Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart: DVD Review.

The rivalry between Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart is easily the most storied rivalry in all of sports entertainment. The incident known as the “Montreal Screwjob” is a sore spot for a lot of fans and it is something that still resonates with people today. Fans stay divided and each man, Hart and Michaels, has their fair share of support. Fans never forget, I witnessed this personally at a Monday Night Raw taping in Calgary, Alberta about two years ago. It was when Shawn Michaels was being “searched” for by Triple H. I have never heard a man get booed so loudly in my entire life. His picture came on the screen and the fans just lost it.

‘WWE’s Greatest Rivalries: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart’ is the new DVD set that sheds light on one of the most talked about incidents in WWE history and the fans finally get to see how the two men really feel about what took place before and after the infamous moment. It was an eagerly anticipated box set that has set the bar for future DVD’s from the company. The setting is very intimate, with just Bret, Shawn, and Jim Ross sitting down and having a round table type discussion. Nothing is left untouched by anyone; they air everything out which will provide fans with some context for how and what happened at Survivor Series in 1997.

It is interesting to note that both men still have a mutual respect for one another and are honest about how they feel now and how they felt at the time everything went down. Personally, I’m on Bret Hart’s side throughout this entire matter. I have no problem in admitting that as a fan and a writer. This DVD is extremely fair in presenting both cases.

It moves in phases, going from the very beginning of each mans career and leading right up to their touching moment in the ring on January 4, 2011 on Monday Night Raw. I would have LOVED to have heard what they said to each other in the ring that night. It was turning the chapter in a very painful story and the two men seem to have a new respect and admiration for each other. Everyone knows the story of how Bret and Shawn battled on television and in their personal lives, how Bret left for WCW, and Shawn climbed the ranks to be known as ‘The Show Stopper’.

One of the best parts of the DVD was seeing how each perceived the infamous ‘Montreal Screwjob’. Shawn acknowledged that he did have a bad attitude and he was more than a little egotistical going into it. Both acknowledge their shortcomings and strengths of each other and themselves. This event certainly put a strain on their friendship and made them enemies for over a decade. Bret seems a lot more honest and sincere; Shawn seems to hush some things perhaps out of shame for what happened. I would too if I did what he did. Both individuals seem to have truly grown and learned from what happened and repaired their once close friendship.

As of the writing of this article, it has been reported that the WWE is planning on creating more ‘Greatest Rivalries’ DVD sets for future release. It is the hope of this fan that they mirror the quality and earnestness of this one. No one does it better than the WWE.

My Favourites.

I am such a huge wrestling fan and thought it would be neat to share some of my favorite wrestling moments, personalities, and basically anything else with everyone else. This is all opinion of course, but it will be interesting to see what everyone has to say about mine/their favorite moments. Here I go...

Favorite Announcers:

• Jim Ross
• Gorilla Monsoon
• Jerry Lawler
• Bobby Heenan
• Howard Finkel

Favorite Managers/Valets:

• Paul Bearer
• Miss Elizabeth
• Bobby Heenan
• Jimmy Hart
• Sherri Martel
• Paul Ellering

Wrestlemania Moments:

• Mickey Rourke punching Chris Jericho in the ring (WM25)
• John Cena coming out as an old school gangster (WM22)
• Shawn Michaels descending from the roof to face Bret Hart (WM12)
• Shawn Michaels mouthing "I'm sorry. I love you." to Ric Flair (WM24)
• Kofi Kingston scaling a vertical ladder (WM25)

Wrestlemania Matches:

• Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels in an Iron Man Match (WM12)
• Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon in the first ever Ladder Match (WM10)
• Any Undertaker match (Do I really need to go into details? His matches are legendary.)
• Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin in a Submission Match with Ken Shamrock as the guest referee (WM13)
• Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon (WM26)

Now this part may cause a little controversy. These are my favorite wrestlers and the reasons why I have loved them for as long as I have...

