Bret 'Hitman' Hart will debut on WWE RAW on Monday, January 4, 2010

BY BLACKJACK BROWN
Chicago Sun-Times
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/wrestling/1947639,CST-SPT-bjack20.article#

In an unlikely turn of events -- even by wrestling standards -- Bret ''The Hitman'' Hart has signed a short-term deal with WWE and could make his return after Jan. 1.

Hart will be a regular on WWE TV until two weeks after WrestleMania, which sets up numerous possibilities. Word is Vince McMahon was going to start a feud with the Undertaker for WrestleMania, but that has been scrapped. The Undertaker-Shawn Michaels rematch will begin to gain momentum.

Hart immediately will begin to feud with McMahon, which could culminate in some type of match at Mania. Hart is 52 and has suffered a stoke, so expecting him to regain the form of the past is a long shot. The Hitman did not want WWE to reveal his return so soon, but as soon as the ink was dry, WWE got the ball rolling by polling the audience to see if it wanted Hart to come back.

Hulk Hogan will debut on TNA Wrestling on Monday, January 4, 2010

Hulk Hogan's Wrestling Debut: 1977

NWA South Eastern Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)**
WCW World Heavyweight Championship (6 times)
World Wrestling Federation Championship (5 times)
WWE Undisputed Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time)
WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2005)
OnlineWorldofWrestling.com Hall of Fame (2005)

**Hogan's victory was overturned by Stanley Blackburn immediately following the bout.

Photo: © 2010 TNA Entertainment, LLC.

Kurt Angle Found Not Guilty Of Harassing Ex-Girlfriend [Videos]

"All I can say is I've been completely innocent of any charges that have been brought to me and God has shown that today and my attorney has been able to prove it in court." -Kurt Angle

Ric Flair interview with CBS News [Video]

CBS News' Jeff Glor speaks with veteran wrestling star Ric Flair, who intimately reveals some of his most memorable, rewarding, and painful memories while competing in the ring.

Source: CBSNEWS.com

"Macho Man" Randy Savage's World Championship Title Reigns

2 times, World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion
4 times, WCW World Champion
1 time, WWC North American Heavyweight Champion
1 time, USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion
1 time, AGPW International Heavyweight Champion
2 times, AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion
2 times, CWA International Heavyweight Champion
3 times, NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Champion
3 times, ICW World Heavyweight Champion

Bret Hart's Professional Wrestling Title Reigns

5 times, WWF Champion
2 times, WCW World Champion
6 times, North American Heavyweight Champion (Stampede)
2 times, WWF Intercontinental Champion
2 times, WWF Tag Team Champion
5 times, WCW/WWE U.S. Champion
1 time, WCW Tag Team Champion
5 times, International Tag Team Champion (Stampede)
2 times, British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Champion (Stampede)

WWE 2009 Annual Shareholders Meeting

For Video -- Click Here

Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows [Videos]

Watch the entire film for free, thanks to the National Film Board of Canada.
For Video -- Click Here

Paul Jay, 1998, 93 min 36 sec

In this feature-length documentary, director Paul Jay was given unprecedented access to the world of Bret Hart and pro wrestling as his camera followed Bret "Hitman" Hart for one year. Going behind the tightly guarded walls of wrestling's spectacle and theatre, the film explores the meaning of today's wrestling morality plays. As fantasy crosses into real life, the true story of Bret Hart's struggle with Vince McMahon, the legendary owner of the WWF, is revealed.

Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows climaxes with the tale of the biggest double-cross in pro wrestling.

Part 1: Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows

Part 2: Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows

Part 3: Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows

Part 4: Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows

Part 5: Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows

Coda: Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows

Bret Hart in Maxim UK magizine

Bret The Hitman Hart
www.maxim.co.uk

You used to wrestle in a pink leotard. Please explain…

Originally I was a bad guy, and it made the crowds hate me even more. Then people accepted it as part of my ‘cool’ image. It wasn’t like I was tied into any gay thing. Still, looking back, maybe I should’ve switched to blue or something...

Were you the best wrestler there was?

I’d never say I was better than The Dynamite Kid or Curt Hennig [Mr Perfect]. But I do know I was better than Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan and a lot of the other guys. Mark Calaway [The Undertaker] was a great pro: if you had to dive over the top rope and he said he’d catch you, trust him, he’d catch you. Pro wrestling is about trust and respect.

Did the less skilled wrestlers ever seriously injure others?

Yeah, Bill Goldberg did right at the end of my career. He kicked me in the head the way somebody might kick a crash test dummy. You’re talking big, powerful men here, a lot of them on steroids. And when these guys don’t have the skills or the understanding of the limitations of the human body, you get cases like mine. Bill’s a sweetheart, but he got pushed to the top too quick.

How stupid was the Red Rooster gimmick (Terry Taylor literally dressed as a rooster)?

Yeah, that was terrible. But if anyone deserved to be the Red Rooster it was Terry. He was such a kiss-ass to the boss, always licking Vince McMahon’s boot heels. It was a necessary evil put on him!

The Bushwackers were ridiculous too…

They were quite funny. Actually, one of them – Butch – almost died a couple of years ago with toxic poisoning. The doctors concluded the poison came from licking all those heads: he licked his partner, he licked the fans and even upset a TV host by licking her. He licked everyone’s big, sweaty heads for years and it built up inside him and almost killed him!

