Bret Hart Speaks on WrestleMania XIX

[Urban Warfare 0]

Ya did very good, Vince

 

 

By BRET HART -- For SLAM! Wrestling

 

 

People ask me all the time whether or not I miss wrestling. For the longest time, my answer has been no.

 

I don't even watch it anymore because nobody really wrestles anymore.

 

The reason I stopped watching wrestling has little to do with personal differences between me and Vince McMahon. It's no secret I didn't like the direction the business was going, all shock value and little actual wrestling.

 

Anyway, the perspective I've gained recovering from a stroke these last nine months has lessened the priority of some of my personal issues with McMahon.

 

So last Sunday, a friend asked if I wanted to come over and watch Wrestlemania XIX. At first, I automatically said no but there was a voice inside me that urged: 'Ah, c'mon ... just watch and see what they're doing.'

 

So I did. Here's what I thought:

 

It's only fair and right that since I told everyone when I didn't like what the WWE had become that I be a big enough man to admit I liked what I saw at Wrestlemania XIX. I thought it was an excellent show.

 

It seems to me the WWE has gone back to producing great wrestling again.

 

By far and away the best match of the show -- and one of the best matches I've seen in recent memory -- was Kurt Angle and Brock Lesner.

 

As I watched them wrestle, I could feel in my heart just how much I do miss it.

 

Walking up the aisle at the store or driving my truck or between periods at a hockey game, I find myself thinking about wrestling matches all the time. It's not hard for me to visualize, with amazing clarity, the middle of a wrestling match -- having Angle clamped in a side headlock waiting for the next big move of one more classic match.

 

I'm sure Lanny McDonald must go through the same thing with hockey.

 

In watching Angle, I could do nothing but admire his athleticism and absolute realism, especially since only weeks ago he was not expected to work the show due to a serious neck injury and there was fear his career was over.

 

As for Lesner, who I only recently met at Curt Hennig's funeral, all I can say is he's an extraordinary physical specimen the likes of which my dad Stu would love to have gotten his hands on!

 

At the end of his WM XIX match, Lesner climbed up to the top turnbuckle and did a shooting star press, a move more suited to a high-flying lightweight.

 

This 295-lb. man somersaulted backwards -- three quarters of the way across the ring -- Angle moved out of the way at the last second and Lesner ended up driving his face full force into the mat.

 

I was most impressed with the professionalism of a groggy and determined Lesner, whose face was already swollen as he willed himself up from the mat and somehow managed to continue the match.

 

I thought it was a great performance and the match itself was a brilliant piece of work.

 

As for the rest of the show, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin delivered a whirlwind, knock- down drag out. For me to be able to enjoy watching two great wrestlers who I like to think I did my best to pass the torch to, I was nothing but proud of both of them.

 

I thought even McMahon's match with Hogan was more than entertaining enough and much better than most people expected.

 

It's only fair to say both the Triple H/ Booker T and Shawn Michaels/Chris Jericho matches were terrific.

 

All in all, it was an excellent show and I'm glad to say the WWE put back what I felt has been missing -- wrestling!

 

A few years ago, I said it was inevitable things would come full circle; they'd burn out and have to come back to the simple things that make wrestling what it's supposed to be.

 

Now the ratings have plummeted, I think back to a time when I found myself being handed the torch back in 1992, when the WWE was mired in unprecedented scandals and business was falling fast.

 

McMahon put his faith in me because he wanted a champion who was a realistic, solid wrestler and I'm glad to see history is repeating itself and the WWE has gone back to basics.

 

If my career hadn't been ended by a serious concussion (and the stroke didn't help either), I'm sure I'd be wrestling now.

 

I've always loved wrestling and it feels good to be able to enjoy it again -- at least just as a fan.

 

 

 

 

credit-calgarysun.com

[Guest AM The Kid]

I was just going to post this myself.

[Guest HartFan86]

Bret should of watched Raw the next night.

[LaParkaYourCar 0]

So what did Bret think of the Miller Light Cat Fight girls?

 

If he liked WM so much he probably watched RAW to see more. I don't think he hates Goldberg so he probably didn't mind seeing him. Plus if he watched WM he knew he was coming back.

 

He might have been upset with all the pointless short matches on RAW though.

[Guest ChaosTheory]

This 295-lb. man somersaulted backwards -- three quarters of the way across the ring -- Angle moved out of the way at the last second and Lesner ended up driving his face full force into the mat.

 

What match was Bret watching-cause Angle didn't move out of the way-Brock just missed.

[LaParkaYourCar 0]

If you're not watching real closely it does look like Angle moved at the last second instead of moving afterwards.

[Guest Brian]

Angle moved at the last moment, or else Brock's head would have came down on his body. Angle showed a ton of maturity in the ring that match.

[Guest Memoirs of an Invisible Chevy]

Angle moved at the last moment, or else Brock's head would have came down on his body. Angle showed a ton of maturity in the ring that match.

So you're blaming the SSP mess-up on Angle?

[cawthon777 0]

Good read. Vince may not be attracting new viewers but if he can impress Bret - that's saying something.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

So what did Bret think of the Miller Light Cat Fight girls?

At least it was short. The entrances took longer than the, uhm, action.

 

Even in Bret's heyday, you had Sunny running around saying she had the best BUTT in the company.

 

We discussed before that in interviews Bret doesn't hold animosity towards 'Berg. However, another thing he must have watched when he saw the show was the WMXX at MSG promo.. Hmm hmm hmmmm...