Bret 'Hitman' Hart:
He has always been my favorite wrestler, for as long as I've been alive. The Hart name is something special in the wrestling industry, as well as to wrestling fans in Canada. He is dedicated and a consummate professional, something he no doubt learned from his father Stu and mother Helen. He was born into this business and never took the opportunities afforded to him for granted. His sportsmanlike demeanor is demonstrated when he shook the hand of the 1-2-3 Kid after an incredible match on Monday Night Raw. To me, Bret always seemed so authentic and real, not like he was playing a character and stayed as true to himself as anybody could, especially in the Attitude Era. He always seemed to have this enigmatic aura surrounding him. Some may say that he wasn't one of the best wrestler but I beg to differ. He is one of the greats, there is so much more to being a legend than your in-ring ability. Bret is truly the excellence of execution. The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.

Chris Benoit:
I love Chris Benoit, the wrestler. I do think it was a tragic ending to what would have been a Hall of Fame worthy career. I feel sorry for him, and especially Nancy and Daniel. However, this is going to be about the wrestler that he was, not what he will be remembered as. Benoit was one of the toughest guys ever to step in the ring. He could stand up to anybody that was put in his way, it didn't matter if he won or lost. In terms of technical ability, he was one of the best. Canadian wrestlers seem to have this grit to them, I personally believe that they work harder than anyone in the business. Training in the Hart Dungeon is probably a key factor in the wolverine demeanor of Chris. What he lacked in size, he made up for in ability, speed, and toughness. It is such a shame that he will be remembered as a monster because he could have been one of the greats. One of the best grapplers to ever be in the ring.

John Cena:
I don't think that there has ever been a superstar that divided the WWE universe as greatly as John Cena does. I love him and I don't care what anyone else says about him. Cena has mass appeal and is certainly one of the most popular WWE superstars in history. I love seeing the crowd wearing his gear because his fan base is so diverse. He has also provided us with some of the funniest moments, best Wrestlemania moments/matches, and the most tremendous feats of strength. Prime example being when he delivered an Attitude Adjustment to Edge and the Big Show....AT THE SAME TIME! John Cena seems like a regular guy with incredible strength. I do think that he could benefit from expanding his catalogue of moves, without losing his signature maneuvers. He is the current face of the company and his years of hard work have definitely secured his spot in the Hall of Fame.

The Undertaker:
Never in the entire history of the WWE, has one person been simultaneously feared and respected by everyone. Since his debut at Survivor Series in 1990, he has had a legacy like no other superstar before or after him. Undertaker has such a presence that when the lights go out and his music hits, you know that you are in for something special. His career is what legends are made of, I am speaking about his incredible streak at Wrestlemania. It is so fitting that Wrestlemania is the `showcase of the immortals`. His matches are what I (among millions of other fans) look forward to every single year. He`s called the Phenom for a reason, a nickname that this future Hall of Famer has truly earned. What more can I possibly say about one of the greatest wrestlers in history?

I truly enjoyed sharing some of my favorites with everyone. Some may agree or disagree, healthy discussion is always welcome! I hope to keep this going with new categories each time.

Summerslam Blurb.

This entire Nexxus angle is paying off big time.

The match between Team WWE and Team Nexus was one of the most intense and anticipated matches I have ever watched. Although I am not a fan of the Nexus at all, they certainly held their own against some of the toughest wrestlers that the WWE has to offer. It was an exciting bout from start to finish and, to myself, there was one stand out performer.

Bret Hart.

Now I know I may catch some flack because there may be critics that say he didn't do much, but for a man in his fifties and a stroke survivor, he did amazing. I found the fact that he got disqualified for using a chair a little amusing as he did what he could to help his team out. The shocker of the match had to be Daniel Bryan coming out as the seventh member of team WWE. The Miz would have been a poor choice and I do not appreciate Michael Cole praising Miz one bit. Daniel Bryan was a far better choice, unexpected, and added the right amount of suspense to an already amazing match. It was also very shocking to see him back so soon after he had been let go.

