MY FAVORITE FEUDS WITH BRET "HITMAN" HART

 

BRET "HITMAN" HART

On June 6th A&E aired a biography on the career of wrestling legend Bret Hart. The biography special drew over 600 thousand viewers with a 0.26 rating in the 18-49 demographic according to Fightful. When I became a wrestling fan in 1991, Bret Hart was one of the wrestlers that caught my attention. He seemed cool and confident. He looked like a rockstar and I loved the pink and black color scheme. Bret wasn't an overly muscular man like Hulk Hogan or the Ultimate Warrior so I could relate to him more. In this article, I'd like to look at some of my favorite feuds featuring the Hitman. Let's start with:

1. MR. PERFECT

In 1991, Mr. Perfect was the Intercontinental Champion and Bret Hart was chasing him for the title. Mr. Perfect was billed as the perfect wrestler. Bret was a great opponent for Mr. Perfect since he was a skilled technical wrestler as well and was billed as "The Excellence of Execution." Both men had fathers who were in the wrestling business a generation before so it was definitely a match made in heaven. Bret would defeat Mr. Perfect at Summerslam 1991 and win the Intercontinental title launching Bret to another level in his career. 

2. YOKOZUNA

In 1993, Bret Hart was WWE Champion after defeating Ric Flair in September of 1992. At Wrestlemania 9 he faced Yokozuna, a 500-pound behemoth that had run over the WWE and its top heroes since his arrival in October of 1992. Yokozuna would win the 1993 Royal Rumble and face Bret Hart at that year's Wrestlemania. Bret would lose the title to Yokozuna after his manager, Mr. Fuji interfered. At Wrestlemania 10 in 1994, Bret would win the title from Yokozuna and Bret was marketed as a Rocky Balboa type underdog that overcame monsters with his technical skills. Soon Bret would face another monster that was making waves in WWE at the time. 

3. DIESEL

In June 1993, Diesel (Kevin Nash) entered the WWE as the bodyguard for Shawn Michaels. Diesel was a mountain of a man that stood at seven feet tall and weighed over 300 pounds. At the 1994 Royal Rumble he eliminated seven men in under 18 minutes. By the Summer of 1994, Diesel defeated Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) for the Intercontinental title. Diesel would challenge Bret Hart for the World title at the 1994 King Of The Ring where Bret would have to use his technical skills to overcome a monster villain. Diesel and Bret had great chemistry and their matches had that "David vs. Goliath" psychology. In 1995 Bret and Diesel would face again at Survivor Series for the WWE Championship which Bret won from Diesel.

4.STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN

In 1996, Steve Austin was beginnig his rise in WWE as he challenged Bret Hart at Survivor Series. Austin was a hell-raising villain that didn't trust anybody. Bret was the people's champion that fought against all odds to win. Bret would win at Survivor Series but the feud would continue until Wrestlemainia 13 in 1997. At Wrestlemania 13, Bret Hart and Austin would engage in a classic which saw Hart win the match after Steve Austin passed out in the Sharpshooter. The audience loved Austin after Wrestlemania 13 because he was an anti-hero as Bret became a villain for being a crybaby. Bret and Austin helped launch the attitude era of the WWE after Survivor Series '97. After the Montreal Screwjob, Vince McMahon would become the biggest villain in the WWE and Austin was the defiant hero that wouldn't be tamed. 

Bret Hart was one of the greatest wrestlers of the 80's and 90's. He is one of the greatest champions the WWE ever had. Bret's love and commitment to wrestling is what made him, The Excellence of Execution. Thank you Bret. 

Class Dismissed, 

THE PROFESSOR

ALL ELITE WRESTLING MOVING TO TBS IN 2022; AEW RAMPAGE DEBUTS IN AUGUST

After two decades, TBS is getting back into the wrestling business according to the Daily News. All Elite Wrestling and WarnerMedia announced on Wednesday that the AEW Dynamite wrestling show will move from TNT to TBS in 2022. TBS has a long history with professional wrestling.

