The Hitman’s Candid Assessment
In a recent appearance on Inside the Ropes, wrestling legend Bret Hart shared a scathing assessment of his time in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). During his tenure in the promotion, Hart struggled to find footing and failed to achieve the level of success he had in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now known as WWE. According to Hart, the primary reason for his lack of success in WCW was the intentional sabotage by none other than Hulk Hogan and WCW President Eric Bischoff.
A Backstage Power Struggle
Hart’s comments shed light on the tumultuous behind-the-scenes dynamics that plagued WCW during the late 1990s. The promotion had been struggling to compete with the WWF, and the tensions between top stars and management only exacerbated the issues. Hart, who had a storied career in the WWF, was brought in as a marquee name to help turn around the struggling promotion. However, it appears that Hogan, who was still a major draw at the time, had other plans.
Hogan’s Alleged Role in Hart’s Downfall
According to Hart, Hogan played a significant role in undermining his credibility and sabotaging his chances of success in WCW. Hart claimed that Hogan, who had a long-standing feud with him in the WWF, continued to feud with him in WCW, even though Hart had made it clear that he had no interest in revisiting their past issues. This perceived animosity, coupled with Hogan’s own self-interest, allegedly led to Hart being intentionally buried on the card.
“Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan were like two peas in a pod,” Hart said during his Inside the Ropes appearance. “They were more concerned with their own power and egos than with putting on a good show for the fans. I was the guy they brought in to save the promotion, but they were more interested in tearing me down than building me up.”
Eric Bischoff’s Influence
While Hogan’s actions may have been the most visible factor in Hart’s struggles, it’s clear that Bischoff’s influence was also significant. As WCW President, Bischoff had a lot of power and control over the creative direction of the promotion. According to insiders, Bischoff was often more concerned with protecting Hogan’s spot in the promotion than with making decisions that would benefit the company as a whole.
“Eric Bischoff was a master manipulator,” said a source close to the situation. “He knew exactly how to use his power to get what he wanted, and what he wanted was to keep Hulk Hogan happy. If that meant sacrificing Bret Hart’s career, so be it. It was a classic case of ‘if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em’ – and in this case, the ’em’ was Hulk Hogan.”
A Legacy of Regret
Hart’s candid comments have sparked a renewed debate about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of WCW during its final days. While it’s impossible to know for certain whether Hogan and Bischoff’s actions had the impact that Hart claims, it’s clear that the promotion was plagued by power struggles and egos. For Hart, the legacy of his time in WCW is one of regret and disappointment.
“I wish I could go back and do things differently,” Hart said during his Inside the Ropes appearance. “I wish I could have avoided the whole situation, but hindsight is 20/20. All I can do now is speak my truth and hope that people will listen.”
A Lesson Learned
Hart’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ego and power struggles in professional wrestling. While it’s unlikely that we’ll ever know the full extent of the behind-the-scenes drama that played out in WCW, it’s clear that the legacy of that era continues to fascinate and frustrate fans to this day.
As one wrestling insider noted, “The wrestling business is all about power and ego, and sometimes that leads to some pretty dark places. Bret Hart’s story is a reminder that even the biggest stars can fall victim to the politics and backroom deals that can make or break a career.”