+fedr39 Lol, I concur I was a huge Bret Hart fan, I think i was just amazed that a dude could get away with the neon pink! It all seemed so real to me back then.
I met Davey at Summer Slam 1995. He took time to chat with me which I appreciated. At one point, this young woman with pink(dyed)hair passed by. Davey said, "Look at her fookin' hair." If I'm not mistaken, Davey was born around the Manchester area of England which was why he pronounced vowels differently than say, someone born in London. I've also heard ppl from Manchester, Sheffield, around Yorkshire, etc. pronounce vowels the same or similarly as Davey did.
I love it when I see someone who loves the Hitman like I do. He's the coolest, greatest wrestler still to this day. The 1st time I saw him with the Anvil, I knew he was going to be a superstar every move he made was so smooth 😎
I see the comments do him justice, but just to add: Summerslam 92 was August 29, 1992. Bret wrestled an out of shape coked out of his mind Bulldog to a 4 1/4 stars match. Bret Hart became WWF Champion a month and a half later. October 12, 1992. If you think that is a coincidence, you are wrong.
Cornette talked about how he saw davey talking to a receptionist who was trying to book him a room and davey was fucked that he wasn’t even talking English, he was just mumbling.
It's true about his popularity in the UK during the 90s .... I grew up here and we ALL loved Bret the most. He was EVERYTHING that we expected from American Wrestling ... Cool, stylish, tough, tanned, talented ... An iconic vision.
That contrasted with the comic book superheroes that America preferred. Kids grew up idolizing Arnold Schwarzenegger and He-Man. So it made sense that American kids idolized the wrestlers that looked like a Marvel superhero.
@@StuUngar not all of us, Bret was the only reason I would watch WWF, well him, 'Taker and Savage, but I preferred WCW, it felt more legitimate, of course I was like four, but they didn't have clowns or coked out warriors
I think Bret is just brutally honest. I don't think there's any way he would put himself over at the expense of burying his deceased brother-in-law Davey Boy Smith. In my opinion, I think he just wanted to have the best wrestling matches possible, and the fact that his best matches were the ones he lost, shows how much he GETS being a professional wrestler.
What makes you think he wouldn't burry him ? He fell out with him and they never made up before Bulldog died. Even after he died the Hart family they used his death as an opportunity to attack Bulldog and tried to make it out to be all about " them " even his funeral . In the end they never went because Davey's family in England couldn't stand to be in the same room as them . They used his death to make it about them they never cared about him . Davey wasn't a nice or good person and was very flawed . But the Hart's are pieces of work . There are one or two who are OK individuals who are ok but most of them from the sounds of them sound pretty unpleasant people .I used to go to school with Daveys nieces and nephews and one of his nephews was in my class . I don't dobut Bulldog wasn't a mess but how messed up he was who knows . Someone that out of shape as he clamied would have been a lot sloppier . It didn't help Bulldog was a bag of nerves in the lead up to the match which made his drug use worse ( no excuse for using drugs ). Breifly met Diana ( what a nut ) but Harry was cool .
A lot of people have WWE Network watch that match I love Davey Boy Smith don't get me wrong but he's not there in that match with Bret Hart and it's no accident that Davey Boy Smith drooped the I.C. Title almost immediately which back then title switches rarely happened that quickly to Shawn Michaels.
I was a bigger Bulldog fan. But you’re right Bret’s best matches were the ones he lost. This match and his first match against Owen were the two best he ever had in my opinion.
I'm such a Bret Hart mark. For all the (valid) criticism about how self absorbed and self important he could be he loved wrestling as much or more than anyone else. He took extreme pride in his work.
Agreed. I hate the bitter comments.. If I got kicked in the fucking head on my way to a retirement I didn't want, lost my brother in a tragic accident and got screwed all in the space of, what, 3 years? I'd probably be a grouchy old fuck too.
Bret had passion and that comes through in his interviews.yeah he toots his own horn but I think the greats always have an ego.u wouldn't be a great if u didn't have an ego.
I couldn't agree more. I think Jim Cornette says it best when he says....."yeah maybe Bret took things a little too seriously at times, but compare that to modern wrestling. A bunch of children who don't take anything seriously. I'll take Bret over that any day."
Right, it drives me crazy when people try to minimize his impact, he was massive, especially outside of the US. He was definitely popular in the states, but nothing like he was in Canada & overseas.
The business itself was dying because of the steroids issues , less kids were being taken to wrestling...why do u think the attitude era started.. it was a change in culture of society and wwf wasnt reflecting that..simple as.. we had roman reigns who drew more than Hart..doesnt make him better..its all about circumstances too
That’s confidence on your skills cos u put in the time and hard work…Bret like a true professional expected a certain standard that a lota ppl mistakes for arrogance or stuck up…it’s not….think like how ur university teachers expect u to have a certain level of foundation already when he tries to unlock some advanced potential outta u..Bret was that…he knew who to get, what would work , and a clear vision like an artist, with whom he can create a masterpiece…Austin’s matches for example …ego is Conor Macgregor …Bret complained cos he was betrayed…he was the best company man n he just wanted honesty..ppl who have principles n a code, that’s a nasty thing..it’s like a stab to your soul..also that compounded with all the losses of the family members…that’s heavy
"I'm fooked. I'm fooked." That should be a t-shirt, with a picture of Davey on the front looking confused. Throw "BECAUSE I'M BIZARRE!!" on the back and you really have a winner.
just went back and watched it, on the 2nd side headlock takedown by Bret, Davey Boy goes for another head scissors He missed and you can hear him say it. "I'm Fooked"
Michael Salter sure sounds like it, listen close he got the 1st head scissors gets it, then on the second he didn't get his legs up, you can hear him say it, or something damn close. Maybe it's just me
It's true what Bret was saying about his popularity here in England, i remember going to watch a house show in the royal albert hall during the hart attack tour in 94, after the event when bret was getting on the coach there was nearly the whole arena's population trying to get nearer the barricades to just catch a sight of him getting on the coach, girls were crying when he came out, when every other wrestler came out it was calm with a few cheers, then bret came out it was pandemonium and hell broke loose, when i went to a house show in frankfurt at the festhalle arena in germany, it was even crazier.I can't remember a wrestler getting that reaction and i have been to 18 house shows since the 80's until now.
