefully one similar to their original offer. This was despite Hart's reluctance to leave the WWF and willingness to re-negotiate.[25][130] Hart subsequently signed a three-year contract with WCW. His final match with the WWF would be a title match against his real-life rival Shawn Michaels at Survivor Series in Montreal. Hart did not want to end his WWF career with a loss to Michaels in his home country particularly with the context of their nationality-fueled feud; and offered to lose, forfeit or otherwise give over the belt to Michaels in any other way that McMahon wanted. McMahon agreed to Hart's idea of forfeiting the championship the next night on Raw Is War or losing it a few weeks later.

Although Hart stated to McMahon he would not take the WWF Championship with him to WCW television and despite insistence from then-WCW President Eric Bischoff[25] that Hart would join WCW with a "clean slate", McMahon was still concerned and paranoid; this led to him breaking his word in what eventually came to be known as the Montreal Screwjob. Even though Hart did not submit to the Sharpshooter, referee Earl Hebner called for the bell as if he had, on McMahon's orders. This resulted in Hart "losing" the WWF Championship to Michaels.[131] The night ended with an irate Hart spitting in McMahon's face, destroying television equipment, and punching McMahon backstage in front of Gerald Brisco, Pat Patterson, and McMahon's son Shane. Hart also confronted Michaels backstage about the match finish. Many behind-the-scenes events leading up to the Montreal Screwjob were filmed for the documentary Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows, released in 1998. WWE has described the Montreal Screwjob as "arguably the most controversial, most jarring moment in the annals of sports entertainment".[132]

Hart's likeness would continue to be featured in WWF media into 1998, including the title video of Raw (brawling in a ring within a warehouse),[133] action figure for Slammers Series 1[134] and the WWF War Zone video game.[135]

World Championship Wrestling

United States Heavyweight Champion (1997–1999)

Hart's three-year contract with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) included a salary of $2.5 million per year (a $1 million annual increase from his WWF contract), as well as a light schedule and a measure of creative control over his television character.[136] A day after the WWF's Survivor Series pay-per-view, Eric Bischoff, while with the New World Order (nWo), announced that Hart was going to be coming to WCW and joining the nWo. Hart made his debut on Nitro on December 15, 1997.[137] He was also heavily involved in that month's Starrcade pay-per-view. Due to a 60-day no-compete clause from the WWF, he served as the special guest referee for the match between Bischoff and Larry Zbyszko; during the Sting versus Hollywood Hogan main event for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, he stepped in toward the conclusion of the match as impromptu referee, declaring Sting the winner and new champion by submission, establishing Hart as a face in the process.[138][139] In January, his no-compete clause expired, and his first feud in WCW was against Ric Flair, as both wrestlers considered themselves the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. Hart defeated Flair at Souled Out in his first WCW match.[140] After this, Hart elected to defend the honour of WCW against the nWo, defeating members Brian Adams in his debut Nitro match on March 2, and Curt Hennig at Uncensored.[141] In April 1998, Hart interfered in a Nitro main event between Hollywood Hogan and Randy Savage, helping Hogan recapture the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, turning heel in the process. He became an associate of the nWo, but did not officially join the group.

Hart held the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship four times from 1998 to 1999 (a record within WCW), and he was seen to raise its prestige, as many WCW events were headlined by a match for that title during the time period in which Hart was associated with it[142]

Hart competed in his second Nitro match on June 22, defeating Chris Benoit with assistance from nWo members: Hart had attempted to recruit his long-time friend into the nWo, but the offer was rejected.[143] At Bash at the Beach, Hart competed in his first championship match in WCW when he faced Booker T for the WCW World Television Championship. He was disqualified after hitting Booker with a steel chair.[144] He headlined his first Nitro card on July 20, defeating Diamond Dallas Page for the vacant United States Heavyweight Championship, with assistance from nWo member, The Giant.[145] On the August 10 episode of Nitro, Hart lost his title to Lex Luger.[146] He regained it from Luger the next night on Thunder.[147] In the main event of Fall Brawl, Hart was defeated in a WarGames match for the No. 1 contender spot to the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.[148]

Hart subsequently asked the fans for forgiveness, pretending to turn his back on Hogan and the nWo. A match between Hart and Hogan was booked for the September 28 episode of Nitro. During the match, Hart sustained a knee injury, with the bout ending in a no-contest; Sting came to Hart's aid and initiated a match with Hogan. Hart turned on Sting, delivering a DDT, and this bout was also ruled a no-contest. Sting, a member of the rival nWo Wolfpac, was assaulted after the match; this betrayal began an intense feud between Hart and Sting. On the October 12 episode of Nitro, Sting and The Warrior beat Hart and Hogan by disqualification. Hart's feud with Sting ended at Halloween Havoc with Hart controversially defending the United States Heavyweight Championship and (kayfabe) injuring Sting. On the October 26 episode of Nitro, Hart lost the title to Diamond Dallas Page.[149] The two headlined the following month's World War 3 pay-per-view in a title match which Hart lost.[150] Hart regained the title from Page on the November 30 episode of Nitro in a No Disqualification match with help from The Giant.[151]

On the February 8, 1999, episode of Nitro, Hart lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to family friend Roddy Piper.[152] On the March 29 episode of Nitro held at Toronto's Air Canada Centre, Hart appeared in street clothes and derided WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair, as well as Hogan, for avoiding a match with him. Finally, he called out "franchise player" Goldberg, claiming he could beat him in five minutes and verbally coercing Goldberg into giving him the spear. Hart was wearing a metal breastplate under his Toronto Maple Leafs jersey, which resulted in Goldberg being knocked out. Hart then counted his own pinfall over Goldberg's unconscious body and announced over the mic: "Hey Bischoff, and the WCW, I quit!" In reality, he had sustained a groin injury at the hands of Dean Malenko in November and needed time off for surgery.[153]

On May 23, 1999, the night before Hart was scheduled to make an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to hype his imminent WCW return, his brother Owen Hart died in an accident during a WWF pay-per-view. Hart took a further four months off from WCW to be with his family.

Hart returned to wrestling on the September 13, 1999, episode of Nitro in a tag team match with Hulk Hogan against Sting and Lex Luger, reestablishing himself as a face in the process. On the October 4 Nitro, Hart defeated Chris Benoit in a special "Owen Hart Tribute Match" at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri, where Owen had died that previous May. Hart challenged for Sting's WCW World Heavyweight Championship on the October 18 episode of Nitro, but lost the match when he was attacked by Luger.[154] Due to controversy over a series of WCW World Heavyweight Championship matches between Sting, Hogan, and Goldberg at Halloween Havoc, the title was declared vacant. A tournament then took place over several episodes of Nitro. Hart's first round match came against Goldberg the night after Halloween Havoc, with the bout being a tournament match for a berth in the next round, as well as being a match for the United States Heavyweight Championship that Goldberg had won the night before. Thanks to outside interference by Sid Vicious and The Outsiders, Hart defeated Goldberg and won the U.S. Heavyweight Championship for the fourth time.[155][156] On the November 8 episode of Nitro, Hart lost the title to Scott Hall in a ladder match that also involved Sid Vicious and Goldberg.[157]

World Heavyweight Champion and injury (1999–2000)

Hart won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship tournament by defeating Perry Saturn,[157] Billy Kidman,[158] Sting, and Chris Benoit at Mayhem. On December 7, Hart and Goldberg won the WCW World Tag Team Championship from Creative Control, making Hart a double champion. Hart and Goldberg lost the tag team titles to The Outsiders on the December 13 episode of Nitro.[159] At Starrcade, Hart defended his WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Goldberg. During the match, Hart was struck with a thrust 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.[160] For example, Hart placed Goldberg on the post in a figure four leglock which ended with Hart hitting his head on the concrete floor when Goldberg failed to receive the move correctly.[161] The sum total of those injuries left Hart with post-concussion syndrome and ultimately forced his retirement from professional wrestling. Hart later claimed that Goldberg "had a tendency to injure everyone he worked with".[162] As part of his DVD documentary, Hart expressed regret that "someone as good-hearted as Bill Goldberg" was responsible for hurting him.[25] Referee Roddy Piper rang the bell when Hart held Goldberg in the Sharpshooter, although Goldberg did not submit. Piper simply walked away, leaving both Goldberg and Hart bewildered.[163]

Out of respect for Goldberg, Hart vacated the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on the December 20 episode of Nitro and suggested that he, without the championship advantage, face Goldberg that night to determine the true champion. During the match, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash came to the ring looking to attack Goldberg with baseball bats. Hart convinced them to stop, then hit Goldberg with one of the bats, turning heel once again. The three continued to beat down Goldberg and were eventually joined by Jeff Jarrett.[164] Hart regained the championship, even though it was Roddy Piper who was covering Goldberg (to try and protect him) when the three count was made. The nWo was reformed (now billed as "nWo 2000").[165][166] Hart wrestled Terry Funk to a no contest in a non-title, hardcore rules match on the January 6 episode of Thunder. In his final match in WCW, he defended the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Nash on the January 10 episode of Nitro, which also ended in a no contest. Hart vacated the title in late January 2000 when he was forced to withdraw from the main event of WCW's Souled Out due to his injuries. Hart continued to make appearances on WCW television, generally cutting promos. On the May 3 episode of Thunder, Hart made a run in during an over the top rope battle royal where he hit Hogan with a chair. His final WCW appearance occurred on the September 6, 2000, episode of Thunder, in a promo where he confronted Goldberg on the injury he sustained nine months prior. WCW terminated Hart's contract via FedEx letter on October 20, 2000, due to his ongoing incapacity, and he announced his retirement from professional wrestling 6 days later on October 26, 2000.[11]

