BRET HART CANADA'S HITMAN
By Wrestling Eye Magazine August 1986
This month's feature focuses on Bret "Hit Man" Hart one of the rising stars in the WWF. After successful stints in Canada, Japan and Europe, Bret has succeeded in making a name for himself on Titan cards since his debut over a year ago.
After establishing himself as an excellent scientific grappler, Bret shocked the wrestling world when he suddenly adopted a roughhouse style in the ring along with joining manager Jimmy Hart's stable. He is currently teaming with brother-in-law Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart and creating havoc in every city and small town in which they appear.
At 6'1" and 240 lbs., Bret shows much speed, strength, and an excellent background of wrestling in all his bouts. He has gained a renowned reputation throughout the world for being one of the top superstars of the eighties.
Bret began his career in 1978 under the training of his father, Stu, in Calgary, after a very successful amateur career. In his first year as a pro, he captured the Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight championship from Norman Frederick Charles III, and successfully retained the title against such top contenders as Dynamite Kid, Marty Jones and Tatsmui Fujinami for over a year before he vacated it to move up to the heavyweight division.
Bret's next major title sweep was when he captured the North American title from Leo Burke in 1980, which launched his career after a very successful start. Since then he has captured the coveted title on four occasions, winning over such stars as Bad News Allen, "Dr. D" David Schultz, "Iron" Mike Sharpe, Great Kabuki and Hercules Ayala. Bret has also been successful in tag work, sharing the International tag team title with brother Keith on three different occasions and also with Leo Burke.
Although Bret calls Calgary home, he has globe-trotted nearly every part of the world including Japan, Germany, England, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, the Middle East, United States and Canada.
Why the change from fan-favorite to now one of the most disliked in the WWF? " I was unhappy because I wasn't getting my share of top matches and many of the so-called champions were ducking me," Bret said, "Jim Neidhart has been very successful under Jimmy's wing and since we've joined forces, we've been unbeatable!" He continued by saying, "My change in style has been worthwhile to earn top bouts and title shots, and our business negotiations and matches but is an excellent coach and inspiration to all his men."
Over the last few months he and "the Anvil" have found themselves facing the British Bulldogs as their number one rivals. When asked how he felt about going up against Davy Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid, also from Calgary, Bret said "They're effective as a team, showing great strength, speed and agility, but I know their weaknesses. My speed combined with the strength of "the Anvil" will overcome the British Bulldogs, the Killer Bees, or any other teams that get in our way."
Bret is probably the most underrated wrestler in the WWF today. When he made the change from 'baby face' to 'heel' a lot of fans were shocked, but have slowly come to realize that by becoming the arrogant bad guy he now is, his display of talents has only broadened.
Becoming a member of the 'Hart Foundation' was probably one of the best moves Bret has ever made. At a still young age, the "Hit Man" looks like he will conquer even more horizons as he continues to devastate all opponents under the tutelage of Jimmy Hart!
After establishing himself as an excellent scientific grappler, Bret shocked the wrestling world when he suddenly adopted a roughhouse style in the ring along with joining manager Jimmy Hart's stable. He is currently teaming with brother-in-law Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart and creating havoc in every city and small town in which they appear.
At 6'1" and 240 lbs., Bret shows much speed, strength, and an excellent background of wrestling in all his bouts. He has gained a renowned reputation throughout the world for being one of the top superstars of the eighties.
Bret began his career in 1978 under the training of his father, Stu, in Calgary, after a very successful amateur career. In his first year as a pro, he captured the Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight championship from Norman Frederick Charles III, and successfully retained the title against such top contenders as Dynamite Kid, Marty Jones and Tatsmui Fujinami for over a year before he vacated it to move up to the heavyweight division.
Bret's next major title sweep was when he captured the North American title from Leo Burke in 1980, which launched his career after a very successful start. Since then he has captured the coveted title on four occasions, winning over such stars as Bad News Allen, "Dr. D" David Schultz, "Iron" Mike Sharpe, Great Kabuki and Hercules Ayala. Bret has also been successful in tag work, sharing the International tag team title with brother Keith on three different occasions and also with Leo Burke.
Although Bret calls Calgary home, he has globe-trotted nearly every part of the world including Japan, Germany, England, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, the Middle East, United States and Canada.
Why the change from fan-favorite to now one of the most disliked in the WWF? " I was unhappy because I wasn't getting my share of top matches and many of the so-called champions were ducking me," Bret said, "Jim Neidhart has been very successful under Jimmy's wing and since we've joined forces, we've been unbeatable!" He continued by saying, "My change in style has been worthwhile to earn top bouts and title shots, and our business negotiations and matches but is an excellent coach and inspiration to all his men."
Over the last few months he and "the Anvil" have found themselves facing the British Bulldogs as their number one rivals. When asked how he felt about going up against Davy Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid, also from Calgary, Bret said "They're effective as a team, showing great strength, speed and agility, but I know their weaknesses. My speed combined with the strength of "the Anvil" will overcome the British Bulldogs, the Killer Bees, or any other teams that get in our way."
Bret is probably the most underrated wrestler in the WWF today. When he made the change from 'baby face' to 'heel' a lot of fans were shocked, but have slowly come to realize that by becoming the arrogant bad guy he now is, his display of talents has only broadened.
Becoming a member of the 'Hart Foundation' was probably one of the best moves Bret has ever made. At a still young age, the "Hit Man" looks like he will conquer even more horizons as he continues to devastate all opponents under the tutelage of Jimmy Hart!