I remember the battle royal at the Albert hall!!! Had the video of it and watched it so many times... very lucky mate!!! Wrestling is shit in comparison to those days... flashy lights, entrances and talking is great but if the ring action is poor like it is today then it's useless. Mis the late 80's and 90's wrestling
I would watch him in those days, but I didn’t fully appreciate his work until I got older. He was big, it often felt like he was the Michael Jordan of wrestling in the 90’s.
*8:50* Bret mentioned about not knowing about why he had that effect on the European and UK fans. Having met him personally many times from 1994 till March 2020, I can say from personal experience that Bret presented himself as a warm, genuine person who showed his sincere appreciation for his fans' support. He always greeted me with a welcoming smile. I think that the fans realized his sincerity and appreciation and to some degree, I believe it was why he had that effect on the fans.
We didn't sell out Wembley to watch Hart lose, we did it to watch Davey finally get a singles title. We all respected Bret though; far more than a pillock like HBK.
kelman727 I wish the fans could return to good vs evil, us vs them. Wrestling can work again. Bret vs Bulldog IC title Wembley Stadium such a classic. Perfectly OK and understandable too root against Bret Hart as the road team. Likewise for canada to cheer for him on the road. This classic match gives us a side to pick as it is not an insult our intelligence good guy vs bad guy typical story. Yes I would like to see villains and fans cheer heroes, however, mixing the talent and procieving pro wrestling as a sport can work again if told in this manner.
This match was a masterpiece. It's a minor miracle that Davey boy managed to pull it out of the bag during a difficult time. It's a testament to the Bulldog and Bret that they crafted such a fantastic match.
It is true. He was by far the most popular wrestler in Germany at the time. After his match it took him forever to even get to the back... because fans wouldn't let go of him. His shirts and merchandise was everywhere (his pink glasses). He always took time even outside of the arena to take photos with the fans. I never knew that he understood that so after all this years it is great to hear that he felt the love that Germany had for such a fine performer. I once touched his hands as I was probably 9 years old. I remember how I've said to my mother that I would never wash my hand again looooooooooooooool... I still remember as Shawn became champion and my brother was a big fan of his. He always saw how Bret was with his fans. He was so dissapointed that Shawn at that time wouldn't take time for his fans the way Bret did for his fans. I guess that is also a big reason why Bret was so beloved. He really took time to interact because as it seems he really appreciated the love. I can't tell about America and how much of a draw he was but in Germany only Bret Hart had to be on the card and people wanted to see him. Great Memories...
Saw Bret v Bam Bam in the main event, Dublin, Ireland, 1994. The card was stacked with talent including Yokozuna, Nasty Boys, Undertaker, Tatanka, Steiner Bros, Doink, IRS, Virgil to name a few. But the pop that Bret got was incredible. The crowd, about 6 thousand, went crazy for him. It was a beatlemania type thing. I'll never forget it. In Europe during the 90s, Bret was without doubt the number 1 star.
@@theungreatkahli I still have the ticket stub so got it out to check. 21st April 93. My original comment had the wrong year. I found a second ticket from a month previous, 17th March 1993, St Patrick's Day in the Point Depot again. Only WCW. Sting v Vader headlined. British Bulldog and Rick Rude also on the card. I was 11 years old. Looking back, what an incredible month to see so many absolute stars.
The ppl on here who say that bret gives himself too much credit- im assuming- are under the age of 25 or have never seen any of the 90's of wwe ppvs and house shows. Bret was every bit as good as he says he was, a pompous overbearing ass he may can be but he speaks the truth
There's no question that he absolutely constructed the best matches. Move-for-move, in-ring psychology, forging a narrative all the way to the high spot, and a mistake-free masterpiece. No one has more "best of" matches than he does. He lacked charisma and mic skills though, and that's why he wasn't a bigger star.
Jacob cook are you being sarcastic? Bret Hart was a great wrestler no doubt about it. He was also one of the most egotistical, pompous guys in the world. That's the main reason him and Shawn Michaels never got along. Two huge egos and not enough room for them both to exist without friction.
As a Swedish guy I can tell you Bret was extremely over here back in the 90s. Almost everybody I knew, knew who The Hitman was. And WWF (at the time) as far as I know never came here on tour back then. And yet Bret was still very well known.
I was a 12 year old sat in the cheapest seats in Wembley Stadium for Summer Slam 92 and I remember the deafening duelling 'Hitman/Bulldog' chants. Bret was OVER. It was a perfect storm of characters and story. They don't build like that anymore.
Big matches? Survivor Series 1990 (DT v MDT) Perfect 91 Piper 92 Smith 92 Owen 94 Michaels-Iron man 96 Austin 97 The best matches there is, there was or there ever will be.
And he's the guy who made all of those other guys look great. All of them were great workers in their own right. He even gave Diesel and Yokozuna the only good matches they ever had
Despite the finish, (or lack of one) Survivor Series 97 vs Shawn is a masterpiece. The intense, damn near shoot of an inmpromtu no dq, no count out match fit the mood and atmosphere of the whole night. The crowd is white hot for every single second of it
Bret was so huge even In the Philippines back in the late 80's and 90's...his hart foundation days and of course when he became a singles wrestler his popularity increase...that's why he loved The Philippines as well and he acknowledge it during his HOF speech.....he is my childhood Idol....
