LAST ISSUE'S COVER
PHOTOS BY KATHERINE CALNAN
BRET HART AND HIS WIFE
STEPHANIE WASHINGTON-HART
WERE WHITE HATTED JUNE 19, 2019
350 DAYS PREMIERE AT THE GLOBE
IN CALGARY WITH FULVIO CECERE
Today, as movies and wrestling have become high
energy entertainment theatre, Bret says he still likes
‘the old school of film making’ where directors like
M a r ti n S c o r s e s e a n d Fra n c i s Fo r d C o p p o l a h a ve
great characters playing out great stories.
One of Bret’s most memorable matches – what he calls a great story
– happened ten years ago in Chicago at WrestleMania 13 against
‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin. As an experiment, he created a storyline
for the fight where the two wrestlers were locked in a bitter battle
and change places.
His wrestling career, with all the ups and downs and five championship
belts has taught Bret some important life lessons. “I think whatever it is
you choose to do in life, whether it's being a dental hygienist, firefighter
or taxi driver, you need to reach for the top. Have no limitations and
most important, make sure it’s something you love and are passionate
about.” Today, Bret’s focus is on helping others. He wants to make the
world a better place and so he generously gives his time to organizations
like Stroke Awareness and Rehabilitation, the Calgary Prostate Centre
and the Terry Fox Run, with his wife Stephanie Washington-Hart. The
Hitman still has two small secret desires… to make cartoons and a hit
movie of course!
Bret’s idea was to have the good guy become the bad guy and bad
guy become the good guy, like a protagonist in a movie.” The way they
fought, the moves and tricks they used forced the audience cheer for
either the hero or the villain. As Bret recalls, “I started as the hero –
‘Hitman Hart’ and ‘Stone Cold Steve’ came out as the villain. Forty
minutes later I stumbled out of the ring as the villain, hated by all, and
Stone Cold turned into the hero and was cheered by everyone. It was
one helluva night and hasn’t really been repeated since.”
After a career of multiple broken bones, torn muscles, fused wrists,
two knee replacements, fingers that don’t work, concussions, and a
debilitating stroke, Bret is as enthusiastic as ever about his accomplishments.
“I paid a high price for what I did. And, to be honest, I still
feel bad when people say wrestling is all fake. My doctors will tell you
differently. Having had treated all my injuries. Laugh if you will, but
for me the ring is where dance meets pro-football.”
42 | I'M HERE WITH