[Official] Bret Hart for HOF Campaign Thread

[Mac Attack]

(Writer Note) If this thread is at all in the wrong area feel free to move it or totally delete it.


Bret Hart deserves to be in the WrestleZone Hall of Fame. When you think of who was the best overall wrestler I immediately think of one man Bret the Hitman Hart. Born in the wonderous city of Calgary Canada, he not only is a hometown hero but an idol to us in Calgary. Bret Hart is the Best There is, The Best there was, the Best there will be. Bret Hart made the color pink a manly color and inspired so many present wrestlers. If this already isn't enough to get Bret Hart into the Hall of Fame take these points as extra reinforcements for the reasoning.

Bret Hart is the most skilled wrestler in the ring. If you want a wrestler who knows how to use technical moves while being able to grapple and throw punches he is your man. Recently I watched WWE Vintage and was inspired by his amazing match against Yokozuna. I think if anyone deserves to be in the Hall of Fame it is Bret Hart because of his overall abilities.

Next Bret Hart is shrouded in one of the greatest maldoing in WWE History. The Montreal Screwjob is one of the most talked about things in the WWE. This alone made him a fabled wrestler as well as a legend. He was one of the most talked about wresters at this time and has remained one of the most talked about wrestlers ever since.

Finally, he is a class act. Never a bad word said against him. He is one of the most loved wrestlers of all time. He still shows up here and there and is an inspiration for the current wrestlers. His legacy is one of utter greatness and for this he deserves to be in any Hall of Fame. So please WrestleZone put him in the Hall of Fame.

 

[dd23beatlesfan1]

Bret Hart is my third favorite wrestler of all-time (behind Stone Cold and the Undertaker), so as far as modern wrestlers, Bret Hart would be one of my top choices in getting in as well.


IMO, the only WWE wrestlers I would like to see get in before Bret Hart are Bruno Sammartino, Andre the Giant, and Hulk Hogan. I would say that Stone Cold was an overall greater wrestler than Bret Hart, but Bret Hart was around for a decade before Stone Cold even debuted, so Bret should go in first. Of all the stars that emerged in the '90s, Bret was the first around. Before HBK, before Taker, before Rock, before Foley, before Triple H. While there are '70s and '80s wrestlers who were around before Bret, Bret is so far ahead of all of them, that yeah I'm cool with him getting in before all of them (except Bruno, Andre, and Hulk).

I know we're disagreeing a lot on my thread I made about old school wrestlers, but I'm totally with you here on Bret

 

[JGlass]

I would say that Stone Cold was an overall greater wrestler than Bret Hart, but Bret Hart was around for a decade before Stone Cold even debuted, so Bret should go in first.

By that logic, Stone Cold shouldn't go in until Buddy Rogers, Andre, Hogan, Bret Hart, and Shawn Michaels are all in the HOF since all of them are in there earlier.

The truth is, apart from Hogan, none of those guys had the impact on professional wrestling that Stone Cold did, and none of them drew the way Stone Cold did. In addition to defining an era, Stone Cold was really the first wrestler since Hogan to transcend the world of wrestling and become a figure in mainstream pop culture. In my opinion, that makes him a much better HOF candidate than the Hitman. I love Hart, but in my opinion there are quite a few people in line in front of him.

 

[The Prodigal Anti-Lemming]

I strongly believe that Austin should get in before Hart, and that he should be one of the first ones in. If you'll refer to my "Anti-Lemming System of Ranking Greats," I placed Austin at #4, while Hart got ranked #23. They're both tier one stars, but Austin has the definite edge in stardom.

 

[Mac Attack]

I strongly believe that Austin should get in before Hart, and that he should be one of the first ones in. If you'll refer to my "Anti-Lemming System of Ranking Greats," I placed Austin at #4, while Hart got ranked #23. They're both tier one stars, but Austin has the definite edge in stardom.

Since you refrenced a thread that doesn't exist I really have no way of seeing what you based your logic on however I too said that Stone Cold should be in the first five. I think Austin is better than Hart, but I still think Hart deserves to be in sooner than later. Considering 9 superstars will be in by the end of the year, It would be five years until Hart gets in according to your logic which should not be how much it takes for someone of his standard consdiering of how much an innovator he is.