I remember that 1992 Summerslam so much from Wembley. Was obsessed at the time. I remember wanting Bulldog to win but also wanting Bret to win also cos he was just the best, PROFESSIONAL wrestler there ever was! They were both winners that night :)
Bret was already getting recognition here in the UK, but the Summerslam match made him here. I remember as a kid we were all behind Davey as our homegrown hero, but that match was so good and told such a great story, that even in loss Bret came across as a fair and just opponent and we respected him forever after that.
I think Brett and Shawn are so different people but they are the same type of wrestler. Both had ten out of ten ring skills, with decent to good promo's and great looks. Brett might look weird in the pink now but in the early 90s he was awesome.
Shawn was better than Bret in promos. Before 1997 Bret promos were 3/10 when he became heel 8/10 and that because it wasn’s an act lol. Bret is not a very good actor. All about reality with Bret
Used to think he was overrated without ever watching any of his matches. Then I got the WWE Network and started watching some of the old RAW episodes. He was a legitimate performer.
"I hate wrestlers to see them talking, to me, it's an automatic fail." This is why Bret is the greatest, he always took an immense amount of pride in putting on the best matches possible. I know it's a common thing but seeing two guys talking in a match breaks your investment as a fan, in my opinion at least.
John Cena would scream his spots to the point where you could hear the calls he was making and over time covering the spot calling has become a lost art. You can see it constantly now, particularly with women’s matches and they usually have the long hair that could cover it up easier lol
@@BigBoss-zi5ss you could see Austin being led whenever he was in the ring with Bret Hart, Undertaker, and some others because they just had a better understanding of how to use the ring
I think Breat connected so well over here because of the kind of face he was. He wasn't a cartoonish superhero like Hogan or a smiling goody little two shoes like Cena, he was a genuine nice guy with respect for the sport, the fans and his opponents, but when somebody tried to fuck him over, he'd beat their asses good. And if you learned your lesson, he'd offer you his hand after the match. It's a much more down to earth and somewhat rougher approach to the good guy character and it connects much better with our culture and local wrestling history.
He was big over in uk. The thing with Bret is that even by his own admission his mic and promo skills weren’t top but I tell you what when you here him talk post career he sounds very genuine and believable. Top top guy.
I could listen to him talk for hours! He's just so damn knowledgeable. I feel like he's forgotten more since his retirement - than the majority of the top performers know at their prime. A true student of the craft! Bret was ALWAYS my favorite because of his technical wrestling style. I could care less if he struggled with "promos", because inside the ropes - he let his wrestling do the talking! In my opinion, today's talent couldn't lace the boots of guys like Bret, Dean Malenko, Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Benoit.
Bret Hart is a true architect of the sport. So many wrestlers have said that they had their best matches with Bret Hart. The Hitman is the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
I could listen to Bret talk all day. From watching him in the 80s - 90s the only wrestler that has come close to him since is Stone Cold. It is great to hear that they were / are good friends.
One of my favorite matches of all time. In my opinion, nobody in WWF/E history has the type of run Bret had between 1991 and 1997 in delivering some of the most classic matches in history
I started watching wrestling in 1992. I used to watch Superstars every weekend, and I had a bootleg vhs copy of Summerslam 92 which I watched all the fucking time. It holds a very dear place in my heart. Thanks for those memories. Crazy to learn now how so many of the wrestlers were struggling with addictions during those matches..
He told the true! He was huge here in Germany. I got about 30 Poster of him im my room. He is a Wrestling Hero in Germany, like a popstar. I saw him 1994 1995 1996 here on Tour. Hitmanmania everywere in Germany, so in the UK. Best Time in wrestling, the early 90s!!!!
I think the 1992 summerslam main event was the greatest example of one wrestler literally carrying another wrestler to a great match. How Bret managed to do that in front of a huge audience (a pro english one) and get that kind of reaction is nothing short of a miracle.
I am still in a feud between me and Tristan about our Bret Hart figurine! We are both 38 and he still has my figure! What Bret said was real he was the king over here!
This gives me goosebumps... I was 9 years old when I saw Bret Hart here in Dortmund, Germany in 1991. Crazy to listen to all the background stories after almost 30 years. And great to see that my heros are just as human as anyone else!
I remember both matches, and they knocked it out great at Summerslam! Bret Hart is the best ever, he carried just about everyone, or at least brought out their best.
I absolutely loved Bret as a kid! Even when he was a heel with the heart foundation, I was a fan. Infact as a kid thats when I first saw him on tv, but i still thought he was cool! Legend!
Summerslam 92 was Bret's finest hour.He dragged Davey boy Smith threw that match and it turned into one of the greatest bouts ever.A miracle when you think about the Condition The Bulldog was in.Its why i consider Bret to be the NO.1 worker of all time.
I can't believe I've never discovered bret hart till now and I'm enjoying watching all these matches and I'm hearing all these interviews and I'm loving every minute......true legend ❤
Bret Hart was an icon here in Arab Gulf Country I believe no wrestler look like him at all when he excute moves and his style is unque when I watched classic I feel very sorry to what happened to WWF after that .
Brett is one of the best in ring performers imo. So many classic matches that I can recall. Bulldog, Mr. Perfect, Steve Austin, Shawn Micheals. My personal favorite Hart match is WM13 against Stone Cold, I adore that match. Not only is it my favorite Hart match, but I'm confident in saying that it is my favorite WWE match of all time. They told a perfect story, and did a great double turn.
I like Bret one of my faves of all time .. but I'm sure the fact he was facing the BRITISH Bulldog helped sell out Wembley in England and not just his own popularity. Taking nothing away from him he is a all time great but us Brits do go mad to support our own especially when not allot of Brits succeed in that field like Wrestling for instance
WWF could have headlined that show with Virgil vs Jim Powers and sold out Wembley. It was Summerslam and it was in the UK. The name alone sold the tickets.