Hart and several critics considered his storylines during his tenure to be lacklustre.[25][167] Former WCW wrestler Chris Jericho attributed this to backstage politics and creative mayhem.[122] Hart cited his "steel plate" segment with Goldberg and his tribute match to Owen, against Chris Benoit, as his two worthwhile moments with the company. He said he was "proud" to have been WCW World Heavyweight Champion for a short time prior to his injury.[25]

Independent wrestling appearances (2001–2009)

In 2001, Hart became the on-screen commissioner of World Wrestling All-Stars (WWA), a role that ended prematurely due to a 2002 stroke, which temporarily required him to use a wheelchair.[168] In his first major appearance since recovering, Hart travelled to Auckland, New Zealand to appear at another WWA event in May 2003.[169]

In 2007, Hart signed autographs at "The Legends of Wrestling" show at the Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.[170] On the weekend of July 11, 2009, he made an appearance at One Pro Wrestling in Doncaster, England, where he held a Q&A, and then entered the ring to address the fans at the show. On September 27, 2009, Hart appeared in New York City's Manhattan Center to sign autographs during a Ring of Honor event. He spoke to the crowd, reminiscing about some of his more memorable matches in New York.[171]

Return to WWE

WWE Hall of Fame (2004–2007)

In 2004, Bret Hart appeared in a WWE game for the first time since 1998's WWF War Zone in the GameCube game WWE Day of Reckoning followed by WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw on the PlayStation 2. In mid-2005, Hart worked with the renamed World Wrestling Entertainment for the first time since 1997, contributing hours of interview footage and selecting matches for his WWE Home Video release, Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, the Best There Was, the Best There Ever Will Be. He returned to WWE programming as a guest on the November 16 episode of web series, Byte This.[38]

On April 1, 2006, Hart was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2006 by Stone Cold Steve Austin. He did not appear alongside his fellow inductees at WrestleMania 22 the following night. On June 11, 2007, Hart made his first appearance on 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".

In-ring return and second retirement (2010–2011)

Hart confronts Michaels on January 4, 2010

On December 28, 2009, after weeks of speculation surrounding Hart and his presence in World Wrestling Entertainment, Vince McMahon announced that Hart would be special guest host on the January 4, 2010 episode of Raw.[172] Hart thanked the fans for their continued support, jokingly teased announcer Jerry Lawler about their long-running 1990s feud, and confronted Shawn Michaels and McMahon regarding the Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series in 1997. Hart and Michaels were able to agree on a truce, shaking hands and hugging. While many cast doubts on the sincerity of their reconciliation, both men have confirmed that it was indeed genuine and not part of storyline.[173][174] It also appeared that he had buried the hatchet with McMahon later in the night, until McMahon subsequently kicked Bret in the crotch (this was in fact part of a storyline, as Hart and McMahon had been on speaking terms since 2005).[173]

During different encounters the following month, Hart and McMahon reproduced events similar to those that occurred in the Montreal Screwjob: McMahon spitting in Hart's face (as Hart did to McMahon), and Hart destroying parts of the technical equipment that goes into producing Raw (as he did to the Survivor Series equipment).[175] On the February 15 Raw, Hart made a farewell from WWE, but as he left to go inside his limousine, another vehicle reversed into the door of his limo and injured his left leg. On the March 1 Raw, McMahon challenged Hart to a match at WrestleMania XXVI; Hart accepted.[176] The match was later changed to a No Holds Barred match as Hart revealed (with help from "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, the special guest host that night) the staging of his injury. Hart, along with his family, inducted his father Stu Hart into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2010, a controversial decision that aggravated Hart and McMahon's rivalry in 2010. At WrestleMania, McMahon paid the Hart family to betray Bret. They doublecrossed McMahon instead and helped him lose.[177]

Hart with WWE in 2010

Hart stood with The Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd), a stable stemmed from the Hart family, throughout their feud with ShoMiz (Big Show and The Miz); they ultimately won the WWE Tag Team Championship on April 26. When The Miz lost a match that guaranteed a WWE United States Championship match to a Hart family member, he chose Bret; with the help of the Dynasty, Hart defeated The Miz to win his fifth United States Championship on May 17 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[178] On the May 24 episode of Raw, Hart was named the new general manager of Raw. His first orders included vacating his United States Championship, which R-Truth won, and setting up qualifying matches for Fatal 4-Way, which the injured Batista took exception to and quit.[179] The next week, Hart declared a Viewer's Choice episode of Raw.[180] He was attacked by NXT rookies after firing Wade Barrett and declining to offer them contracts on the June 14 episode of Raw.[181] A week later, McMahon fired Hart as general manager for failing to control the rookies.[182]

Hart returned five weeks later, where it was announced by John Cena that he, The Great Khali, R-Truth, Edge, Chris Jericho, John Morrison and Hart would face the NXT rookies, now known as The Nexus, at SummerSlam.[183] The following week, Hart teamed with Cena to wrestle SummerSlam teammates Edge and Chris Jericho to a no contest.[184] In the SummerSlam main event, he was disqualified for using a steel chair on Skip Sheffield; his team ultimately won the match.[185] On the August 16, episode of Raw, Hart introduced the new tag team title belts to the champions, The Hart Dynasty. Later on in the night during The Nexus vs. Raw challenge, Hart was scheduled to face Justin Gabriel, but was unable to compete after the Anonymous Raw General Manager, citing his disdain for Hart, removed him from the match and replaced him with Randy Orton.[186] On September 25, WWE hosted a tribute event to Hart in Madison Square Garden, where he and the Hart Dynasty defeated Nexus members Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel and Michael Tarver in a six-man tag team match, when Gabriel submitted to Hart's Sharpshooter.[187] In November 2010, Hart's WWE contract had expired.[188][189]

Hart has made infrequent appearances in minor roles, appearing on the April 25, 2011 episode of Tough Enough.[190] At Over the Limit, Hart came to the support of his long-running 1990s rival, Jerry Lawler, forcing Michael Cole to kiss Lawler's foot. The following night on Raw, Hart refereed the main event, which saw John Cena and Rey Mysterio defeat R-Truth and CM Punk with Hart's assistance. On the August 23, 2011, tapings of SmackDown (aired August 26), Hart served as guest general manager. On September 12 tapings of Raw in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Hart teamed with John Cena in a match against Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez, which he won after putting Rodriguez into a sharpshooter. This was Hart's final match.

Sporadic appearances (2012–present)

Hart signing autographs in 2014

At Raw 1000 and on the May 4, 2012, episode of Raw he served as guest ring announcer; he interviewed John Cena on September 10, 2012, during which CM Punk interrupted and got into a confrontation with Hart. He participated in backstage segments at the 2013 Royal Rumble and WrestleMania 31. On the post-show of Raw on May 27, 2013, Hart was honoured by the city of Calgary and the WWE with a "Bret Hart Appreciation Night", a celebration of the work he had done in his career. Also present in the ring for this celebration were Pat Patterson, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels and Vince McMahon, who each paid their own tributes to Hart. He has also served as an expert on panels, including the March 25, 2013, episode of Raw and at the NXT Arrival pre-show. Hart was in the corner of his niece Natalya on the March 27, 2014, episode of NXT,[191] at the second NXT TakeOver event[192] and at the 2016 Payback event. The match ended when the referee, Charles Robinson, called for the bell as Charlotte had Natalya locked in the Sharpshooter. After the match both Natalya and Hart placed Charlotte and her father, Ric Flair, respectively in the Sharpshooter.[193]

On April 6, 2019, Hart became a two-time WWE Hall of Famer when he was inducted as a member of The Hart Foundation alongside Jim Neidhart. During Hart's speech, an audience member named Zach Madson charged into the ring and tackled Hart and his niece Natalya to the ground, but they were quickly saved by multiple wrestlers and security, and after several minutes, Hart continued and finished his speech. WWE later released a statement saying that the attacker was sent to the local authorities.[194][195][196] In August 2019, Hart appeared at WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view backstage wishing Seth Rollins good luck in his match against Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship.[197]

In September 2022, Hart appeared at ringside for WWE's first UK stadium show in 30 years, Clash at the Castle.[198] Hart returned to Raw on the September 9, 2024 episode, sharing a segment with Sami Zayn and World Heavyweight Champion Gunther.[199]

All Elite Wrestling (2019)

On May 25, 2019, Hart made a surprise special appearance at All Elite Wrestling's (AEW) inaugural pay-per-view, Double or Nothing, to unveil the AEW World Championship.[200]

In July 2023, it was revealed that Hart offered his services to AEW as an agent, but was turned down.[201]

Impact Wrestling (2020)

On October 24, 2020, Hart was among those who appeared at Impact Wrestling's 2020 Bound for Glory via video message to congratulate Ken Shamrock for his induction into the Impact Hall of Fame.[202]

Professional wrestling style and persona

Hart is nicknamed "The Hitman", and often dubbed "The Best There Is, the Best There Was, and the Best There Ever Will Be". Hart usually wrestled in a pink attire and, during his time as The Hart Foundation, the tag team was nicknamed "The Pink and Black Attack", a nickname Hart used for himself during his singles career.[203][204]

