Bret “Hitman” Hart stands as one of the most revered and accomplished professional wrestlers in the history of sports entertainment. Known for his technical precision, in-ring storytelling, and cool demeanor, Hart wasn’t just a performer—he was an artist in the squared circle. His nickname, “The Excellence of Execution,” was more than a moniker; it was a testament to his flawless technical wrestling style and commitment to the craft. From the golden days of WWF to his battles with WCW and beyond, Bret Hart’s legacy is one of triumph, tragedy, and ultimately, timeless impact.
Early Life and Wrestling Roots
Bret Sergeant Hart was born on July 2, 1957, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He was the eighth of twelve children born to wrestling patriarch Stu Hart and Helen Hart. Wrestling was in his blood. The Hart family dungeon—Stu’s basement training facility—became legendary for producing some of the toughest, most technically sound wrestlers in the business.
Growing up in such an environment meant that Bret was exposed to the intricacies of grappling from an early age. However, wrestling was not always his first love. He initially pursued amateur wrestling during high school and eventually attended Mount Royal College, studying film. Yet, the pull of wrestling proved too strong, and soon Bret stepped into the family business, joining his father’s Stampede Wrestling promotion in the late 1970s.
Stampede Wrestling and WWF Beginnings
Bret quickly rose through the ranks in Stampede Wrestling, becoming a standout for his crisp execution and storytelling. His performances caught the attention of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and in 1984, the WWF purchased Stampede Wrestling. This acquisition paved the way for Bret’s entrance into the big leagues.
Initially, Bret struggled to find his identity. He was nearly saddled with a cowboy gimmick named “Cowboy Bret Hart,” but he resisted the idea. Eventually, he aligned with his brother-in-law Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart to form The Hart Foundation, a tag team that blended Bret’s technical finesse with Neidhart’s brute power. Managed by the charismatic Jimmy Hart (no relation), the duo captured the WWF Tag Team Championships twice and became one of the most celebrated tag teams of the era.
Singles Success and the Intercontinental Title
After several years in tag team action, Bret Hart transitioned into singles competition in the early 1990s. His breakthrough moment came at SummerSlam 1991, when he defeated “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship. That match is often hailed as a clinic in storytelling and technical wrestling, establishing Hart as a legitimate singles star.
Bret’s reign as Intercontinental Champion helped to elevate the title’s prestige. His matches with British Bulldog, Roddy Piper, and Shawn Michaels became legendary, showcasing the kind of high-quality wrestling that was rare in the days dominated by larger-than-life characters like Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior.
The World Championship and Main Event Status
Bret Hart’s crowning moment came in 1992, when he defeated Ric Flair to win his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship. This victory signaled a changing of the guard. The WWF was transitioning from the muscle-bound superstars of the ’80s to more athletic, technically skilled performers, and Bret Hart was at the forefront of that shift.
Throughout the early to mid-1990s, Bret became the face of the WWF. He had memorable feuds with the likes of Yokozuna, Diesel (Kevin Nash), Owen Hart, and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. His matches were not only compelling in-ring contests but also emotionally charged stories that resonated with fans. He won the WWF Championship five times, and each reign underscored his status as a workhorse and a fan favorite.
One of his most iconic matches was at WrestleMania X against his brother Owen Hart—a masterclass in sibling rivalry and psychology. Another unforgettable bout was the Submission Match against Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13, which not only turned Austin into a breakout antihero but also marked Hart’s transition into a heel role.
The Montreal Screwjob
Perhaps the most infamous moment in Bret Hart’s career—and wrestling history as a whole—was the Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series 1997. Bret was scheduled to leave WWF for WCW, and the match against Shawn Michaels was to be his farewell. Hart, a proud Canadian, refused to lose the title in his home country, preferring to drop it later.
However, WWF chairman Vince McMahon had other plans. Mid-match, McMahon instructed the referee to ring the bell while Michaels had Hart in the Sharpshooter, despite Hart not submitting. The betrayal was real, and Hart’s shocked, angry reaction was unscripted. He famously spit on McMahon and punched him backstage.