[Guest Brian]

No, Brock would have came up short anyways. But Angle had enough ring sense to no get himself hurt in the process, because the force of that move would have put Brock's head into Angle's ribs.

[Guest Memoirs of an Invisible Chevy]

No, Brock would have came up short anyways. But Angle had enough ring sense to no get himself hurt in the process, because the force of that move would have put Brock's head into Angle's ribs.

Awwww, I see.

 

I thought you were being sarcastic about Angle showing maturity by moving.

[Guest dreamer420]

Angle moved at the last moment, or else Brock's head would have came down on his body. Angle showed a ton of maturity in the ring that match.

So you're blaming the SSP mess-up on Angle?

I don't think that is what was said. Angle moved at the very last second because he probably seen that Brock was about to crash and burn and he had to improvise.

[LaParkaYourCar 0]

What Angle did was smart. If he had not moved Brock might have been injured more seriously.

[bobobrazil1984 0]

Not only that, but it helped sell the somewhat-illusion that this was part of the match, Brock does SSP, Angle moves and almost wins... granted it didn't come off ALL that well, but it still worked.

 

Anyways I'm glad to hear that Bret actually enjoyed a WWE show

[Guest AndrewTS]

It's only fair to say both the Triple H/ Booker T and Shawn Michaels/Chris Jericho matches were terrific.

 

The former I don't think many share his opinion about, but he did give Michael/Jericho its props, but all he said.

 

Classy of him not to bring up *that*, and said only that the match was terrific. I guess he opts "if you can't say anything nice..."

 

I still personally say fuck HBK, he should be jobbing to every dungeon graduate on the roster as penance.

[Guest Downhome]

The moment that Bret feels he can return, and NOT dissapoint his fans in terms of his physical shape, he will return in one way or another...

 

...mark my words.

[Guest Choken One]

Of Course...You know Bret is trying hard to get Physically and mentally in shape for at least one more apperence...If he wanted to see his fans...He would've done Axxess then...He wants the spotlight just one more time...

[Guest Downhome]

Of Course...You know Bret is trying hard to get Physically and mentally in shape for at least one more apperence...If he wanted to see his fans...He would've done Axxess then...He wants the spotlight just one more time...

Well you can't blame the guy, Pro. Wrestling is his life. He knows he is a legend, it's simply in his blood. He's had a lot of ups and downs over the years, and I think he deserves one more "up" once and for all. Just imagine, if/when he returns and he walks out on RAW or something. Just think of the ovation, just think of the emotion that the man would feel. It would simply be, unreal, and I'm sure he wants that very, very much.

[Guest Memoirs of an Invisible Chevy]

He'll be back, no doubt.

[Guest HellSpawn]

I cant believe this...

 

Bret speaking good things about WM XIX (a show that I just watch here in Mexico... FOR FREE !!!!!! Thanx Ch. 52), btw, WOW! Great Show!

 

And of course, some Smartmarks came here top say that he is wrong, or that he shouldnt enjoy the show,why? because they said that WM suck, and well, that must be true.

 

This is really sad.

[Guest wwF1587]

i think thats great that bret watched the show and enjoyed it.... it is too bad he didnt watch RAW though... id love to hear his thoughts on the garbage that it was...

[LaParkaYourCar 0]

I cant believe this...

 

Bret speaking good things about WM XIX (a show that I just watch here in Mexico... FOR FREE !!!!!! Thanx Ch. 52), btw, WOW! Great Show!

 

And of course, some Smartmarks came here top say that he is wrong, or that he shouldnt enjoy the show,why? because they said that WM suck, and well, that must be true.

 

This is really sad.

::looks around trying to find people saying Bret is wrong in this thread......doesn't find anyone::

 

Ummm what are you talking about man?

[Guest Choken One]

I THINK he was trying to start shit but there was no shit to be seen...so he left and chortled away...

[Guest ViciousFish]

I really hope Bret comesback, even if its just for one night for Vince to put him in the Hall of Fame or something along thse lines.

 

On another note, I hope Bret actually takes HBK up on his offer for them both to do Off The Record. I think that would be a great show to put some things behind them.

[Invictus 0]

If Bret were to ever come back for one last match, which is incredibly unlikely simply because of his health, it sounds as though he would really like to get in the ring with Angle, which would just be mind boggling. I would love to see it.

[Invictus 0]

Double Post ! GAHHHHHHH!

[TheFranchise 0]

Angle Vs Bret?

 

Jesus, imagine if this match HAD taken place with both men in their primes....

 

I think Van Dam can take a running jump, there is only ONE Five Star around here...

[Guest HellSpawn]

I cant believe this...

 

Bret speaking good things about WM XIX (a show that I just watch here in Mexico... FOR FREE !!!!!! Thanx Ch. 52), btw, WOW! Great Show!

 

And of course, some Smartmarks came here top say that he is wrong, or that he shouldnt enjoy the show,why? because they said that WM suck, and well, that must be true.

 

This is really sad.

::looks around trying to find people saying Bret is wrong in this thread......doesn't find anyone::

 

Ummm what are you talking about man?

Ok maybe I missunderstood a a few post, but, "hart fan" and "parka" 's post sound to ME, like "yeah, you like the show? and what you think of raw now?" in a bad way, but if Im wrong, then Im sorry, I take it back.

Edited April 8, 2003 by HellSpawn