Hart used the Sharpshooter as his finishing maneuver.[205] In his biography, Hart said he learned the hold from Konnan and Pat Patterson named it.[206] Due to Hart's success, the Sharpshooter is usually used by Canadian wrestlers.[207] Before ending his matches, Hart usually employed a sequence of five moves: inverted atomic drop, Russian leg sweep, backbreaker, elbow drop from the second rope, and Sharpshooter, being known as the "Five Moves of Doom".[208] During his time in the original Hart Foundation, he and Jim Neidhart performed the Hart Attack as their finishing manoeuver.[209]

Legacy

Hart accepts his induction into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, July 15, 2006

BBC and Entertainment Tonight writers noted that Hart is "widely regarded" as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.[210][211]

Sky Sports described his legacy as "one of, if not the greatest, to have ever graced the squared circle".[212]

Veteran industry journalist Dave Meltzer called Hart "one of the best ever,"[213] and further praised his ring psychology as the best in WWE history (alongside that of Ricky Steamboat, and "maybe Jake Roberts").[214] Jon Robinson of IGN called him "one of the greatest (if not the single best) pure wrestler to ever walk that aisle".[215]

Veteran wrestlers including CM Punk,[216] Booker T and Michael Hayes have named Hart "the greatest of all time",[217] with Hayes noting that he is considered by many as the best Canadian performer ever, if not the single greatest overall.[218]

Veteran announcer Gene Okerlund dubbed Hart "the greatest ever",[218] and stressed that he should appear in anyone's list of the all-time top 10 wrestlers.[25] Viscera commented: "He was the best [WWF] Champion of all time. I mean, as far as international rapport, it's like he's a god."[219] Olympic wrestling gold medalist and six-time WWE world champion Kurt Angle studied tapes of Hart in order to learn the art of pro wrestling;[220] he and Stone Cold Steve Austin have ranked Hart as the best in-ring performer ever (Austin tying Hart with Shawn Michaels).[221][222] Similarly, former opponent Harley Race described Hart as being "as good as they got".[223] Whilst WWE chairman, Vince McMahon described Hart as having "unparalleled" technical wrestling and storytelling skills, and retrospectively characterized the late 1990s Hart as a performer "who you know is going to give you the best match of the night every time he goes out there".[25] Asked where he would rank Hart among the pantheon of wrestling greats, longtime announcer Jim Ross stated, "Right at the top. Bret was one of the all time best."[224]

IGN ranked him as the fifth greatest wrestler ever.[225]

Sports Illustrated ranked him as the sixteenth greatest wrestler ever.[226]

Asked for his favourite opponent, Ted DiBiase said: "In my own era, without a doubt, Bret Hart."[227] The Undertaker named Hart as his toughest opponent, adding: "Some of my favourite matches are with him... I think my matches with Bret were some of the best".[228] Recalling their WWF Championship bout from July 1994, Sean Waltman affirmed: "[Hart] gave me the best singles match of my career, and one of the best matches that's ever been on Monday Night Raw."[229] Curt Hennig stated: "Out of all the matches I had, probably the best match I ever had would be with Bret [at SummerSlam 1991]... I have a good thing with Bret forever."[230] Shawn Michaels, who did not get along with Hart on a personal level, conceded that Hart was an "unbelievable" performer (an opinion shared by WWE executive and former opponent Triple H),[231] calling him a "sheer joy" to work with and saying that the pair's match at WrestleMania XII was one of, if not his favourite WrestleMania bout.[232] Roddy Piper described Hart as "one great man", and "one of the few guys who has a 'total package'".[25] Lance Storm remarked: "[Hart's] matches always seemed more important than the individuals involved in them, and that's what made him great. Bret managed to dominate this sport... by wrestling, which is no easy task, and is to his credit". On Hart's influence, Storm said: "I've always tried to pattern my ring style or work ethic, at least, after that of 'The Hitman'".[233]

Along with Storm, Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn point to Hart as their top wrestling inspiration;[234][235] Seth Rollins and Jinder Mahal called him an idol,[236][237] and Jon Moxley cited him as an influence.[238] Edge listed his three idols within the business as "Bret, Shawn and Hulk".[239] Chris Jericho named Bret as his hero (along with Owen Hart), and said he aspired to be "half of" what Bret was.[240] Chris Benoit remarked: "I always emulated him... I spent so many years looking up to, idolizing [Hart]; he was somewhat of a role model to me". Benoit added that his matches against Hart were "up on a pedestal".[25] Koji Nakagawa modelled his character and entire career on Bret Hart by adopting Hart's pink and black attire, an entrance theme identical to Hart's theme song, while also adopting his moveset.[241] Ryback recalled a WWF event from his childhood, saying: "I remember it was Bret Hart against Diesel inside a steel cage in the main event, and I just knew I wanted to be a WWE wrestler... Bret [Hart], I love".[242] Drew McIntyre named Hart his favourite wrestler,[243] while Wade Barrett named Hart along with The British Bulldog, The Ultimate Warrior and The Undertaker;[244] he called Hart vs. Bulldog, at SummerSlam 1992, his all-time favorite match.[245] Scott Dawson said that Hart's work at King of the Ring in 1993 made him want to become a professional wrestler.[246] Upon joining All Elite Wrestling for his hotly anticipated return to professional wrestling after seven years, CM Punk wore a Bret Hart T-shirt in one of his first televised appearances,[247] and his first match, against Darby Allin, included several sequences that mirrored a 1994 Hart match against Sean Waltman.[248]

Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) readers voted Hart the greatest wrestler of 1993 and 1994 in the "PWI 500",[82] as well as the "Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year" 1994.[249] He was voted "WWF Superstar of the Year" 1993 by fans.[81] PWI ranked him No. 4 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003, after Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and André the Giant.[250] WWE has also credited Hart as the top "Submission Specialist" in professional wrestling history,[citation needed] and for popularizing the Sharpshooter, named by the organization as the most devastating submission hold in professional wrestling history.[251] Hart's rise to singles success was seen to revolutionize the business; IGN wrote: "After Bret beat Ric Flair for the WWE Championship in 1992, it changed the entire industry, re-setting the WWF back to the days of technical wizardry and reshaping all our notions of what a great wrestling match should actually look and feel like".[252] According to prominent industry historian Dave Meltzer, Hart was "a major draw in the United States and probably more so in Europe".[253] Fellow journalists Bob Ryder and Dave Scherer described him as "an incredible international draw, attracting standing room only crowds in every corner of the globe."[254] Fin Martin of Power Slam also spoke to Hart's drawing power, placing him number 7 in "The 10 Best U.S.-Style All-Rounders", a list that considered drawing ability, along with workrate and promo skills.[255] Vice's Corey Erdman wrote, "1997 was one of the hottest periods in the history of professional wrestling... Hart was the [WWF's] biggest star, arguably its biggest live gate draw globally."[256] Recalling WCW's acquisition of Hart that year, then WWE owner Vince McMahon argued that his chief competitor "could have really built the entire franchise... around this extraordinary star." McMahon felt that WCW misused Hart, which was "fortunate" for the WWF.[25]

On the February 16, 2006, episode of Raw, it was announced that Hart would be an inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2006.[257] Hart had also been approached by Vince McMahon for a potential match between the two at WrestleMania 22 but declined the offer.[258] On April 1, 2006, Hart was inducted by "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."[259] Veteran industry personality and former WWE executive Paul Heyman referred to Hart's oeuvre as "a body of work so spectacular that it is beyond comprehension how brilliant a career he enjoyed".[260]

On July 15, 2006, 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 honour 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 honour for me."[261] In June 2008, Hart returned to the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony, this time to induct his father Stu Hart.[262] In 2021, Hart would be inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame by Chris Jericho and the Rock.[263]

Other media

Writing

Hart wrote a weekly column for the Calgary Sun from June 1991 until October 2004.[264]

Hart used his poetry skills to win over Gord Kirke to act as his legal counsel.[265]

On October 16, 2007, Hart's autobiography titled Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling, was released in Canada by Random House Canada, and released in fall 2008 in the United States by Grand Central Publishing, with a U.S. book signing tour. Hart began writing the book in July 1999 with Marcy Engelstein, his longtime close friend and business associate. They did not complete the book until eight years later in September 2007 due to Hart having his stroke in 2002, among numerous other tragedies that occurred during the writing. Hart's chronicle is based on an audio diary that he kept for all of his years on the road in professional wrestling.[266]

Hart also provided the forewords to Roddy Piper's autobiography, In the Pit with Piper,[267][268][self-published source] Harley Race's autobiography King of the Ring[269] and Dave Meltzer's book Tributes II: Remembering More of the Worlds Greatest Wrestlers.[270]

Acting

In 1994, Hart played a prison inmate in a deleted scene from Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers, restored for the director's cut.[citation needed] From 1994 to 1995, he appeared in Lonesome Dove: The Series television show playing "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 episodes of the Honey I Shrunk The Kids TV series (along with his brother Owen), The Adventures of Sinbad, Big Sound, and The Immortal. He provided the voice of pro wrestler character "The Hooded Fang" in Jacob Two-Two.

Hart also guest starred on the sketch comedy series MADtv in 1997 where he acted as enforcer at a fan's house, appearing with his WWF Championship belt. He 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, which he decisively won.

Hart donned his "Hit Man" singlet, along with additional costume, and executed wrestling maneuvers on villain characters, as part of his performance as the Genie in a 2004 stage production of Aladdin.[271] He reprised the role in 2006.

