If Bret Hart didn't have a stroke...

[Just Do It]

And was able to work an actual match anywhere from 2003 to present day, who would you like to see him go against? There are several amazing options. Seeing him work *properly* with Vince around 2003 obviously would have been great.

A final battle with 2005 heel Shawn Michaels in Canada would have been electric.

But my pick is 2003 monster Brock Lesnar. They really could have produced something special. I imagine an updated, and far better version of the Hart / Nash classic at Survivor Series 1995.

What would have you liked to see?

 

[Creepy Old Man]

And was able to work an actual match anywhere from 2003 to present day, who would you like to see him go against? There are several amazing options. Seeing him work *properly* with Vince around 2003 obviously would have been great.

A final battle with 2005 heel Shawn Michaels in Canada would have been electric.

But my pick is 2003 monster Brock Lesnar. They really could have produced something special. I imagine an updated, and far better version of the Hart / Nash classic at Survivor Series 1995.

What would have you liked to see?

It was the 1999 concussion that ended him, not the 2002 stroke which stemmed from that. If that never happened he'd have continued working through late 2000 in WCW, completing his three-year deal and then leaving because he didn't like the company. The call from Vince post-stroke is what mended the relationship, so with that never happening, I don't see him returning to the WWF. He'd probably have become a part-time attraction in Japan or trained guys. He's said that his brain injuries put life in perspective, so with those never happening, he'd probably still despise Vince and Shawn to this day.

 

[Bobbywoodhogan]

Kurt Angle, he has many similarities with Hart including the fact that he could have a good match with just about anyone. Had these two wrestled I think it could have been the greatest match of all-time.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Even if he hadn't suffered a stroke, he probably be thought of as too old to be a believable opponent by the time he & Vince ultimately managed to patch things up and popped back up in WWE January 4, 2010.

But, for the sake of argument, if he hadn't had a stroke and had remained in tip top condition, even though he's well into his 50s, it MIGHT have been cool to see him to after the streak. He & Taker put on some great matches in the 90s and the hook of Bret "Hitman" Hart, "The Best There Is, The Best There Was, & The Best There Ever Will Be" trying to end the streak could've been a big draw.

The notion of one more match between Hart & HBK would be interesting, though I'm not sure if their reconciliation is strong enough to have another match without potential past issues rearing their ugly heads. They're two guys who simply did not like each other at all back in the mid to late 90s and Bret Hart carried around a lot of bitterness regarding Michaels for the next decade or so. If they could work together and let the past remain the past, it'd have the potential to be a huge treat.

Another bout I wouldn't mind seeing would be Bret Hart against Daniel Bryan. I could see them having a great back & forth match that became something of a mixture of brawling, some high flying stuff here & there and technical magic. .

 

[Zycho32]

You probably would've seen Bret come back before '10 in some capacity or another. I mean, even with the concussion/stroke they were certainly trying. Remember the HBK/McMahon feud through '06? Does anybody think it wasn't intended to be a reconciliation between Shawn and Bret to some degree- where Shawn directly apologizes for the Screwjob and Bret comes in to save him?

Assuming something new developed then that might've changed Bret's opinion, it's kinda fun to speculate when and where he could've popped up and who he could've feuded with.

 

[thebarber]

its common knowledge Vince tried to get Bret to return at Wrestlemania 18 and compete in some capacity, but Bret knocked the offer back. 2002 and Bret was still not ready to forgive and forget, even in Canada.
The stroke is the only reason Bret finally made amends with Vince, his call to Bret after his stroke was the initial move that started the healing process for Bret Hart.
Following on, his DVD set he got major control over the product, and he was very happy with that. From there he agreed to the HOF induction but still wasnt comfortable enough to appear on Mania the following night. It took alot for Bret to return to the fold, 12 and a half years. He was never going to return in the ring though, stroke or no stroke

 

[wrestler36]

Obviously Michaels again. This match would've been epic.

As mentioned before, Bret vs Angle would be unbelieveable. I can only imagine all the reversals and mat wrestling. Iron man match for these guys for sure.

Bret vs Eddie Guerrero would have been another great match. Maybe build a feud over Hart family vs Guerrero family

Rey Mysterio would be interesting to see. I think these guys could pull off a very exciting match.

CM Punk. Imagine the angle Best there is/was/ever will be vs the Best in the World. This would be an excellent wrestling match

Daniel Bryan. Just a great back and forth wrestling match. No need for an angle, just wrestler vs wrestler

 

[The Butcher]

Kurt Angle, of course. I can see that match in my mind's eye, and it's glorious. There's one other big one for me, and that's Mr. McMahon. Their "match" at WrestleMania XXVI caused about 70,000 people to suffer a stroke that evening. A younger, healthier Vince and Bret could have put on a vastly more entertaining bout.