 

[The Prodigal Anti-Lemming]

Since you refrenced a thread that doesn't exist I really have no way of seeing what you based your logic on however I too said that Stone Cold should be in the first five. I think Austin is better than Hart, but I still think Hart deserves to be in sooner than later. Considering 9 superstars will be in by the end of the year, It would be five years until Hart gets in according to your logic which should not be how much it takes for someone of his standard consdiering of how much an innovator he is.

Check out "Chronological order for future inductees." The entirety of my top 100 list should be there, complete with the logic that governs my selections. You'll have to scroll down a bit.

I hear what you're saying as far as how long it could ultimately take Hart to get in. However, on the same basis, there are probably a dozen innovators in Hart's category (men like Shawn Michaels, Tiger Mask and Gorgeous George just to name a few) for which it could take just as long or longer.

 

[Mac Attack]

People Bret Hart is up against Shawn Michaels, and Terry Funk in the first round of Hall of Fame Inductions. He has an overall bigger impact on wrestling, as well has better wrestling technique. He is godly in places like Canada which is more than people can give to other wrestlers. I truly belive that Bret Hart should win this round and with enough support he can get through. I would like everyone to consider all the points as to why Bret Hart is the best pick, and actually read the points already made for him in the actual thread. When you realize all Bret Hart has done it is clear that you will vote for Hart.

 

[Smartie]

Although I wouldn't pick any of these 3 for the next inductee, but If I had to choose I'd definitely go with Bret.

His Impact on this business is more than the other two. He may not have 5 star matches as many as HBK, or things that Terry Funk has that Bret doesn't ( I personally couldn't find one), but he is the bigger star.

HBK's never been a draw, but Bret was for a good amount of time an he is over as much as Rock or Austin in some places out of US like Canada, Germany and South Africa.

He and HBK both have been able to help the proccess of the making a new star, but I'll give the edge to Bret because he helped HBK himself.

The only thing that HBK's got on Bret is his supernatural ability to perform. Yes, HBK is an one of a kind performer and I think he is the best at this category, but I think one category is not enough.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

By that logic, Stone Cold shouldn't go in until Buddy Rogers, Andre, Hogan, Bret Hart, and Shawn Michaels are all in the HOF since all of them are in there earlier.

The truth is, apart from Hogan, none of those guys had the impact on professional wrestling that Stone Cold did, and none of them drew the way Stone Cold did. In addition to defining an era, Stone Cold was really the first wrestler since Hogan to transcend the world of wrestling and become a figure in mainstream pop culture. In my opinion, that makes him a much better HOF candidate than the Hitman. I love Hart, but in my opinion there are quite a few people in line in front of him.

I have to agree with JGlass on this one. I think he is spot on. Austin has had more of an impact on professinal wrestling than Bret Hart, although Bret was a far better WRESTLER.

Austin trancended the business, became a pop culture icon and was one of the main reasons why WWE became as hot as it did in the mid to late 1990s. None wrestling fans know Stone Cold more than they know Bret. Bret did not help revolutionaise the business although he is certainly one of the greatest in-ring performers of all time. Bret Hart is an absolute legend in the business, and certaily deserves to be considered for the HOF, but I think Austin deserves entry before The Hitman.

 

[Dagger Dias]

You mean to tell me that Bret Hart is NOT in our Hall of Fame yet? He deserved to be one of the very first to go in because he truly lives up to being "the best there was, the best there is, and the best there ever will be". Hart was a great WRESTLER whether we are discussing legit in-ring ability or the ability to put on a 5 star kayfabe'd match. Bret Hart was one of the best of all time and I fully support him going into WZ's Hall of Fame. The man is a legend among legends.

 

[JGlass]

You mean to tell me that Bret Hart is NOT in our Hall of Fame yet? He deserved to be one of the very first to go in because he truly lives up to being "the best there was, the best there is, and the best there ever will be". Hart was a great WRESTLER whether we are discussing legit in-ring ability or the ability to put on a 5 star kayfabe'd match. Bret Hart was one of the best of all time and I fully support him going into WZ's Hall of Fame. The man is a legend among legends.

Take a stroll over to the actual Hall of Fame sub-forum, and you'll see the five names we put in there are Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Andre the Giant, and Lou Thesz. Each one of these five guys was a bigger draw than Bret and had a greater impact on wrestling than Bret did. You could argue two or three of them were better in the ring than Bret was as well.

Bret Hart is definitely a top selection, but he is not in the top five of all time. Is he a top ten wrestler? Almost definitely, but he's not in the top five.

 

[johnnyruggerio]

Bret is the best. Should be in there after all the great matches he had.