In 2024, he played himself in the American Dad! episode "Under (and Over, and Beside) the Boardwalk".

Hart was the subject of the 1998 documentary, Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows, which chronicled many of the events in Hart's personal and professional life from September 1996 to November 1997, including the Montreal Screwjob and its immediate aftermath.

A clip of Hart applying the sharpshooter to Benoit at WCW Mayhem in 1999 is featured in the opening credits of Malcolm in the Middle.

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. 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 collection was released on November 15, 2005.

Hart appeared on many talk shows (including Larry King Live, Nancy Grace, Hannity & Colmes, On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren) discussing the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Hart was a longtime friend of Benoit.

On April 6, 2010, WWE released Hart & Soul: The Hart Family Anthology, which is a 3 DVD set featuring a documentary on the Hart wrestling family as well as 12 matches. It is unique in that it also features previously unseen home movies from the Harts as well as interviews from family members.

In 2010, The Fight Network produced a documentary titled Bret Hart – Survival of the Hitman produced by John Pollock, Jorge Barbosa and Wai Ting chronicling the rise of Hart, his split with WWE in 1997 and his road back to the company in January 2010. The documentary features interviews with Hart, members of the Hart family, Hart's former business manager Carl De Marco, former sports agent Gord Kirke, and producer of Wrestling with Shadows Paul Jay.

A DVD entitled Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart: WWE's Greatest Rivalries was released in November 2011. The subject of the DVD was their on-screen rivalry and real-life conflicts, with a particular focus on the Montreal Screwjob.

In 2016, Hart starred in the documentary film Nine Legends.[272] Early that year, Hart launched a podcast named The Sharpshooter Show.[273]

Video games

Hart has appeared in numerous video games. They include:

WWE Video games
Year Title Notes
1992 WWF European Rampage Tour Video game debut
Cover athlete
WWF WrestleMania: Steel Cage Challenge Cover athlete
1993 WWF Royal Rumble Cover athlete
WWF King of the Ring
WWF Rage in the Cage
1994 WWF Raw Cover athlete
1995 WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game Cover athlete
1996 WWF In Your House Cover athlete
1998 WWF War Zone
2004 WWE Day of Reckoning
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw
2005 WWE WrestleMania 21
WWE Day of Reckoning 2
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006
2006 WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007
2007 WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008
2009 WWE Legends of WrestleMania
2010 WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 DLC character For PS3 & Xbox 360
2011 WWE All Stars
2012 WWE '13
2013 WWE 2K14
2014 WWE SuperCard
2015 WWE Immortals
WWE 2K16
2016 WWE 2K17
2017 WWE Champions
WWE Tap Mania
WWE 2K18
WWE Mayhem
2018 WWE 2K19
2019 WWE 2K20
2020 WWE 2K Battlegrounds
2022 WWE 2K22
WCW Video games
Year Title Notes
1998 WCW Nitro Video game debut
Bret was featured in the Nintendo 64 version of the game, but was not in the PlayStation version
WCW/nWo Revenge
1999 WCW/nWo Thunder
WCW Mayhem
2000 WCW Backstage Assault
Legends of Wrestling Video games
Year Title Notes
2001 Legends of Wrestling Cover athlete
2002 Legends of Wrestling II Cover athlete
2004 Showdown: Legends of Wrestling

Personal life

Hart lent his nickname to the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League; he was a founder and part-owner.[274]

On August 23, 2018, Hart was honoured with a traditional Niitsitapi naming ceremony and named 'Courageous Chief' by Siksika Elder Miiksika'am (Clarence Wolfleg). The ceremony was done as recognition for his and his father Stu Hart's cultural relationship building contributions, such as promoting interest of the sport of amateur wrestling among indigenous youth throughout Western Canada.[275]

Family

Hart married Julie Smadu (born March 25, 1960) on July 8, 1982. They have four children.[276][277] The four hearts located on the right thigh of his tights symbolize his children, as do the four dots following his signature.[278] Julie's sister Michelle was married to Tom Billington from 1982 to 1991.[279][280] Bret and Julie separated in May 1998,[281] and after several brief reunions over the next 4 years,[282] eventually divorced on June 24, 2002, just hours before Hart had his stroke.[283] Hart married an Italian woman named Cinzia Rota on September 15, 2004, but they divorced in 2007 after failing to agree on where they should live.[284] He married Stephanie Washington, an African-American woman several decades his junior, in 2010;[285] although at first his children were wary of their new stepmother, they have since embraced her as they realized that despite their differences in age, the love between her and their father is deep and genuine.[286]

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 successful careers in the business. His youngest brother, Owen Hart, had become a decorated wrestler in his own right before his death in 1999, caused by an accident at the WWF pay-per-view Over the Edge. Hart's niece Natalya is a professional wrestler.

Fellow pro wrestler Roddy Piper claimed in his autobiography to be a cousin of Hart.[287] Hart has also stated that Piper was the only wrestler to visit him in the hospital after his stroke.[288]

Health problems

On June 24, 2002, Hart had a 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 developed 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 has had other lasting effects common to stroke survivors (such as emotional imbalance). Hart wrote in detail about his stroke in his autobiography, Hitman: My Real Life In The Cartoon World of Wrestling.[215] Hart later became a spokesperson for March of Dimes Canada's Stroke Recovery Canada program.[289] While recovering from his stroke Hart would train three days a week at B.J's Gym in Calgary, which was owned by his brother-in-law B. J. Annis.[290]

On February 1, 2016, Hart announced through a Facebook post that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.[291] Jim Ross claimed on March 2, 2016, that Hart had beaten the disease following successful surgery and that it appeared not to have spread to other areas of his body.[292] Hart responded to Jim Ross' comments through Facebook saying that although the surgery was a success and that he and his doctors were optimistic, he would continue to be monitored every three months by doctors until he can actually be cancer free.[293]

Personal issues with Ric Flair

In October 1993, Hart gave a radio interview in which he said Ric Flair "sucks", and described his workplace, WCW, as "minor league".[294] In his autobiography, Flair accused Hart of exploiting the death of his brother, Owen Hart, and the controversy surrounding the Montreal Screwjob.[295] Flair also claimed in his autobiography that, despite Hart's popularity in Canada, he was not a formidable money-making draw in the United States, a claim which Hart dismissed as "plain ridiculous" in a column written for the Calgary Sun.[44] Hart claimed that he drew greater revenue than Flair, citing his headlining performances on consistently sold-out tours throughout his WWF career, while Flair wrestled to allegedly near-empty arenas. He also criticized Flair on what he perceived as insults to fellow wrestlers Mick Foley and Randy Savage. Hart did acknowledge a decline in the WWF's popularity during the mid-1990s, but he, and others, felt that this was largely attributed to the WWF's well-publicised sex and steroid scandals, as well as WCW's acquisition of former top WWF stars.[44][296][297] Hart also took aim at Flair in his autobiography, criticizing his in-ring talents and what Hart perceived as Flair's unsubtle blading.[298]

Flair and Hart have since reconciled and are now friends.[299]

Claims Shawn Michaels and Triple H bullied The Rock

On an episode on his "Confessions with the Hitman" podcast, Hart revealed that in 1996–97, Dwayne Johnson, at that time a rookie in WWE, was a "marked guy" and that both Shawn Michaels and Triple H bullied him and did everything in their power to make The Rock leave the company. He claimed both superstars were jealous of him which is why they used to "work him" for the smallest of reasons; "He (Triple H) was always out to get The Rock. Shawn was out to get him and they just worked on him, and worked on him, and worked on him, and I left. [The Rock] was still in the doghouse with those guys. They wanted him [out] as bad as they wanted me out."[300]

External videos
video icon Dwayne Johnson & Emily Blunt Interview: Jungle Cruise, Screen Rant Plus (remarks about Hart start at 3:51)

In 2021, Johnson himself acknowledged and praised Hart for his attitude, professionalism, as being a great person and for being exceptionally kind to him when he was a rookie in WWE during an interview with Joseph Deckelmeier of The Illuminerdi. Once he noticed that Deckelmeier was wearing a Hart shirt, he stated: "The t-shirt he's wearing is a guy who didn't have to be, but was so good to me when I was a rookie professional wrestler, and his name is Bret 'The Hitman' Hart. He comes from a very famous wrestling family, but at that time, he was world champion, and there were a lot of guys in that world at that time in '96 that didn't necessarily embrace me, just when I was a rookie coming in, because everyone is hungry for their spots, and he'll tell you, there's a lot of sharks in the water. But that guy, Bret, and he was world champion, to show me how it's done...I think [he did it] because he knew that our families (Anoaʻi and Hart) knew each other and knew that I came from a lineage of pro wrestling and that I had a real love and respect for wrestling, and he was just a great guy, and I always like to give him props where I can."[301]

Championships and accomplishments

Hart is a five-time WWF Champion, becoming the second man after Hulk Hogan to accomplish this feat

Amateur wrestling

Professional wrestling

Other

Luchas de Apuestas record

Winner (wager) Loser (wager) Location Event Date Notes
Bret Hart (hair) The Spoiler (mask) Toronto, Ontario WWF Toronto January 13, 1985 [333]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Stu mainly trained Bret in amateur wrestling.[7][8]
  2. ^ Hart announced his retirement on January 10, 2000, but would later participate in 11 matches from 2010 to 2011 which involved minimal physical risk.
  3. ^ Hart and Goldberg both became Triple Crown Champions upon winning the WCW World Tag Team Championship.
  4. ^ Hart and Lex Luger are recognized as co-winners after both simultaneously eliminated each other.