Dr J Reefer Not true being involved with British bulldog definitely helped as that was the talk in the class rooms that was our Hasbro figure feuds leading into the match so it definitely was part of it.
^^ Piper? he did that thing with the bag pipes before the match didn't he ... I dunno back story as to if he was injured or what but Bulldog vs Piper would of still sold in UK
I'm a big Bret Hart fan have been since 95. And I have no problem admitting that Bret did lean toward being more of a Mark than the average wrestler. But that was the beauty of his career. He really cared about the fans and what they felt and what he meant to them. Sure it was just a show kind of like a circus, but the hard work and the performances were real, and the impact the characters had on the fans being sort of an escape from reality to cheer and boo and engage in the story lines was very real. I remember being a kid and a teen in the 90's and a lot of the reason I believed in heroes and respect was because of Bret Hart. Even when he was a heel in 97, I still learned something from him then, his story told an ironic truth about the direction the WWF was heading and wrestling in general. There was no respect anymore...people just wanted to see violence and attitude. I think in a way it really broke his heart because even though wrestling was fictional, the concept of respect and goodness of the human condition are very real in this world.
To all the people commenting that Bret wasn't massive in the UK. HE WAS HUGE here in the UK.
Too right m8, in my family he was everyone's favourite even my Nan lol
+fedr39 Lol, I concur I was a huge Bret Hart fan, I think i was just amazed that a dude could get away with the neon pink! It all seemed so real to me back then.
WOLVES19861
When i got into wrestling around 1992/1993, Bret was the first guy i remember seeing. I was hooked after that. He was huge over here
yep....girls in my class in 1st yr college dug him.
"I'm Fooked" - Davey Boy Smith, 1992
Lmfao 😂 I was gonna post this but It was too damn good for someone to not have said it
I met Davey at Summer Slam 1995. He took time to chat with me which I appreciated. At one point, this young woman with pink(dyed)hair passed by. Davey said, "Look at her fookin' hair." If I'm not mistaken, Davey was born around the Manchester area of England which was why he pronounced vowels differently than say, someone born in London. I've also heard ppl from Manchester, Sheffield, around Yorkshire, etc. pronounce vowels the same or similarly as Davey did.
@@glamgal7106 correct
Best comment on You Tube lmao😂
@@glamgal7106 he’s from Golborne, went to same school as me and he sounds proper thick, which I guess I do too 😂
Bret was huge over here in the uk and is still my favourite wrestler to this day, so glad he won his fight with cancer aswell....respect!
WOLVES19861 he had cancer?
Metro Bytmobile
Prostate cancer.
God, Bret really gets shit in life doesn't he?
I love it when I see someone who loves the Hitman like I do. He's the coolest, greatest wrestler still to this day. The 1st time I saw him with the Anvil, I knew he was going to be a superstar every move he made was so smooth 😎
@@nickfanzo he'll always be the man 😎
The comments saying Bret is talking about himself is outstanding. It's HIS shoot interview. He's supposed to talk about himself.
@Randian Winn me 2.
He was the BIGGEST thing for us in Germany,...we did not really care about the other wrestlers at that time...
Florian Arndt Simply true
Bret or Davy?
@PsychoYeoX yeah to be fair he was a big deal in the UK too, definitely my favourite at the time.
He mentions the German fans in his hall of fame speech 😁
@@samuelwoods164 Bret talks about the reaction of German fans in particular in his book.
HAHAHA never thought I'd see the day when Bret Hart would do a northern British accent, "I'm fooked... I'm fooked!". :D
Traillblazer
The attempt is funny.
The accent itself is not.
I see the comments do him justice, but just to add:
Summerslam 92 was August 29, 1992. Bret wrestled an out of shape coked out of his mind Bulldog to a 4 1/4 stars match.
Bret Hart became WWF Champion a month and a half later. October 12, 1992.
If you think that is a coincidence, you are wrong.
Seriously, u can see it in his eyes. And his body looked flabby. He died at 40 so it shows how hard he did his drugs.
You are exactly right my man,no one else could have pulled that match off with Davey. Bret made some delicious ass lemonade that night.😎
@@at1212b actually he was 39 years old when he died.
Cornette talked about how he saw davey talking to a receptionist who was trying to book him a room and davey was fucked that he wasn’t even talking English, he was just mumbling.
@@kingston4313 :(
It's true about his popularity in the UK during the 90s .... I grew up here and we ALL loved Bret the most. He was EVERYTHING that we expected from American Wrestling ... Cool, stylish, tough, tanned, talented ... An iconic vision.
Yeah except we liked him because he was NOT american and NOT a face and because he wrestled in more than speedos.
That contrasted with the comic book superheroes that America preferred.
Kids grew up idolizing Arnold Schwarzenegger and He-Man. So it made sense that American kids idolized the wrestlers that looked like a Marvel superhero.
@@StuUngar not all of us, Bret was the only reason I would watch WWF, well him, 'Taker and Savage, but I preferred WCW, it felt more legitimate, of course I was like four, but they didn't have clowns or coked out warriors
Are citizens of North and South America considered "American"?
I think Bret is just brutally honest. I don't think there's any way he would put himself over at the expense of burying his deceased brother-in-law Davey Boy Smith. In my opinion, I think he just wanted to have the best wrestling matches possible, and the fact that his best matches were the ones he lost, shows how much he GETS being a professional wrestler.
Bret is extremely blunt, whilst a lot of people don’t like blunt people, they always have respect from most people
What makes you think he wouldn't burry him ? He fell out with him and they never made up before Bulldog died. Even after he died the Hart family they used his death as an opportunity to attack Bulldog and tried to make it out to be all about " them " even his funeral . In the end they never went because Davey's family in England couldn't stand to be in the same room as them . They used his death to make it about them they never cared about him . Davey wasn't a nice or good person and was very flawed . But the Hart's are pieces of work . There are one or two who are OK individuals who are ok but most of them from the sounds of them sound pretty unpleasant people .I used to go to school with Daveys nieces and nephews and one of his nephews was in my class .
