Bret Hart

"Bret Hart was the top guy during one of WWE's weaker periods but you'll never hear blame for that laid at his feet because his work effort was undeniable. He wasn't the company's first, second, or even third choice to succeed Hulk Hogan but the fans themselves refused to have it any other way due to the sheer goodwill he'd built up with them over the course of his run. His promo game was admittedly fairly unspectacular for the lion's share of his career but that only played into his image: He was an everyman. And many people, myself included, gravitate towards him because of it. Bret might also be the best pure worker to ever grace the squared circle. His mastery of selling and ring psychology let him do incredible things with a moveset that famously (infamously to some) included a grand total of about seven moves if we're counting punches and headbutts."

[10.0] "I wish I could rate him an 11 I cant begin to say how many classic Bret Hart matches I can watch over and over top 3 vs razor Ramon 1993 royal rumble, its as smooth as you will get Bam Bam Bigelow King of the ring final, Brett defeated three opponents that night and his survivor series match with stone cold Steve Austin 1996 I could do a top 10 would love to hear others favorites"

[10.0] "The Hitman was everything you could want in a pro wrestler. His ring psychology and workrate in the ring was unmatched. So many legendary matches. I am so glad that he was able to recognize his potential in the WWF and become a multi-time champ both in singles and tag. Absolute 10!"

[8.0] "Great wrestler, great worker, lousy politician. His view of the industry were shaped by his Father and while he thrived under the corporate national/international system his personal views weren't in sync with that. He had some health issues and while he is liberal in criticizing the current state of the industry he has no real interest in trying to shape it beyond doing some promoting in Canada. He has some interesting things to say in his shoot interviews but at times he comes across as bitter and whiney. Some of which is justified and some is not. Completely justified in being angry over his brother. Could care less about whatever happened in Montreal. Yes Goldberg gave him a concussion with that kick but he probably had already suffered multiple concussions over his career and that one just happened to be the one that ended it. Give him a 10 as a wrestler but only a 6 as a personality or industry figure because his influence on the industry is pretty limited. He is very critical of a system in which he thrived and was made a millionaire many times over. Like I said he is critical of the current product but provides no real solutions."

[10.0] "My #5 WWE GOAT. Bret Hart was downright incredible. With a career in WWE spanning back to the 80s, he finally established himself as the face of WWE in the early-mid 90s. And in terms of sheer technical wrestling, I'd probably have him tied with Kurt Angle as the greatest. But whereas the Attitude Era would've likely existed without Kurt (though, that would've sucked), the WWE would not have survived it's war against WCW without Bret Hart putting the entire company on his back and carrying it for multiple years. His charisma was also extremely underrated, maybe not on the same level as Stone Cold/Rock/Cena/HBK, but he was absolutely the #1 superstar during his prime without a doubt. And without his prime, the WWE would've most likely died, and even the people I have rated above him might've not had their time to shine."

[10.0] "Why is he "the greatest"? Well, its all subjective, its also personal. But here's some kind of fact: Fill in the blank's best match was vs Bret Hart. Year after year, event after event. The opponent's best match(es) were vs Bret Hart. He brought out the absolute best anyone had in them. Even Diesel/Kevin Nash would rise to absurd levels. Bret's offense was very limited but by the mid 90's, when he went tweener, the true Hitman came through! He thought outside of the box, was cruel, seemed like he didn't care about their suffering - as a win must be accomplished by any means. This was an amazing era to witness and i wish it lasted longer. Not my favorite, I'm more of an Owen person. Also Bret needs to calm down with the auto fellatio, and his fans outta go outside from time to time. but he's still a legitimate 10."

"[10.0] this is the greatest professional wrestler to ever live, no one can even understand how on earth he was so technically good at wrestling"

[5.0] "I've never been a fan of Bret Hart. When ever I watch his matches I always come to he conclusion that Shawn Michaels was by far the better wrestler. Bret always used to do the basic stuff. If you like that, no problem. But I personally found that to be underwhelming. His best matches are also very overrated. He has 5 moves of doom. Same old shoulder tackles, head locks, chin locks, sub. Repeat them all the time."