Who had the most devastating finishing move?

Dynamite Kid’s headbutt across the ring was very impressive. Mick Foley’s ‘Claw’, where he stuck his hand down an opponent’s throat, looked bullshit but it could really mess somebody up. And if you were lying underneath Randy Savage’s elbow off the top rope, you’d feel it. The Ultimate Warrior’s finish was awful, though – he’d lift the guy above his head and drop him on the mat, then run around about 15 times and jump on him. It didn’t make much sense to me.

Was The Ultimate Warrior as bonkers as he came across in interviews?

I’d dare say he was madder. He had a great look, but that was the only thing going for him. As far as his interviews and his wrestling style went, it was a zero in both categories.

How realistic is The Wrestler movie?

It has many true-to-life parts, but serious pro wrestlers wouldn’t hurt each other like they did. Outlawed wrestling companies may run those shows, but I’d never put a staplegun to another guy’s chest. Wrestling is an art form. To intentionally injure others defeats the purpose.

How does the story compare to the Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts docu, Beyond The Mat?

Jake’s the only one who could write a story that’s scarier, darker and uglier. He had loads of ability and charisma, but he was a victim of his own bad ways. He was a walking tragedy.

Hulk Hogan in Rolling Stone magazine

Issue 1077

HULK AT TWILIGHT

By Erik Hedegaard; Rolling Stone, April 30, 2009

https://library.rangercollege.edu/eds/detail?db=a9h&an=38504982&isbn=0035791X

For three decades, Hulk Hogan was the world’s biggest wrestler and a pop-culture icon. Now, knocked down by a broken marriage, an empty bank account and a busted up body, is he down for the count? (5,380 words)

Hulk Hogan is in chronic pain but isn’t counting out a return to the ring. The superstar wrestler revealed the most intimate parts of what’s left of his private life to Erik Hedegaard for a feature in the issue of Rolling Stone, including how he “could have turned everything into a crime scene, like O.J.” after learning his soon-to-be ex-wife Linda had abandoned him (but not his 20,000-square-foot Florida mansion) for a 19-year-old boy her daughter had gone to high school with.

Grab the issue for Hedegaard’s fascinating profile — which features Hulk expounding on the greatness of Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler, recalling his earliest days in the ring and grappling with the prospect of life outside the spotlight — and revisit the Hulk’s life from his childhood as a chubby kid named Terry Bollea to the height of Hulkamania, Hulk Knows Best and beyond, in photos.

ESPN E:60 Feature on Vince McMahon [Video]

Interview with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and an exclusive inside look at what goes into producing a wrestling event.

Vince McMahon - Lord of the Ring

ESPN | Air Date: April 14, 2009

History: The 1980s Pro Wrestling Territorial Maps (Updated)

NWA All-Star Wrestling Major Alumni

Abdullah the Butcher, Al Tomko, The Assassins, "Bulldog" Bob Brown, The Brute (Bugsy McGraw), Buzz Tyler, Wendy Reicher, Crusher von Haig (Road Warrior Hawk), Dean Ho, Don Jardine, Don Leo Jonathan, Don Morrow (Don Muraco), Dominic DeNucci, Dutch Savage, Dennis Stamp, David Schultz, The Fabulous Kangaroos, Flash Gordon, The Frog (Terry Tomko), Gama Singh, Gene Kiniski, Hard Boiled Haggerty, Haystacks Calhoun, The Honky Tonk Man, The Iron Sheik, Jake Roberts, Jay Youngblood, John Quinn, Big John Tenta, John Tolos, Killer Kowalski, Klondike Mike, Mark Lewin, Stacy Carter, Mike Sharpe, Masa Saito, Moondog Mayne, Mauro Ranallo, "Playboy" Buddy Rose, Rick Davis (Todd Tomko), Rick Martel, Ricky Hunter, Rick Rude, Denuda The Polish Princess, Rip Oliver, Rocky Johnson, Roddy Piper, Salvatore Martino, The Samoans, Scotty the Body, The Sheepherders, Stan Stasiak, Tiger Jeet Singh, Tony Borne, Whipper Billy Watson, Mr. X (Guy Mitchell), Shalimar

