Favorite Matches #8: Bret Hart vs. Undertaker

The Undertaker and Bret “Hitman” Hart are my two favorite wrestlers. Hart’s never give up attitude, despite not being the biggest, fastest or strongest, along with Taker being the unconventional hero to conquer the biggest threats when no one else could, were ideals that inspired me growing up.

I often flip-flop on who takes the number one spot on my list because it changes almost every day. They helped define a generation of wrestling by being two of the best storytellers to step into the ring. However, can you name their best match with one another? Continue reading “Favorite Matches #8: Bret Hart vs. Undertaker” →

Favorite Matches #10: Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin

What is your favorite wrestling match? This is the single hardest question for any enthusiast of the squared circle to answer. There have been so many legendary nights over the years that it’s hard to narrow it down to just one.

Over the next ten weeks I’m going to write about my ten favorite wrestling matches of all-time. The listings will be in no particular order as I’ve given up on trying to rank every match in specific fashion. Now I just enjoy them as fun collection.

Bret “Hitman” Hart Stone Cold Steve Austin: Survivor Series 1996 Continue reading “Favorite Matches #10: Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin” →

To Buy, Or Not To Buy: The Owen Hart DVD

Wrestling fans from all walks of life are well aware of the tragedy that took the life of Owen Hart over 16 years ago. On December 8^th, WWE is scheduled to release a DVD looking back on his life and career titled Owen – Hart of Gold.

This is a compilation that fans have wanted for a long time. However, years of messy (and that’s putting it nicely) legal proceedings between WWE and Owen’s widow, Martha Hart, stalled movement on the project.

It irks me when people say that fans only care about Owen Hart because of how he died. While it raised his notoriety, Owen’s mid-card status on the roster was hardly an accurate barometer of his talents.
Continue reading “To Buy, Or Not To Buy: The Owen Hart DVD” →

10 Greatest Intercontinental Title Matches Held at Summer Slam

Another SummerSlam is in the books, and overall, it was a good show. One of the matches featured Ryback defeating The Miz and Big Show to retain the Intercontinental title. However, it was a far cry from the classics of yesteryear.

Just like WrestleMania is known for its world title matches, a hallmark of SummerSlam was the stellar Intercontinental Title bouts. They weren’t just great in-ring spectacles, but they often served as a defining moment for a wrestler’s career.

Bret Hart’s impressive back-to-back performances for the coveted title played a prominent role in ascension to the main event scene.

Many long for the days when “the biggest party of the summer” produced unforgettable IC Title matches.

Let’s look at Ten Best Intercontinental Title Matches held at SummerSlam. Continue reading “10 Greatest Intercontinental Title Matches Held at Summer Slam” →

The Undertaker is One of My All-Time Favorites

The Undertaker is tied with Bret Hart as my all-time favorite wrestler. While his dark side persona has gained him fame the world over, he represented something else to me. The giants of the squared circle often apply dastardly tactics while using their size advantage to steal victories. Taker started the same but quickly became something different, something more. Continue reading “The Undertaker is One of My All-Time Favorites” →

Raw Is In-Zayn

The Montréal faithful were loud in their disapproval of John Cena as they sang “John Cena sucks” to the tune of his entrance music. The U.S. open challenge was laid out on foreign soil as chants of “Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole,” filled the Bell Centre, foreshadowing a pending arrival. Much to everyone’s surprise, the legendary Bret Hart came out to introduce “a great wrestler.” The people slid to the edge of their seats with baited breath as Sami Zayn emerged from behind the curtain. Continue reading “Raw Is In-Zayn” →

Meeting the Excellence of Execution: Bret Hart

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Bret Hart is my all-time favorite wrestler and he was my inspiration for trying my hand at professional wrestling. The “Hitman” appeared at a pop culture convention last weekend and I was offered press credentials to cover the event.

I really wanted to meet him. So for the sake of professionalism, I declined the offer. I didn’t know when I’d have another chance to rub shoulders with the “excellence of execution” so in the words of Mike Pono “Dude, be a fanboy for once.”

The thing is, I know so much about his career, I was concerned that I wouldn’t have anything to say or ask. On the drive to the convention center, my wife assuredly stated “Its Bret Hart, I’m sure you’ll think of something.” Continue reading “Meeting the Excellence of Execution: Bret Hart” →

Smith Hart Talks WWE’s Creative Direction, Roman Reigns, Bret Hart, Vince Russo, and More

In this special edition of the Gerweck Report podcast, I talked to Smith Hart of the legendary Hart Family. Smith is the oldest brother of Bret Hart and the uncle of WWE Diva Natalya. Click here to find out what Smith had to say about various topics such as

-Earliest memories of breaking into the wrestling business

-His days as an amateur wrestler

-Stampede Wrestling

-Wrestling in Japan

-Thoughts on the UFC

-His relationship with his brothers Bruce, Keith, and Bret

-WWE current creative direction

-Would he ever work for WWE, TNA or ROH

-His dealings with John Laurinaitis

-How to book heels and babyfaces

-Does he believe Roman Reigns is ready to be the top guy

-His blog about the ten worst executives in the history of wrestling

-His challenge to Vince Russo

-and more!

Warning: strong language

Visit Smith Hart on Facebook and Twitter @SmithHart1

Braving The Storm For Bret Hart

My neck of the woods here in Massachusetts is in for a historic blizzard where a statewide travel ban has been issued and heavy power outages are expected. WWE announced that this evening’s episode of Raw and tomorrows Smackdown taping in Boston have been postponed.

I can’t remember the last time that WWE had to cancel a TV show due to the weather. The pending storm is bringing back memories of the time where I foolishly braved the elements to watch a particular wrestling match.

It was my sophomore year of high school and the April Fools Storm of 1997 was in full swing. I was counting down the minutes with baited breath until Monday Night Raw came on the air. The reason I was so excited is because The Rock, known at the time as rookie upstart Rocky Maivia, was defending the Intercontinental Championship against Bret “Hitman” Hart. Continue reading “Braving The Storm For Bret Hart” →

Looking Back At The First Royal Rumble Match

This Sunday will mark the 28^th installment of the Royal Rumble. The Rumble itself is arguably the year’s most anticipated match. Between the wrestlers’ order of entry and that element of surprise when the unexpected occurs, there are many nuances that make this match so exciting.

Going back to the inaugural Royal Rumble in 1988, it is clear that this initially was not some grand concept that would serve as a cornerstone of WWE programming. Quite a few things occurred that go against the grain of what we have been conditioned to expect today.

Continue reading →