[10.0] "One of the very best to ever do it, psychology wise one of the best ever. Hugely important to the evolution of wrestling in many ways."

[10.0] "THEE EXCELLENCE OF EXECUTION! Able to get over with the crowd based on ability alone, and being one of the safest and most reliable to do it? You've got the GOAT contender right here."

[10.0] "For me. The greatest of all time. The match with Owen at Summerslam 94 will always be in my heart as the greatest steel cage match of all time. The match with Austin at Wrestlemania 13, maybe Wrestlemania's greatest ever match. It would interesting what his role would have been in the Attitude Era in 98. But a career ended to short."

[10.0] "The catch phrase says it all: "The best there is. The best there was. And the best there ever will be." I don't think I need to add more to that."

[10.0] "Bret "The Hitman" Hart was everything Hulk Hogan wasn't: technically brilliant, humble, and dedicated to elevating the craft of professional wrestling. While Hogan played politics and relied on cartoonish charisma, Bret told real stories between the ropes. He made every match feel like a fight, treating the business with a level of seriousness and respect that helped it evolve beyond the circus act of the '80s. Bret didn't need smoke and mirrors; he made stars out of his opponents by giving as much as he got. He was the consummate professional, reliable, unselfish, and proud to make the wrestling the focus, not himself. Had the WWF leaned fully into Bret as the face of the New Generation, the product might've matured faster and avoided years of creative stagnation under bigger egos. He wasn't flashy, but he was real, and his work holds up far better than any red-and-yellow promo reel ever will. The best there is, was, and ever will be"

[10.0] "The wrestler's wrestler. Without a doubt, one of the greatest of all-time. In a time when the business was near it's death bed in the mid 90s, Bret was the one consistent for how great wrestling is, taking pirates and dentists to watchable content. While in the WWF, he was always the one to watch with his rise through the tag, mid and main event divisions, establishing a real connection to his fans. His matches with Perfect, Bulldog, Owen & Austin remain legendary and his ability to elevate wrestlers like X-Pac, Benoit, Razor & Bigelow even when they lose is a rare gift. The amount of wrestlers influenced by him is still felt today, proving that his legacy will remain a positive one, brother! In summary, he lives up to his name of the best there is, the best there was the best there ever will be!"

[10.0] "He was the best wrestler in the 80s and 90s. I don't think anyone comes close in the pro-wrestling in-ring ability and technique. Honorable, respectful with high morals, fantastic work ethic and, a good role-model for young people. He is greatness personified. Thank you Bret Hart."

[10.0] "In terms of in-ring skills, there is no one better than Bret. From putting on classic with Michaels, Owen, Razor and others, to carrying relative rookies to their best matches ever (Tom Magee). Bret was unmatched in the ring, and his mic and character skills were also great."

