Bret Hart's 5 Greatest WWE Rivalries
"The Hitman" has starred in many classic battles...
More than 20 years have passed since Bret "The Hitman" Hart was a full-time wrestler, and yet his lofty contributions still echo through several generations. An earnest hero with a peerless work ethic, Hart parlayed slick and smooth technique with an intuitive ability to map out match of the year hopefuls, forging a legacy as a headline talent that was both relatable and awing.
The first man to win the WWF's Triple Crown twice over began his company tenure as a flavourless babyface, gasping for air in the heavyweight-centric New York "meat market". Through the roster transformations that followed through the next decade, Hart's increasing stardom, loyalty, and general excellence not only kept him afloat, but earned him a place in the promotional pantheon. His story is that of patience, hard work, and a willingness to bet on yourself.
To carve out his legacy, Hart required worthy foes, of which there are many. But just who were Bret Hart's greatest rivals of all time? Consider this a primer into the rogue's gallery that best filled out the Hitman's hit list.
5. Jerry "The King" Lawler
Hart's "consolation prize" for being removed from the World title picture in 1993 was this feud with the antagonistic Lawler. This ended up being a good thing, as Lawler's insults toward the Hart family (especially Stu and Helen) brought out Bret's volcanically-vengeful side.
The SummerSlam 1993 brawl that ended up with Hart intentionally hurting Lawler (long story) was only the beginning. The feud actually stretched into 1995 with Lawler enlisting several henchmen, and even spilled down into Lawler's USWA promotion, where Bret played the heel.
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.