Pacific Northwest Wrestling Major Alumni

Brian Adams Demolition Crush, Chris Adams, Adrian Adonis (Keith Franke), André the Giant, Bryan Alvarez, Cuban Assassin, Art Barr (aka Beetlejuice), Jesse Barr, Sandy Barr, Tony Borne (Tony Osborne), Matt Borne (Matt Osborne), Johnathan Boyd (Barry Boyle), Bruiser Brody (Frank Goodish), Killer Brooks (Tim Brooks), Haystacks Calhoun (William Calhoun), Colonel DeBeers / Mega Maharishi (Edward Wiskowski), The Destroyer (Dick Beyer), The Dynamite Kid (Thomas Billington), Paul Ellering, The Equalizer (Bill Dannenhauser), Ric Flair (Richard Fliehr), Mr. Fuji (Harry Fujiwara), Superstar Billy Graham (Eldridge Wayne Coleman), The Grappler (Len Denton), Chavo Guerrero (Salvádor Guerrero Llanes), Gory Guerrero (Salvádor Guerrero Quésada), Mando Guerrero, Billy Jack Haynes (William Haynes, Jr.), Curt Hennig, Larry Hennig, Dizzy Hogan, (Edward Leslie), Johnathan Holliday, Don Leo Jonathan (Don Heaton), Rocky Johnson (Wayde Bowles), Gene Kiniski, Nick Kiniski, Taylor Made (Terri Poch), Al Madril, Magnum T.A. (Terry Allen), Rick Martel (Richard Vigneault), Mil Máscaras, Moondog Mayne, Bugsy McGraw (Michael Davis), Velvet McIntyre, Butch Miller (Robert Miller), "Mean" Mike Miller, Gorilla Monsoon (Robert James "Gino" Marella), Pedro Morales, Kendo Nagasaki, Nord The Barbarian (John Nord). Scott Norton, Rip Oliver, Iceman Parsons (King Parsons), Pat Patterson, Roddy Piper (Roderick Toombs), Tom Prichard, Harley Race, Bull Ramos, Steve Regal, Rip Rogers (Mark Sciarra), Tommy Rogers (Thomas Couch), Buddy Rose (Paul Perschmann), Irish Paddy Ryan (Earl Patrick Freeman)

Coco Samoa, Dutch Savage (Frank Stewart), Joe Savoldi, Bart Sawyer (Steven Stewart), Brett Sawyer (Brett Woyan), Buzz Sawyer (Bruce Woyan), David Schultz, Scotty The Body [Raven](Scott Levy), Steve Simpson (Steve Cohen), Tiger Jeet Singh (Jagjit Singh), Sgt. Slaughter (Robert Remus)

Jimmy Snuka (James Reiher), Doug Somers, Stan Stasiak (George Stipich), Jules Strongbow (Frank Hill), Greg Valentine (John Wisniski, Jr.), Jesse Ventura (James Janos), Luke Williams (Brian Wickens), Bearcat Wright (Edward Wright), Jay Youngblood (Steven Romero), Tom Zenk, Buck Zumhofe (Herman Zumhofe)

Big Time WRESTLING (San Francisco) Major Alumni

Lars Anderson, Mitsu Arakawa, Red Bastien, Bobo Brazil, Dick the Bruiser, Terry Garvin, Pepper Gomez, Superstar Billy Graham, Chavo Guerrero, Mando Guerrero, Rocky Johnson, Peter Maivia, Pepper Martin, Moondog Mayne, Don Muraco, Dick Murdoch, Pat Patterson, Roddy Piper, Buddy Rose, Dutch Savage, Kinji Shibuya, Wilbur Snyder, Ray Stevens, Professor Toru Tanaka, Bill Watts

HOLLYWOOD WRESTLING (Los Angeles) Major Alumni

Chris Adams, Buddy Austin, Freddie Blassie, Lord James Blears, Dino Bravo, Édouard Carpentier, The Destroyer, Ric Drasin, Terry Funk, Billy Graham, Chavo Guerrero, Sr., Dick Lane (announcer), Gene LeBell, Don Leo Jonathan, Mil Máscaras, Ray Mendoza, Pedro Morales, Mr. Moto, Roddy Piper, Rikidōzan, Victor Rivera, The Sheik, Dennis Stamp, Sándor Szabó, Lou Thesz, John Tolos, Dale Valentine, Bearcat Wright

STAMPEDE WRESTLING Major Alumni

Stu Hart, Bret Hart, Lou Thesz, Dr. Bill Miller, Earl McCready, Édouard Carpentier, Johnny Valentine, Archie Gouldie, Tiger Joe Tomasso, Les Thornton, Leo Burke, Harley Race, Dynamite Kid, Bruce Hart, Brian Pillman, Jim Neidhart, Hiroshi Hase, Jack Taylor, Jim Wright, Ski Hi Lee, Whipper Billy Watson, Pat O'Connor, Gorgeous George, Waldo Von Erich, Stan Stasiak, Dory Funk, Jr., André the Giant, Fabulous Moolah, Davey Boy Smith, Chris Benoit, Chief Thunderbird, Ilio DiPaolo, Argentina Rocca, Mr. Hito, Terry Funk, Sky Low Low, J.R. Foley, Keith Hart, Owen Hart, David Schultz, Honky Tonk Wayne, Abdullah the Butcher, Bad News Allen, Hercules Ayala, Kerry Brown, Big Daddy Ritter, Rick Martel, Don Muraco, Jake Roberts, Goldie Rogers