I don't dobut Bulldog wasn't a mess but how messed up he was who knows . Someone that out of shape as he clamied would have been a lot sloppier . It didn't help Bulldog was a bag of nerves in the lead up to the match which made his drug use worse ( no excuse for using drugs ).
Breifly met Diana ( what a nut ) but Harry was cool .
He always seems willing to give himself the benefit of the doubt while trying to bury everyone else, in case you didn’t notice.
And I’m a Hart fan.
A lot of people have WWE Network watch that match I love Davey Boy Smith don't get me wrong but he's not there in that match with Bret Hart and it's no accident that Davey Boy Smith drooped the I.C. Title almost immediately which back then title switches rarely happened that quickly to Shawn Michaels.
I was a bigger Bulldog fan. But you’re right Bret’s best matches were the ones he lost. This match and his first match against Owen were the two best he ever had in my opinion.
I'm such a Bret Hart mark. For all the (valid) criticism about how self absorbed and self important he could be he loved wrestling as much or more than anyone else. He took extreme pride in his work.
Agreed. I hate the bitter comments.. If I got kicked in the fucking head on my way to a retirement I didn't want, lost my brother in a tragic accident and got screwed all in the space of, what, 3 years? I'd probably be a grouchy old fuck too.
Bret had passion and that comes through in his interviews.yeah he toots his own horn but I think the greats always have an ego.u wouldn't be a great if u didn't have an ego.
I have rarely seen Bret botch a move. In like 15 years of him wrestling.
I couldn't agree more. I think Jim Cornette says it best when he says....."yeah maybe Bret took things a little too seriously at times, but compare that to modern wrestling. A bunch of children who don't take anything seriously. I'll take Bret over that any day."
@@songkongphooey Same.
*90s BRET HART WAS ALSO HUGE HERE IN INDIA... EVERY 90s KID STILL REMEMBERS HIM... **#LOVE*
Best there is.
Best there was.
*Best there ever will be.*
Saw him wrestle in Germany for a couple of times in the early 90s. He definitely was huge, like a popstar - Hitmania.
Right, it drives me crazy when people try to minimize his impact, he was massive, especially outside of the US. He was definitely popular in the states, but nothing like he was in Canada & overseas.
Big as Hasselhoff??
The business itself was dying because of the steroids issues , less kids were being taken to wrestling...why do u think the attitude era started.. it was a change in culture of society and wwf wasnt reflecting that..simple as.. we had roman reigns who drew more than Hart..doesnt make him better..its all about circumstances too
Totally agree
Bret has a healthy ego and when you’re great, there’s nothing wrong with that
I love him still in love with him!
From what he has done he has right to be the biggest asshole and I would still love him
That’s confidence on your skills cos u put in the time and hard work…Bret like a true professional expected a certain standard that a lota ppl mistakes for arrogance or stuck up…it’s not….think like how ur university teachers expect u to have a certain level of foundation already when he tries to unlock some advanced potential outta u..Bret was that…he knew who to get, what would work , and a clear vision like an artist, with whom he can create a masterpiece…Austin’s matches for example …ego is Conor Macgregor …Bret complained cos he was betrayed…he was the best company man n he just wanted honesty..ppl who have principles n a code, that’s a nasty thing..it’s like a stab to your soul..also that compounded with all the losses of the family members…that’s heavy
Thanks to all the English and German people commenting for confirming how popular he was
Wyatt Frizzell
Though he was not more popular than Davey in the UK, despite what he says.
"I'm fooked. I'm fooked."
That should be a t-shirt, with a picture of Davey on the front looking confused. Throw "BECAUSE I'M BIZARRE!!" on the back and you really have a winner.
Because I'm bizzarre is by far the greatest promo of his career.
I'd buy it
+Rein Engel Or "screwjob" on the front or back and "The just fooked em" on the other side
just went back and watched it, on the 2nd side headlock takedown by Bret, Davey Boy goes for another head scissors He missed and you can hear him say it. "I'm Fooked"
Michael Salter sure sounds like it, listen close he got the 1st head scissors gets it, then on the second he didn't get his legs up, you can hear him say it, or something damn close. Maybe it's just me
It's true what Bret was saying about his popularity here in England, i remember going to watch a house show in the royal albert hall during the hart attack tour in 94, after the event when bret was getting on the coach there was nearly the whole arena's population trying to get nearer the barricades to just catch a sight of him getting on the coach, girls were crying when he came out, when every other wrestler came out it was calm with a few cheers, then bret came out it was pandemonium and hell broke loose, when i went to a house show in frankfurt at the festhalle arena in germany, it was even crazier.I can't remember a wrestler getting that reaction and i have been to 18 house shows since the 80's until now.
I saw him defend the title against Bam Bam in Birmingham.
He was over.
I remember the battle royal at the Albert hall!!! Had the video of it and watched it so many times... very lucky mate!!! Wrestling is shit in comparison to those days... flashy lights, entrances and talking is great but if the ring action is poor like it is today then it's useless.
Mis the late 80's and 90's wrestling
I would watch him in those days, but I didn’t fully appreciate his work until I got older. He was big, it often felt like he was the Michael Jordan of wrestling in the 90’s.
Bret was the most popular wrestler in 90's England. Hogan wasn't as over here as he was in the States.
*8:50* Bret mentioned about not knowing about why he had that effect on the European and UK fans. Having met him personally many times from 1994 till March 2020, I can say from personal experience that Bret presented himself as a warm, genuine person who showed his sincere appreciation for his fans' support. He always greeted me with a welcoming smile. I think that the fans realized his sincerity and appreciation and to some degree, I believe it was why he had that effect on the fans.