References

  1. ^ a b Historical Dictionary of Wrestling. Scarecrow Press, inc. 2014. p. 129. ISBN 978-0-8108-7926-3.
  2. ^ Hart, Diana; McLellan, Kirstie (2001). Under the Mat: Inside Wrestling's Greatest Family. Fenn. p. 22. ISBN 1-55168-256-7.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Bret Hart profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
  4. ^ "Bret 'Hitman' Hart honoured with MRU degree — 40 years after he dropped out". Calgary Sun. May 31, 2018.
  5. ^ "Exhibiting our pride". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. January 23, 2000. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d e "WWE Hall of Fame: Bret Hart". WWE. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  7. ^ (Hart 2007)
  8. ^ "Exclusive interview: Bret Hart separates fact from fiction on who really trained in Stu Hart's Dungeon".
  9. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 37)
  10. ^ a b (Hart 2007, pp. 35–41)
  11. ^ a b "Bret Hart retires". Slam Canoe. October 27, 2000. Archived from the original on July 22, 2017.
  12. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 8)
  13. ^ Hart, Diana; McLellan, Kirstie (2001). Under the Mat: Inside Wrestling's Greatest Family. Fenn. p. 16. ISBN 1-55168-256-7.
  14. ^ (McCoy 2007, p. 30)
  15. ^ Slamthology: Collected Wrestling Writings 1991–2004. jnlister. 2005. p. 252. ISBN 1-4116-5329-7.
  16. ^ (McCoy 2007, p. 16)
  17. ^ Martha Hart; Eric Francis (2004). Broken Harts: The Life and Death of Owen Hart. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 84. ISBN 978-1-59077-036-8.
  18. ^ "An open letter to Shawn Michaels". Slam Wrestling. May 17, 1997. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  19. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 412)
  20. ^ a b (Hart 2007, p. 11)
  21. ^ Hart, Bret (April 17, 2004). "Positive heroes key for kids". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 4)
  23. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 15)
  24. ^ (McCoy 2007, p. 147)
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be (aka "The Bret Hart Story"), WWE Home Video (2005)
  26. ^ "Championship History". Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2010.. Canadian Interuniversity Sport. Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  27. ^ a b (Hart 2007, p. 32)
  28. ^ a b (Hart 2007, p. 36)
  29. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 33)
  30. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 38)
  31. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 37)
  32. ^ Hart, Bret (January 27, 2001). "Special Memories". Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2010 – via Canoe.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  33. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 170)
  34. ^ "WWF @ Brantford, Ontario – August 29, 1984". The History of WWE. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  35. ^ "Hart Foundation Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 30, 2009. Retrieved October 29, 2008.
  36. ^ WWE Byte This interview (2005)
  37. ^ a b Zeigler, Zack (August 21, 2007). "Hats off to Trevor Murdoch". WWE. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  38. ^ a b "Interview Highlights: Byte This – Bret Hart has high praises for Kurt, Curt, and Eric". pwtorch.com.
  39. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 191)
  40. ^ "WrestleMania 2 Official Results". WWE. Archived from the original on December 10, 2007. Retrieved October 29, 2008.
  41. ^ a b c d "WWF Prime Time Wrestling results". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on January 4, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  42. ^ "History of the World Tag Team Championship – Hart Foundation(1)". WWE. Archived from the original on November 29, 2005. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  43. ^ Adkins, Greg. "Raw results, December 28, 2009". WWE. Archived from the original on January 9, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2010.
  44. ^ a b c Hart, Bret. "Bret "Hitman" Hart Responds to Ric Flair's Book". Calgary Sun. When I boast about being the best there is, it is because of three reasons...
  45. ^ "The 50 Greatest Wrestling Costumes of All TimeBret Hart/The Hart Foundation". Complex Networks.
  46. ^ The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event. WWE Home Video. 2009.
  47. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1987". Retrieved April 7, 2007. Roma & Jim Powers defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (w/ Jimmy Hart) via disqualification when the champions illegally double-teamed the challengers
  48. ^ (Hart 2007, pp. 232–233)
  49. ^ WWF UK PPV (London Arena). TheTVDB.com. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  50. ^ Prime Time Wrestling. USA Network. November 6, 1989.
  51. ^ "Bret Hart". WWE Classics. WWE. Archived from the original on February 8, 2010.
  52. ^ "SummerSlam 1990 official results". WWE. Archived from the original on September 8, 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2008.
  53. ^ "History of the World Tag Team Championship – Hart Foundation(2)". WWE. December 30, 2007. Archived from the original on November 27, 2005.
  54. ^ a b "World Tag Team Championship". WWE.
  55. ^ "SummerSlam 1991 official results". WWE. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  56. ^ "History of the Intercontinental Championship(1)". WWE. Archived from the original on April 23, 2007. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  57. ^ "WWF This Tuesday in Texas results/info". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved October 18, 2009.
  58. ^ "Official 1992 Royal Rumble results". WWE. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  59. ^ "WrestleMania VIII official results". WWE. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  60. ^ "History of the Intercontinental Championship – Bret Hart(2)". WWE. Archived from the original on November 25, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  61. ^ "WWF @ Portland, ME – Civic Center". The History of WWE. July 21, 1992. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  62. ^ "SummerSlam 1992 results". WWE. Archived from the original on May 23, 2006. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  63. ^ a b c d e f "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Match of the Year". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved March 26, 2009.
  64. ^ Dee, Louie (September 1, 2007). "Brother, can you spare some gold?". WWE. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
  65. ^ Bret Hart's induction speech. WWE Hall of Fame. 2006. "That was my favourite match that I ever had, and I'm happy to tell you that".
  66. ^ "History of the WWE Championship: Bret Hart(1)". WWE. Archived from the original on December 31, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  67. ^ WWF @ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Center – October 12, 1992. The History of WWE. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  68. ^ "Survivor Series 1992 main event". WWE.
  69. ^ "Royal Rumble 1993 official results". WWE.
  70. ^ "Saturday Night's Main Event XXXI official results". WWE.
  71. ^ "WrestleMania 9 results". WWE. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  72. ^ a b c "Bret Hart's title history at WWE.com". Archived from the original on July 28, 2009.
  73. ^ "Off The Record". Off the Record. 2003. TSN.
  74. ^ SummerSlam 1993 (VHS). Coliseum Video. 1993.
  75. ^ "SummerSlam 1993 official results". WWE. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  76. ^ "Online World of Wrestling". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
  77. ^ a b c d e "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Feud of the Year". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
  78. ^ WWF Superstars. USA Network. November 20, 1993.
  79. ^ "SLAM Bio: Jerry Lawler". SLAM! Sports. February 5, 2005. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  80. ^ "Survivor Series 1993 official results". WWE.
  81. ^ a b c "WWF Monday Night Raw". WWF Television. November 29, 1993. USA Network.
  82. ^ a b c "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 – 1993". Wrestling Information. Archived from the original on September 19, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
  83. ^ "Royal Rumble 1994 results". pwwew.com.
  84. ^ "Royal Rumble 1994 main event". WWE.
  85. ^ "Most Rugged Roads To WrestleMania (1994)". WWE. Retrieved October 12, 2007.
  86. ^ "WrestleMania X results". WWE. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  87. ^ "History of the WWE Championship: Bret Hart(2)". WWE. Archived from the original on January 5, 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  88. ^ "King of the Ring 1994 results". pwwew.net.
  89. ^ "SummerSlam 1994 results". WWE. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  90. ^ "History of the WWE Championship – Bob Backlund(2)". WWE. Archived from the original on July 17, 2005.
  91. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 – 1994". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
  92. ^ Greatest Rivalries: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart. WWE Home Video. 2011.
  93. ^ "WrestleMania XI results". WWE. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  94. ^ "411Mania".
  95. ^ Criscuolo, Scott; Rozzero, Justin (May 22, 2007). Graham Cawthon (ed.). "In Your House #1". The History of WWE. Archived from the original on May 29, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  96. ^ "SummerSlam 1995 Results". WWE. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  97. ^ King of the Ring 1995. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  98. ^ "Survivor Series 1995 main event". WWE.
  99. ^ "History of the WWE Championship – Bret Hart(3)". WWE. Archived from the original on July 17, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  100. ^ Raw results: February 5, 1996.. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  101. ^ Raw results: March 4, 1996. Archived January 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  102. ^ "1996 Royal Rumble match". WWE.
  103. ^ "WrestleMania XII main event". WWE. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  104. ^ WWE Spike TV (March 9, 2004). "WrestleMania's 10 Greatest matches". WWF Television.
  105. ^ "Pro Wrestling FAQ". Wrestleview.com.
  106. ^ "The History of WWE : 1996". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  107. ^ Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows (1998)
  108. ^ "King of the Ring 1996". pwwew.net.
  109. ^ "Survivor Series 1996 official results". WWE.
  110. ^ "1997 Royal Rumble results". WWE. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  111. ^ "In Your House XIII". pwwew.net.
  112. ^ "History of the WWE Championship – Bret Hart(4)". WWE. Archived from the original on July 19, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  113. ^ "WWF Raw: February 17, 1997". The Other Arena. February 17, 1997. Archived from the original on June 1, 2008.
  114. ^ "WWF Raw: March 17, 1997". The Other Arena. March 17, 1997. Archived from the original on June 1, 2008.
  115. ^ McMahon (DVD). WWE. 2006.
  116. ^ "WrestleMania 13 official results". WWE. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  117. ^ a b "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Most Hated Wrestler of the Year". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
  118. ^ "WWF in Your House 16: "Canadian Stampede"". CompleteWWE.com. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  119. ^ a b c d Raw results, 1997. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  120. ^ "SummerSlam 1997 main event". WWE. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  121. ^ "History of the WWE Championship: Bret Hart(5)". WWE. Archived from the original on November 29, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  122. ^ a b Monday Night War S01 E06: The Hart of War. WWE.
  123. ^ "WWF Ground Zero: In Your House info/results". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  124. ^ WWF Badd Blood Results. prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  125. ^ "One Night Only". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  126. ^ a b "SLAM! Wrestling: The Bret Hart Interview". SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  127. ^ Brown, Sydney (September 23, 2002). "411 Video Review: Terry Funk's WrestleFest (1997)". 411Mania.com. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  128. ^ Vermillion, James. "Their Dark Days: How can you be so Hart-less?". WWE. Archived from the original on October 15, 2009. Retrieved December 7, 2009.
  129. ^ Off The Record with Vince McMahon, TSN, 2–24–98: "...his value was beginning to wane..." (archived"video at tsn.ca". Archived from the original on November 2, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010. )
  130. ^ Jay 1998, Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows
  131. ^ "Survivor Series 1997 main event (Montreal Screwjob)". WWE.
  132. ^ Tello, Craig (November 8, 2007). "The Hit Man: Ten years later – Part One". WWE. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
  133. ^ "Title video". WWF Raw. Episode 241. January 5, 1998. 1 minutes in. USA Network. USA Networks, Inc.
  134. ^ "Bret Hart - WWF (Jakks Pacific)".
