Bret Hart or Triple H. Who do YOU like watching better?

[Fugazi]

Bret Hart was most definitely better in ring than Triple H could ever hope to become even if his prime lasted forever. However, Haitch was in a lot of high profile interesting angles and he made a great bad guy for a while there. I don't really like it since I'm not a big fan of haitch, but i can't help but think of him as one of the top heels WWE has ever seen.

That being said I love watching Bret wrestle and that alone gives this to Bret since I am a fan of in ring more than anything else. Haitch had more balance but who knows what would have become of Bret had he been the same age as Haitch and stayed in the WWE.

 

[jacdnwarrior]

H made more money as a main eventer, had better people to work with in the main event and a lot better support in terms of backstage to help fuel his surge to popularity as a top tier performer. He was good, no question and dedicated and had all sorts of matches that most people would never do. Tbf, Hogan never had to do Hiac to matter to the fans or an iron man match to be significant (not that he could).

Bret is my pick only because he impressed from mid card to main event, had less to work with and he brought out the best out of performers who were less established or polished as the performers H faced. Bret was the only person they had who could deliver in the ring. WWE failed miserably to develop a main event that Bret could utilize to bring the company to some prominence. He became the go to guy for the company. H for a long time had Rock, Foley, Austin, later it was Angle, Jericho, Benoit, he had support, Bret didn't.

 

[harrythem]

Bret matches I could watch all the time:
Bret vs Perfect Slam 91
Bret vs Bulldog Slam 92
Bret vs Austin WM13

Triple H matches I could watch all the time:
Triple H vs Foley Rumble 2000
Triple H vs HBK Slam 02
Triple H vs Undertaker WM28

Overall I'd say I've preferred Brets matches but, to me, the best match I ever saw Bret have was at WM13 against Austin and that was a a storyline driven brawl against Austin, although I'd put them both below HBK, Undertaker, Angle, Foley and Austin in a list of matches I'd watch again and again (for various entertainment based reasons)

 

[slothmister]

Bret is the better wrestler, anyone denying that is an idiot. He is probably one of the top 5 wrestlers to have ever stepped foot inside a professional wrestling ring.

But this is not a sport! This is sports entertainment! HHH is an amazing entertainer. Easily one of the best ever.

So it boils down to outstanding wrestling skill Vs outstanding entertainment.

And I would say HHH's wrestling ability is better than Brets entertainment ability. Just. So I give my vote to HHH.

BUT!!!!

That is assuming he is up against someone skilled. If I, someone who is not the fittest person in the world and has no wrestling experience at all, were to step into a ring with HHH it would be a pathetic excuse of a mess, however Bret has the ability to make it less of a mess (thats an extreme example, basically trying to say Bret can make a great match with an average opponent but HHH needs a good opponent to have a decent match with).

 

[shitsngiggles]

This is one of them threads/questions that can't really be answered, but I'm voting HHH.

I watched Hart's during the 90s, but at the time Hulk Hogan was "the" guy, and I used to prefer guys like Undertaker, Sting, Ultimate Warrior, etc just for their characters.

I also got to see Yokazuna before he passed. So I did see quite a bit of wrestling during the early 90s when Mr Perfect, Hart, HBK, Hogan etc were around.

That being said, I never liked Hart, I've always thought he lacked character and was extremely boring. He never remotely interested me.

Then mid-late 90s when HHH was growing, DX and all that stuff, I just really liked HHH as either a Heel or Face, he never turned heel in my eyes, just liked him. His matches with the Rock I enjoyed the most. Plenty of other good matches, and like some other have mentioned I liked the brawler style, his mic work wasn't always great, but a lot of promos were interesting.

I also think HHH has the advantage of when he was at the top of his "game" because it was during my favourite period, yes the Monday night wars / Attitude era.

That being said, it would be hard to call my favourite wrestler, but pretty close probably.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Hart. Far and away.

I've never cared for Triple H in my life, and I still don't. I just never "got it" with him. He was one of those guys who had the look, and could talk OK and was certain a main event guy, but in the same breath, a guy I could never muster enough effort to actually care about. Nothing he did ever really impressed me, whereas Hart (and Hennig) was the very reason I fell in love with pro-wrestling. He told a story better than most, and for a huge chunk of his career, was largely involved in the company's highest profile feuds that really drew.

