Known as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Bret "Hitman" Hart found his greatest year on the microphone in 1997, his final year in the World Wrestling Federation. During March 1997, Hart cut three classic promos with his biggest being the night after WrestleMania 13 on March 24, 1997, when he turned heel against the United States of America which set up a feud with Shawn Michaels that would end Hart's career in the company for several years.
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Classic Promos: Bret Hart "I Apologize for Nothing" [Videos]
WWE Forty Years Ago: All Star Wrestling airing on April 14, 1984 [Videos]
Classic Promos: Dusty Rhodes "Hard Times" [Videos]
I don't have to say a lot more about the way I feel about Ric Flair. No respect! No honor! There is no honor among thieves in the first place. He put hard times on Dusty Rhodes and his family. You don't know what hard times are, Daddy! Hard times are when the textile workers around this country are out of work and got four, five kids, and can't pay their wages, can't buy their food. Hard times are when the auto workers are out of work and they tell them 'Go home!'. And hard times are when a man has worked at a job thirty years -- thirty years! -- they give him a watch, kick him in the butt and say 'Hey, a computer took your place, Daddy!'. That's hard times! That's hard times.
And Ric Flair, you put hard times on this country by taking Dusty Rhodes out. That's hard times! And we all had hard times together. I admit, I don't look like the athlete of today supposed to look. My belly is just a little big, my hiney is just a little big, but brother, I am bad, and they know I'm bad. And there were two bad people: one was John Wayne -- and he's dead, brother -- and the other one is right here!
Nature Boy Ric Flair, the world's heavyweight title belongs to these people. I'm gonna reach out right now. I want you at home to know, my hand is touching your hand for this gathering of the biggest body of people in this country, in this universe, all over the world. Now reach it out! Because the love that was given me -- and this time I will repay you, now. Because I will be the next world's heavyweight champion, of this Hard Times Blues Dusty Rhodes Tour '85!
And Ric Flair, Nature Boy, let me leave you with this: One way to hurt Ric Flair is to take what he cherishes more than anything in the world. That's the world's heavyweight title. I'm gonna take it. I've been there twice. This time, when I take it, Daddy, I'm gonna take it for you [the fans]. Let's gather for it! Don't let me down now, 'cause I came back for you, for that man up there that died ten, twelve years ago, that never got the opportunity to see a real world's champion. I'm proud of you and thank god I have you. I love you. Love you!"
WrestleMania IV Press Conference - March 2, 1988 [Videos]
World Wrestling Federation President Suspends Referee Danny Davis FOR LIFE!!! [Videos]
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper Appears on Portland, Oregon Televison Program [Videos]
In March 1985, Piper appeared in the main event match against Hulk Hogan and Mr. T at the first Wrestlemania held in Madison Square Garden. By May 1985, next to Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper was one of the biggest professional wrestling superstars in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
On May 21, 1985, Piper visited the set of Portland, Oregon's KATU television program Two for Four to promote his match against Buddy Rose as a favor for Owen Promotions Portland Wrestling's 60th Anniversary Extravaganza. Piper had roots in Oregon and wrestled earlier in his career for the Portland-based promotion operated by Don Owen. In fact, Piper and his wife resided in Oregon and ended up having four children there, and after he passed away in 2015 at the age of 61, he was laid to rest in Tigard, Oregon.
Controversial Moments: Randy "Macho Man" Savage vs Gary Starr [Videos]
Macho Lifestyles: At Home with Randy Savage and Elizabeth [Video]
Classic Matches: Hulk Hogan vs Randy Savage on May 24, 1986, in Boston [Videos]
1985: The World Wrestling Federation's Historic Year [Videos]
The year was 1985 , and the world of professional wrestling was about to change forever under the direction of Vince McMahon and the Wor...