  135. ^ "Bret Hart: Wrestling Games". Cagematch.net. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  136. ^ Off The Record. TSN. December 3, 1997.
  137. ^ "WCW Nitro: December 15, 1997". The Other Arena. December 15, 1997. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008.
  138. ^ Reynolds, R. D.; Alvarez, Bryan (October 1, 2014). Death of WCW, The: 10th Anniversary Edition of the Bestselling Classic – Revised and Expanded (in Arabic). ECW Press. ISBN 9781770906426.
  139. ^ "Starrcade 1997 results". Pro Wrestling History.
  140. ^ "Souled Out 1998 results". Pro Wrestling History.
  141. ^ "Uncensored 1998 results". Pro Wrestling History.
  142. ^ The 50 Greatest Stars in WCW History: Bret Hart. WWE. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  143. ^ Nitro results: June 22, 1998. OWOW. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
  144. ^ "Bash at the Beach 1998 results". Pro Wrestling History.
  145. ^ "History of the United States Championship – Bret Hart(1)". WWE. Archived from the original on August 10, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  146. ^ "Monday Nitro – August 10, 1998". The Other Arena. August 10, 1998. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008.
  147. ^ "History of the United States Championship – Bret Hart(2)". WWE. Archived from the original on July 30, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  148. ^ "Online World of Wrestling". Online World of Wrestling. September 13, 1998. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  149. ^ "Monday Nitro – October 26, 1998". The Other Arena. October 26, 1998. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008.
  150. ^ "World War 3 1998 results". Pro Wrestling History.
  151. ^ "History of the United States Championship: Bret Hart(3)". WWE. Archived from the original on December 2, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  152. ^ "Monday Nitro – February 8, 1999". The Other Arena. February 8, 1999. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008.
  153. ^ (Hart 2007, pp. 478–479)
  154. ^ Nitro results: October 18, 1999.. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  155. ^ "History of the United States Championship – Bret Hart(4)". WWE. Archived from the original on December 13, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  156. ^ a b c "WWE United States Championship history". WWE. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  157. ^ a b "Monday Nitro – November 8, 1999". The Other Arena. November 8, 1999. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008.
  158. ^ "Monday Nitro – November 15, 1999". The Other Arena. November 15, 1999. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008.
  159. ^ "Monday Nitro – December 13, 1999". The Other Arena. December 13, 1999. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008.
  160. ^ "Starrcade 1999 results". Pro Wrestling History.
  161. ^ "WCW Starrcade Sunday, December 19, 1999". DDTDigest. December 19, 1999.
  162. ^ "Story about Goldberg & Jericho". brethart.com. May 9, 2003. Archived from the original on January 22, 2008.
  163. ^ Powell, John (December 20, 1999). "Goldberg screwed at Starrcade". SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  164. ^ "WCW Monday Nitro 1999". The History of WWE. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
  165. ^ "Monday Nitro – December 20, 1999". The Other Arena. December 20, 1999. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008.
  166. ^ "History of the WCW Championship: Bret Hart(2)". WWE. Archived from the original on December 29, 2007. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  167. ^ Bischoff, Eric: Controversy Creates Cash, WWE Books, 2006 (p.265)
  168. ^ Gray, Richard. Bret Hart Says He's Careful About What He Does, Says Vince Is Focused As Ever & Wants To Remain King, More Archived November 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Wrestling News World. February 10, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  169. ^ "The Day of (WWA: The) Reckoning". NZPWI. May 26, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  170. ^ "Bret Hart returns to Pro Wrestling". Archived from the original on October 12, 2007.
  171. ^ Curran, Brad (May 11, 2009). "Bret Hart Interview: Why ROH And Not TNA?". Insidepulse.com. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  172. ^ Tello, Craig (December 28, 2009). "TV Shows > Raw > Special Guest Stars > Pink and black is back". WWE. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
  173. ^ a b McCoy, Heath. "Back in the Ring: Hart seeks closure in comeback". Calgary Sun. Archived from the original on April 8, 2010. Retrieved January 11, 2010.
  174. ^ Eck, Kevin. "Q&A with Shawn Michaels". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on March 30, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
  175. ^ Caldwell, James (February 8, 2010). "Caldwell's WWE RAW Report 2/8: Complete coverage of Unified tag title match, WWE champ vs. ECW champ, Hart-McMahon". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
  176. ^ Adkins, Greg (March 1, 2010). "A long, strange trip to WrestleMania". WWE. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  177. ^ "Bret Hart def. Mr. McMahon in a No Holds Barred Match". WWE. March 28, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  178. ^ Adkins, Greg (May 17, 2010). "Without limits". Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  179. ^ Martin, Adam (May 24, 2010). "Raw Results – May 24, 2010". WrestleView. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  180. ^ Martin, Adam (May 31, 2010). "Raw Results – May 31, 2010". WrestleView. Archived from the original on June 2, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  181. ^ Stephens, David (June 14, 2010). "Raw Results – June 14, 2010". WrestleView. Archived from the original on June 17, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  182. ^ Keller, Wade (June 21, 2010). "WWE Raw results 6/21: Keller's report on the fallout from the Fatal 4-Way PPV event, Jericho puts his career on the line". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  183. ^ Stephens, David (July 19, 2010). "Raw Results – July 19, 2010". WrestleView. Archived from the original on July 23, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  184. ^ Plummer, Dale (August 10, 2010). "RAW: Team WWE makes a stand". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  185. ^ Plummer, Dale; Tylwalk, Nick (August 15, 2010). "Rumored return helps Team WWE fend off Nexus at SummerSlam". Slam! Sports. Canoe.ca. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  186. ^ Stephens, David (August 16, 2010). "Raw Results – August 16, 2010". WrestleView. Archived from the original on August 19, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2010.
  187. ^ Omansky, Mike (September 26, 2010). "9/25 WWE results in New York City at MSG: Bret Hart tribute night, Nexus vs. Harts – Raw announcer special referee, Street Fight main event". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  188. ^ Middleton, Mark Bret Hart's WWE Status, Survivor Series DVD News, More ProWrestling.com. November 26, 2010.
  189. ^ Update On Bret Hart's WWE Contract Status & Future. iFight365.com. November 25, 2010.
  190. ^ "Tonight On WWE Tough Enough – Bret Hart Visits The Contestants". Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  191. ^ "PWTorch.com – JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 3/27: Neville defends NXT Title vs. Dallas, Bret Hart cameo, Yoshi, Xavier, Charlotte, more". Pwtorch.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  192. ^ "PWTorch.com – JAMES'S WWE NXT TAKEOVER REPORT 5/29: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live special on WWE Network". Pwtorch.com.
  193. ^ "Sharpshooters galore as Harts battle Flairs".
  194. ^ "Video of what happened after WWE Network pulled the feed when Bret Hart was accosted". PWInsider.
  195. ^ "NEW VIDEO SHOWS ENTIRE BRET HART ATTACK, AFTERMATH". PWInsider.
  196. ^ "WWE STATEMENT ON BRET HART INCIDENT AT WWE HALL OF FAME". PWInsider.
  197. ^ "Vince McMahon Reportedly Ribbed Bret Hart at SummerSlam 2019". August 14, 2019.
  198. ^ "Bret Hart and Other Stars Appear at WWE Clash at The Castle, UFC Title Belt On Display". wrestlingheadlines.com. September 3, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  199. ^ Powell, Jason (September 9, 2024). "WWE Raw results (9/9): Powell's live review of Jey Uso vs. Pete Dunne vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. Braun Strowman for a shot at the Intercontinental Title, Bret Hart appears, WWE Women's Tag Team Title match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  200. ^ Powell, Jason (May 25, 2019). "AEW Double Or Nothing results: Powell's live review of Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho, The Young Bucks vs. Pentagon Jr. and Fenix for the AAA Tag Titles, Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes, Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose vs. Kylie Rae". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  201. ^ Roy, Bishal (July 24, 2023). "Bret Hart Says AEW Declined His Offer To Work As An Agent". SE Scoops. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  202. ^ Powell, Jason (October 24, 2020). "Powell's Impact Wrestling Bound For Glory Hit List: Eric Young vs. Rich Swann for the Impact World Championship, Deonna Purrazzo vs. Su Yung for the Knockouts Title, Motor City Machine Guns vs. The Good Brothers vs. The North vs. Ace Austin and Madman Fulton for the Impact Tag Titles, EC3 vs. Moose". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  203. ^ "PWTorch.com – COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: The Five Coolest Wrestling Figures Decked Out in Pink". Pwtorch.com.
  204. ^ "Bret "The Hitman" Hart necesitando otra cirugía". March 28, 2014.
  205. ^ "The 25 best wrestling finishers ever, from the Stone Cold Stunner to the Mandible Claw".
  206. ^ "Cuando Konnan le enseñó a Bret Hart a aplicar el Sharpshooter". May 4, 2016.
  207. ^ "Masa Saito passes away after long battle with Parkinson's disease". July 16, 2018.
  208. ^ "Grantland Dictionary: Pro Wrestling Edition". August 13, 2014.
  209. ^ "Wrestling world pays tribute to Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart".
  210. ^ Birks, Brett (November 24, 2008). "Bret Hart in Birmingham". BBC. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  211. ^ Kile, Meredith B (February 1, 2016). "Pro Wrestling Legend Bret Hart Reveals He Has Prostate Cancer in Emotional Message". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  212. ^ "WWE Legends: Bret Hart". Sky Sports. September 5, 2008. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  213. ^ "Twitter account of @davemeltzerWON". twitter.
  214. ^ "Twitter account of @davemeltzerWON". twitter.
  215. ^ a b Robinson, Jon (November 17, 2005). "Bret Hart: The Hitman Returns". IGN. Archived from the original on August 4, 2007.
  216. ^ Simmons, Bill (July 27, 2011). "CM Punk". The B.S. Report. 25 minutes in. ESPN. I'm not comparing myself to Bret Hart who's light years ahead of me, he's the greatest of all time.
  217. ^ Pitts, Lan (July 2, 2016). "Bret 'The Hitman' Hart Turns 59 today". ComicBook.com. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  218. ^ a b "Canadian Effect". Legends of Wrestling. Season 1. Episode 27. April 1, 2011. 29 (Hayes) & 58 (Okerlund) minutes in. Classics on Demand. WWE.
  219. ^ Nelson Frazier Shoot Interview (DVD). Pro Wrestling Diary. 2009.
  220. ^ "Orlando Quinones Interviews Kurt Angle Part 2". November 8, 2008. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021 – via YouTube.
  221. ^ "Kurt Angle". The Statement Show. January 4, 2017. 2 minutes in. Podbean. Retrieved February 2, 2017. Bret was my favourite... an incredible wrestler. When he got in that ring, he did it better than anybody else.
  222. ^ "Shawn Michaels". The Steve Austin Show. Episode 283. December 21, 2015. 16 minutes in. PodcastOne. When I name my best of all time, you [Shawn Michaels] and him [Bret Hart] are always neck and neck. I just thought the world of his work.
  223. ^ "SLAM! Wrestling Harley Race Chat". Slam Wrestling. March 13, 2001. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  224. ^ Ross, Jim (May 13, 2015). "J.R.'s Answer". J.R.'s Place. Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  225. ^ Top 50 Wrestlers of All Time – IGN, November 2, 2012, retrieved June 5, 2021
  226. ^ Winkie, Luke. "A definitive ranking of the 101 greatest wrestlers". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  227. ^ Jon Robinson (October 24, 2003). "Ted DiBiase: Million Dollar Smackdown – PlayStation 2 Feature at IGN". Uk.sports.ign.com. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  228. ^ The Undertaker interview (Part 2). The Score. April 10, 2003.
  229. ^ "WWE Hall of Fame (2019) (D-Generation X)". WWE Hall of Fame. April 6, 2019. 193 minutes in. WWE Network.
  230. ^ Pro Wrestling Radio (November 22, 2000). Curt Hennig. In your career, what are some of your more memorable matches that stand out to you? "I'll definitely have to say Bret Hart ... Hart is probably the standout ... Out of all the matches I had, probably the best match I ever had would be with Bret ... I have a good thing with Bret forever." Video on YouTube
  231. ^ "Triple H". Stone Cold Podcast. February 2, 2015. 48 minutes in. WWE Network.