That’s a Canadian for yuh. The best of people
We didn't sell out Wembley to watch Hart lose, we did it to watch Davey finally get a singles title.
We all respected Bret though; far more than a pillock like HBK.
shut up
yeah so it would have sold out if he'd wrestled Warlord?? get a grip.
kelman727 I wish the fans could return to good vs evil, us vs them. Wrestling can work again. Bret vs Bulldog IC title Wembley Stadium such a classic. Perfectly OK and understandable too root against Bret Hart as the road team. Likewise for canada to cheer for him on the road. This classic match gives us a side to pick as it is not an insult our intelligence good guy vs bad guy typical story. Yes I would like to see villains and fans cheer heroes, however, mixing the talent and procieving pro wrestling as a sport can work again if told in this manner.
thepublic housebrandcom it would've lol. do u know how big the WWF was in the UK at the time? the show was selling out no matter what
Barry Stewart I was there and it was 50/50 half chanting bulldog the other half chanting hitman was madness
This match was a masterpiece. It's a minor miracle that Davey boy managed to pull it out of the bag during a difficult time. It's a testament to the Bulldog and Bret that they crafted such a fantastic match.
Sadly, bulldog completely screwed up his push and Shawn Michaels was right there ready to pick up the football.
It is true. He was by far the most popular wrestler in Germany at the time. After his match it took him forever to even get to the back... because fans wouldn't let go of him. His shirts and merchandise was everywhere (his pink glasses). He always took time even outside of the arena to take photos with the fans. I never knew that he understood that so after all this years it is great to hear that he felt the love that Germany had for such a fine performer. I once touched his hands as I was probably 9 years old. I remember how I've said to my mother that I would never wash my hand again looooooooooooooool... I still remember as Shawn became champion and my brother was a big fan of his. He always saw how Bret was with his fans. He was so dissapointed that Shawn at that time wouldn't take time for his fans the way Bret did for his fans. I guess that is also a big reason why Bret was so beloved. He really took time to interact because as it seems he really appreciated the love. I can't tell about America and how much of a draw he was but in Germany only Bret Hart had to be on the card and people wanted to see him. Great Memories...
If Hogan made WWE a popular brand in US market, Bret turned WWE into an international brand. He was huge in India too.
Saw Bret v Bam Bam in the main event, Dublin, Ireland, 1994. The card was stacked with talent including Yokozuna, Nasty Boys, Undertaker, Tatanka, Steiner Bros, Doink, IRS, Virgil to name a few.
But the pop that Bret got was incredible. The crowd, about 6 thousand, went crazy for him. It was a beatlemania type thing. I'll never forget it. In Europe during the 90s, Bret was without doubt the number 1 star.
Was that in early 94? That’s one of my favorite eras in wrestling. I love WWF especially in 1994.
If Nasty Boys were on the card then it was not 1994 because they returned to WCW in 1993
@@theungreatkahli I still have the ticket stub so got it out to check. 21st April 93. My original comment had the wrong year. I found a second ticket from a month previous, 17th March 1993, St Patrick's Day in the Point Depot again. Only WCW. Sting v Vader headlined. British Bulldog and Rick Rude also on the card. I was 11 years old. Looking back, what an incredible month to see so many absolute stars.
@@filthiestfish great shout, you are 100 percent correct, 1993
The ppl on here who say that bret gives himself too much credit- im assuming- are under the age of 25 or have never seen any of the 90's of wwe ppvs and house shows. Bret was every bit as good as he says he was, a pompous overbearing ass he may can be but he speaks the truth
Exactly!!!
There's no question that he absolutely constructed the best matches. Move-for-move, in-ring psychology, forging a narrative all the way to the high spot, and a mistake-free masterpiece. No one has more "best of" matches than he does.
He lacked charisma and mic skills though, and that's why he wasn't a bigger star.
Jason Colbeck Yeah but he stood out at a time when there were guys who were more "Show than Go"
the greatest part of him criticizing other guys work is the fact that there is no ego whatsoever in his voice
Jacob cook are you being sarcastic? Bret Hart was a great wrestler no doubt about it. He was also one of the most egotistical, pompous guys in the world. That's the main reason him and Shawn Michaels never got along. Two huge egos and not enough room for them both to exist without friction.
Bret Hart was huge here in Portugal and Spain, we loved him
who else re watched the match after this interview?
+Tyler, The Pancake yep and its still awesome
I love Bret's takes. He is so honest in all of them, and I appreciate that.
Bret hart is a legend. So sincere. Best of all time.
Best there is best there was best there ever will be.... the excellence of execution!
As a Swedish guy I can tell you Bret was extremely over here back in the 90s.
Almost everybody I knew, knew who The Hitman was. And WWF (at the time) as far as I know never came here on tour back then. And yet Bret was still very well known.
I was a 12 year old sat in the cheapest seats in Wembley Stadium for Summer Slam 92 and I remember the deafening duelling 'Hitman/Bulldog' chants. Bret was OVER. It was a perfect storm of characters and story. They don't build like that anymore.
I love how Canadians talk, especially Bret. Weirdly soothing
Big matches?
Survivor Series 1990 (DT v MDT)
Perfect 91
Piper 92
Smith 92
Owen 94
Michaels-Iron man 96
Austin 97
The best matches there is, there was or there ever will be.
Yes Way Perfect 93
And he's the guy who made all of those other guys look great. All of them were great workers in their own right. He even gave Diesel and Yokozuna the only good matches they ever had
Yes Way him and Bam Bam had a good one at KOTR 93
Man don't sleep on that match with Diesel at SurSer 95.
