Tag: Bret Hart

Hart Vs. Austin At WrestleMania XIII To Be First Match Inducted Into WWE Hall Of Fame – “Immortal Moment”

WWE is set to break new ground with its 2025 Hall of Fame class, introducing a brand-new category of recognition: the induction of individual matches. During WWE SmackDown, the company announced that the legendary WrestleMania 13 bout between Bret “The Hitman” Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin will be the first match honored as an “Immortal Moment.”

A Defining Match in WWE History

The Hart vs. Austin showdown from WrestleMania 13 (1997) is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in WWE history. Not only did it showcase elite in-ring storytelling, but it also played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of WWE’s most successful era. The match is best remembered for its dramatic double-turn, where the fan-favorite Hart became a villain while the rebellious Austin won over the crowd despite losing the match.

The unforgettable finish saw a bloodied Austin refusing to tap out to Hart’s Sharpshooter, ultimately passing out due to the pain. Hart’s refusal to release the hold cemented his heel turn, while Austin’s resilience solidified his status as WWE’s next breakout star. This match played a crucial role in launching the Attitude Era, with Austin eventually becoming one of the most iconic figures in wrestling history.

Bret Hart & Steve Austin Set to Appear at Hall of Fame

Both Austin and Hart, who have previously been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for their individual careers (Austin in 2009, Hart in 2006), will be present at the 2025 ceremony to accept this historic honor. With this recognition, Bret Hart also becomes the first-ever three-time inductee, having been previously honored in 2019 as part of The Hart Foundation.

2025 Hall of Fame Class

This year’s WWE Hall of Fame class already boasts an impressive lineup, including:

  • Paul “Triple H” Levesque
  • Lex Luger
  • Michelle McCool
  • The Natural Disasters (Earthquake & Typhoon)

With WrestleMania season approaching, WWE’s decision to honor WrestleMania 13’s defining match as an “Immortal Moment” is a fitting tribute to the impact Austin and Hart had on shaping the industry. Fans can look forward to their appearance at the ceremony, which promises to be one for the history books.

Stay tuned for more Hall of Fame announcements as WWE continues to build an unforgettable Class of 2025!

Madusa Commends Fellow WWE Hall Of Famer Goldberg For Admitting He Was Wrong

Goldberg is a crucial part of the second episode of VICE TV’s “Who Killed WCW,” where both his meteoric rise and his lack of formal training are touched upon. Bret Hart pulls no punches about Goldberg’s hazardous ring style due to the way an errant kick ended his career, but others are more forgiving. Former WCW women’s wrestler Madusa spoke on “Busted Open Radio” about why she thinks Goldberg is actually portrayed favorably in the documentary. 
 
“Is it his fault?” Madusa asked. “Who pushed him like a motherf***? No, it’s not.”

A scene from the second episode shows a match between Goldberg and Scott Hall where the former blows a spot and immediately becomes confused. Hall asks Goldberg what he’s doing, and the latter responds that he doesn’t know. According to Madusa, that demonstrated a great deal of nerve.

“For a man to be humbled and to fin’ bring it out and say, ‘I don’t know.’ He didn’t know! You know what, I applaud him… And then I hear all these comments about… how he’s fin’ this and that. And I’m like, you know what? He’s a bigger man than you to admit he’s wrong, because I don’t know too many men that can f***in’ admit that they’re wrong or be humbled or accept something. He went on national TV and said that… I commend him.”

Scott Hall is one of several wrestlers that were rumored to have heat with Goldberg during the course of their career. But Madusa thinks he made the best with what he was given, and likened the situation to another WWE Superstar fans have seen more recently.  “Look what happened to Ronda Rousey for Christ’s sake. They took her, they did the whole Brock [Lesnar] thing with her, and I feel that she did the best she could in what she had.”