  232. ^ "Off The Record". Off the Record. 2003. 20 minutes in. TSN. Shawn Michaels discussing his matches at WrestleMania. The hour with Bret, is that number one? "If it's not number one it's one and a half for sure"... "I loved wrestling him, I really did. You could go out there and just have a wrestling match with him – it was a sheer joy to be in the ring with him." You used to watch him backstage and think, 'that guy is unbelievable', didn't you? "I did, yeah. I used to think: 'I'd like to be out there with him'."
  233. ^ "StormWrestling.com – Commentary". Stormwrestling.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  234. ^ "WWE's Roman Reigns' real story is better than his fake one". Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  235. ^ "COMPLETE WWE PAYBACK COVERAGE: STYLES VS. REIGNS, WOMEN'S TITLE MATCH, A NEW MEMBER OF THE COMMENTARY TEAM, A SCARY MOMENT & MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  236. ^ "Seth Rollins". Talk is Jericho. Episode 253. June 2, 2016. 11–12 minutes in. PodcastOne. Retrieved June 4, 2016. I have all the respect in the world for this guy... I idolized [Hart].
  237. ^ Selvaraj, Jonathan (October 16, 2017). "Face off: Champion Jinder Mahal fighting to be 'greatest ever'". ESPN. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  238. ^ "CANOE – SLAM! Sports: Ng – Jon Moxley finds mean streets redemption in wrestling". Archived from the original on June 11, 2016.
  239. ^ "Edge". Off the Record with Michael Landsberg. May 28, 2003. TSN.
  240. ^ "PWTorch.com – CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 5/27 (Post-Show): Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Bret Hart Appreciation Night – HBK, McMahon, Jericho, Patterson, more take part in post-show". Pwtorch.com.
  241. ^ "Koji Nakagawa's Bio". FMW Wrestling. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  242. ^ "WWE star Ryback talks about his road to WrestleMania 29 in the Meadowlands". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  243. ^ "Drew McIntyre on Broken Dreams theme, favorite wrestler growing up". WWE on FOX. February 5, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  244. ^ "Exclusive Interview: WWE superstar 'Bad News' Barrett speaks about the Nexus, John Cena, WWE 2K15, Attitude Era and more". September 19, 2014.
  245. ^ Wade Barrett interview. 103.1 The Buzz. March 2011. "Number one will always be the "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith. He was my biggest inspiration...That's [Smith vs. Hart at SummerSlam 1992] actually my favourite match that I've ever seen in my life."
  246. ^ Varsallone, Jim (July 6, 2016). "WWE NXT Superstar Scott Dawson a two-time NXT tag champ". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  247. ^ "CM Punk Pays Homage to Bret Hart During AEW Rampage". Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  248. ^ "Did you catch which classic WWF Raw match CM Punk & Darby Allin were paying tribute to at All Out?". Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  249. ^ a b "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Inspirational Wrestler of the Year". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
  250. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
  251. ^ "The Top 25 Most Devastating Submission Maneuvers". WWE. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  252. ^ "Top 50 Wrestlers of All Time". ign.com. November 2, 2012. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  253. ^ Meltzer, Dave. Wrestling Observer. November 17, 1997. "The Montreal Incident". Archived from the original on April 6, 2006. Retrieved January 23, 2007.
  254. ^ Ryder, Bob; Scherer, Dave. WCW: The Ultimate Guide. DK Books. 2000. (p.104-105)
  255. ^ Martin, Fin. The 10 Best U.S.-Style All-Rounders; 7. Bret Hart. Power Slam. Issue 226/July 2013. p.26. "A wrestler who can work, draw money and talk is a U.S.-style all-rounder by the definition of this article."
  256. ^ Erdman, Corey (November 10, 2017). "How The 'Montreal Screwjob' Changed The Wrestling Industry Forever". Vice. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  257. ^ "McMahons 2, Michaels 0". WWE. March 6, 2006. Retrieved January 16, 2008. Stone Cold will induct Bret "Hit Man" Hart
  258. ^ "McMahon-Hart". Retrieved November 28, 2007.
  259. ^ Oliver, Greg (April 2, 2006). "Hall of Fame inductions sincere and entertaining". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  260. ^ "Paul Heyman on Shane Douglas and the birth of Extreme". WWE.
  261. ^ Droste, Ryan. "Complete report from Hall of Fame ceremonies July 15 in IA". WrestleView.
  262. ^ Eck, Kevin. "Ring Posts: Transcript of Bret Hart's Hall of Fame speech". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on July 7, 2008.
  263. ^ "Bret Hart Inducted To the Canada Walk of Fame, Hart On Making History With The Induction". Wrestling Inc. October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  264. ^ None (April 21, 2015). "Bret Hart Calgary Sun Columns". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  265. ^ Livesey, Bruce (January 25, 2006). "The champs' champion". Canadian Lawyer Magazine. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  266. ^ "Bret "The Hitman" Hart sounds off on wrestling's bad rap". avclub.com. September 19, 2009.
  267. ^ Roddy Piper (2002). In the Pit with Piper: Roddy Gets Rowdy. Berkley Books. p. 10. ISBN 0-425-18721-7.
  268. ^ Art Crews; Judy Burleigh-Crews (2014). We Made 'em Look Good. Xlibris. p. 218. ISBN 978-1493182374.[self-published source]
  269. ^ Harley Race, Gerry Tritz (2013). King of the Ring: The Harley Race Story. Sports Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 978-1613212110.
  270. ^ Meltzer, Dave (2004). Tributes II: Remembering More of the Worlds Greatest Wrestlers. Sports Publishing LLC. ISBN 1582618178.
  271. ^ "Bret Hart's stroke and his battle to survive". The Sports Network. December 6, 2004.
  272. ^ Werner, Barry (January 30, 2016). "Mike Tyson, Bill Goldberg and Bret Hart are among the legends in 'Nine Legends.'". foxsports.com. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  273. ^ Lelinwalla, Mark (May 4, 2016). "Bret Hart Has Been Firing Off Harsh Opinions About WWE On His 'Sharpshooter' Podcast". Tech Times. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  274. ^ "The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Team Has Come a Long Way in a Short Time". Calgary for Newcomers.com. May 7, 1999. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
  275. ^ The Canadian Press (August 23, 2018). "'It tops Hitman:' Wrestler Bret Hart gets Blackfoot name at Calgary ceremony". Calgary Herald. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  276. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 224,255)
  277. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 255)
  278. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 254)
  279. ^ Hart 2007, p. 169.
  280. ^ "UNofficial Homepgae of the Dynamite Kid – Tom Billington". Archived from the original on January 7, 2013.
  281. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 470)
  282. ^ (Hart 2007, pp. 472–473)
  283. ^ (Hart 2007, pp. 532–533)
  284. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 547)
  285. ^ Amato, Laura (February 2016). "Bret Hart Cancer Announcement: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". heavy.com. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  286. ^ "WWE Legends, Season 1 Episode 8: "Bret 'Hitman' Hart"". IMDb. June 6, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  287. ^ Roddy Piper (2002). In the Pit with Piper: Roddy Gets Rowdy. Berkley Books. p. 231. ISBN 0-425-18721-7.
  288. ^ (Hart 2007, p. 541)
  289. ^ "The Bret Hart Story". March of Dimes Canada. Archived from the original on November 13, 2008.
  290. ^ (McCoy 2007, p. 292)
  291. ^ "Bret Hart reveals he has prostate cancer, makes statement". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. February 1, 2016. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  292. ^ "WWE's Bret 'the Hitman' Hart beats prostate cancer after having surgery". BBC Newsbeat. March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  293. ^ "Bret 'The Hitman' Hart, pro wrestler, hopeful about cancer recovery". CBC.ca. March 7, 2016.
  294. ^ Oliver, Sean (director) (2014). Timeline: History of WCW – 93 – Told by Vader (DVD). Kayfabe Commentaries. 1993 – October – Bret Hart buries Ric Flair and WCW – Bret Hart was on Toronto all-sports radio station 'The FAN' and buried WCW and Ric Flair during an interview, saying WCW is 'minor league' and Flair 'sucks'.
  295. ^ Mike Mooneyham (July 4, 2004). "Flair Pulls No Punches in Book". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2007.
  296. ^ "Wwf Aims Low, Shoots High Wrestling Comes to the Garden on a Roll". New York Daily News. December 27, 1998. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  297. ^ "World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. – Company History". Fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  298. ^ (Hart 2007, pp. 286, 303)
  299. ^ Flair, Ric; Bret Hart, WOOOOO! Nation with Ric Flair, "Episode 3: Bret "The Hitman" Hart", CBS Local Media, May 19, 2015
  300. ^ Chiari, Mike (August 13, 2020). "Bret Hart Says Triple H, Shawn Michaels Were 'Out to Get' The Rock in 1990s". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  301. ^ "The Rock: Bret Hart Was Kind To Me When I Was A Rookie, He's 'A Great Guy'". mandatory.com. August 2, 2021.
  302. ^ "Inductee: Bret Hart". National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  303. ^ "List of CAC Award Winners". Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  304. ^ "2021 Class". Canadian Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  305. ^ "2022 Class". Canadian Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  306. ^ Oliver, Greg (April 3, 2016). "SLAM! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame: The Hart Family". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on August 22, 2015.
  307. ^ "Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. April 3, 2016. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015.
  308. ^ "Hall of Fame Inductions Report: Bret Hart, Larrry Hennig, Mike DiBiase, Dory Funk Sr., Bop Roop". PWTorch. July 6, 2006. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  309. ^ Oliver, Greg (March 16, 2023). "IPWHF Class of 2023 both 'Great' and 'Gorgeous'". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  310. ^ Clevette, Jason (June 16, 2010). "Booker T enjoying life away from the spotlight". SLAM! Wrestling. Canoe.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  311. ^ "Hall of Famers". 0362dc8.netsolhost.com. Archived from the original on October 26, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  312. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Comeback of the Year". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
  313. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Editor's Award". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on January 3, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
  314. ^ a b Pullar III, Sid (October 13, 2024). "20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  315. ^ Johnson, Mike (December 6, 2017). "Bret Hart, Kevin Owens inducted into Quebec Wrestling Hall of Fame". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  316. ^ "Stampede International Tag Team Championship history". Wrestling=titles.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2008.
  317. ^ "Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship history". Wrestling-titles.com.
  318. ^ "Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Championship history". Wrestling-titles.com.
  319. ^ "Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1948–1990)". Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
  320. ^ "WCW World Heavyweight Championship title history". WWE. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  321. ^ "WCW World Tag Team Championship history". Wrestling-titles.com.
  322. ^ "Triple Crown Club". WWE. October 18, 2010. Archived from the original on November 4, 2009. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  323. ^ "WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship history". Wrestling-titles.com.
  324. ^ "WWE Championship history". WWE. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  325. ^ "WWE Intercontinental Championship history". WWE. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  326. ^ "Middle East Cup Tournament". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  327. ^ "The Hart Foundation to join WWE Hall of Fame".
  328. ^ a b c d e "And the winner is". WWE. February 23, 2008. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  329. ^ Wall, Karen L. (2012). Game Plan: A Social History of Sports in Alberta. University of Alberta Press. p. 276 pp. ISBN 978-0888645944.
  330. ^ Sornberger, Joe (2011). Dreams and Due Diligence: Till & McCulloch's Stem Cell Discovery and Legacy. University of Toronto Press. p. ? pp. ISBN 978-1442644854.
  331. ^ MacGregor, Roy (2008). Canadians: A Portrait Of A Country And Its People. Penguin Canada. p. ? pp. ISBN 978-0143053088.
  332. ^ "Bret Hart Discusses The Honor That To Him Is Bigger Than The Wwe Hall Of Fame". PWInsider. December 17, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  333. ^ "WWF Toronto". Wrestlingdata.com.