In 1976, Georgia Championship Wrestling began airing on WTBS (then known as WTCG) promoting legends like Mr. Wrestling 2, Austin Idol, and Harley Race. By 1985, wrestling was exploding with the launch of the WWE, MTV, and Hulk Hogan and TBS was also doing well with Jim Crockett Promotions that had stars like Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, Magnum TA and the Road Warriors. During the 1990's TBS was airing WCW Saturday Night and TNT was in a ratings war with USA and WWE as TNT Monday Nitro was competing against WWE Monday Night Raw. In August 2021, there will be a new competition between TNT and WWE.

It was also announced that AEW will premiere a new show called "Rampage" on Friday, August 13th on TNT. The new AEW show will air from 10pm to 11pm. WWE airs Smackdown from 8pm-10pm on Friday nights on FOX, so it will be interesting to see which show gets higher ratings. 

All Elite Wrestling is expanding its programming slate with a new show called Rampage debuting in August. Also in 2022, AEW Dynamite, All Elite Wrestling's flagship show will move from TNT to TBS in 2022. It will be interesting to see if AEW can grow their brand with new content.

THE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. HACKSAW BUTCH REED

"HACKSAW" BUTCH REED

Bruce Reed, known to wrestling fans as Butch Reed passed away on Friday at the age of 66. Reed had suffered two massive heart attacks in 2021 prior to his death according to his Instagram page. Reed first gained notoriety playing for the Kansas City Chiefs. By 1978, his football career was over and Reed began wrestling for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), primarily in places like St. Louis, Florida, and Georgia. In the 1980's, wrestling was about territories and one of the best was Mid-South, owned by Bill Watts. Reed would enter the Mid-South territory in 1983.

When Butch Reed entered the Mid-South territory it was known for big, charismatic wrestlers that could fight in the ring or on the streets and Reed was a perfect fit. During his time in Mid-South, had classic feuds with legends like "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, Magnum T.A., The Junkyard Dog, and Ric Flair. During his tenure, Reed would win the North American Title on three separate occasions cementing his position as a main event star. In 1986, Reed left Mid-South and went to the WWE. 

Ron Simmons and Butch Reed as Doom

In WWE, Reed never reached the heights that he did in Mid-South. He left the promotion in 1988 and went to World Championship Wrestling. In WCW, Reed won the tag-team championships in 1990 when he formed an intimidating tag-team with Ron Simmons known as Doom. By 1992, Reed left WCW and his run in big time wrestling was over. Reed would work independent shows until his retirement in 2013. 

Butch Reed was one of the toughest and most intimidating men to ever step foot in a wrestling ring. His success in wrestling blazed a trail for men like The Rock, Mark Henry, and Booker T to follow. Thank you Mr. Reed, your legacy will never be forgotten.

THE PROFESSOR

STING RETURNS TO TNT AND DEBUTS FOR ALL ELITE WRESTLING

 

STING

After nearly two decades, Sting returned to TNT on Wednesday night Dynamite in All Elite Wrestling. All Elite Wrestling promoted Wednesday's night's show as a game changer and it definitely delivered. During the episode of Dynamite Sting rescued Cody Rhodes, Darby Allin, and Arn Anderson from Team Taz with his trademark trench coat and baseball bat.

Sting was one of the major stars of WCW (World Championship Wrestling) during the Monday Night Wars of wrestling between WWE Monday Night Raw and WCW Nitro. Nitro's last episode aired in March of  2001 where Sting wrestled Ric Flair. After WCW closed down, Sting moved on to Impact Wrestling in 2003 and wrestled there until 2014. For the last six years Sting appeared in WWE until his contract expired in May of 2020.

All Elite Wrestling gains a tremendous amount of credibility and marketability with the addition of Sting to their roster. Sting is a major star to casual fans and AEW needs to attract casual fans in order to grow their promotion. It is being reported that Sting has signed a multi year deal with All Elite Wrestling so it will be interesting to see if Sting wrestles or has a supporting role. 