The incident blurred the lines between fiction and reality and had a profound impact on the wrestling world. It cemented McMahon’s on-screen persona as the villainous “Mr. McMahon” and set the stage for the Attitude Era, but it also left a deep scar in Hart’s relationship with WWF.
WCW Run: A Career Setback
Bret Hart’s transition to World Championship Wrestling (WCW) was expected to be monumental. Unfortunately, poor creative direction, mismanagement, and injuries hampered his time in WCW. Despite winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, his matches lacked the same storytelling flair, and he was never truly embraced as a top-tier star by WCW’s leadership.
Tragedy struck again in 1999 when Bret’s brother, Owen Hart, died in a freak accident during a WWF pay-per-view. Bret was devastated and publicly critical of WWF’s handling of the situation. Not long after, Bret suffered a career-ending concussion in a match with Bill Goldberg, forcing him to retire in 2000.
Life After Wrestling
Following his retirement, Bret Hart faced a number of personal challenges, including a stroke in 2002 that temporarily left him partially paralyzed. True to form, he fought back through intense rehabilitation and made a full recovery, eventually returning to public appearances.
In 2006, Hart was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, though he still harbored resentment over the Montreal Screwjob. However, in 2010, Bret made a full return to WWE programming, mending fences with Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels in emotional on-screen moments. He even had a final match at WrestleMania XXVI, defeating McMahon in a storyline-heavy bout that brought closure to his tumultuous history with WWE.
Bret Hart has since become an ambassador for wrestling, speaking out about health, safety, and the importance of technical proficiency. He released an autobiography, “Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling,” which offered a candid, deeply personal look at his life and career.
Legacy and Influence
Bret Hart’s legacy is multifaceted. As a wrestler, he was a pioneer of technical excellence and in-ring psychology. He helped prove that wrestling could be both athletic and emotionally resonant. He wasn’t the loudest or flashiest, but his matches told stories that fans still remember decades later.
Many modern stars—like CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, and Seth Rollins—cite Bret Hart as a major influence. He helped pave the way for smaller, more athletic wrestlers to be taken seriously in the main event scene.
His finishing move, the Sharpshooter, has become one of the most iconic submission holds in wrestling history. More than that, Bret’s emphasis on realism, integrity, and dedication to the craft helped elevate the art form itself.
Bret is also remembered for standing up for his principles. His refusal to break character or compromise his values—even when it cost him—made him a hero to many fans who admired his unwavering moral compass.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Outside the ring, Bret Hart is a family man and a survivor. He has been married twice and is a father to four children. After suffering from prostate cancer, Bret publicly shared his experience in 2016, becoming an advocate for regular screenings and men’s health awareness.
Hart has also worked with various charities, including the Calgary Health Trust, to raise funds for hospitals and health initiatives in Canada. His resilience, both physical and emotional, continues to inspire fans around the world.
The Lasting Symbol of a Pink and Black Legacy
Bret “Hitman” Hart’s image—clad in pink and black, sunglasses gleaming, stoic expression hiding a fiery passion—is etched into the heart of professional wrestling. His moniker, “The Best There Is, The Best There Was, and The Best There Ever Will Be,” is not just hyperbole—it’s a declaration that has withstood the test of time.
Whether battling giants in the ’90s or mentoring future generations, Bret Hart exemplifies the heart and soul of wrestling. He remains a benchmark for what greatness looks like inside the ring and what resilience looks like outside of it.
Final Thoughts
The wrestling world has seen many legends, but few have left a mark as deep and enduring as Bret Hart. His journey from Calgary’s Hart Dungeon to the grandest stages in the world is the story of a man who turned wrestling into an art form. For fans, wrestlers, and historians alike, Bret Hart will forever be remembered not just as a champion—but as a craftsman, a warrior, and a symbol of excellence.