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to Busted Open Radio

WWE Hall Of Famer Bret Hart ‘Embarrassed’ He Thought So Highly Of Vince McMahon

As details of former WWE CEO Vince McMahon’s alleged misconduct continue to emerge, more and more performers within the industry are sharing their opinions on the matter, such as WWE’s own Seth Rollins. Speaking to Slate, former WWE Champion Bret Hart also spoke out, sharing his disgust at the claims.

“I’m going to speak my truth,” Hart said. “I’m not worried about Vince’s feelings. He’s never cared about mine.”

Hart said that he’s aware McMahon is getting “his head [kicked] around the parking lot,” as he put it, but the former WWE star doesn’t feel bad. According to Hart, he was made aware a few months ago that some disturbing allegations regarding McMahon were likely to come out soon. Upon reading the text messages from the lawsuit, Hart confirmed that they sounded like McMahon’s way of speaking, and stated that McMahon is only part of the problem.

“I don’t think this is the only incident of this kind of predatory behavior,” Hart continued. “I think you’ll find that it’s everywhere in [WWE].”

In the past, McMahon has used his money and power to largely stay out of trouble, with Hart stating that the former CEO was “the Teflon guy.” Hart acknowledged that McMahon had a massive impact on his career and that he once respected him because of that.

“Now it’s tainted,” Hart said. “I’m embarrassed that I thought so highly of him.”

Hart also addressed the fact that he had once publicly discredited Rita Chatterton, a former WWE referee who accused McMahon of raping her in the 1980s. The WWE Hall of Famer says that he previously believed McMahon had too much at stake to do something as reprehensible as what Chatterton accused him of, but Hart has now come around.

“I apologized from the bottom of my heart,” Hart said. “I said, ‘I believe that what happened to you happened to you. And I apologize. I was wrong.'”

With WWE’s involvement in the death of his brother, Owen, as well as McMahon’s own treatment of Hart in 1997, Hart acknowledged that he’s always had some issues with McMahon. However, he had grown to respect him.

“Now, knowing what kind of a weirdo he became, I have absolutely zero respect for him,” Hart continued. “I do not think I could ever shake his hand if he extended it. Too creepy.”

McMahon stepped down from his position as the Executive Chairman of the TKO Board of Directors last month. The former executive is currently under investigation by federal prosecutors. Additionally, the defense attorney for John Laurinaitis, who is also part of the lawsuit involving McMahon, has seemingly taken up a strategy that attempts to implicate McMahon as the only individual responsible for misconduct.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Bret Hart To Make Feature Film Debut In “Tales From The Dead Zone” Co-Starring Corey Feldman

WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart will make his feature film debut in the horror movie, Tales From the Dead Zone, co-starring Corey Feldman (The Goonies, The Lost Boys, Stand By Me).

The movie is about a medical examiner conducting autopsies on victims of a horrible car crash, who imagines how they may have lived their lives. The anthology links four terrifying stories together.

“All four of the stories in the feature film have been shot,” says director Barry J. Gillis. “We are gearing up now, to shoot the wrap around story, in the fall.”

Gillis also discussed casting Hart and Feldman for the movie, noting that he’s “happy with their performances.”

“We get messages from people, who think it’s a disaster,” Gillis admitted. “It just boggles the mind. To me it’s been a great idea since day one. Both are true professionals, and great actors. I’m happy with their performances.”

Tales From The Dead Zone is slated to be released in 2020. You can check out the trailer in the video and the official movie poster below:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Update On Bret Hart’s Attacker From The WWE Hall Of Fame

Zachary Madsen, the 26 year old amateur MMA fighter from Nebraska who attacked Bret Hart at Saturday’s WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony during The Hart Foundation’s induction, bonded out of the Brooklyn Detention Complex on Wednesday. His bond was set at $1,500.

Madsen is due back in a Kings County Criminal Court room tomorrow, April 12. He was charged with two counts of 3rd degree assault, one count of 3rd degree criminal trespassing and interfering with a sporting event. Madsen, who has a public defender, will be facing up to 1 year in jail for each count of assault, if he’s found guilty. The judge at his hearing earlier in the week also granted an order of protection against Madsen to Hart and the WWE security guard that also suffered minor injuries in the attack, Thaddeus Jones. During that arraignment, Madsen’s lawyer had urged the judge not to set bail, arguing that Madsen was “agreeable and cooperative” and that would be hard for him to come up with the money.

