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Bruce Hart (wrestler)
Encyclopedia
Bruce Dennis Luis Hart is a retired Canadian
professional wrestler
. The second son of Stu Hart
, Hart is a member of the large Hart wrestling family
.
Hart substitute teaches for the Calgary Board of Education.
's Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be DVD
that Bret realized that he wanted to become a professional wrestler full time after visiting Puerto Rico
with his brother Smith
. Originally, it had been Bruce that was to travel to Puerto Rico with Smith, but Bruce backed out of the trip at the last minute. Bret said that because the ticket bought for Bruce was for a "B. Hart", he was forced into going by his family. Bret also said that Bruce helped make his decision to go to Puerto Rico final after telling him that he would enjoy it. After coming home to Calgary
, Bret realized that he wanted to join the Stampede Wrestling
promotion owned by his father full time.
Bruce Hart formed a tag team with Brian Pillman
named Bad Company in Stampede Wrestling.
In 1996 Bruce Hart made a comeback to the ring with the independent New York based promotion Ultimate Championship Wrestling (UCW), where he wrestled with the likes of Chris Chavis
, his brother-in-law Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Falcon Coperis
Louis Velazquez, and Marty Jannetty
. Bruce Hart was instrumental in the development of the young talent of the UCW.
Hart is retired as a wrestler and currently working as a substitute teacher. He ran Stampede Wrestling with his brother, Ross, but since 2005, he has no role within the company or with training wrestlers.
In a June 29, 2007 interview for "The Calgary Sun", Bruce Hart commented that Chris Benoit
was a "delusional juice freak", saying he was not surprised at all by the recent actions, involving the murder of his wife, and son. "The last time I saw him he was in pretty rough shape mentally", said Bruce Hart. He also said "I didn't know all the details, but I knew it wasn't good. I was not at all shocked [by what happened]." "I've known too many wrestlers who couldn't separate the character they play on television from their real life," said Hart, who has wrestled professionally, promoted wrestling and trained wrestlers all his life. "Wrestlers start believing their press clippings and what is said on television. It's like an actor leaving the set, but still playing the part. There's a delusional element to this. I've seen it over and over again. Some people can't separate the character from real life, and Chris was one of those people." Hart was also deeply angered that World Wrestling Entertainment
(WWE) aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit on Monday Night Raw
before they learned Benoit had been responsible for the deaths of his family. "I kept hearing 'He was a nice guy, a great guy.' For them to do a tribute show was disgraceful."
The book Ring of Hell stated that Bruce was always abusive towards and jealous of Benoit during his days training in the Hart Family Dungeon.
and Owen
in World Wrestling Federation
(WWF). Bruce made his first appearance in WWF at Survivor Series 1993
PPV, teaming with his brothers Bret, Owen and Keith to take on Shawn Michaels and His Knights (Shawn Michaels
, The Red Knight
, The Blue Knight
and The Black Knight
). Hart Brothers won the match, with Owen being the only member of the team to be eliminated. This ignited a lengthy feud between Bret and Owen that would last for several years. At SummerSlam 1994
PPV, the two brothers competed in a Steel Cage match for the WWF Championship
. Bruce and several Hart brothers interfered in the match. Bruce also appeared on an episode of Monday Night Raw
in the summer of 1994.
Bruce's next WWF appearance was at In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede
PPV, when he interfered in the main event
pitting Hart Foundation (Bret Hart, Owen Hart, British Bulldog
, Brian Pillman
and Jim Neidhart
) against Stone Cold Steve Austin
, Ken Shamrock
, Goldust and Legion of Doom
(Hawk
and Animal
). Bruce was a key part of the match's finish as he scuffled with Austin, allowing Owen to score the pinfall victory over Austin.
Bruce's next and most recent appearance in the renamed WWE was at WrestleMania XXVI
PPV, where he was the surprise Special Guest Referee for his brother Bret's first WWE match in 13 years, a No Holds Barred
Lumberjack match against the WWE Chairman Vince McMahon
. McMahon thought that Bruce and the rest of Hart family were at his side, but they all turned on him and helped Bret win the match.