Despite the finish, (or lack of one) Survivor Series 97 vs Shawn is a masterpiece. The intense, damn near shoot of an inmpromtu no dq, no count out match fit the mood and atmosphere of the whole night. The crowd is white hot for every single second of it
Many of my wwf heros from 90s are dead... So sad. British bulldog, macho man, Mr. perfect, rowdy piper, Yokozuna and more. Rest in peace :(
Warrior too, didn’t know about Yokozuna. Must’ve been so much gear and other shit being took it screwed their hearts up long term
Bret Hart was WWF's first mega international star. I, who lives in Pakistan, had his huge poster in my room.
Now that I'm almost 50, I realize he truly is the best & greatest wrestler to ever walk this Earth in so many ways!
Bret was so huge even In the Philippines back in the late 80's and 90's...his hart foundation days and of course when he became a singles wrestler his popularity increase...that's why he loved The Philippines as well and he acknowledge it during his HOF speech.....he is my childhood Idol....
UK fan here, Bret was 'the guy' in UK for sure in the 90s.
Bret gives the best interviews. Love the Hitman.
Brett looks and sounds great for what he's been thru. Respect and love
This was recorded over ten years ago as well
I remember that 1992 Summerslam so much from Wembley. Was obsessed at the time. I remember wanting Bulldog to win but also wanting Bret to win also cos he was just the best, PROFESSIONAL wrestler there ever was! They were both winners that night :)
Bret had the match(es) of the year every year from 1991-1997.
Bret was already getting recognition here in the UK, but the Summerslam match made him here. I remember as a kid we were all behind Davey as our homegrown hero, but that match was so good and told such a great story, that even in loss Bret came across as a fair and just opponent and we respected him forever after that.
90-94 in the UK Bret really was the main guy people wantedto see. Wembley 92 was perfection.
Bret Hart was very popular in Pakistan too!! The greatest wrestler of all time. No Ego just love for having great, safe matches!!
I think Brett and Shawn are so different people but they are the same type of wrestler. Both had ten out of ten ring skills, with decent to good promo's and great looks. Brett might look weird in the pink now but in the early 90s he was awesome.
yeah...oh it was meant to be the rave days still going the simpsons it all fitted times were good and the good guy won
Shawn was better than Bret in promos. Before 1997 Bret promos were 3/10 when he became heel 8/10 and that because it wasn’s an act lol. Bret is not a very good actor. All about reality with Bret
That match was incredible 5 star classic
5:33 I'm fooked!
Used to think he was overrated without ever watching any of his matches. Then I got the WWE Network and started watching some of the old RAW episodes. He was a legitimate performer.
Fidel Amaya: Dude he is the best of all time.
Best there is, was, ever will be 💕
I'm from England and Brett was my hero as a wrestling fan in the mid 90's.
Top 3 wrestler of all time.
"I hate wrestlers to see them talking, to me, it's an automatic fail." This is why Bret is the greatest, he always took an immense amount of pride in putting on the best matches possible. I know it's a common thing but seeing two guys talking in a match breaks your investment as a fan, in my opinion at least.
John Cena would scream his spots to the point where you could hear the calls he was making and over time covering the spot calling has become a lost art. You can see it constantly now, particularly with women’s matches and they usually have the long hair that could cover it up easier lol
I love Austin and the stuff he did but he really wasn't the best worker you could see him talking many times..same with HBK
@@BigBoss-zi5ss you could see Austin being led whenever he was in the ring with Bret Hart, Undertaker, and some others because they just had a better understanding of how to use the ring
my idol.. the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be!!
One of my all time faves 🏴✌️
I think Breat connected so well over here because of the kind of face he was. He wasn't a cartoonish superhero like Hogan or a smiling goody little two shoes like Cena, he was a genuine nice guy with respect for the sport, the fans and his opponents, but when somebody tried to fuck him over, he'd beat their asses good. And if you learned your lesson, he'd offer you his hand after the match. It's a much more down to earth and somewhat rougher approach to the good guy character and it connects much better with our culture and local wrestling history.
Bret Hart was the 90's version of Lou Thesz. If Bret was around a couple of decades earlier he probably would have had a good run with the NWA belt.
In Germany in the 90s concerning wrestling the biggest stars were bret hart and the undertaker.
He was big over in uk. The thing with Bret is that even by his own admission his mic and promo skills weren’t top but I tell you what when you here him talk post career he sounds very genuine and believable. Top top guy.
He's a good dude in a shitty business
I could listen to him talk for hours! He's just so damn knowledgeable. I feel like he's forgotten more since his retirement - than the majority of the top performers know at their prime. A true student of the craft!
Bret was ALWAYS my favorite because of his technical wrestling style. I could care less if he struggled with "promos", because inside the ropes - he let his wrestling do the talking!
In my opinion, today's talent couldn't lace the boots of guys like Bret, Dean Malenko, Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Benoit.
Was it necessary to ridicule the modern talent at the last?
His promos weren't half as bad as some people make it out to be!
Bret is really a wrestling genius, his matches were art, and in this case it was because of him
Bret Hart is a true architect of the sport. So many wrestlers have said that they had their best matches with Bret Hart. The Hitman is the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
I could listen to Bret talk all day. From watching him in the 80s - 90s the only wrestler that has come close to him since is Stone Cold. It is great to hear that they were / are good friends.
That match was awesome!!!!
Couldnt tell their timing was off.
One of my favorite matches of all time. In my opinion, nobody in WWF/E history has the type of run Bret had between 1991 and 1997 in delivering some of the most classic matches in history
I started watching wrestling in 1992. I used to watch Superstars every weekend, and I had a bootleg vhs copy of Summerslam 92 which I watched all the fucking time. It holds a very dear place in my heart. Thanks for those memories. Crazy to learn now how so many of the wrestlers were struggling with addictions during those matches..
I love how brutally honest Bret is! I’d love to see him have a podcast
I agree with Bret. The match between he and Davey was gold. Never seen as good of a match as that. Folks, if you haven't watched it, then look it up.
