Hart Foundation Appreciation thread - Hitman84's 100th post

[Hitman84]

The first post of this new thread marks my 100th post in this forum. I know that 100 posts is nowhere near as big a milestone as KayfabeMan's 3,000, but I see this as a milestone of sorts as it’s the longest I’ve ever stayed on an internet forum (apart from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer forum over at www.slayonline.co.uk, but that’s another story).

It's probably obvious to you all that I'm a Hart Foundation mark, given my nick and avatar, so with this thread, I’d like to build on a suggestion by Zen v.W.o in the thread about Jim Neidhart on the wrestling q&a section of the site, and create a Hart Foundation appreciation thread. Here I invite you all to post a little, or a lot, about your favourite matches or angles involving Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Jim Neidhart, the British Bulldog and Brian Pillman.

To begin, however, I shall use one of the WWF/E's favourite strategies. In the same way they borrow already used storylines, I shall borrow something I posted in another thread:

"I started watching WWF in 1992 (I was about 8). Two friends of mine were talking about LOD, Hulk Hogan, British Bulldog and it just seemed too good to miss. I had been raving about wrestling at home and, as we didn't have cable, my mother bought me the British Bulldog compilation video (where he fights Warlord, Rick Martel, Shawn Michaels, Earthquake and IRS). I was hooked! The following Christmas was fantastic as I got a Hasbro WWF ring and eight action figures (Hulk Hogan, Brutus Beefcake, LOD, Bushwhackers and Natural Disasters - weren't these toys cool??). I didn't get the chance to watch wrestling on TV so I had to rely on my friends telling me what was happening. Summerslam 92 was just the best - I marked out (but then, all 8 year old fans are marks aren't they? :?: ) when British Bulldog beat Bret Hart and then they shook hands and hugged."

This epic match at SummerSlam 1992 is not the match I wish to discuss today though. I would instead like to focus on another really good match involving Bret and Davey Boy. October 1997, In Your House: Badd Blood – Bret Hart and British Bulldog vs Vader and the Patriot in a Flag Match.

This match was an important one for many reasons. It was of course the Hart Foundation members' last PPV appearance before the notorious Survivor Series Screwjob on 9th November 1997. Now usually gimmick matches such as this one tend to fall like a lead balloon but I think this match was one of the best ever. Crowd reaction of course plays a big role in the quality of a match. Vince had been feeding the fans the Bret Hart vs the United States angle since pretty much just after the Royal Rumble, so the fans were clearly behind 'Team USA' of Vader and the Patriot. If I remember correctly, all four workers got good heat from the fans. The action, as is expected in a match where there is no DQ, spilled to the outside. This clearly demonstrated that Bret and Davey Boy were not only very good at technical wrestling; they could also handle a semi-hardcore type of match very well. Bret had already been in a hardcore match of sorts in the fantastic WrestleMania XIII submissions only bout with Stone Cold, and Davey Boy went on to win the Hardcore championship (he was way too good for the Hardcore division, and could have easily carried the World title, but that's another issue to discuss later).

The result was also fitting. Bret and the Bulldog won, which gave Bret a full head of steam going into the next PPV – or so the marks thought. I am kinda embarrassed to say that, even though I was 14 at the time, I was still a mark. I had no idea about the Bret/HBK backstage heat, nor about Bret's negotiations with Vince and WCW and was really surprised when HBK 'won' in Montréal! :$:$

Unfortunately I no longer have the Badd Blood Flag Match on tape – so I'd appreciate it if someone could upload it and PM me the link! Thanks!

I hope you've enjoyed my 100th post – and as I said I invite you to post reports on your favourite matches featuring the Hart Foundation members.

Hitman84

[Dave Youell]

100 post threads? That's not cool /Carlito

[DaveBrawl]

I am also a big Bret Hart fan, as a matter of fact he is the whole reason I started watching wrestling. The Saturday afternoon show that would come on Fox after the morning cartoons would come on and one day I didn't change the channel and out came random people then out came Bret Hart and from then on I was hooked. Also Salvatore Sincere came out later and that was the first wrestler that I hated, but that's another story.

Anyway I'd have to say the whole Hart Foundation angle was my favorite especially the night where Owen and Bulldog were going to wrestle and Bret came out and stopped them and said that they shouldn't fight it was just something the Americans wanted and that a family shouldn't fight like this. That was the greatest moment in wrestling history as far as I was concerned. My mom and brother turned against Bret (not that they were really ever fans of his, but this really turned them). The Bret vs. Stone Cold fued was my favorite leading up to the Canadian Stampede match where it was the Hart Foundation vs. Austin, Shamrock, LOD and Goldust then eventually Wrestlemania XIII.

Man I really miss the days where Bret ruled wrestling. :'(

[John la Rock]

Bret was the best there is was and ever will be. well before Rock came along

[Zen v.W.o.]