A side note on this match, Michael Cole needs to not speak, ever again. I find his announcing annoying, frustrating, and downright horrible. I think he needs to bone up on his facts, learn the wrestlers names, and stop trying to be such a pain in the ass to everyone. He is really getting on my nerves and I wish that they would stick him backstage somewhere.

It was a pretty solid pay per view. The matches were all strong and very entertaining, with the exception of the ending of the first match. I get that the Nexus attacks people but I am getting really sick and tired of them doing it. Especially since I was actually looking forward to seeing Kofi Kingston and Dolph Ziggler, but it had to be done to try and rattle the nerves of the WWE Universe.

The biggest moment of the entire pay per view was the return of the Undertaker. I jumped out of my seat when that casket lid was lifted and he sat up. He climbed out of that casket like nobodies business and immediately dominated the ring. Hopefully the Undertaker can come back and shake things up on Smackdown.

I decided to keep this short and sweet, with more coming up tomorrow after Monday Night Raw!

In Memory of Owen...

Owen Hart is a legend. Not just because of how he tragically passed away, but because of his remarkable career and huge Hart (pun intended).

It saddens and dismays me that Martha is bringing a lawsuit against WWE yet again. All over the 'Hart & Soul' DVD set, which chronicles the lineage of the Hart family from Stu's rough upbringing, all the way to the Hart Dynasty. I do understand that she is still hurting over Owen, no one could possibly ever completely getting over their spouse dying like that. At the same time, Owen technically was public domain, a bare bones way of putting it. The WWE owns his likeness, the moves he used in the ring, and anything else that he did while with the company. She clearly knows that so I am baffled as to why she would even attempt to bring a lawsuit against them now concerning this issue. She had received generous treatment from Vince, Linda, and the entire WWE for what had happened. Suing them again over something so trivial as using him in a DVD and featuring him on the cover shows how vindictive and petty she really is.

I am in complete agreeance with Bret on this, she is essentially erasing everything that Owen has ever done in his career. He was one of the most honest men in the business, a gentle person, a jokester, and one of the most consummate professionals ever to step into the squared circle. He is truly one of the greats, very deserving of a place in the Hall of Fame, he probably won`t ever get to that accolade due to Martha. If you loved your husband, wouldn`t you want to see him recognized for all that he has done? All the success that he has had? Why would you want to rob his children of the chance to know exactly what their father meant to the people he entertained? His kids deserve to see what an impact their father had left on everyone in the industry.

According to a statement released by the WWE attorney, Martha had not contacted the company for ten years. Why now? Money? Greed? Hatred? Or a combination of all three?

I feel sorry for her. Even more so, I feel sorry for her children.

I remember exactly where I was when I saw Jim Ross announce that Owen had passed away. I was sitting at home with my Dad, our jaws dropped and our faces as white as ghosts. A legend had truly been snatched away from us decades too soon. The impact that he had left on the wrestling world was evidenced by the outpouring of grief and good memories that fellow wrestlers showed on that episode of Monday Night Raw. I cried for a week. I felt like I had lost someone close to me, growing up on wrestling for my entire life made me feel like I had a connection to the Harts. It is unfair that Martha wants to sever this connection that he had with his fans.

I still have that tape of Over the Edge. I can't bring myself to watch it. I keep it tucked away amongst my wrestling tapes, DVDs, magazines, and other memorabilia. It still stings to think about it. I hope that one day, she can get off her high horse and realize just what she is doing.

Rest in peace Owen.

Wrestlemania Ramblings.

With Wrestlemania XXVI fast approaching, I thought I should give my thoughts on what is going to be one of the most memorable pay per views in wrestling history. At least I think so...