 

[Minister Christian]

Take a stroll over to the actual Hall of Fame sub-forum, and you'll see the five names we put in there are Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Andre the Giant, and Lou Thesz. Each one of these five guys was a bigger draw than Bret and had a greater impact on wrestling than Bret did. You could argue two or three of them were better in the ring than Bret was as well.

Bigger draw? Hulk Hogan and Andre pulled in was it 70k or 90k in one wrestlemania?

I think if Shawn Micheals/ Bret Hart had a 90,000 seater it would have sold out too.

Bret Hart basically MADE StoneCold, and if Stone Cold was here, he woud tell you. And who inducted Bret Hart into the HOF? I rest my case.

As for Ric and Lou i cannot really comment as I`am too young to know.

Bret Hart was the #1 seller in the WWF and toppled Hogan.

As for wrestling ability..Hogan and Andre had little moves.

Again ric and lou cannot comment on them.

Bret Hart is the best wrestler along with Kurt Angle and RVD.

StoneCold could not lace Brets boots.

This Wrestlezone HOF, is american biased obviously.

 

[harrythem]

Bigger draw? Hulk Hogan and Andre pulled in was it 70k or 90k in one wrestlemania?

You're forgetting that guys in the 80s used to hope that they were on Hogans card because it meant proper money...why? Because Hogan was a draw...Now look at Bret on top of WWE...debt, low viewer interest, half-full houses, losing to WCW in the ratings. Bret could wrestle but, in all fairness, couldn't really draw compared to Hogan...Andre too was a monster draw in the 70s and I'd say anyone else but him against Hogan at WM3 and it wouldn't have done as well.

I think if Shawn Micheals/ Bret Hart had a 90,000 seater it would have sold out too.

Based on what exactly? Yeah they were both phenomenal in the ring, no question, but the facts remain that, with those two as the top two guys in WWF, they couldn't sell out a 60,000 arena, let alone get the 73,000 that Hogan & Andre did (I refuse to believe that 93,000 bollocks).

Bret Hart basically MADE StoneCold, and if Stone Cold was here, he woud tell you. And who inducted Bret Hart into the HOF? I rest my case.

Sure he did...and Vince McMahon has a machine in his office called "The Star Making Gizmo"..only it's not really been working since John Cena came out of it built like a radioactive triceratops...
Bret Hart helped Stonecold get up the card, no question, but Austin would've got there either way...Hart wasn't even around when Austin cut the "Austin 3:16" promo.

As for Ric and Lou i cannot really comment as I`am too young to know.

Flair, in the 80s, truly was THE MAN (which makes it sadder to see what he is today). Not seen much of Thesz but, from all I've read and the little I've seen of him, he did look great.

Bret Hart was the #1 seller in the WWF and toppled Hogan.

I'd love for you to back that statement up with any form of fact what so ever because, it just isn't true. I could go into detail about why it's not but, honestly, it's so untrue I don't need to. The first person that toppled Hogan was Austin and, even then, it was still close for a while (still is in some peoples eyes).

As for wrestling ability..Hogan and Andre had little moves.

You've only seen the broken down Andre. For a big man, he could do some good stuff (judged on his era) before his body fell apart. Hogan could do some good stuff too (make sure to watch a few of his Japanese matches, they're alright). Neither is on the level of Hart but, then again, they don't need to be...what they lacked in technique they more then made up for in charisma.

Bret Hart is the best wrestler along with Kurt Angle and RVD.
StoneCold could not lace Brets boots.

Seriously, RVD? Mr blown spots and injuries is one of the best ever? Hmm, you been at his stash? Yeah he could do a good spot fest but, even against Hart or, even Austin, or, god help us, Hogan, there is no attempts at transition from Spot to Spot. Watch his matches and you'll see that's the case.

This Wrestlezone HOF, is american biased obviously.

Or perhaps there are those that have had a much larger effect on wrestling then Bret Hart? Fact is Hart got his run on top when WWF was in trouble. They were fazing out the juicers and giving the wrestlers a chance. From an in ring perspective it improved the product but, it didn't draw the money the monster guys did. Hell, even during the "HBK & Hart era" the two longest reigning champs were Yoko and Nash...surely that says something about the drawing power of Hart?

Do I think Hart deserves to be in the HOF? Yeah, he had some great matches, some great feuds, and did some great stuff.