 

[rbv13]

Angle vs. Hart would have been an amazing match. Most fans would have missed it as it would haven taken place in TNA. With the change is history there is zero chance he makes up with Vince. Tack on Hart vs. Styles, Joe, CD and we would have had some great moments.

 

[Pedigree1]

Bret Hart arguably is one of the top 5-7 best wrestlers of all-time.. No doubt about that!

Had he not suffered a stroke,and well let the past be the past and patched things up with HBK and Vince,then a Match between the two would have been great! I think if HBK had a viable opponent at WM18 we would have seen his return then,not at summerslam.. I cant think of a better opponent had all the circumstances been different,then a HBK vs Bret match..

To me,it be the perfect setting in Toronto Canada,two rivals going head to head for the last time.. I would personally have had Hart go over in that one,to make up for Survivor Series 97.. If Hart had not suffered a stroke,and did keep in tip top shape that would have been a great battle..

 

[FlairFan2003]

If Brett was healthy and amenable to a return is a big if. The concussion did more to end his career, the motorcycle accident and stroke just put the icing on it.

Brett would have had a lot to overcome. He hated Michaels personally and to this day still seems bitter towards him. WWE post WCW was heaping massive praise on Ric Flair & Hulk Hogan. Hart has mellowed a bit on his vitrol towards Flair like he has with HBK. Hogan on the other hand...

Speaking of Hart needing to let go of his massive grudge vs Hogan, Hart to this day has not mellowed on Triple H. And of course Hart had a lot to overcome in his relationship with Vince. Unable to wrestle, many years removed from the source of his anger, largely kept away from most of the figures he has issues with, was slowly able to return to WWE in a very limited way. Its almost impossible for me to see Brett back full time in 02-03 WWE.

I can definately see Brett in TNA, helping Jeff Jarrett. Eventually he would have matched up with Nash & Foley once they filtered in as well as Angle. He probably would have had extended programs with Samaoa Joe and maybe AJ Styles.

If he did magically reconnect with WWE then he likely would have been booked as a fan fave. 02-03 WWE had Angle & Eddie Guerrero as heels alongside Brock & Evolution. Hart vs Triple H would have been great (if Hart would work w/him). Hart also likely would have matched up against Orton & Flair. He could have been jobbed out to Lesnar like Rock, Flair, & Hogan all did. Maybe depending on the timing of his return he could have gotten a one of match vs Rock as Hogan & Flair did. He probably wouldnt have had a run vs HBK, at least not a long run, maybe a one of match with HBK putting him over to make amends. I can see him outside Evolution's orbit to run vs Angle. Angle would probably be his best match, HHH his best feud, and his matches vs Flair & HBK would have been very good and his most anticipated. He wouldnt have faced Hogan because niether would job to the other.

 

[JoeMallard]

A scenario could of been a retirement match again HBK. It would have been a perfect sendoff for both guys to have their final match together at Wrestlemania.

 

[EastCoastFan]

Seeing as Bret himself has said he would have wanted to face Kurt Angle, I'll go with Your Olympic Hero. Obviously, Bret doing a program with Vince McMahon would have been absolute gold.

 

[Jonyboyuk2]

I think if Bret Hart had not had his concussion that ended his career (and thus not had his stroke) ; he would have resurfaced in the WWE before 2004. Helll. he may have even led the WCW invasion to exact revenge on Vince McMahon. But I think Bret would have had some excellent matches with the new attitude Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, The Rock, Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton. But that would have been it. He was 47 in 2004.

If I am honest; as much as I'd love to see Kurt Angle vs Bret Hart in their primes; I am glad Bret retired and is healthy and happy.

 

[HBKperfect23]

If Bret could still wrestle and there was no concussion or stroke, I think he would have been back right after the WCW buy out. He opposes Austin on team WWF. After the invasion was the return of Shawn michaels. That's the obvious feud. Wrestle mania 19 is headlined by Bret/Shawn in the most anticipated match in history. Possibly let the feud build to wrestle mania 20 with Shawn eventually going heel before the match. Bret gets the win either way. Not sure what he does after the Shawn feud. Angle/Bret has been my big dream match. Also would have liked Bret/DB, Bret/Punk, Bret/Eddie, Bret/Jericho and even Bret/Cena

 

[LBGetBack]

As far as opponents that he never wrestled, Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho in the early-mid 2000's would be my choices.

And yes, another match against Michaels years later would've been great too.