While Triple H was also involved in the company's highest profile feuds during his time, I don't really buy the idea he was ever really a draw, because IMO the company was carried much more by Austin, Undertaker and The Rock at the time. Helmsley rode that success much more than he drove it, the way I see it.

 

[Waylon Mercy]

I would rate Bret miles ahead of Triple H on 5 select criteria:
1.) Who was the better in-ring performer?
2.) Who had more classic 5 star-caliber matches in his career?
3.) Who contributed more to the evolution (pardon the expression) of the industry?
4.) Who knew how to get the best out of his opponents - even the mediocre ones?
5.) Who sacrificed more, personally and professionally for the company and the industry?

I think based on these 5 questions, there is no doubt that Bret was and always will be way ahead of Triple H. Bret was more technically gifted, and could wrestle rings around Triple H. Bret was able to carry even Davey Boy Smith to a 5 star match in their famous Wembley Stadium match. His WM 13 match with Stone Cold will forever be viewed as one of the greatest ever, not to mention the Iron Man Match with Michaels, the WM 10 match with Owen, as well as the steel cage match with Owen, and the list goes on and on. Bret will also forever be known as the key figure in terms of breaking the glass ceiling for the smaller guys to achieve super stardom. Yes, Michaels was the other key factor, however it was Bret who led the way. As someone mentioned before, Bret managed to get the best out of even the most mediocre opponents like Bob Backlund and Diesel to really solid matches. Finally, it doesn't need to be said yet again what Bret lost in his life for the WWE, and the industry in general. This is the part where I really side with Bret over Triple H, because really, would Triple H have made it without latching himself on to Shawn Michaels, Vince, and then marrying the heiress of the corporation?

 

[Ryberg]

Hands down Bret! He was better in the ring, and didn't play Vince's game, which is the only reason HHH is around. To me HHH will always be the mid-card jobber in WCW who slept his way into Superstar status in the WWF/WWE.

Unlike HHH, Bret has always been about the business with the exception of one event, The Montreal Screwjob though he did offer to lose the belt the next night. HHH has ALWAYS and will always be about himself. He ruined so many wrestlers momentum for his own ego. The latest was Punk and the momentum he had after SS. Also with Lesnar, did he REALLY need to win?

 

[Ryberg]

This is the part where I really side with Bret over Triple H, because really, would Triple H have made it without latching himself on to Shawn Michaels, Vince, and then marrying the heiress of the corporation?

My sentiments exactly!!!!! HHH just was great at backstage politics and knew what to do to set himself up for life. I still remember Nash's interview a few years back where he openly admitted Paul was with her just to set himself up for life. (also the funny part about the creepy relationship Vince has with his daughter)

Whenever I need a laugh, I always youtube HHH jobbing to Alex Wright in WCW.

 

[KevinCarsner]

Don't know how to reply directly but @The Brain that was basically every promo from his era, swap in the new contenders name. Almost every Monday started with a long...winded ....pointless ..... PROMO..

I've been here long enough to have an informed opinion on who is over rated, and HHH is without a doubt over rated on the mic. I can't remember a specific HHH promo because they all blend together.

 

[deslok]

I think the answer would depend on what part of wrestling history I would most like to revisit. If I want a brawling, epic type of match, I'll go view HHH vs Cactus, a HHH HBK match, the three way at wrestlemania with Benoit, or something entertaining like a Rock, HHH match. (2/3 falls with Austin one of my favorites, last man standing with Jericho, his first match with Benoit where he was a heel but getting face pops, etc..)
But if I were wanting to see a wrestling clinic, I'd go with Bret vs. his brother, vs. HBK, or his awesome ability to pull a good match out of bigger guys like Sid, Diesel, or Yokozuna. (or any of the mentioned , Perfect, Piper, Hakushi, and of course Austin, etc..)
Both represent some pretty good wrestling styles, and both have the ability to do any kind of match, although the Main stregths of both Rastlers are evident to most on this forum.
Actually, not to dive off too much, but this got me to thinking. Before he was injured, Steve Austin could really work either a brawling or technical match, and do it better then most. One could argue he might have put on the best matches of either Bret's or Hunter's careers.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I'm sure some will disagree with me but, frankly, I enjoyed watching them about equally. I enjoyed both of them for their different styles.