He told the true! He was huge here in Germany. I got about 30 Poster of him im my room. He is a Wrestling Hero in Germany, like a popstar. I saw him 1994 1995 1996 here on Tour. Hitmanmania everywere in Germany, so in the UK. Best Time in wrestling, the early 90s!!!!
I think the 1992 summerslam main event was the greatest example of one wrestler literally carrying another wrestler to a great match. How Bret managed to do that in front of a huge audience (a pro english one) and get that kind of reaction is nothing short of a miracle.
easye46 it was a singlehandedly performance by Bret
Bret was huge everywhere, best there is, best there was, best there ever will be
Met Bret in Dublin. Absolute Gent
I never loved in ring wrestling more than 1991 Mr Perfect vs The Hitman
Right! I loved Mr Perfect! The perfect 3 pointer! Lol
I am still in a feud between me and Tristan about our Bret Hart figurine! We are both 38 and he still has my figure! What Bret said was real he was the king over here!
This gives me goosebumps... I was 9 years old when I saw Bret Hart here in Dortmund, Germany in 1991. Crazy to listen to all the background stories after almost 30 years. And great to see that my heros are just as human as anyone else!
Huge in the u.k/europe & was my favourite growing up.
You can count the number of bad matches Bret had on one hand. That shows how great he was. My favourite wrestler, his in ring work was just amazing.
He said his match with Bob Backlund at Wrestlemania 11 was his worst match for some reason
Michael krolewski probably because it was awful!! Not down to Bret either!! 😂😂
The best there is..the best that was..the best that ever will be..bret heart
Love Bret 👍
Germany loves Bret Hart;)
I remember both matches, and they knocked it out great at Summerslam! Bret Hart is the best ever, he carried just about everyone, or at least brought out their best.
I absolutely loved Bret as a kid! Even when he was a heel with the heart foundation, I was a fan. Infact as a kid thats when I first saw him on tv, but i still thought he was cool! Legend!
I love Bret and I believe everything he says.. He was fooking huge in the UK plus the biggest superstar before Rock And Stone Cold.
Summerslam 92 was Bret's finest hour.He dragged Davey boy Smith threw that match and it turned into one of the greatest bouts ever.A miracle when you think about the Condition The Bulldog was in.Its why i consider Bret to be the NO.1 worker of all time.
Absolutely legend bret hart, for helping davey boy, a pure master class
I can't believe I've never discovered bret hart till now and I'm enjoying watching all these matches and I'm hearing all these interviews and I'm loving every minute......true legend ❤
Bret will always be my #1 favorite wrestler.
Im from the uk and I loved the hitman, what a wrestler one of the best ever.
Bret Hart was an icon here in Arab Gulf Country I believe no wrestler look like him at all when he excute moves and his style is unque when I watched classic I feel very sorry to what happened to WWF after that .
I got to say I remember everyone loved Brett who I knew when I was a kid
bret hart was huge in wales when i was a kid fuckign everyone loved this dude
Outside of US Bret was only one who got close to Hogan in popularity
I saw him in Sheffield in 94
When he came out ,the pop was huge
Brett is one of the best in ring performers imo. So many classic matches that I can recall. Bulldog, Mr. Perfect, Steve Austin, Shawn Micheals. My personal favorite Hart match is WM13 against Stone Cold, I adore that match. Not only is it my favorite Hart match, but I'm confident in saying that it is my favorite WWE match of all time. They told a perfect story, and did a great double turn.
Bret always shoots straight from the hip, even if doesn't paint him or his relatives in the best light.
I like Bret one of my faves of all time .. but I'm sure the fact he was facing the BRITISH Bulldog helped sell out Wembley in England and not just his own popularity. Taking nothing away from him he is a all time great but us Brits do go mad to support our own especially when not allot of Brits succeed in that field like Wrestling for instance
WWF could have headlined that show with Virgil vs Jim Powers and sold out Wembley. It was Summerslam and it was in the UK.
The name alone sold the tickets.
Dr J Reefer Not true being involved with British bulldog definitely helped as that was the talk in the class rooms that was our Hasbro figure feuds leading into the match so it definitely was part of it.
^^ Piper? he did that thing with the bag pipes before the match didn't he ... I dunno back story as to if he was injured or what but Bulldog vs Piper would of still sold in UK
It is true we didn't sell out Wembley to watch Hart lose, we did it to watch Davey win. But everyone had great respect for Bret as well.
for sure I luv Bret :) but Bulldog was the main attraction
Always my favourite wrestler. Saw him at Wembley in 92. His in ring work is unsurpassed for me. As an English fan he was over as hell over here!!
Can confirm Bret was massive I the UK. I saw him multiple times at house shows and the place went bonkers for him
I'm a big Bret Hart fan have been since 95. And I have no problem admitting that Bret did lean toward being more of a Mark than the average wrestler. But that was the beauty of his career. He really cared about the fans and what they felt and what he meant to them. Sure it was just a show kind of like a circus, but the hard work and the performances were real, and the impact the characters had on the fans being sort of an escape from reality to cheer and boo and engage in the story lines was very real. I remember being a kid and a teen in the 90's and a lot of the reason I believed in heroes and respect was because of Bret Hart. Even when he was a heel in 97, I still learned something from him then, his story told an ironic truth about the direction the WWF was heading and wrestling in general. There was no respect anymore...people just wanted to see violence and attitude. I think in a way it really broke his heart because even though wrestling was fictional, the concept of respect and goodness of the human condition are very real in this world.
Such a great match! It was a work of art
I remember this match just like all the rest the story line played a huge part. Bret was amazing also he was always point on very amazing.
One of the all-time greats that a wrestling fan will ever see lace up the boots. 👍
Bret was huge here in the UK facts I was there🤘 still is a legend
My favourite match of Bret's was when he submitted to HBK with his own finishing move at Survivor Series '97
I love this dude and his brother rip