I actually used to prefer Neidhart to Bret during the late 80's to early 90's. Everytime I saw Bret I thought he looked cocky as hell, and well Neidhart made me laugh quite a bit. I really got into Bret though right after his feud with the Bulldog in 1992. His program with Piper also was a factor in why I started to appreciate him alot more. Piper was my fave wrestler of the time.
Bulldog I had always liked, he blended strength with agility so well, and as for Owen, I liked his attitude. Didn't really care for him under the Blazer guise, or with Koko, but the guy was one hell of a wrestler and 1994 was his year. He proved it right there. I was not watching wcw much in the early to mid 90's, but when I did it was early 1995, and eventually Pillman caught my eye. He could wrestle, but his look to me was interesting, and then when he spoke he hooked me in. Maybe it was the raspy voice, I dont know. His antics were great, he was part of the Horsemen, and well even though they had Flair and guys like that in there, I didnt care about them, I wanted to see Pillman. I think that says alot. I had no clue at this time he was ever trained or had any association at all to anyone in the wwf. When he signed with the wwf, I was really happy. Then they had to eventually re-set his ankle so he was gone for months again, thanks to a tv spot where Austin Pillmanizes him.
But that night when Bret broke up the fight between Bulldog and Owen, awesome moment. When Neidhart came back to the wwf by surprisingly appearing at the top of the ramp and assaulting austin, another great moment. And when Pillman came back and ravaged Austin, with those funky colored pants, I marked out. The fact my fave wrestlers could all be in the same group together made that year my favourite year of all time. The last few months were saddening of course. From October and up.

I still have quite a few tapes from that year, that I havent taped over. I unfortunately dont have the earlier days though..I miss those times alot.

I am hoping to see one day the next generation of the Hart family in the big time as well. With the talent they have they shouldn't be denied. Teddy, just fix the attitude a bit. :y:

[Tornado]

What happned to not making milestone threads in the Wrestling Forum?

[Zen v.W.o.]

Who gives a shit. It isn't a milestone thread so much more as it is appreciation towards the greatest stable of all time. Fuck the nwo and Horsemen.

I think I'll add to this thread by posting every video I have of every member of the Foundation in here.

[Hitman84]

I would really like that, Zen w.W.o. But could you maybe make them rapidshare links rather than yousendit? This way they can't be deleted or downloaded by too many guests before such time as I'm able to download them :lol:

Plus, who cares if this is a milestone thread? Sure, I make a big deal in the first post, but thereafter everyone comes together in admiration of the best stable known to wrestling. This is my 101st post - let's all get drunk andf celebrate! :lol:

[KayfabeMan]

Good thread. I'd consider it more of a good discussion thread than a milestone post / thread. Anyhow, congrats on making it to 100, and I'm looking forward to more great posts / threads that put up good topics for discussion and such. :y:

[KayfabeMan]

Also, :lol: @ comparing The Rock to Bret Hart. That's a good one.

[Zen v.W.o.]

Bret vs Owen-SS'94 cage match:

http://rapidshare.de/files/717393/WWE_1994-_Bret_Hart_vs_Shawn_Michaels_-_Cage_Match.wmv.html

Mankind vs Brian Pillman-Warzone 1997:

http://rapidshare.de/files/1316751/WWF_War_Zone_97-07-01_-_Mankind_vs_Brian_Pillman.wmv.html

Lion den match-Shamrock vs Owen-SS'98:

http://rapidshare.de/files/1272005/Lion_Den_Match_Ken_Shamrock_vs_Owen_Hart.wmv.html

HBK vs Owen Hart-Raw'97:

http://rapidshare.de/files/855802/Shawn_Michaels_vs_Owen_Hart.wmv.html

Pillman vs Guerrero-wcw(Heenan drops the f-bomb:

http://rapidshare.de/files/1316872/WWE_WCW_--_Bobby_Heenan_drops_the_F-bomb_on_live_TV.wmv.html

I'll also put these up in the wrestling vids thread. I have way more coming up, it's just I had these ready to go.

[KayfabeMan]

Well, in reference to the topic itself, I'm going to have to say that it's really hard for me to pick out any specific moment(s) that are my favorites from all The Harts / The Hart Foundation.

I'm really a big fan of all of their work in general, and I'm waiting for fucking WWE / JAKKS Pacific to release a modern Hart Foundation 5-pack with all the members :rant:

[Hitman84]

I'm really a big fan of all of their work in general, and I'm waiting for fucking WWE / JAKKS Pacific to release a modern Hart Foundation 5-pack with all the members :rant:
That would be so cool. I can remember getting the Hasbro action figures when I was little (OK, I know this was waaaay before the 1997 Hart Foundation, but still ...). They released Bret Hart in the old Hart Foundation gear, but they released Neidhart in his New Foundation gear (the same stuff Owen and Koko B. Ware wore in High Energy, minus the braces), which kinda upset me a little at the time. Bulldog was in his British Bulldogs tights, plus the 'Whoopi Goldberg hair', to quote Bobby 'the Brain' Heenan. Owen was released also in the New Foundation gear.

A new JAKKS Pacific Hart Foundation set would be great, but I'd also like to see the old Hasbro figures too :lol:

Stay tuned for my next Hart Foundation member match report coming up soon ...

PS: while you're waiting, why not post one yourselves ... ?