As noted, prosecutors said in court that Madsen told police that it felt like “the right time” for him to attack Bret on Saturday night during the induction. He was quickly taken down by security and a group of wrestlers and other people, including Ronda Rousey’s boyfriend Travis Browne, Dash Wilder, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Shane McMahon, The New Day, Bret himself and others. Madsen was taken to the back by security and handed over to police, then booked in jail.

Hart and Jones were examined at a local hospital but released after the incident. Hart was said to be dealing with pain and stiffness in his hip after the incident. Jones was kicked in the ribs by Madsen.

WWE issued a statement on the incident and said the man has been turned over to the proper authorities. Their statement read like this: “An over-exuberant fan surpassed our security at ringside and made his way briefly into the ring. The individual has been turned over to the proper authorities.”

Madsen was linked to bizarre Twitter account that has been sending strange tweets to WWE Superstars for months now, including messages to Triple H and Vince McMahon. Madsen is also due in court next week to face stalking charges from an arrest a few months ago. Madsen was arrested then for allegedly stalking MMA fighter Haris Talundzic. That was Madsen’s third arrest related to the situation with Talundzic.

Bret issued a statement this week that said he was not injured. “What a wild weekend to say the least! First of all I want to thank WWE for not only the Hall of Fame honor for myself and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, but for their hospitality with my family and friends,” Bret wrote. “Regarding the ceremony, firstly I want to let everyone know that I am okay and was not injured. If there’s one thing I want everyone to take away from the Hall of Fame ceremony is not so much what happened, but how I wasn’t going to let anything stop me from completing my tribute to my best friend and our team. I’m also glad I got to join @natbynature and @thebethphoenix for their WrestleMania moment. Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and words.”

Bret Hart Attacker In Court – Felt It Was “The Right Moment” For The Assault

Zachary Madsen, 26, of Lincoln, Nebraska was in court on Sunday after tackling Bret “The Hitman” Hart during The Hart Foundation’s induction at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday night. In a wild scene, Madsen was quickly subdued by a group of wrestlers, with several getting physical with the attacker.

During the court appearance, Madsen reportedly told police that “it was the right moment” to attack Hart.

“I just felt like it was the right moment,” Zachary Madsen told police, according to prosecutors in court, via The New York Post.

Bail was set at $1,500 for Madsen at the hearing. The judge also issued orders of protection barring Madsen from approaching Hart and WWE security guard, Thaddeus Jones.

Madsen, who is an amateur MMA fighter with record of 2 wins and 1 loss, was allegedly stalking another MMA fighter, Haris Talundzic, last September. As we previously reported, Madsen was arrested back on December 28, 2018 for violation of a protection order. He was arrested again a week later for stalking on January 5 of this year.

Below is a photo of Madsen from his court appearance:

https://twitter.com/nypost/status/1115108494053605376

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Bret Hart Attacked During Hall Of Fame Induction Speech (VIDEO)

Bret Hart’s 2019 Hall Of Fame induction speech came to an abrupt stop on Saturday after someone from the crowd tried to tackle the wrestling legend.

Bret — who was being inducted as one half of the Hart Foundation alongside the late Jim Neidhart — was in the middle of his speech when the attacker rushed him from behind.

The broadcast briefly cut to black, before returning to shots of confused audience members.

Eventually the action returned to the ring, where Bret was regaining his composure. Drake Maverick approached the microphone and told the crowd to ignore the attacker.

Bret then resumed his speech and continued as if nothing had happened.

Word from the Barclays Center is that several people laid hands on the man as he was being taken out. RAW Tag Team Champion Dash Wilder, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Travis Browne (boyfriend of RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey and former UFC fighter), The New Day, Titus O’Neil and Bret himself, reportedly got a few stiff shots in on the unidentified man.

