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I recently attended the Big Time Wrestling (BTW) event on Friday, August 7th which featured an exclusive Q & A session with Bret “The Hitman” Hart. Here are some of the highlights of this Q & A:
-When asked about his memories of wrestling Mitsuharu Misawa (as Tiger Mask), Bret said it was great to work with him and that it was very unfortunate to hear about his passing. Bret then put over the Japanese wrestlers as great workers, but that many of them didn’t have any personalities.
-Regarding the catchphrase “The Excellence of Execution”, it was given to him by Gorilla Monsoon, which he considered it to be an honor.
-His personal favorite match was against “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig at SummerSlam 1991. Bret put over Hennig as a one of his favorite wrestlers, along with Owen Hart and The Undertaker.
-His favorite wrestlers to watch today are Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, Melina, Harry Smith, Nattie Neidhart, and TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd). Says he would love to have wrestled John Cena and Batista in his prime.
-Doesn’t miss wrestling too much, because of the bumps and traveling.
-Says the schedule and traveling in the WWF was brutal, as he would travel all across North America in ten hours.
-Doesn’t believe there will ever be a union in wrestling.
-Never had any problems with the promoters he’s worked for, even with Vince McMahon. He said that everything between he and Vince is water under the bridge.
-His biggest tip he’d give to aspiring wrestlers would be to finish school and that it’s not about hurting your opponents or yourself. It’s about protecting yourself and your opponent, along with trying to convince the audience that what you’re doing is real.
-Said that there was never really any major heat between himself and Bad News Allen, but that it had to do with the styles they worked with. Bret did say though that Bad News wasn’t the easiest guy to work with.
-Credited Konnan on teaching him how to apply the Sharpshooter.
-Said that Vader and Goldberg were the most dangerous/stiffest wrestlers he’s worked with.
-Last time he spoke to Dynamite Kid was shortly after Owen’s death.
-Loved going to Germany, Japan, and England as the fans were respectful and great. He then proceeded to put over the American wrestling fans as the best wrestling fans in the world.
-His favorite WrestleMania match was against Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13. He then stated that his Iron Man match with Shawn Michaels was the hardest he ever worked.
-Had the most fun in his career, doing the Anti-America angle with the new Hart Foundation.
-Put over Sherri Martel as a great female wrestler, if not the greatest.
-Told a funny story where after he met Pamela Anderson backstage, Kevin Nash came up to him and said that she was a bitch.
-Aside from his Anti-America promos in 1997, his favorite promo was the El Dandy one…seriously.
-Regarding the WWE Hall of Fame, he said it was for his fans and not for WWE. He also hopes that Bruno Sammartino will be inducted, for the sake of his fans.
-Put over Dave Meltzer as the best and most honest wrestling journalist.
-Enjoyed the movie The Wrestler, but didn’t think it was an accurate portrayal of the business.
Overall, Bret was open to any question and was very polite to everyone. A true gentlemen and class act.