[Hitman84]

As promised, here is the next Hart Foundation match report. Again I'm going to talk about a match that not a lot of people reagard as important. The match took place in 1991 in the Dockland's arena in London and was part of that year's UK Rampage tour. I am of course talking about Jim 'the Anvil' Neidhart vs the Warlord. This was the first match of the card - and I believe set the scene for what was quite a good PPV.

The first thing to note is that the Warlord at the time had no theme music. At this event he was halfway down the aisle when the Hart Foundation's old music hit and the ring announcer was confused and started nervously mumbling. Funny. But still, you would think this match to be of poor quality as both Neidhart and Warlord had similar, brawling styles. This was not the case at all. Both superstars used a variety of techincal moves, throws and suplexes, and submission holds. Neidhart won by rolling the Warlord up with a school boy.

This match was significant in many ways, but most importantly it was one of the Anvil's first as a singles competitor without Bret Hart. Neidhart was a very good tag team wrestler but with ths bout he proved that he is also really good at carrying a singles match. It's just a shame that WCW stole him away not long later...

This report was shorter than the last, but I hope you all found it enjoyable. I look forward to your replies and to your own Hart Foundation member match reports.

Hitman84

[Loose Cannon]

:y:

[Esoteric]

for me the hart foundation was great because they all had good wrestling skills, mic skills, and it was tight how they were heels in america but faces around the rest of the world...that and bret beat the patriot...never liked the guy dont kno why

[Hitman84]

it was tight how they were heels in america but faces around the rest of the world.

This issue has always confused me. In another thread on the wreslting q&a section of the site, I tried to ascertain whether the Hart Foundation's status at that time, being faces in Canada and Europe but being heels in the US, technically made them tweeners. If you think about it, the crowd reaction was different depending upon which part of the world they were performing in. Nowadays, you really only see that if the WWE holds a show in a workers home state/city.

What do we think?

[olympic hitman]

Congrats on 100 posts. Nice topic as well;

I, as well, am a BIG Bret Hart/Hart foundation era fan. I don't think one single group was ever as great nor had the amount of close family in one stable[not counting the Von Erichs, I think there were bus-loads of those guys :D ].

The Hart Foundation simply kicked ass. The whole concept of being hated in America and being loved in Canada was unheard of back then, and to this day hasn't been done.

[Zen v.W.o.]

They were tweeners no matter how you look at it really. You can call them that based upon the reasons already given, and on another note, even while in Canada or wherever else, they didn't exactly go by the rulebook, and certain guys in there, Pillman, Owen etc were never really faces or guys that would not stoop to any means to get one up on somebody else.
The fact is they also went up against faces and heels, especially during the latter days of their stay in the wwe.

[Hitman84]

Bret vs Owen-SS'94 cage match:

http://rapidshare.de/files/717393/WWE_1994-_Bret_Hart_vs_Shawn_Michaels_-_Cage_Match.wmv.html
This match isn't Bret vs Owen mate, it's Bret vs HBK :lol: - still no matter!

Do you, or anyone else, have Owen vs Rocky Maivia for the IC title on RAW in 1997? I believe this was the same event where Stone Cold attacked the celebration and then Neidhart threw him off the stage. But correct me if I'm wrong.

Next match report coming soon - any suggestions as to which one I should do?

[wwe2222]

The original Hart Foundation (just anvil and hitman) were one of my fav tag teams.

Also, to whoever mentioned about the Anvil wrestling figure that came out and had the new foundation outfit. I remember that and actually painted on a hart foundation outfit because it bothered me that him and bret didnt match up right.

[Zen v.W.o.]

This match isn't Bret vs Owen mate, it's Bret vs HBK :lol: - still no matter!

Do you, or anyone else, have Owen vs Rocky Maivia for the IC title on RAW in 1997? I believe this was the same event where Stone Cold attacked the celebration and then Neidhart threw him off the stage. But correct me if I'm wrong.

Next match report coming soon - any suggestions as to which one I should do?


Yeah, I noticed before when I clicked to preview the link. My bad. Oh well I'll just get that match up later some time.

I can search around for that match though.

[Hitman84]

Little amendment to my previous post about Hasbro action figures:
They released two versions of Bret Hart - the first in a black singlet with a sole pink heart, pink tights and pink sunglasses, and the second with a pink singlet plus heart/skull/wings logo, modern black tights with pink design on them and silver sunglasses.

I had the first one when I was little and was well gutted when my parents wouldnt let me get the second :'( ... :lol: They said it was a waste of money buying the same toy twice :-\

[Hitman84]

Further amendment to above post - there was a third version of Bret Hart. The first version, with pink tights, just with a purple heart on his singlet and not a pink one.

Anyway we digress - Flood this thread with Hart Foundation goodness please!

[Hitman84]

OK so I have neglected this post for a few days - I have had a great deal of work to do for uni.

I have been contemplating my next Hart Foundation member match report and I'm torn. Should I do: Bret Hart vs Yokozuna from WrestleMania IX or Bret Hart vs HBK from Survivor Series 1992? Or maybe there's another match that you guys have in mind?

Let me know!

[RockNRoll]

I loved when they cheated the Bulldogs out of the titles with the help of Danny Davis, pre-Wrestlemania 3.