Sources

Print

Film

Further reading

Biographies

  • Davies, Ross (2001). Bret Hart. Rosen Publishing Group. ISBN 0-8239-3494-2.
  • Billington, Tom; Coleman, Alison (2001). Pure Dynamite: The Price you Pay for Wrestling Stardom. Winding Stair Press. ISBN 1-55366-084-6.
  • McCoy, Heath. Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling. Toronto: CanWest Books, 2005. ISBN 0-9736719-8-X
  • Hart, Julie (2013). Hart Strings. Tightrope Books. ISBN 978-1926639635.
  • Rally, Carter (2011). The Hitman's Legacy: A Fan's Guide to the Rise of Bret Hart Through the WWE and WCW, and the Heartbreak Faced in and Out of the Ring. Webster's. ISBN 978-1270792185.
  • Mudge, Jacqueline (1999). Bret Hart: The Story of the Wrestler They Call "the Hitman". Turtleback Books. ISBN 9780613210454.
  • Payan, Michael (2002). In the Ring with Bret Hart. PowerKids Press. ISBN 9780823960477.
  • James Dixon; Lee Maughan; Arnold Furious (2013). Superstar Series: The Hart Foundation. Bob Dahlstrom (Illustrator). HistoryOfWrestling. ISBN 9781291538410.
  • R Ricciuti, Edward (1994). Face to face with Bret "Hit Man" Hart. Topdog Publications. ISBN 978-1567110753.
  • Martin, Marlow J (2016). Bret Hart: "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be". CreateSpace Independent Publishing. ISBN 978-1523811182.

Documentaries

  • John Pollock (Writer); Bret Hart; Ross Hart; Keith Hart; Bruce Hart (2010). Bret Hart: Survival of the Hitman (Documentary film). Canada; U.S.A: Fight Network.
  • Jim Ross (Interviewer); Bret Hart; Shawn Michaels (2011). Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart: WWE's Greatest Rivalries (Documentary film). U.S.A; Canada: WWE.
  • Bret Hart (Subject) (2013). Bret Hitman Hart – The Dungeon Collection (Documentary film). U.S.A; Canada: WWE.

Radio

Videos

Interviews

Articles