.
1TJ Wilson replaced Teddy Hart after Hart suffered an injury.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
. The second son of Stu Hart
Stu Hart
Stewart Edward "Stu" Hart, CM was a Canadian amateur wrestler, professional wrestler, promoter and trainer. Hart founded Stampede Wrestling, a promotion based in Calgary, Alberta, and was the father of famous wrestlers Bret and Owen Hart...
, Hart is a member of the large Hart wrestling family
Hart wrestling family
The Hart wrestling family is a Canadian family with a significant history within professional wrestling. The patriarch of the family is wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer Stu Hart, amateur and professional wrestler, promoter and trainer, who not only owned and operated his own wrestling...
.
Hart substitute teaches for the Calgary Board of Education.
Career
It was revealed in Bret HartBret Hart
Bret Hart is a Canadian on-screen personality, writer, actor and Semi-retired professional wrestler. Like others in the Hart wrestling family, Hart has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal College...
's Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
that Bret realized that he wanted to become a professional wrestler full time after visiting Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
with his brother Smith
Smith Hart
Smith Stewart Hart is a former professional wrestler. He is the eldest child of Stu Hart.-Career:He wrestled in his father's Stampede Wrestling promotion and in Puerto Rico's World Wrestling Council in the 1970s. As well as trips to Japan, England, Germany and Holland...
. Originally, it had been Bruce that was to travel to Puerto Rico with Smith, but Bruce backed out of the trip at the last minute. Bret said that because the ticket bought for Bruce was for a "B. Hart", he was forced into going by his family. Bret also said that Bruce helped make his decision to go to Puerto Rico final after telling him that he would enjoy it. After coming home to Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Bret realized that he wanted to join the Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling is a Canadian professional wrestling promotion based in Calgary, Alberta and was for nearly 50 years one of the main promotions in western Canada and the Canadian Prairies...
promotion owned by his father full time.
Bruce Hart formed a tag team with Brian Pillman
Brian Pillman
Brian William Pillman was an American football player and professional wrestler best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling....
named Bad Company in Stampede Wrestling.
Chris Chavis
Christopher "Chris" Chavis , is a Native American professional wrestler best known for his work with World Wrestling Entertainment as Tatanka from 1991 to 1996 and from 2005 to 2007...
, his brother-in-law Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Falcon Coperis
Falcon Coperis
Falcon Coperis, real name Louis Velazquez , is a retired American professional wrestler.-Early career:Louis Velazquez grew up in the Bronx in New York City until the age of 13 when his family relocated to the borough of Queens...
Louis Velazquez, and Marty Jannetty
Marty Jannetty
Frederick Marty Jannetty is an American professional wrestler, best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation as part of tag team The Rockers with partner Shawn Michaels, and later as a singles competitor. While in the WWF, he became a one time Intercontinental Champion and a one time...
. Bruce Hart was instrumental in the development of the young talent of the UCW.
Hart is retired as a wrestler and currently working as a substitute teacher. He ran Stampede Wrestling with his brother, Ross, but since 2005, he has no role within the company or with training wrestlers.
In a June 29, 2007 interview for "The Calgary Sun", Bruce Hart commented that Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit
Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide...
was a "delusional juice freak", saying he was not surprised at all by the recent actions, involving the murder of his wife, and son. "The last time I saw him he was in pretty rough shape mentally", said Bruce Hart. He also said "I didn't know all the details, but I knew it wasn't good. I was not at all shocked [by what happened]." "I've known too many wrestlers who couldn't separate the character they play on television from their real life," said Hart, who has wrestled professionally, promoted wrestling and trained wrestlers all his life. "Wrestlers start believing their press clippings and what is said on television. It's like an actor leaving the set, but still playing the part. There's a delusional element to this. I've seen it over and over again. Some people can't separate the character from real life, and Chris was one of those people." Hart was also deeply angered that World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWE) aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit on Monday Night Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
before they learned Benoit had been responsible for the deaths of his family. "I kept hearing 'He was a nice guy, a great guy.' For them to do a tribute show was disgraceful."