AMERICAN WRESTLING ASSOCIATION Major Alumni

Red Bastien, Crusher Jerry Blackwell, Nick Bockwinkel, Bruiser Brody, Jim Brunzell, Edouard Carpentier, Hercules Cortez, The Crusher, Colonel DeBeers, Derrick Dukes, The Destruction Crew (Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom), Fabulous Freebirds (Michael P.S. Hayes, Terry "Bamm Bamm" Gordy & Buddy Roberts), Juan Kachmanian, Ric Flair, Jimmy Garvin, "Superstar" Billy Graham, Scott Hall, Stan Hansen, Lawrence Heinemi, Luscious Lars Anderson, Curt Hennig, Larry Hennig, Hulk Hogan, Nikita Koloff, Jack Lanza, Stan Lane, Jerry Lawler, Billy Red Lyons, Rick Martel, Wahoo McDaniel, The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags), Steve Olsonoski, Midnight Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty, Ken Patera, D.J. Peterson, Robert Gibson, Ricky Morton, Harley Race,, Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch, Ricky Rice, The Road Warriors (Animal & Hawk), Billy Robinson, Buddy Rose, Masa Saito, Akio Sato, Dutch Savage, Sgt. Slaughter, Superfly Snuka, Doug Somers, Dennis Stamp, Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, "Mad Dog" Vachon, "Butcher" Vachon, Jesse Ventura, Baron von Raschke, Leon White, Cowboy Bill Watts, Larry Zbyszko, Tom Zenk, Boris Zukhov, Tully Blanchard, Mongolian Stomper, Ron Garvin, Bob Orton, Tommy Rich

CENTRAL STATES CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING Major Alumni

Chris Adams, Kentucky Hillbilly Adcock, Chuck Adcox, David Von Erich, Fritz Von Erich, Kerry Von Erich, Kevin Von Erich, Joe Adelman, Dick the Bruiser, Bulldog Drummer, Magnum T.A., Gene Anderson, Afa, Sika, Earthquake Ferris, Pat Kelly, Prince Nero/Tony Nero, Giant Baba, Bob Backlund, Vince Montana, Ox Baker, Armand Hussein, Ronnie Garvin, Frenchy Lamonte, Antonino Rocca, Vinnie Valentino, Jerry Blackwell, Brian Blair, Joe Blanchard, Tully Blanchard, Fred Blassie, Nick Bockwinkel, Warren Bockwinkel, Hulk Hogan, Rocky Johnson, Dino Bravo, Jack Brisco, Jerry Brisco, Bulldog Bob Brown, Jim Brunzell, Haystacks Calhoun, Pat Patterson, Superstar Billy Graham, Wee Willie Davis, Dean Detton, Mike DiBiase, Ted DiBiase, Jim Duggan, Bobby Duncum, The Sheik, The Tonga Kid, Manny Fernandez, Hercules Hernandez, Tonga Fifita, Ric Flair, Mr. Fuji, Dory Funk, Dory Funk Jr., Terry Funk, Greg Gagne, Frenchy Martin, Verne Gagne, American Starship Coyote, One Man Gang, Bobo Brazil, Kamala/Sugar Bear Harris, Lord Alfred Hayes, Ron Bass, Road Warrior Hawk, Curt Hennig, John Paul Henning, Lee Henning, Shawn Michaels, Marty Jannetty, Jerry Valiant, Bobby Fulton, El Santo, Jesse Ventura, Bobby Jaggers, Terry Garvin, Robert Gibson, Gene Kiniski, Hiro Matsuda, Apache Gringo, Ernie Ladd, Oni Wiki Wiki, Blackjack Lanza, Hans Schmidt, Road Warrior Animal, Jerry Lawler, Gene LeBell, Rufus R. Jones, Chief Thundercloud, Arn Anderson, Gino Marella, Wahoo McDaniel, Danno McDonald, Rick McGraw, Dr. Bill Miller, J.J. Dillon, Dick Murdoch, Paul Orndorff, Bob Orton, Bob Orton, Jr., Barry Orton, Killer Khan, King Kong Bundy, Ken Patera, Tiger Mask, Ivan Koloff, Angelo Poffo, Lanny Poffo, Harley Race, Gori Guerrero, Benny Ramírez, Baron von Raschke, Butch Reed, Sgt. Slaughter, Junkyard Dog, Ole Anderson, Buddy Rogers, Ricky Romero, Mark Romero, Jay Youngblood, Rick Rude, Jacques Rougeau, André the Giant, Gary Royal, Dusty Rhodes, Michael Hayes, Mike Sharpe, Abdullah the Butcher, Otto von Krupp, Nikita Koloff, Professor Roy Shire, Genichiro Tenryu, Jake Roberts, Billy Red Lyons, Doug Somers, American Starship Eagle, Killer Kowalski, Ray Stevens, Stan Stasiak, Ricky Morton, Kevin Sullivan, The Warlord, Terry Taylor, Chris Taylor, Sailor Art Thomas, Lou Thesz, Roddy Piper, Enrique Torres, Ramón Torres, Tarzan Tyler, Big Bubba, Mad Dog Vachon, The Butcher, The Barbarian, Chief Lone Eagle, The Iron Sheik, Garza Lozano, Gorgeous George, Édouard Carpentier, George Wells, Larry Zbyszko, Tony Atlas, Jim Garvin, Blackjack Mulligan, Johnny Valentine, Greg Valentine, Al Cortez, Bobby Hart, Carlos Rodríguez, Chico García, José Rivera, José Quintero, José Martínez, Juan Hernández, Leilani Kai, Jimmy Hart, Bobby Heenan, Slick, Sir Oliver Humperdink, The Fabulous Moolah, Belle Starr, Kay Noble