[10.0] "For my money, Bret Hart is the absolute best in ring performer of all time, he's a prime example of less is more. Bret Hart is the perfect in ring wrestler, with countless submission holds, realistic selling, perfect execution, legendary storytelling all made him an elite wrestler in the ring. Even in terms of character and charisma, Bret Hart was actually not bad at it. Sure, he never had the wild personality that a Hulk Hogan had, but his persona in 1997 as a heel is nothing short of genius, showcasing he can cut promos and have personality. Bret Hart has always been a joy to watch, no matter in tag teaming or singles competition. The Hart Foundation is, arguably, the greatest tag team in WWF history, having classic matches with The Rockers, Demolition, The British Bulldogs to name a few, everyone considered Bret Hart their favorite out of the members, he was always bound to be a star no matter what. Then he breaks off and does his solo run, winning the Intercontinental Championship from Mr. Perfect in one of the best matches in WWF history, having a great run that eventually ends, but then recaptures it after beating Roddy Piper in a classic match at WrestleMania VIII, a match that anyone can easily understand the storytelling and appreciate it. He eventually goes on to become a main eventer and even becomes a 5 time WWF Champion, back when that statistic meant something, having great matches with The 1-2-3-Kid, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Owen Hart, Diesel, Razor Ramon, The British Bulldog, etc. Then 1997 arrives, he's having a generational feud with Steve Austin, even makes Steve into the star he became (Steve has said it himself), turns heel and does the Anti-America/Pro-Canada gimmick, along with starting The Hart Foundation faction, some of the best stuff in WWF during the time. Sadly, Bret Hart got screwed out of the company on his last day in the company and ended up wrestling in WCW... *sigh* at least he had amazing matches with guys like Ric Flair and Chris Benoit. Overall, Bret Hart is one of my all time favorite wrestlers, he was amazing in almost every way, shape or form."

[9.0] "The best there is, the best there ever was, and the best there ever will be. What stops me from giving him double digits is his attitude outside the ring. He seems to believe that he deserved much more than the avalanche of accolades and fan adoration given unto him, and he offers no charity to his former co-workers, especially Goldberg."

[10.0] "There is none better than the best. Being the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be is not a gimmick. It's the absolute truth."

"Bret Hart is the perfect mix of technical skill and storytelling. Every move he did made sense, and nothing ever felt wasted. He wasn't flashy, but he was sharp, smooth, and real. You could always believe he was in a fight, not just putting on a show. His matches had emotion, pacing, and heart (no pun intended). Whether he was champion or midcard, he gave 100%. Bret made everyone around him look better, and that's rare. He made you care. The sharpshooter, the pink and black, the entrance--everything was iconic. Truly, the best there is, was, and ever will be."

[10.0] "Bret Hart is as real is it gets in "the business." Bret's 1997 is on the shortlist for most legendary calendar years in the modern era. Any detrimental comments towards his promo ability certainly evaporated during 1997, Bret was a master on the mic. So many epic matches in '97, from making Stone Cold at Wrestlemania to the homecoming at Calgary for Canadian Stampede to the HBK refereed Summerslam and culminating in the possibly most infamous match of all time in Montreal at the Survivor Series. The best there was, the best there is, and the best there ever will be. Bonus points for rocking Ken Griffey '97 Nikes on Monday Night Raw. Thank you Bret."

[10.0] "If anyone deserves to be called "Wrestling God", it's Bret the Hitman Hart, a incredible wrestler in the ring, might be the best in the ring, and was also a legendary storyteller. He left a lot of great memories in Wrestling History."

[9.0] "[9.5] Bret Hart was a head of his time as regards technical proficiency and in-ring psychology, setting a bar that still impacts wrestling today. Alongside Shawn Michaels, he led the revolution in the new era, showing that the little, athletic types could top a company just as well as the bigger-than-life monsters of old. His grasp of ring psychology allowed every step, every hold, and every change of pace a feeling of function, drawing in the crowd on the story of the match few could. Booking him with either a powerhouse, high-flyer, or a mastermind was immaterial as Hart had this macabre ability to adjust and make both he and his opponent shine. Though often overlooked as a promo, his sincere, straightforward delivery added legitimacy to his feuds, and his rivalries felt personal and real. Fewer men have ever come close to Bret Hart's technical precision, storytelling skill, and consistency, and he is a bonafide pioneer of the modern wrestling era."

[8.0] "Fantastic technical wrestler, and one of the only bright spots in a very dark time for in ring work in WWF. I think Bret was very hindered by the era and the promotion he wrestled for. I think he would fit in great in modern NJPW, where he wouldn't need to cut the same kind of promos he needed to cut in WWF and WCW. Bret Hart competing in a modern G1 Climax where he is wrestling a match of the year candidate every night would absolutely feed families."