WWE issued a statement on the incident and said the man has been turned over to the proper authorities. You can see their statement below:

“An over-exuberant fan surpassed our security at ringside and made his way briefly into the ring. The individual has been turned over to the proper authorities.”

The man who attacked WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart at Saturday’s 2019 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn has been identified as 26 year old Zachary Madsen from Nebraska, according to CBS New York.

CBS reports that the man also caused minor injuries to a security guard who tried to hold him down, in addition to the minor injuries Hart suffered. It was noted that the man punched Bret at least once, but Bret did not need medical attention.

Dave Meltzer of F4Wonline.com reported today that Bret did visit a hospital last night as he was experiencing some hip discomfort from the fall.

The man was charged with 2 counts of assault in the 3rd degree and disorderly conduct, according to Arash Markazi of the Los Angeles Times.

Madsen is an amateur MMA fighter where he’s from. He has a bizarre Twitter account at @iAmMad______sen and that account shows several strange tweets he’s sent to Vince McMahon, Triple H and others for the past few months.

There are also new details on Madsen’s criminal history being revealed. Madsen was arrested back on December 28, 2018 for violation of a protection order. He appears with green hair in the mugshot for that arrest seen below. He was then arrested for stalking on January 5 of this year. He appears with a shaved head in that mugshot, also seen below.

https://twitter.com/WrestlingInc/status/1114970537564893184

MMA rankings website Tapology lists Madsen with an amateur MMA record of 2 wins and 1 loss. His last fight took place on March 9, 2018, a loss. You can see a screenshot of his stat page below also.

Watch the video of what aired at the link below, as well as footage from in the arena in the tweets.

https://twitter.com/ArashMarkazi/status/1114684760763379712

https://twitter.com/dRAIL2k3/status/1114689242377093120

https://twitter.com/WWEGP/status/1114683686673362945

https://twitter.com/christoplack/status/1114693778558701568

https://twitter.com/briantheguppie/status/1114684329412763648

Sources: Pro Wrestling Sheet and Wrestling Inc.

The Hart Foundation To Be Inducted Into The WWE Hall Of Fame Class Of 2019

WWE has announced The Hart Foundation’s Bret Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart for the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame class. This makes Bret a two-time Hall of Famer.

Hart and Neidhart join headliners DX (Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chyna, Billy Gunn, “Road Dogg” BG James, Sean “X-Pac” Waltman), Torrie Wilson, Harlem Heat and The Honky Tonk Man as confirmed inductees for the 2019 class. Veteran WWE employee Sue Aitchison will receive The Warrior Award.

Below is WWE’s full announcement on The Hart Foundation’s induction:

The Hart Foundation to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2019

Bret “Hit Man” Hart & the late Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart symbolized tag team excellence in WWE in the 1980s and early 1990s. Now, the three-time WWE Tag Team Champions will be forever immortalized in sports-entertainment history.

The Hart Foundation are the latest inductees announced for WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019. They’ll take their place in the hallowed hall during the 2019 Induction Ceremony on Saturday, April 6, the eve of WrestleMania 35, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Tickets for the ceremony are available now. The news was first reported by Yahoo Sports. With this induction, Bret Hart will become a two-time WWE Hall of Fame Inductee, joining Ric Flair and fellow 2019 Inductees Shawn Michaels of D-Generation X and Harlem Heat’s Booker T.

Hart and Neidhart were no strangers to each other before joining forces. In fact, they’re family: “The Anvil” and “Hit Man” were brothers-in-law. That close connection made them gel almost instantly when they joined WWE’s tag team ranks in 1985, guided by “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart. Hart’s technical prowess and Neidhart’s raw power made them a team to be reckoned with from the moment they debuted.

In early 1987, The Hart Foundation finally set their sights on the World Tag Team Titles, held by The British Bulldogs, comprised of Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid. With the help of Jimmy Hart and crooked official Danny Davis, Hart & Neidhart captured their first World Tag Team Championship.