Do others deserve to be in there well before him? Again, yeah.. HBK had great matches over a much longer period and had a much greater impact on wrestling (from The Kliq ruling WWF through to DX and the interply with Tyson onwards) Funk is just Funk. Love the crazy old bastard and would even shout him in before the other two based on how long I've enjoyed his stuff (but he's further down my list).

I'd say to have Hart even considered to be going in before Macho Man in scandalous..

 

[Peoples_Champ]

I love Bret but there are a few wrestlers who belong in before him. Macho Man, Inoki, Buddy Rogers, are all Tier-1 wrestlers who should be in before Hart. Bret is a Tier-2 wrestler who should be on a secondary list along with Dusty Rhodes, Jerry Lawler, Mil Mascaras, Tiger Mask and Verne Gagne as next in line.

Love Bret, one of the best of all time, but he wasn't better than the Tier-1 wrestlers I listed.

 

[The Third Man]

Sure he did...and Vince McMahon has a machine in his office called "The Star Making Gizmo"..only it's not really been working since John Cena came out of it built like a radioactive triceratops...
Bret Hart helped Stonecold get up the card, no question, but Austin would've got there either way...Hart wasn't even around when Austin cut the "Austin 3:16" promo.

Not true. Austin 3:16 was at King of the Ring '96, Montreal Screwjob was in '97. Hart was Austin's Big Feud after the 3:16 promo. The Hart/Austin double turn at Wrestlemania 13 made Austin a top face and the Montreal Screwjob made Mr. McMahon a top heel, setting up the playing field for WWE's Attitude Era. Because of this, you could say that Bret Hart was actually the catalyst for the inception of the Attitude Era and deserves more credit from fans even if he wasn't around to fully reap the benefits. However, the combination of WWE so effectively wiping out the memory of Bret Hart after Montreal and WCW's inept bungling of Hart's entire tenure with their company means many fans of a certain age who grew up with the Attitude Era have no idea how good Bret really was. For all his faults on the mic compared to his peers at the top level, nobody could tell a story in the ring better than Bret Hart.

Having said that, I would still put Austin in the HoF before Hart even though I am a big Hart fan. Hart was a superior in-ring worker and deserves both of his catchphrases, but Austin is simply one of, if not THE most successful wrestlers of all time.

 

[Notorious KJE]

Take a stroll over to the actual Hall of Fame sub-forum, and you'll see the five names we put in there are Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Andre the Giant, and Lou Thesz. Each one of these five guys was a bigger draw than Bret and had a greater impact on wrestling than Bret did. You could argue two or three of them were better in the ring than Bret was as well.

Bret Hart is definitely a top selection, but he is not in the top five of all time. Is he a top ten wrestler? Almost definitely, but he's not in the top five.

Bigger Draw? Perhaps. I wasn't around for Lou Thesz's era so I can't answer that.

Better Wrestlers? Flair is the only one of those 5 that even come close. Bret Hart is a Top 5 guy of all time easily.

Another guy that should be inducted is Bruno Sammartino. I would have put him in over Thesz and Andre.

 

[Dirk]

Obviously I'm too young to understand the WZ HOF. At the time of the Screwjob I was eight... It's hard to take, but if Bret doesn't make top ten, we riot!

Hart had amazing wrestling skills and a kick-ass look to boot. I get that the wrestling pioneers (some of which I never heard of) deserve their places, but somewhere along the line age has to take a back seat to ability and charisma. If it doesn't, guys like Bret, Undertaker and the Rock will have to wait until Jim Duggan gets his turn.

 

[Owen 3:16 says I just stole your Slammy!!]

Bret deserves to be in the Hall Of Fame. Bret can make anybody look great in the ring and can have a great match with anybody. I know some people say that Bret didn't draw or have a big impact. As I look at it, Bret had to lead the company through "The Dark Ages" of the WWF after the steroid scandal. After the steroid scandal, people lost their interest in the WWF and that is not Bret's fault. Also, around that time, WCW debut Nitro. WCW brought in realistic and exciting story lines like the nWo, and cool wrestlers like the Cruiser Weights. While the WWF was still in the 1980's time frame with the goofy gimmicks. In 1997, the WWF got "attitude" and Bret Hart was one of the main guys with incredible feuds. Bret had great feuds with Stone Cold, Shawn Micheals, and the American Fans. I can still watch Raw from 1997 and still be excited. Bret should be in the HOF along side, Sammartino, Hogan, Andre, Flair, Thesz, and Stone Cold.

Also, Randy "Macho Man" Savage has to be inducted.