MID-SOUTH WRESTLING Major Alumni

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, Steve Williams, Ted DiBiase, Dick Slater, Nikita Koloff, Michael Hayes, Stagger Lee, Mangnum T.A., Mr Wrestling II, Kerry Von Erich, Chris Adams, Mike Von Erich, Afa, Sika, Kokina the Samoan, Vinnie Romeo, Brian Blair, Tully Blanchard, Nick Bockwinkel, Hulk Hogan, Blade Runner Sting, Porkchop Cash, Bill Dundee, Hercules Ayala, Krusher Khrushchev, Ted DiBiase, Bobby Eaton, Manny Fernandez, Hercules Hernandez, Cocoa Samoa, Dory Funk Jr., Ric Flair, Terry Funk, Frenchy Martin, Eddie Gilbert, Terry Gordy, Mando Guerrero, Héctor Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero, Stan Hansen, Kamala, Road Warrior Hawk, Blade Runner Rock, Buddy Roberts, Shawn Michaels, Ernie Ladd, Stan Lane, Road Warrior Animal, The Terminator, Jerry Lawler, Roberto Soto, Arn Anderson, Wahoo McDaniel, Butch Miller, Angelo Mosca, Dick Murdoch, Jim Neidhart, Paul Orndorff, Barry Orton, Bob Orton, Jr., Matt Borne, King Kong Bundy, Killer Khan, Ken Patera, Al Pérez, Nikolai Volkoff, Ivan Koloff, Lex Luger, Lanny Poffo, Tom Prichard, Harley Race, Baron von Raschke, Rick Steiner, Butch Reed, Eli the Eliminator, The Missing Link, José Lothario, Mil Máscaras, Ole Anderson, Rick Rude, Mike Rotunda, André the Giant, Dusty Rhodes, Brickhouse Brown, Mike Sharpe, Ron Simmons, Jake Roberts, Tito Santana, Ricky Morton, Big Bubba Rogers, The Barbarian, Dick Slater, The Iron Sheik, Bill Watts, Larry Zbyszko, Tony Atlas, Luke Williams, Gino Hernandez, Buzz Sawyer

NATIONAL WRESTLING ALLIANCE (NWA) AMARILLO Major Alumni

Dizzy Davis, Dorry Funk, The Great Bolo, Roy Shire, Don Curtis, Bob Geigel, Mike DiBiase, Danny Plechas, Buddy Rogers, Nick Roberts, Antone Leone, Rock Hunter, Sonny Myers, Gene LeBell, Pancho Lopez, Nikita Mulkovich, Danny McShain, Fritz Von Erich, Johnny Valentine, Dory Funk, Jr., Kinji Shibuya, Clubfoot Inferno, Pat Patterson, Pat O'Connor, Ricky Romero, Buddy Colt, Terry Funk, Scott Casey, Ted Dibiase, Tim Woods, Jose Lothario, Silento Rodriquez, Ricky Romero, Ray Candy, Cowboy Bob Ellis, Dan Miller, Wahoo McDaniel, Mr. Kleen, Jerry Kozak, Nick Kozak, Bill Watts, Lord Alfred Hayes, Rufus Jones, Gory Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero, Dick Steinborn, The Alaskan, Magnificent Maurice, Pancho Pico, Treach Phillips, Don Slaton, Alex Perez, Cyclone Negroe, Harley Race, Abdullah the Butcher, King Curtis Iaukea, Frank Goodish, The Sheik, Super Destroyer, Dick Murdoch, Dusty Rhodes, Jack Brisco, Gerald Brisco, Swede Hansen, Hank James, Killer Brooks, Brute Bernard, Rip Hawk, Killer Karl Kox, Dutch Savage, Butcher Jardine, Sputnik Monroe, The Viking, Nelson Royal, Professor Tanaka, Gary Hart, Thunderbolt Patterson, Klondike Bill, Hurricane Castro, Tommy Phelps

WORLD CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING (WCCW) Major Alumni

Friz Von Erich, David Von Erich, Kevin Von Erich, Kerry Von Erich, Mike Von Erich, Chris Von Erich, Lance Von Erich, Ric Flair, Harley Race, Terry Funk, Abdullah The Butcher, Al Madril, Al Perez, Andre The Giant, Arman Hussien, Bill Irwin, Billy Jack Haynes, Black Bart, Bobby Eaton, Bobby Fulton, Boris Zuchoffe, Brian Adias, Brickhouse Brown, Bruiser Brody, Buck Zumhoff, Buddy Roberts, Bugsy McGraw, Butch Reed, Buzz Sawyer, Cactus Jack, Captain USA, Chavo Guerrero Sr, Checkmate, Chic Donovan, Jim Powers, Jimmy Garvin, Jimmy Jack Funk, John Tatum, Johnny Mantell, Jose Lothario, Jules Strongbow, Junk Yard Dog, Kamala, Kelly Kiniski, Kendall Windham, Kevin Sulluvan, Killer Khan, King Kong Bundy, Koko Ware, Matt Bourne, Michael Hayes, Mil Mascaras, Nord The Barbarian, One Man Gang, Rick Rude, Chris Adams, Crusher Yurkov, Dennis Condrey, Dingo Warrior, El Santo, El Solitario, Eli The Eliminator, Eric Embry, Frank Dusek, Gino Hernandez, Iceman Parsons, Jack Roberts, Jeff Jarrett, Jerry Lawler, Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, Steve Williams, Super American Ninja, Ted Arcidi, Terry Gordy, Terry Taylor, Terry Simms, The Great Kabuki, The Missing Link, The Punisher, The Spoiler, Tim Brooks, Tommy Rogers, Tony Atlas, Toru Tanaka, Missy Hyatt, Baby Doll, Sunshine, Precious, Toni Adams, Jeanie Austin, Jim Cornette, Percy Pringle

