Even in a game so weird and tumultuous as the pro wrestling business, most fans would have bet they'd never see Bret (The Hitman) Hart perform in a WWE ring again.
For that matter, The Hitman himself never thought he'd consider it.
There was just too much bad blood between him and the company from which he departed amid fisticuffs, betrayal and acrimony in 1997.
Furthermore, the seven-time world heavyweight champion was physically incapable of wrestling, due to a career-ending concussion in 2000, followed by a serious stroke in 2002.
But last Monday on World Wrestling Entertainment's flagship TV program WWE Raw, Calgary's world-famous son appeared on the show for the first time in more than 12 years.
"It was a bizarre night. It was surreal," said the 52-year-old Hart when contacted by the Herald. "I kept asking myself if I was really there."
"Shawn and I had a rough idea of what we were going to do . . . but we didn't really speak to each other (before)," Bret says. "My impression was that (he) was actually pretty sincere. He apologized for a lot of what happened. . . . I think it was like a million pounds off of his back. . . . There was a couple of times when it looked like he was going to start crying.
"There was a lot of real emotion in that little segment. . . . I think it was a surprise to him as much as to me."...More?
source: calgaryherald.com
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January 10, 2010
Back in the Ring Hart Seeks Closure in Comeback
Thoughts on Triple H & Stephanie Running the WWE
Buck Woodward of pwinsider.com responds to the following quesiton:
In your opinion, how do you see Triple H and Steph running WWE after Vince is no longer around? What would the company be like? And what serious mistakes can you see them making?
One thing I do like about the idea of Triple H and Stephanie being in charge is that Triple H is, to borrow a phrase, a "student of the game". He is a wrestling fan, and loves the business, so I don't see him trying to turn WWE into a soap opera or TV comedy at the expense of the in-ring action. Triple H will want to see a "wrestling product". The serious mistake I could see them making would be if Triple H was still active in the ring, and he continued to push himself long after his ability to draw has passed.
I don't see the "serious mistake" being a problem. Hunter has said in many interviews that he would not want to be 50 and still wrestling. He would take himself out of the picture before being told to.
Why Ric Flair Went to TNA
Ric Flair says his main reason for joining TNA and making his debut on the January 4 live Impact was because he felt wanted by TNA and he didn't feel wanted by WWE, who gave him the ultimate retirement send-off in 2008...More?
source: pwtorch.com
ABC News Profiles Linda McMahon Trying to Escape Vince McMahon and WWE's Shadow to Campaign for Senator
Vince Russo: "I Want Randy Orton"
The controversial booker revealed he has no desire to see the likes of Triple H, Undertaker, John Cena and Shawn Michaels in Dixie Carter's promotion.
And when asked who he would like to see move to TNA, Russo said emphatically: "Randy Orton, Randy Orton, Randy Orton, Randy Orton and Randy Orton."...More?
source: the sun
WWE: We're Doing All We Can
WWE has defended itself against accusations it is to blame for the staggering amount of wrestlers dying before the age of 50. The company has come under fierce criticism in recent years over the deaths — many of which were caused by painkiller, steroid and drug addiction.
Former WWE stars Andrew 'Test' Martin, 33, and Eddie 'Umaga' Fatu, 36, died in 2009 — adding to a long list that also includes Eddie Guerrero, 'Mr Perfect' Curt Hennig, Crash Holly and British hero Davey Boy Smith.
However, in an interview with the website Human Resources, WWE spokesman Robert Zimmerman highlighted the company's Talent Wellness Program and Former Talent Rehabilitation Assistance Program in its defence. Introduced in 2006 and 2007 the twin systems aim to stop drug use among current WWE wrestlers and help any ex-stars by paying for their rehab.
Talking about the wrestlers who have died young, Zimmerman pointed out that most of them were not actually employed by the WWE when they passed. He then said: "We don't know what they took as kids. We don't know what they've done after they've left. "So the only thing we can do is obviously do what we're trying to do, which is make them abide by the Talent Wellness Program when they are contracted by us and then offer any kind of rehab assistance after they've left."...More?
source: the sun
January 9, 2010
January 8, 2010
SmackDown Results: Stunned Contenders
At the start of the night, both Batista and Rey Mysterio vehemently proclaimed they would defeat the other and become the No. 1 Contender. With emotions running high, they went as far as saying the other would not walk away from the match. Their words proved true, but things didn’t turn out quite as they predicted. Full results.
source: wwe.com
Big Show Warns Young Stars: "They Have to Earn It"
There was much criticism through 2009 that the WWE's headliners were the same old faces such as Show, his tag team partner Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Undertaker, John Cena and Randy Orton.
Things have changed recently with newer stars like Scot Drew McIntyre and Kofi Kingston getting a push and Irish wrestler Sheamus even winning the company's world title from Cena.
But nobody has yet challenged 37-year-old Show's spot as the company's top big man — and he says it will stay that way until someone "steps up" to earn it:
"I want to let you know flat out there's not anybody good enough to take my position. And I'm certainly not going to give my position up just because I've been on top for a while, and nor would anyone else. If there's another giant that can walk in and take my position, then good for him. He can run with it and I'll retire. Until then I'm going to work on top as long as I can, make as much money as I can and entertain the fans as much as I can. It's up to the younger generation to come to the locker room, step up and be leaders. Every one of us who is on top right now has had to fight and dig and bend to the penthouse and bend to the outhouse as far as booking and positioning goes. I'm not just going to lay down because somebody new comes in — they're going to have to earn it."
Big Show refuses to blame Vince McMahon for failing to push the newer talent and instead says it's all about not enough guys having the right work ethic...More?
source: the sun
Danielson & Steamboat, Jr. Headed to FCW
Former Ring of Honor star Bryan Danielson will make his debut in WWE developmental territory FCW shortly. Ricky Steamboat Jr. will also train at FCW and arrived in Tampa this week.
