Bret Hart

Question
Hi, can you tell me why Bret Hart retired and why he cannot wrestle anymore? I've read some things about him having a street fight against Vince at 'Mania, but how can this work if he cannot even take a simple bump anymore, especiallly when I read that he was in pain after a flight to appear on Raw? Do you think it will happen?

Answer
Hi Martin.  Thanks for the question.

Hart was basically forced to retire due to post concussion syndrome.  He suffered several concussions while wrestling for WCW.  The intitial concussion was caused when Goldberg recklessly kicked Hart in the head.  Hart didn't know the severity of that concussion, and believes he received several more in later matches, which ultimately forced him to retire.

In 2002, Hart suffered a stroke after a bicyling accident, which left him paralyzed on his left side, and in a wheelchair for a time period.  He's recovered most of his mobility, but does suffer from emotional stress that stroke victims go through.

There will be some kind of match involving Hart and McMahon at WrestleMania.  It's just a matter of how it's going to happen.  I think one of the following matches will take place:

1.  Hart vs. McMahon straight up.
2.  Hart vs. McMahon in a match similar to McMahon vs. Donald Trump a few years ago, where each of them picks a wrestler to represent them, with stipulations on the outcome.  For instance, if Hart's wrestler wins, Hart gets 10 minutes in the ring with McMahon.  If McMahon's wrestler wins, he kicks Hart out of WWE forever.
3.  This is the match I think will happen:  Hart and John Cena vs. McMahon and Batista.  Both Cena and Batista have become involved in the angle, and after Raw went off the air Monday, Cena came down and saved Hart from a further beating.

If Hart does indeed wrestle, I'm sure it's going to be a very controlled situation where he won't be asked to do much.  He won't be taking any risky bumps or anything like that.  The problem with concussions, especially severe ones, is that just the slightest thing can ignite another one.

I guess I didn't see anything about Hart being in pain on a flight, but that might have to do with his knees, which are pretty bad.  I'm sure he also just has nagging injuries from all the years he's wrestled.

Thanks again for the question.  Let me know if you have anything else.

Have a great day!

Dave