HOUSTON WRESTLING Major Alumni

Friz Von Erich, Junkyard Dog, Kamala the Ugandan Giant, Jake the Snake Roberts, King Kong Bundy, Wahoo McDaniel, Nick Kozak, Bull Curry, Hacksaw Duggan, Dick Murdoch, Johnny Valentine, Danny McShain, Boris Malenko, Nick Bockwinkel, Sputnik Monroe, The Kozak Brothers, JJ Dillon, Gary Hart, Leo Newman, Jim Cornette, Shawn Michaels, Sting, The Warrior, Jose Lothario, Mil Mascaras, Ernie Ladd, Terry Funk, Dory Funk, Harley Race, Red Bastien, Ivan Putski, Superstar Billy Graham, Gino Hernandez, Andre the Giant, Bob Backlund, Bruno Sammartino, Stan Stasiak, Terry Taylor, Barry Darsow, Tony Atlas, Bruce Prichard

SOUTHWEST CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING (SCW) Major Alumni

Chris Adams, Adrian Adonis, Austin Idol, Gino Hernandez, Tully Blanchard, Ted DiBiase, Dory Funk, Jr, Terry Funk, "Bruiser" Bob Sweetan, Scott Casey, Terry Allen, Bob Orton, Jr., Chavo Guerrero, Mando Guerrero, Brett Sawyer, Buzz Sawyer, Eric Embry, Killer Tim Brooks, Dan Greer, The Ninja Warrior, CT Night The Boss, Ivan Putski, Tony Atlas, Skip Young, Buddy Landell, Bobby Jaggers, Kareem Muhammad, Blackjack Mulligan, Dick Murdoch, Iceman Parsons, Al Perez, Larry Lane, Manny Fernandez, Tom Prichard, Chicky Starr, Kelly Kiniski, Adrian Street, Luke Williams, Butch Miller, Jonathan Boyd, Mil Mascaras, Rick Rude, Eddie Mansfield, Dick Slater, Nick Bockwinkel, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Wahoo McDaniel, Abdullah The Butcher, Kevin Sullivan, Bruiser Brody, Jerry Lawler, Eddie Gilbert, Tito Santana, The Sheik, Baron von Raschke, Ron Sexton, Tank Patton, Tiger Conway Jr., Rudy Boy Gonzalez, Len Denton, Tony Anthony

WORLD WRESTLING ASSOCIATION (WWA) Major Alumni

Ox Baker, The Cuban Assassin, Dick the Bruiser, Paul Christy, Wilbur Snyder, Al Snow, Luis Martínez, The Sheik, Nicoli Volkoff, Pepper Gomez, Ernie Ladd, Bruno Sammartino, Killer Kowalski, Harley Race, Baron von Raschke, André the Giant, Blackjack Lanza, Ivan Koloff, The Crusher, Pat O'Connor, Bobo Brazil, Larry Hennig, Gene Kiniski, Mitsu Arakawa, Sgt. Jacques Goulet, Joe Blanchard, Fred Blassie, Jim Grabmire, Bobby Bold Eagle, Moose Cholak

Excerpt from an ESPN interview with Bret Hart

Dated March 10, 2009

ESPN.GO.COM

ESPN: Speaking of Wrestlemania, are you still upset that Hulk Hogan never gave you a main event match at the big show?

Bret Hart: I just thought that somebody preempted my run. For somebody like Hulk Hogan, when he was on his run, nobody preempted it. Everyone was happy to make him. But when I needed some of the bigger guys to make me, especially some of the bigger names like Jake Roberts or Ultimate Warrior or Hogan, when it came to passing the torch down and doing me a favor and I had always been loyal, working my ass off on their undercards and I was always respectful of those guys and paid my dues, but I always felt short changed by some of those guys who didn't do anything to help me. And that was a critical time in the business. The wrestling business back then was kind of like the stock market right now. There were some tough times business-wise, and everyone was fearful of the future, especially after they implemented the drug testing. But they handed me the ball, and back then I was only six feet tall, I wasn't a giant, I didn't have 24-inch arms, and I wasn't a good interview. Then all of a sudden, I found myself carrying the torch at a tough time and trying my hardest.

If you look at wrestling when I started to get my big break back in 1992, I changed wrestling from the cartoons of Hulk Hogan and Iron Sheik and the matches with the leg drop and the hand behind the ear and the playing to the crowd. They were just cartoon characters if you ask me. Hogan had the same match every night for years and so did Warrior. They didn't tell great stories, to be honest. I went out there and had those matches with Piper and Perfect and the match with Davey at Wembley. I went out there and tried to have great matches all the time, and it wasn't about Bret Hart, it was about these matches. I think I changed the style of wrestling, and even today, there's not another Hulk Hogan out there, it's guys like Edge, and it's all about work rate. When you see Bret Hart versus Steve Austin, it just seemed so much more real than Hulk Hogan versus Sgt. Slaughter. All of the storylines started to be more realistic, and the belt started to mean more. I made the belt seem like the world to me and to my fans. I kind of pat myself on the back today and think that I did more good for professional wrestling than people realize.

Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania

Wrestlemania V (1989): Loss to The Twin Towers in 8 min. 2 sec.
Wrestlemania VI (1990): Loss to The Orient Express in 7 min. 38 sec.
Wrestlemania VII (1991): Defeated The Barbarian & Haku in 11 min.
Wrestlemania VIII (1992): Defeated Tito Santana in 10 min. 39 sec.
Wrestlemania IX (1993): Loss to Tatanka in 18 min. 13 sec.
Wrestlemania X (1994): Loss to Razor Ramon in 18 min. 47 sec.
Wrestlemania XI (1995): Loss to Diesel in 20 min. 35 sec.
Wrestlemania XII (1996): Defeated Bret Hart in 1 hour 1 min. 52 sec.
Wrestlemania XIV (1998): Loss to Steve Austin in 20 min. 2 sec.
Wrestlemania XIX (2003): Defeated Chris Jericho in 22 min. 33 sec.
Wrestlemania XX (2004): Loss to Chris Benoit in 25 min. 10 sec.
Wrestlemania 21 (2005): Loss to Kurt Angle in 27 min. 17 sec.
Wrestlemania 22 (2006): Defeated Vince McMahon in 18 min. 28 sec.
Wrestlemania 23 (2007): Loss to John Cena in 28 min. 20 sec.
Wrestlemania XXIV (2008): Defeated Ric Flair in 20 min. 23 sec.
Wrestlemania XXV (2009): Loss to The Undertaker in 30 min. 41 sec
Wrestlemania XXVI (2010): Loss to The Undertaker in 23 min. 23 sec

Record at Wrestlemania:
6 wins-11 losses
Total match time at Wrestlemania:Approx. 5 hours 39 minutes

Undefeated at Wrestlemania

The Undertaker (Mark Calaway)

Wrestlemania VII (1991): Defeated Jimmy Snuka in 4 min. 30 sec.
Wrestlemania VIII (1992): Defeated Jake Roberts in 6 min. 34 sec.
Wrestlemania IX (1993): Defeated Giant Gonzales in 7 min. 33 sec.
Wrestlemania XI (1995): Defeated King Kong Bundy in 6 min. 36 sec.
Wrestlemania XII (1996): Defeated Diesel in 16 min. 46 sec.
Wrestlemania 13 (1997): Defeated Sycho Sid in 21 min. 19 sec.
Wrestlemania XIV (1998): Defeated Kane in 16 min. 58 sec.
Wrestlemania XV (1999): Defeated The Big Boss Man in 10 min.
Wrestlemania X-Seven (2001): Defeated Triple H in 18 min. 17 sec.
Wrestlemania X8 (2002): Defeated Ric Flair in 18 min. 47 sec.
Wrestlemania XIX (2003): Defeated The Big Show & A-Train 10 min.
Wrestlemania XX (2004): Defeated Kane in 7 min. 45 sec.
Wrestlemania 21 (2005): Defeated Randy Orton in 14 min. 14 sec.
Wrestlemania 22 (2006): Defeated Mark Henry in 9 min. 26 sec.
Wrestlemania 23 (2007): Defeated Batista in 15 min. 47 sec.
Wrestlemania XXIV (2008): Defeated Edge in 23 min. 50 sec.
Wrestlemania XXV (2009): Defeated Shawn Michaels in 30 min. 41 sec
Wrestlemania XXVI (2010): Defeated Shawn Michaels in 23 min. 23 sec

Record at Wrestlemania:
18 wins-0 losses

Total match time at Wrestlemania:
Approx. 4 hours and 23 Minutes

WWE Corporate Promotion Video

Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows (10th Anniversary Collector's Edition) with Bonus DVD - The Life and Death of Owen Hart

Bret Hart discusses
Wrestling With Shadows (10th Anniversary Collector's Edition)

Bonus Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows

2009 Interview (22 minutes)

TNA World Heavyweight Championship Combined Reigns...(Post 2006)

As of December 24, 2010.

1. Kurt Angle, 391 combined days
2. A.J. Styles, 211 days
3. Sting, 191 combined days
4. Samoa Joe, 182 days
5. Rob Van Dam, 113 days
6. Jeff Hardy, 75+ days **current title holder**
7. Mick Foley, 63 days

15 Longest WWE World Heavyweight Champions Combined Reigns...(Post 2001)

As of December 24, 2010.

1. Triple H, 616 combined days
2. Batista, 507 combined days
3. Edge, 299+ combined days **current title holder**
4. The Undertaker, 207 combined days
5. CM Punk, 160 combined days
6. Kane, 154 days
6. Chris Benoit 154 days
8. King Booker, 126 days
9. Rey Mysterio, 112 days
10. Chris Jericho, 106 combined days
11. John Cena, 105 days
12. Goldberg, 84 days
13. Kurt Angle, 82 days
13. Jack Swagger, 82 days
14. The Great Khali, 61 days
15. Shawn Michaels, 28 days
15. Randy Orton, 28 days
15. Jeff Hardy, 28 days

The Longest WWE Championship Combined Reigns (1984-current)

As of August 11, 2019.