First of all, the Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels situation needs to be discussed. I believe with all of my wrestling loving heart that the Undertaker will whoop the living hell out of Shawn Michaels. I have many theories to support this, so I will throw a few out there. I am in no way degrading Shawn Michaels as a wrestler and I am a fan of his, he has competed in some of the most amazing matches I have ever seen in my 21 years of watching wrestling. I just feel as though the WWE is giving him no real direction, he used to be Mr. Wrestlemania, the Showstopper, Mr. Main Event. To me, he isn't any of those things anymore. He needs more spark, he seems tired and wore out. The Undertaker is one of the longest serving active wrestler on the current WWE roster. He has stuck with Vince McMahon through the good and the bad days of the company. I think that alone will have a tremendous impact on the decision of this match. If Michaels wins, I will be both very surprised and dissapointed.

Now on to the Hall of Fame and Stu Hart...

I have been waiting FOREVER for this announcement. If there was anyone so deserving of being recognized for the stamp that he has left on this business, and the hart (pun intended) of a nation, it is Stu Hart. I have not been so excited about a nominee since Bret Hart. I for one will have a tear in my eye and a Hart shirt on my back as I watch this historic and emotional moment on television.

Speaking of Bret, I KNOW he will beat Vince McMahon. The mere thought of Vince being in a sharpshooter in the middle of the ring has fans salivating all over the globe. I have had the pleasure of meeting Vince McMahon and he is a man that knows what the fans want and will give them what they want. Wrestling fans are the most loyal people I have ever seen, more so than football or hockey or baseball or any other sport for that matter. Bret, as well as his fans, have been waiting over a decade for this moment. They will not be dissapointed, this match is going to be a true clash of the titans. The final image we will have at Wrestlemania XXVI will be of Vince submitting to the sharpshooter, adminstered by the Excellence of Execution.

The Excellence of Execution.

Tonight wrestling fans were told that Bret Hart would indeed be returning to Raw next week, I for one was beyond excited to hear that news. Bret Hart returning to the WWE on January 4th, 2010 was the single most exciting bit of news I have ever heard as a wrestling fan and a fellow Canadian. Bret Hart is so much more than a wrestler, he is a symbol and icon of Canada. Not only himself, but his father Stu, his mother Helen, all of his siblings, and extended family. He is symbolic of the sport itself, exemplifying what it is to be a true champion (An example would be when he shook the hand of the 1-2-3 Kid during an episode of Monday Night Raw). He came back to gain closure on the 'Montreal Screwjob', something that has stuck in his mind (and the mind of all Canadian fans) for the last twelve years. His return isn't a comeback, to die hard Hitman fans he never really left.

As a Canadian and a wrestling fan, when the Hitman came out with his signature leather jacket shades, and denim shorts from his Hart Foundation days, I have never been happier or prouder.

As Vince mentioned on the January 4th edition of Raw, Stu Hart will indeed be inducted into the WWE 2010 Hall of Fame. This seems like a long overdue honor but I am glad it is finally happening. This was probably one of the biggest factors for Bret returning, in addition to the Hart family DVD coming out on April 6th of this year. He came back not only for himself but for the millions of fans that love him and everything that he has done for wrestling throughout his career. His return is indeed epic and will hopefully lead to good things down the road.

One of the rumors circulating is that Bret will face Vince at Wrestlemania 26, my guess is that this has wrestling fans salivating. Will Bret beat Vinnie Mac? Will Vince deliver another devastating blow to the Hitman? Only time will tell, whatever it is I'm sure it will be a slobberknocker (As good ol' Jim Ross would say!). Althought he might not be able to wrestle like he used to due to the stroke that he suffered, he could still probably dish out one hell of a beating if its needed. I think that Vince and Bret have fantastic chemistry together in the ring, you can literally cut the tension with a knife. That being said, even though all of this 'Montreal Screwjob' busniess transpired, I feel as though these two has a mutual respect for one another.

Who knows what role he will play on Raw in the coming weeks on the road to Wrestlemania? One thing for sure, it will not be a smooth one, the Hitman is always one for giving his fans a show and keeping them entertained, no matter what capacity he is in.

To pre-order the Hart family DVD (Hart & Soul: The Hart Family Anthology), you can go to the Amazon.com website.