The book Ring of Hell stated that Bruce was always abusive towards and jealous of Benoit during his days training in the Hart Family Dungeon.
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/E) Appearances
Hart has made several appearances with his brothers BretBret Hart
Bret Hart is a Canadian on-screen personality, writer, actor and Semi-retired professional wrestler. Like others in the Hart wrestling family, Hart has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal College...
and Owen
Owen Hart
Owen James Hart was a Canadian professional and amateur wrestler who worked for several promotions including Stampede Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling , World Championship Wrestling , and most notably, the World Wrestling Federation , where he wrestled under both his own name, and ring name The...
in World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWF). Bruce made his first appearance in WWF at Survivor Series 1993
Survivor Series (1993)
Survivor Series was the seventh annual Survivor Series pay-per-view professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on Thanksgiving Eve, November 24, 1993 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts...
PPV, teaming with his brothers Bret, Owen and Keith to take on Shawn Michaels and His Knights (Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom , better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American television host and retired professional wrestler. He presents the Outdoor Channel show MacMillan River Adventures, and is currently signed to WWE, where he has served in an ambassadorial role since December...
, The Red Knight
Barry Horowitz
Barry Horowitz is an American professional wrestler, best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation.-Career:Horowitz, who is Jewish, attended Florida State University, where he studied sports nutrition and wrestled...
, The Blue Knight
Greg Valentine
John Wisniski, Jr. is an American professional wrestler, better known as Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. He is the son of wrestler Johnny Valentine.-Training:...
and The Black Knight
Jeff Gaylord
Jeff Gaylord is a retired American professional wrestler who competed in North American regional and independent promotions including Bill Watts' Universal Wrestling Federation, World Class Championship Wrestling and the United States Wrestling Association during the late 1980s and 1990s, most...
). Hart Brothers won the match, with Owen being the only member of the team to be eliminated. This ignited a lengthy feud between Bret and Owen that would last for several years. At SummerSlam 1994
SummerSlam (1994)
SummerSlam was the seventh annual SummerSlam professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on August 29, 1994 at the newly-opened United Center in Chicago, Illinois, which had opened eleven days earlier.The pay-per-view had two main events...
PPV, the two brothers competed in a Steel Cage match for the WWF Championship
WWE Championship
The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963...
. Bruce and several Hart brothers interfered in the match. Bruce also appeared on an episode of Monday Night Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
in the summer of 1994.
Bruce's next WWF appearance was at In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede
In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede
In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation , which took place on July 6, 1997 at the Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta...
PPV, when he interfered in the main event
Main Event
Main Event is Australia's only pay-per-view channel. It transmits through Foxtel, Optus Television and Austar, which jointly own the channel...
pitting Hart Foundation (Bret Hart, Owen Hart, British Bulldog
Davey Boy Smith
Davey Boy Smith was a British professional wrestler, better known as "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith, who was born in Golborne in North West England, United Kingdom. Smith is known for his appearances with Stampede Wrestling, the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling...
, Brian Pillman
Brian Pillman
Brian William Pillman was an American football player and professional wrestler best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling....
and Jim Neidhart
Jim Neidhart
James Henry "Jim" Neidhart is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in the 1980s and 1990s in the World Wrestling Federation as Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. Jim is the father of WWE Diva Natalya...
) against Stone Cold Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler...
, Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
, Goldust and Legion of Doom
Road Warriors
The Road Warriors were a professional wrestling tag team composed of Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis. They performed under the name "Road Warriors" in the American Wrestling Association, the National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling, and the name Legion...