[10.0] "Bret Hart is the definition of technical excellence and storytelling in the ring. He started gaining recognition in the Hart Foundation, where he and Jim Neidhart were one of the best tag teams of the '80s, mixing hard-hitting brawling with crisp, technical wrestling. But it was his singles run that cemented him as one of the all-time greats. His match against Roddy Piper at WrestleMania VIII was his true breakout moment--it showed he could tell a compelling story and deliver in a big-time setting. That match paved the way for his rise to the WWE Championship, where he carried the company through the mid-'90s with classic matches against the likes of Mr. Perfect, Owen Hart, The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. He wasn't just a great wrestler--he was the guy fans could believe in. Then came the Montreal Screwjob, one of the most infamous moments in wrestling history. It was a brutal ending to his WWE career, but it only added to his legend. His WCW run is often criticized, but if you look past the mismanagement, there were hidden gems--his matches with Chris Benoit, Sting, and even Goldberg (before the injury) were standout moments. Bret's legacy is untouchable. He's one of the greatest pure wrestlers ever, a pioneer of in-ring storytelling, and a standard-bearer for an entire generation. He carried himself with pride and always believed wrestling should be taken seriously. Whether as the technical mastermind, the defiant anti-hero in 1997, or the legend he is today, Bret Hart's impact on wrestling is undeniable."

"I'm not sure anyone has ever had better ring psychology than Bret Hart. He's absolutely elevated the standard every time he was in the ring, and should have been rewarded better for it. I think today a lot of people think of him as the hitter dude that hates Goldberg. But Bret really loved professional wrestling, and having had it taken from him a few different ways over the years and you really get why."

[10.0] "Best Canadian wrestler of all time and one of the all time greats in professional wrestling. You couldn't make a Mount Rushmore of wrestlers without including Bret Hart. You'd think his promo skills would be bad given how mellow he is, but he was fantastic on the mic and had lots of charisma. His in-ring work speaks for itself, was a pioneer in professional wrestling and still influences folks to this very day. Had a huge impact on professional wrestling and was somebody you could put all your trust into when it comes to going out there and having a good match. If anybody doubts how good Bret was, just see his match against Bulldog at the SummerSlam 92 PPV. Bret carried him to a great and memorable match, the guy was able to do everything and more. It's a shame that the tail end of his career was blighted by the whole Survivor Series incident and Goldberg legitimately ending his career. Was such a sad end to what was an incredible wrestler."

[10.0] "The best there is, best there was, and the best there ever will be. Brets matches always had just this realism that is on another level of other wrestlers. His selling is top notch, one of the best to do it. You could tell he was in a fight for his life every match. Ringwork top notch. Promos started weak in the beginning but turning heel and reaching top level status, he improved and again the realism to his promos, he believes everything he says. The biggest crime is Bill Goldberg kicking him in the head and we never got to see what a Shawn Michaels like return 2002-2010 run would have looked like."

[10.0] "One of the very best of all time and my personal all time favourite! In the cartoony environment of 80s and 90s WWF he made everything he dud look so believable and realistic. The first wrestler in mainstream Aerican wrestling that really wowed mecwith technical skills when I was a kid and his matches still hold up! He's influenced so many who have followed him and I wonder how many five star matches he would have if he'd come along in a later period or berm based somewhere like Japan in his prime. The fact that he still has do many mat classics to his name when wrestling in 90s WWF speaks to his skills when technical ringwork was usually not the promotions priority back then."

[9.0] "A great part of what made wrestling so great in his time. Brilliant performer, always able to get the attention of the crowd. Lots of his matches are gems, it's not too hard to find a good Bret Hart match."

[10.0] "His catchphrase wasn't a gimmick, he really was the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be."

[10.0] "The first Wrestling show I ever went to was Wrestlemania 13 it sucked until Bret Hart saved the day. Bret was the master, a real general in that ring. He had that crowd in the palm of his hand. I know lots of people don't like his promos but I do. He was never a goofball like the rest of them. He meant business, I like that."