From a technical standpoint, Bret Hart was clearly the superior. As far as the brawling aspect of pro wrestling, Triple H has it hands down. Bret Hart was more of the old school grappler and submission expert while Triple H was the big, tough burly brawler. Both guys know how to tell a story well in the ring. As far as promos go, it's Triple H for me. To me, Bret Hart was never all that strong on the mic. He was pretty solid, but Hart was never a "main eventer" when it came to working the stick.

In the past, Hart has sort of criticized wrestlers in the past that used generally the same sort of format for their matches, like Triple H & Ric Flair for instance. However, Bret Hart did the same thing. I think he's forgotten that pretty much every wrestler has a series of signature moves & spots that they use in most of their matches, himself included. I know that a lot of internet fans seem to want to forget that little tidbit when it comes to talking about their favorite wrestlers while denouncing others.

 

[justtxyank]

I like HHH. Before I quit watching wrestling he was probably my favorite that was active. I really enjoyed his work as a heel and I loved everything he did from 99-2003. I was such a fan during this time that he became only the second wrestling shirt I was willing to wear in public.

With that established, this isn't a fair fight for him. Bret Hart was better at everything in the ring. I've seen some posters say HHH was better at brawling and it makes me scratch my head. Bret Hart could brawl. There's a reason he put on really good matches with Undertaker and Nash and put on a legendary contest with Austin. He was an outstanding brawler.

I think HHH has him beat in natural heel abilities, but Bret's heel character in 97 was probably better than any heel HHH has played.

So for me, there's no contest here. HHH was a favorite of mine but he was no Bret Hart.

 

[Wald]

Bret by a million miles

Triple H isn't even in Bret's league and relies too heavily on gimmick matches

 

[Last Man Standing]

I am a big Hart mark but his book is filled with bitterness. He bashes the shit out of Flair for seemingly no reason. He is often negative and it is clear that he still has not let the Screwjob go and may never will. He needs to. Let it die. I agree that he was screwed but for fucks sake it is wrestling. Drop the belt. My mind has changed over the years. Wrestling is a business and while I despise Vince and did not like HBK then, and Vince was slimy in dealing with Bret, he should have dropped the belt in a fake sport. It does not matter if it was in Canada etc. You were leaving. Just do your job.

Despite all his flaws and the fact that he refuses to own up to any responsibility I still enjoy him. The same with Flair. The guy has tons of issues but the positives outweigh all the negatives.

Man I agree 100%. I lost some respect for Bret refusing to do the job all because he didn't want to lose in Canada. It was bullshit then and it still is. I've always hated to say it, but Bret really did screw Bret.

And these little tirades he likes to go on isn't doing him any favors in my book. Even if he's not a fan of Hunters, it's pathetic to openly diminish his place in wrestling. Hunter has had some great matches and whether he'll admit it or not, Bret knows it.

Like I said the more Bret Talk the more I lose respect.

 

[theHeadliner]

Man I agree 100%. I lost some respect for Bret refusing to do the job all because he didn't want to lose in Canada. It was bullshit then and it still is. I've always hated to say it, but Bret really did screw Bret.

And these little tirades he likes to go on isn't doing him any favors in my book. Even if he's not a fan of Hunters, it's pathetic to openly diminish his place in wrestling. Hunter has had some great matches and whether he'll admit it or not, Bret knows it.

Like I said the more Bret Talk the more I lose respect.

Bret Hart refused to lose to Shawn in Canada because when Bret told Shawn he could trust him and that he would put him over if Vince wanted it at the Survivor Series, Shawn looked right at Bret and said "Thanks, but I'm not willing to do the same for you." Michaels straight up disrespected the position of champion. He offered to put over Austin, Taker, or anyone else that night in Montreal, just not Shawn for the disrespect he showed towards the position of champion.

 

[tom9422]

I'm going to hurt a lot of feelings here but Bret Hart was incredibly overrated. He was technically skilled, but so were a lot of wrestlers, current and former. He was a terribly boring character and his mic skills (or lack thereof) certainly didn't help. No, he isn't underrated there, he's rated just fine. How he became a star with such little charisma, i'll never know. He was also a part of one of wrestlings worst periods, and it only seemed to make a turn for the better once he left the main event scene, and the company.

