| Real Name: Bret Hart Also Known As: The Hitman Date of Birth: July 2, 1957 From: Calgary, Alberta Height: 6'2" Weight: 235 pounds Finishing Move: The Sharpshooter Famous Quote: "I'm the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be." |
Simply put, wrestling is in Bret Hart's blood. His father was a famed wrestler-turned trainer who started the Calgary Stampede promotion. Bret began wrestling in that promotion along with his brothers in 1976. He won his first title in 1978, the WWC Caribbean tag team title with brother Smith. In Calgary, he dominated, winning the Calgary Stampede heavyweight title 6 times, and the Stampede International Tag Team championship 5 times (4 with brother Keith) among other accolades.
In 1985, he made his way to the World Wrestling Federation. He started as a singles wrestler, and was a "stepping stone" for more accomplished grapplers, fighting in opening matches. But then destiny struck. Bret took on the name "Hitman" from boxing great Thomas Hearns. He began wearing sunglasses to go with his slicked-back hair. And then he was put together with WWF newcomer Jim Neidhart, and the rest is history.
This tandem, known as the Hart Foundation, won the WWF tag team titles in 1987 from the British Bulldogs. They were defeated near the end of that year by Strike Force. The Harts then decided to wrestle on their own without manager Jimmy Hart, becoming faces. In August of 1990, they regained the straps, defeating Demolition. Then in the spring of 1991 during Wrestlemania VII, the Foundation lost the titles for the last time, to the Nasty Boys.
After their last tag title defeat, the team decided to wrestle independently. Neidhart, or the "Anvil" as he is known, tasted only mediocre success and eventually teamed with Bret's younger brother Owen to reform the Hart Foundation. But Bret fit right into the singles division, and in August of 1991 he won his first Intercontinental title from Curt Henning at Summerslam. He held the title for almost five months before being defeated by the Mountie, but the following April he regained the title, besting Roddy Piper at Wrestlemania VIII. He remained champion for a few months before losing to Davey Boy Smith in front of over 80,000 in Wembley Stadium in England.
But then on October 12, 1992, Bret Hart stepped into the ring against the legendary Ric Flair, and captured the WWF title. He has won that title on four more occasions, tying him with Hulk Hogan for the most WWF titles held by one man. Bret Hart has added two King of the Ring victories as well as two Royal Rumble wins to his list of accomplishments. He is the most decorated athlete in WWF history, and arguably in all of wrestling.
In 1997, Bret Hart went back to his heel ways, and formed the Hart Foundation along with brother Owen, brothers-in-law Davey Boy Smith and Jim Neidhart, and former Calgary Stampede wrestler Brian Pillman. This fivesome dominated the WWF, with the Intercontinental, European, and tag team titles being held by members of the group at one time. Bret also won his fifth WWF championship, defeating the Undertaker at Summerslam that year. The following Fall, Bret defended the title against real-life rival Shawn Michaels at the Survivor Series. It had been known prior to the event that Bret was to leave the WWF to join WCW. Bret lost the title to Michaels in arguably the most controversial match in WWF history, when the match's outcome was changed unbeknownst to Hart. The Hitman went on a tirade around ringside, smashing camera equipment. Later, he punched WWF owner Vince McMahon in the locker room. Bret left the WWF belt, as well as a 14-year WWF career, behind him that night.
With the WWF behind him, Bret debuted with WCW in January of 1998. He enjoyed success almost immediately, winning the WCW U.S. title. But it is among the world champions that Bret belongs, and that is where he is. Outside the ring, Bret spends time with his family in Calgary, and he regularly writes a column for the Calgary Sun. He came back at New Blood Rising congradulating Lance Storm after his Canadian title defence.
Major Titles Won:
WWF World Championship (5)
WWF Intercontinental Championship (2)
WWF Tag Team Championship (2)
WCW United States Championship
WCW World ChampionshipOther Credits:
Featured in 1998's "Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows" documentary
Played Eyolf in "The Ties that Bind" TV episode of "The Adventures of Sinbad"
Played Luther Root in 1995's "Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years"
Appeared on FOX's "Mad TV" (as himself) in 1995
Played himself (voice) in "The Old Man and the Lisa" episode of "The Simpsons"
Played Luther Root on "Lonesome Dove: The Series" in 1992