In professional wrestling, excellence is simply defined as Bret "The Hitman" Hart. Dubbed "The Excellence Of Execution," Bret Hart is widely regarded as one of the best ring technicians of his, or any, generation.
From his humble beginnings in Stampede Wrestling to his legendary tag team run with Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart to his coronation as WWE Champion, Hart has always been a symbol of excellence in pro wrestling. However, his success didn't come overnight. Hart had to pay his dues and gradually work his way to the top of the mountain, slightly tweaking his character along the way.
8 WCW Run
After the well-publicized fiasco that was The Montreal Screwjob, Bret Hart migrated down South to WCW. At the time, Hart was considered the hottest commodity in pro wrestling. Fans and critics alike could not wait to see and hear what he had to say about his unceremonious departure from the company that made him a star. Unfortunately, WCW essentially botched anything Bret Hart related. Losing Hart should've been the nail in WWE's coffin. Instead, Hart's departure, and the ensuing fallout, propelled WWE into an unprecedented era of prosperity.
While in WCW, Hart captured several titles, including the WCW World Championship. Hart might've continued to rack up the accolades, but his heart was in WWE, and it became obvious to anyone watching WCW at the time that Hart was just going through the motions. Unfortunately, Hart's WCW and pro wrestling career ended prematurely in early 2000.
7 2010 WWE Run
At the height of Bret Hart's popularity in WWE, it would've been almost impossible to fathom him working for another promotion, let alone WWE's greatest rival, WCW. By 2010, the popular opinion had shifted to the other side of the spectrum. At the time, it was a forgone conclusion in some fan's minds that Hart would never again be on good terms with Vince McMahon or his promotion. With that in mind, Bret Hart's return to WWE in 2010 remains one of the most surprising in company history.
Sadly, "The Hitman" of old was long gone and now resembled more of an "old Hitman." Fans still rejoiced and accepted him back, but it was not the same. Hart surprisingly had a WrestleMania match with Vince McMahon that year, but it massively underwhelmed fans and critics. It's unfortunate, but Hart's 2010 return did more to hurt his image in the eyes of some fans than to cement it.
6 Modern Day
Currently, Bret Hart is enjoying his status as one of the greatest professional wrestlers to ever step foot in a wrestling ring. After burying the hatchet with Vince McMahon and WWE in 2010, Hart finally got some much-needed closure and was able to move forward and enjoy his life. He and his Hart Foundation partner, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart were inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2019. With the induction, Hart became one of only a handful of performers to be dual WWE Hall Of Fame inductees.
In May of 2019, Hart made his first appearance in AEW as he unveiled the promotion's World Championship. The head of the legendary Hart Family is finally being able to kick back and enjoy the fruits of his nearly 30 years of hard labor in the wrestling business.
5 Stampede Wrestling Days
Bret Hart is the ultimate Canadian Hero. So, like any good hero, Hart has an origin story. His began in his father's wrestling promotion, Stampede Wrestling. Before the long hair, flashy shades, and the leather jacket, Bret was simply another Hart kid trying to follow in his famous father's footsteps. Hart started out as a referee in Stampede Wrestling but eventually found his way inside the ring. His early days saw him used more as an enhancement talent, but it wouldn't be long before Hart moved up the card.
Hart would eventually win some of Stampede Wrestling's top championships, including six reigns as the North American Heavyweight Champion. During his time in Stampede Wrestling, Hart would also build a strong relationship with a performer with whom he'd go on to work very closely, The Dynamite Kid. Stampede Wrestling was purchased by WWE in 1984. Bret Hart was one of several wrestlers who made the jump to WWE. The rest is pro wrestling history.
4 The Hart Foundation Team
When Bret Hart joined WWE in 1984, he was originally slated to be a singles competitor. In fact, it was Hart who initially requested to be paired with his brother in law, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, and his manager Jimmy Hart. Hart and Neidhart would go on to be known as The Hart Foundation. The team would be one of the cornerstones of what many fans consider to be the greatest tag team division in WWE history.
The Hart Foundation had some all-time classic matches with other legendary tag teams like Demolition and The British Bulldogs. They would go on to win the WWE Tag Team Championships on two occasions. The Hart Foundation would split in 1991 as Hart embarked on what would go on to be a Hall Of Fame singles career.
3 Early '90s Ascending Singles Run
After splitting from his long-time tag-team partner, Jim " The Anvil" Neidhart in 1991, Bret Hart was poised to climb the ranks in WWE. It wasn't long before Hart found himself in the Intercontinental Championship picture. At SummerSlam 1991, Bret Hart challenged Mr. Perfect for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. In what is still considered one of the best SummerSlam matches ever, Hart defeated Mr. Perfect to win his first singles championship in WWE.
Hart would go on to have two very memorable reigns as Intercontinental Champion. Undoubtedly, the highlight of Hart's time in the mid-card came in a losing effort to his brother in law, The British Bulldog in the main event of SummerSlam 1992, at Wembley Stadium. Hart's successful run as Intercontinental Champion paved the way for bigger things in his career.
2 Leader Of The New Generation
After Hulk Hogan departed WWE for good in 1993, the promotion was in need of a new leader on and off-screen. That role would eventually be filled by Bret Hart. As the leader of The New Generation, Hart became a staple atop the card in WWE, whether he was champion or not. Hart's popularity, especially overseas, was undeniable. Inside the ring, he was at the top of his game at this time. It's hard to find a bad Bret Hart match in general. Finding one during The New Generation years is virtually impossible.
Hart would enjoy top dog status in WWE until the emergence of guys like Shawn Michaels and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. With new competitors coming up as a threat, Hart would be forced to undergo the biggest character shift in his career.
1 1997 Heel Run
In 1997, the pro wrestling world was in the middle of a metamorphosis. Fans were beginning to rebel against wholesome righteous characters and migrating more towards the anti-heroes. During this time, Bret Hart saw his popularity begin to wane for the first time in his career. Hart's dip in popularity coincided with the rise of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, who would become one of Hart's biggest rivals. After a classic bout at Survivor Series 1996, the duo would meet in a Submission Match at WrestleMania 13.
Entering the match, Hart was the babyface and Austin was the heel. By the end of the match, their roles would be reversed in the most beautifully executed double turn in wrestling history. As a heel, Hart would tap into a part of his character that fans hadn't seen in a long time. During the run, Hart did his best promo work ever, garnering plenty of heat from fans, especially in America. Hart would wrap up his brilliant heel run at the 1997 Survivor Series as a result of The Montreal Screwjob.