(Hawk
Road Warrior Hawk
Michael James Hegstrand was an American professional wrestler. He is best remembered as Road Warrior Hawk, one half of the tag team known as the Road Warriors or The Legion of Doom , with Road Warrior Animal.-Early life:While living in Chicago, Hegstrand met Joe Lauranaitis, who would be later...
and Animal
Road Warrior Animal
Joseph Aaron "Joe" Laurinaitis is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring names, Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior...
). Bruce was a key part of the match's finish as he scuffled with Austin, allowing Owen to score the pinfall victory over Austin.
Bruce's next and most recent appearance in the renamed WWE was at WrestleMania XXVI
WrestleMania XXVI
WrestleMania XXVI was the twenty-sixth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , which took place on March 28, 2010 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, Arizona. This was the fourth WrestleMania to...
PPV, where he was the surprise Special Guest Referee for his brother Bret's first WWE match in 13 years, a No Holds Barred
Hardcore wrestling
Hardcore wrestling is a form of professional wrestling that eschews traditional concepts of match rules in favor of matches that take place in unusual environments, using foreign objects that are not normally permitted...
Lumberjack match against the WWE Chairman Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
. McMahon thought that Bruce and the rest of Hart family were at his side, but they all turned on him and helped Bret win the match.
Personal life
Hart is divorced from his former wife Andrea Redding, with whom he has five children: Brit, Bruce Jr., Rhett, Tory and Lara. Bruce married for the second time on January 18, 2007 to Rachel Overholt, a 28-year-old former student. Their first child Davis Gene Hart was born on October 26, 2007 in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Hart Breaker (Reverse figure four leglock)
- Signature moves
- Lariat, sometimes from the top rope
- Seated chinlock
- ManagersManager (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
- Stu HartStu HartStewart Edward "Stu" Hart, CM was a Canadian amateur wrestler, professional wrestler, promoter and trainer. Hart founded Stampede Wrestling, a promotion based in Calgary, Alberta, and was the father of famous wrestlers Bret and Owen Hart...
- Stu Hart
- NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s- "Cowboy"
- "Beautiful Brucie'"
Championships and accomplishments
- Polynesian Pacific Wrestling
- PPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Keith Hart
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him #366 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
in 1997 - PWI ranked him #481 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003
- PWI ranked him #366 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500
- Stampede WrestlingStampede WrestlingStampede Wrestling is a Canadian professional wrestling promotion based in Calgary, Alberta and was for nearly 50 years one of the main promotions in western Canada and the Canadian Prairies...
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (Calgary version) (2 times) - with Davey Boy SmithDavey Boy SmithDavey Boy Smith was a British professional wrestler, better known as "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith, who was born in Golborne in North West England, United Kingdom. Smith is known for his appearances with Stampede Wrestling, the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling...
- Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight ChampionshipStampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight ChampionshipThe Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title for lighter wrestlers in the Canadian promotion, Stampede Wrestling. It has existed since 1978.-Title history:...
(8 times) - Stampede International Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Brian PillmanBrian PillmanBrian William Pillman was an American football player and professional wrestler best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling....
(2) and Teddy HartTeddy HartTeddy Annis , is a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Teddy Hart. He is currently working on the American independent circuit for promotions such as Jersey All Pro Wrestling and Dragon Gate USA...
(1)1 - Stampede North American Heavyweight ChampionshipStampede North American Heavyweight ChampionshipThe Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship is the major title in the Canadian professional wrestling promotion Stampede Wrestling. From its establishment in 1968 until 1972, it was Stampede's secondary singles championship, becoming the top title in 1972 after the previous top...
(2 times) - Stampede World Mid-Heavyweight ChampionshipStampede World Mid-Heavyweight ChampionshipThe Stampede World Mid-Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling title, one of the lesser known secondary titles created for Stampede Wrestling in 1979, and was the focal point of the 1982-83 feud between the Dynamite Kid and the Great Gama...
(2 times) - Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (Calgary version) (2 times) - with Davey Boy Smith
1TJ Wilson replaced Teddy Hart after Hart suffered an injury.