This Wednesday, the Stinger speaks and I can't wait to hear what he has to say. All I can say is that Wednesday nights just got a whole lot more interesting. 

THE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. ROAD WARRIOR ANIMAL

 

THE ROAD WARRIORS: ANIMAL AND HAWK

One of wrestling's greatest legends, Road Warrior Animal, passed away on Wednesday. He was 60 years of age. Road Warrior Animal (real name Joe Laurinaitis) was one half of The Road Warriors, a tag team that wrestled around the world. Animal and his tag team partner Road Warrior Hawk were big muscular men that wore face paint and spiked shoulder pads inspired by the Mad Max movies. 

Hawk and Animal debuted in 1983 and for a decade they won tag team championships and drew millions of fans to arenas all around the world in promotions like the American Wrestling Association, National Wrestling Association, and World Wrestling Entertainment. The Road Warriors were also international stars winning titles and appearing in Japan from 1985 to 1990.

The Road Warriors were presented to fans as being invincible. When they began in wrestling they were villains that beat up their opponents in an overwhelming fashion. They were street fighters who brought their skills to the wrestling ring. Their style enthralled fans and made them heroes because they would fight anyone. The Road Warriors feuded with legends like Ric Flair and The Four Horsemen, The Koloff's, and The Fabulous Freebirds.

In 2003, Road Warrior Hawk died at the age of 46 after he suffered a heart attack. For the last 17 years, Road Warrior Animal carried on the tradition of The Road Warriors until his death. Thank you Mr. Laurinaitis, you created a legacy that will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace. 

THE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. KAMALA THE UGANDAN GIANT

 

On August 9th, Kamala, one of the most memorable characters in pro wrestling during the 1980's passed away at age 70. Kamala, whose real name was Jim Harris took on the persona of Kamala, a Ugandan hunter from Africa in the Memphis territory. In Memphis, Kamala would engage in a great feud with Jerry "The King" Lawler and then moved on to Mid-South Wrestling. During his career, Harris worked in all the major territories including Texas, Jim Crockett Promotions, and the WWE. 

In today's world the "Kamala" character would be out of place, but in the 1980's, wrestling was built on the concept of superheroes vs. giants and monsters. Kamala was a savage monster that faced a lot of superheroes during that era including Jerry Lawler, Magnum TA, The Von Erichs, Hulk Hogan, and Andre The Giant. 

Kamala was one of the most memorable characters in pro wrestling's history. Thank you Mr. Harris. Your legacy in wrestling will never be forgotten. 

THE PROFESSOR

MICHAEL KEATON IN TALKS TO RETURN AS BATMAN IN FLASH MOVIE

After nearly 30 years Michael Keaton is in talks to reprise his role as Batman in the Flash movie according to The Hollywood Reporter. Keaton who portrayed the Dark Knight in Batman and Batman Returns hasn't been seen in the DC movie universe since 1992. 

The Hollywood Reporter says that the Flash movie will focus on time travel and inter-dimensional travel and Keaton could be featured as an older Batman on a parallel earth. The article also states that Keaton could be used as a "Nick Fury" type character that pulls strings in the DC movie universe.

Bringing back Keaton as Batman would be a brilliant move for AT and T and Warner Brothers. Since Ben Affleck left the role after Justice League, Warner Brothers needs a big star for the Batman franchise since they don't know how Matt Reeves "The Batman" will be received by audiences when it debuts in October 2021. Keaton's return could also be used as an extra added value element to gain more audience interest in The Flash theatrical release. 

Michael Keaton may reprise his role as Batman after three decades in The Flash movie debuting in 2022. If this happens it could be a huge move for Warner Brothers and AT and T. As a fan of the original Batman movie, I hope this happens. 

Class Dismissed, 

THE PROFESSOR