[10.0] "The best there is , the best there was, and the best there ever will be. A true artist, excelled in all the little things. His psychology was top tier. Was very adaptable with whoever he wrestled. Threw one of the best punches in the history of wrestling, a true lost art in wrestling today. Everything Bret did looked believable and real. Was so reliable that you could count on him for almost everything. He could have a good match with a broomstick because of how good he was. Does not get the credit he deserves for the role he played in the attitude era when it took off the way it did after he left the WWE in 97. His feuds with Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels is one of the best feuds of all time for an American wrestling promotion. Wrestling today would be better if more people try to follow what Bret did in the ring."

[9.0] "Clean, technical, well-executed style. His selling was great, and his matches felt like movies. The only thing holding him back from a 10 is his lack of promo ability."

"One of the greatest professional wrestlers to ever live, his matches alone will captivate you, the technical skill and realism of his strikes and holds absolutely transcend the sport. Rockstar look, amazing as a face or heel, mic skills could've been better, but his wrestling was so good it's not even a factor."

[9.0] "A technical god but.... He was also capable of having a boring, lifeless stinker. Bret was exceptional but he wasn't the best there ever will be."

[10.0] "I mean, what can I say about Bret that hasn't already been said by everyone else. A technical god and a master of in ring psychology. Could get a good match out of nearly anyone, even Will Sasso. A career ended far too soon. An all time great."

[10.0] "Bret is fantastic even if he's only had like 5 good months of mic work. Bret could make an 8 minute match as great looking of an athletic contest as a 25 minute match and a 60 minute match, and could work all three with entirely different approaches depending on the opponent. I think what Bret did perhaps better than anyone was bending his style and the match dynamic depending on the situation and opponent, and he was incredibly technically gifted. One of the few people who deserves the high opinion they have of themselves."

"Bret Hart is widely celebrated as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, known for his technical brilliance and exceptional in-ring skill. Often referred to as "The Excellence of Execution, " Bret's matches are a masterclass in wrestling technique, characterized by his precise execution of holds, counters, and high-impact maneuvers. His ability to tell a compelling story through his matches, combined with his commitment to wrestling authenticity, has earned him immense respect from fans and peers alike. Bret's charisma, coupled with his dedication to perfecting his craft, has solidified his legacy as a true legend in the world of professional wrestling."

[10.0] "The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be. Brett Hart is a top 10 wrestler of all time, he had it all."

[10.0] "The wrestler that got me into wrestling, in an era of giants and odd characters, there was Bret Hart. Who was doing things no-one else could come close to at the time, with a couple of exceptions (Perfect, and Owen). He had everything, the look, the style and the work rate. His promo work is always mentioned to be his weakest side, but it's honestly not bad. He just couldn't compare to the greats of his day, like Flair, Roddy, Macho and then Stone Cold. He'll always be the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be."

[10.0] "Not only was Bret a tremendous wrestler, but his impact on the business is undeniable. After the controversy surrounding the steroid trial, Bret was the perfect guy to carry the WWE flag going forward. He delivered excellent performances inside the ring while also being the perfect role model that captivated audiences back then. He could wrestle against any type of wrestler and he truly perfected the technical style. He made everyone who he stepped in the ring with look as credible as possible, no matter what the outcome was going to be. When it comes to his promos, he was never the greatest in that department, but his 1997 heel promos were truly a work of art. Bret left a lasting impact that is still being felt today. He proved that you didn't need to be jacked to the gills to be a main eventer in WWE, and he helped restore the company's reputation after what could've been a huge disaster."

[10.0] "The greatest in-ring performer of all time. Couldn't cut a promo for the life of him but when you're that good in the ring it doesn't matter. Bret was so good he could make something as simple as a leg drop look painful. People often overlook him as the best technical wrestler in favour of Danielson but for my money, Bret was and still is the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be."