Hulk Hogan, 2,185 combined days
John Cena, 1,254 combined days
Randy Orton, 658 combined days
Bret Hart, 654 combined days
Triple H, 609 combined days
Brock Lesnar, 579 combined days
Steve Austin, 529 combined days
Randy Savage, 520 combined days
AJ Styles, 511 combined days
CM Punk, 462 combined days
Shawn Michaels, 396 combined days
The Rock, 367 combined days
Diesel, 358 days
Kurt Angle, 297 combined days
The Ultimate Warrior, 293 days
Yokozuna, 280 combined days
John Bradshaw Layfield, 280 days
The Undertaker, 238 combined days
Seth Rollins, 220 combined days
Daniel Bryan, 210 combined days

Superstars of Wrestling ...coming back to T.V. [Videos]

On December 19, 2008, it was announced that WWE and WGN America reached an agreement to create a new weekly, one-hour primetime series entitled "WWE Superstars," which will debut in April 2009.

Syndicated (1986 - 1996)
USA Network (1996-2000)
TNN (2000-2001)
WGN America (2009-)

1992 intro from WWF SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING

...hard to believe that 19 years have passed.

SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING

January 14, 1995 episode

15 Longest Intercontinental Championship Combined Reigns...(Post 1983)

As of February 22, 2009. 1. The Honky Tonk Man, 454 days 2. Tito Santana, 443 combined days 3. Razor Ramon, 438 combined days 4. The Ultimate Warrior, 432 combined days 5. Randy Savage, 414 days 6. "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, 406 combined days 7. Shawn Michaels, 406 combined days 8. Shelton Benjamin, 354 combined days 9. The Rock, 339 combined days 10. Jeff Hardy, 329 combined days 11. Chris Jericho, 297 combined days 12. Bret Hart, 290 combined days 13. Jeff Jarrett, 290 combined days 14. Greg Valentine, 285 days 15. Rob Van Dam, 211 combined days

Essential WWE DVDs...(2005-2009)

Bret "Hitman" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be (2005)
Highlight Matches: vs. Ricky Steamboat - (Prime Time Wreslting, 07/28/86)
vs. The Rockers - (Saturday Night's Main Event)
vs. Mr. Perfect - (Summer Slam '91)
vs. Davey Boy Smith - (Summer Slam '92)
vs. Owen Hart - (Wrestlemania X)
vs. Davey Boy Smith - (In Your House)
vs. Steve Austin - (Wresltemania 13)

Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology (2006)
Highlight Matches:
vs. Andre The Giant (Wrestlemania III, 3/29/87)
vs. Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan (Wrestlemania V, 4/18/89)
vs. Ultimate Warrior (Wrestlemania VI, 4/1/90)
vs. Ric Flair (Bash at the Beach, 7/17/94)
vs. Sting (Starrcade - 12/28/97 )
vs. The Rock (Wrestlemania X8, 03/17/02)
vs. Vince McMahon (WrestleMania XIX, 3/30/03)

The Shawn Michaels Story: Heartbreak & Triumph (2007)

Highlight Matches:
The Rockers vs. The Hart Foundation (Saturday Night's Main Event)
vs. British Bulldog (Saturday Night's Main Event, 11/8/92) vs. The Brainbusters (Madison Square Garden, 1/23/89)
vs. Jeff Jarrett (In Your House, 7/23/95)
vs. Davey Boy Smith (King of the Ring, 1996)
vs. Kurt Angle (Vengeance, '05)
vs. John Cena (Raw, 4/23/07)
The Life And Times Of Mr. Perfect (2008)

Highlight Matches:
Curt Hennig vs. Nick Bockwinkel (11-15-86)
vs. Hulk Hogan (1-15-90)
vs. Texas Tornado (11-24-90)vs. Bret "Hitman" Hart (8-26-91)
vs. Shawn Michaels (8-30-93)

The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event (2009)

Highlight Matches:
Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant (2/5/88) Hulk Hogan & Ultimate Warrior vs. Mr. Perfect & The Genius (1/27/90)
Mr. Perfect vs. Tito Santana (7/28/90)
Bret Hart vs. `Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase (4/27/91)
Undertaker & Ric Flair vs. Hulk Hogan & Sid (2/8/92)
Davey Boy Smith vs. Shawn Michaels (11/14/92)
Edge vs. John Cena (7/15/2006)

Top SUMMERSLAMS from the 1990s

1998 - Highlight Match, Triple H vs The Rock
1992 - Highlight Match, Bret Hart vs Davey Boy Smith
1994 - Highlight Match, Bret Hart vs Owen Hart
1991 - Highlight Match, Bret Hart vs Mr. Perfect
1995 - Highlight Match, Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon
1997 - Highlight Match, Bret Hart vs The Undertaker

ABC News: Report on Professional Wrestling in 1985 [Videos]

On February 21, 1985, the ABC Network aired an installment of "20/20" during which professional wrestler David Schultz slapped a reporter in the head on December 28, 1984, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Part I

Sources: NYTimes.com, ABCNEWS.go.com

Part II