Triple H might not be his equal in terms of technical wrestling skills, but he compensates through great storytelling and psychology in the ring. Out of the ring, he was so much more entertaining than Bret Hart it just wasn't even close. Out of his league in terms of mic skills and charisma.

I really do loathe hearing Bret Hart these days, everything is says is tainted by bitterness. Possibly one of the biggest egos in wrestling. He probably resents Triple H for his role in Montreal or his relation to HBK and Vince and will use any opportunity he can to take a jab.

For those that say HHH only got where he was because he married into the McMahons, i call bullshit. He was due for a push since '96 and had already made it to the main event scene by the time he even started dating Stephanie McMahon. Maybe he would have only been an 8 time world champ, or a 10 time world champ or an 11 time champ without her, but at that point, its all meaningless. Bret said that he never saw Triple H contribute an idea ever but what would he know, he wasn't around for the majority of HHH's WWE career. I also like the influence HHH seems to have on the WWE's current direction. He seems to know the wrestling business well. I don't like how Triple H was when he was personally involved like when he killed CM Punk's momentum and buried a few others its not like Bret put over many people at all.

 

[Nicky Midss]

bret every day of the week, and twice on sunday.

HHH represents the post attitude era and thats not a good thing.

 

[BretHitmanHart92]

Bret Hart for sure but I really don't get the criticism Hart gives to Triple H. Triple H is one of the all time greats. I think Hart for some reason is still bitter towards Triple H for what happened at Survivor Series. I don't know why. He's been able to forgive Vince and HBK. I don't know why he can't let things go with Triple H. I couldn't believe when he said Triple H vs. Undertaker last year was mediocre at best. That was easily the best match on the card and one of the best matches of the year. Obviously, Bret wasn't watching that much or just chooses to ignore how great Triple H was from 1999-2001.

 

[Dirk]

The Hart v Hunter debate is a hard one. Bret is now a bitter old man, but he was part of an egomaniacal, backstabby industry, which also made him rich enough, so not too much sympathy there.

What I'll always hold against Trips (and HBK and Nash etc) is the Kliq, that which represents all that's wrong in wrestling. Props to Bret's balls for standing up to that.

Now, to get on topic, the Hitman was my childhood favourite. In middle school, when everybody was running around superkicking and chokeslamming each other, I was the dork doing the sharpshooter - how we survived kiddie backyard wrestling is fucking beyond me!

Bret was the best technician and he had such a cool look. HHH was just always a little boring to me. It comes down to personal taste, I guess.

 

[The Eighties]

Bret was my hero as a kid and I was saddened by the way his WWF career ended. In later years his bitterness has been overbearing but nothing can diminish his catalog of great matches, he was a much better face than Triple H and also a pretty good heel.

From 1999-2001 I was a huge Triple H fan, he was my favourite of that era without a doubt, and up until 2006 I still mostly enjoyed his work, however I've always found him a smug, obnoxious prick as a face and have rarely enjoyed anything he has been involved in since he turned face in spring 2006.

Triple H is the better mic worker but Bret did enough to get his point over.

In the ring Bret has the superior body of work IMO, he could have a great match with anyone and was just as good a brawler as HHH, he just didn't get involved in many matches that used weapons, his brawls with Diesel and Bulldog in 95 were great. However when he did have one that used weapons at WrestleMania 13 he delivered a match that stands head and shoulders over any match Triple H has had.

in 2000 Triple H had as good a single year as anyone has ever had as far as consistency goes and while most of his classics are gimmick matches he has had some very good regular matches as well.

The truth is that what Bret said about Triple H was so overblown it negated any points he may have had, and the sad thing is him and Triple H would have made for great opponents in my view.

In the end for me it comes down to the fact Bret is retired and I've been sick of the sight of Triple H for half a decade, so the question is which guys matches would I dig out just to sit and enjoy a good wrestling match as I don't collect promos, and while Triple H has 2 or 3 I'd watch again, Bret has dozens I find infinitely watchable, so he gets my vote.