[9.0] "I love Bret. Bret and Owen are two of my favourite wrestlers when it comes to the technical style. Bret really is The Best there is, The Best there was, and the best there ever will be."

[10.0] "A miserable, bitter old man? Yes. The best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be? Hell yes. Everything he did in the ring had a reason and was realistic, he carried so many opponents to their best performances that it just says how great he was. I wish his career wasnt cut short, but what we got was brilliant. Always improving on the mic throughout his career and he was wise to not doubt El Dandy. Also, any vote for him below an 8 (besides a 4/10) is just wrong."

[10.0] "For me he's the greatest wrestler who ever lived. Everything he did was crisp, smooth, and made sense. His promos were his only weakness but they weren't that bad and his work in 1997-98 was his best. He deserved a better end to his career than what he got but all ancient history now."

[10.0] "The greatest wrestler of all time in my eyes, so flawless in the ring, the greatest in ring storyteller there ever was, up there with the best technician there ever was, top three american sellers at the worst and a criminally underrated brawler, even an all time great there, his match volume and quality speaks for itself in the short run he had as a singles star"

[10.0] "Not many people realize the proclaimed moniker of Excellence of Execution. In the grand scheme of professional wrestling, the goal is to present an authentic, and appealing style that progresses forth the notion that the mat is sacred. I see professional wrestled as artists, in the sense that every wrestler has their own unique style, work for their own niche benefits, and can portray so many emotions and feelings just through the mat. There has been no better artists in the context of professional wrestling than The Hitman himself. He is never going to be overrated, and his ability in the ring is never going to go out of style, because he is the basis for what every professional wrestler should be. Brilliant, effective, and respectful. Its easy to give him so many superlatives on his performances, but it will never be enough to describe the true contributions and impact he has had. An icon of professional wrestling, and a surefire contender for greatest of all-time."

"I go back and forth on Bret. On one hand, he's one of the absolute greatest to ever step between the ropes and into the ring. His intelligence, in-ring psychology and dedication were unmatched. He, along with Shawn Michaels were easily the face of the mid 90s new generational shift in talent. He wasn't as flashy or charismatic as Michaels was but Bret was a style very much in his own. On the other hand, Bret was never the big time draw on the levels of a Hulk Hogan or a Macho Man, his promos or personality were never the greatest unless he was complaining about being screwed by someone. His WCW run in the late 90s ended his career on a sour note and he spent the years between that and his HOF induction in 2005 bitter that he got worked over in Montreal. He always came across to me as an entitled mark-for-himself prick who only wanted things to work his way or no way at all. That being said, Bret's one of the absolute greatest to ever to do it."

[10.0] "When he's not trashing Bill Goldberg, Bret hart gives excellent insights on what modern day pro wrestling is missing and what wrestlers need to succeed. Bret claims wrestlers need to check off the following three boxes: look, promo skill, and in-ring ability. Using Bret's system to rate the Hitman himself, it's clear Bret's promo skills weren't the best. He wasn't bad, but I can't recall any Bret Hart promos bringing out emotion like some of the other greats of his era. Fortunately, he had great monikers, like "The Excellence of Execution" and "The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be". When it came to look however, Bret stood out from the rest of his peers. The pink and black tights complemented by hearts, skulls, and sunglasses were all top-tier 90s aesthetic. As far as his in-ring ability goes, he was unmatched. Like a good novel where every word has meaning, every action in a Bret Hart match had a purpose. He mastered the fundamentals - just look at the way he locked up with opponents, ran the ropes, or threw punches. His matches were paced well and told stories, where it truly seemed like he was trying to beat his opponent rather than coordinate with them. Taking all three categories into consideration, Bret was able to elicit a wide range of emotions and passion from wrestling audiences. Just watch the crowd's reaction during Bret's match against Mr. Perfect for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam '91 - it's the perfect example of everything professional wrestling should strive to be."