Though they had reached the top of the tag team mountain, The Hart Foundation soon became disillusioned with Jimmy Hart’s nefarious ways. When they split from their manager, Hart & Neidhart soon found themselves the target of “The Mouth of The South’s” new charges, whether it was The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers or The Honky Tonk Man & Greg Valentine. Hart even enlisted tag teams outside his stable of Superstars, like Demolition, to take out The Hart Foundation.

By 1990, “Hit Man” & “The Anvil” had fought off Jimmy Hart’s attempts to tear them down, and turned their attention back to WWE’s top tag team prize. After bulldozing over The Bolsheviks in seconds at WrestleMania VI, The Hart Foundation made it clear they were coming for the World Tag Team Titles. It would take a few months, but at SummerSlam 1990, Hart & Neidhart defeated Demolition in a grueling 2-out-of-3 Falls Match to claim their second World Tag Team Championship.

Though they split up by the summer of 1991, The Hart Foundation left an indelible mark on WWE’s tag team division and created many lasting memories for the WWE Universe. That’s why there’s no greater honor for this legendary tag team than induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Don’t miss seeing The Hart Foundation take their place in sports-entertainment history during the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, April 6, the eve of WrestleMania 35. Tickets for the ceremony at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., are available now. The historic evening will also stream live on WWE Network at 7 ET/4 PT.

Bret Hart Fires Back At Eric Bischoff Over Comments Made On 83 Weeks Podcast (VIDEO)

bret hart eric bischoff 83 weeks podcast interview video

Bret Hart was recently the topic of discussion on Eric Bischoff‘s podcast 83 Weeks and “The Hitman” is now firing back, calling Bischoff “maybe the single stupidest idiot” in wrestling history.

“Eric Bischoff is an idiot, total complete idiot,” Hart told Talk Sport in response to the ex-WCW prez saying he brought nothing to the table creatively during his run with the company. “Maybe the single stupidest idiot that ever got into wrestling.”

“A guy that never came through on anything he ever said, he had zero ideas for wrestling,” the legendary wrestler continued. “I’ve heard him say that I came there and I was a broken man. That I didn’t have it in the heart anymore. That I broke my heart with wrestling. That’s such horsesh*t. Absolutely an insult to me. It makes me so mad I’m glad he’s not around me.”

While it’s not seen in the video published by The Pro Wrestling Show, Hart also told them: “Don’t get me talking about Eric Bischoff. I’ll take my coat off and come out of retirement!”

Watch the response below:

https://twitter.com/ProWrestleShow/status/1004755227319459841

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Bret Hart Files $1 Million Lawsuit Over Botched Surgery

WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart has reportedly filed a $1-million lawsuit over a botched wrist surgery that has left him unable to use his right thumb and index finger. The Calgary Sun reports Hart underwent the surgery two years ago with Dr. Justin Yeung to deal with an injury he had endured since 1981.

Six weeks after his surgery on Nov. 23, 2015, Hart visited Yeung to have three pins removed and this is when he first indicated that he lacked function in his right thumb and index finger. Yeung advised him to take a wait-and-see approach, but the problems persisted well into 2016.

“The defendants were negligent, breached the duties of care they owed to Mr. Hart and breached their agreement with (him),” the lawsuit alleges. It goes on to say Yeung and his surgery team left “a tourniquet on Mr. Hart’s right arm on too long, such that the circulation of the nerves and tendons to his right thumb and index finger were damaged by a prolonged insufficient supply of oxygen.”

Hart is seeking $1 million in general damage in addition to unspecified amounts for lost income and other losses.

“He is unable to participate in his previous recreational and social activities,” the lawsuit states about Hart’s current limitations. “He is unable to use his right hand to pick up and functionally use objects, including pens, pencils, eating utensils and tools.”

The defense has not yet filed a statement disputing the allegations. Calgary Sun reports that Hart underwent another surgery in Vancouver in October, but the outcome of that surgery is not yet known.

Source: WrestlingINC