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The Bret Hart Story by Bradford Riley The following report was written by Bradford Riley. It was written on 2/3/99, I found it on 2/4/99 on the 2x Zone Newsboard. As you know, the following is just speculation and should not be taking as offical news. However, this report is very well done and has some intersting view points. It makes some very good opinions on "what really happen on November, 9 1997". Who knows anymore?? I thought HITMAN HART: Wrestling with Shadows cleared everything up, but I am clueless now. This is the only report that suggests that the "The Biggist Screw Job in Wrestling History" is a WORK! You will have to read this to find out what I mean. If the following article is true, it looks like McMahon and Bret REALLY pulled one over this time. Down below, it says there could be a Shawn Michaels/McMahon vs. Steve Austin/Bret Hart feud in the future! This is what Bradford thinks about this whole thing, read for yourself and try to figure it out...
NOTE: This article was written before Owen Hart's untimely passing, so any such offensive comments below should not be taken in that manner. God rest Owen's soul. Thank you.

THE RILEY REPORT
The Bret Hart Story...
By Bradford Riley

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As wrestling fans, we must open up to all posbilities. The topic I researched today is in no way a breaking story for myself as it was greatly debated after the incedent happened. Yet, when I mentioned it below my Shawn Michaels report, I received loads of emails asking me "What do you mean?". So, today I take a detailed look through the eyes of insiders, lawyers, and just common sense. There are no spoilers in this, and for those of you who can't stand me putting my 2 cents in, I do every now and then. Sit back and enjoy as we read about...."The Work That Shocked the World 2" The Bret Hart Story... For those of you who may not be familur with the situation which has been called the biggest screwjob in wrestling history, at the 1997 Survivor Series where Bret Hart fought Shawn Michaels. At a point in the match, Michaels locked Hart into a Sharpshooter, where Vince then comes to the ring and instructs the referee to ring the bell, costing Bret Hart the world title.

Recently, there was a documentary on the career of Bret Hart, which many thought gave the real truth on the Bret Hart story, however is it the truth or what Vince wanted you to see? Well, the documentary itself had to be approved by McMahon since video had footage of McMahon, WWF officials, and WWF events; without permission from the WWF that is illegal according to laws set by the United States Judicial System.

Now, we go into the actual content of the "documentary"...

To start things off, according to the documentary Vince McMahon could be found guilty of breach of contract. In Bret Hart's contract there was a stipulation that stated that Bret had creative control over all match endings. Vince allegedly changed the ending of Hart vs. Michaels, which is ILLEGAL!

Then we move into the situation AFTER the match happened as we look behind the scenes and see Vince walk by holding his eye like he had been hit, where we hear officials talking about Hart of hitting him. Well, if Bret Hart had actually punched Vince McMahon, that would result in a major lawsuit which wasn't even brought up.

As we move into more footage we see Bret Hart's wife (now divorced) yelling at Paul Levesque (Triple H), yet despite the fact they are backstage, she still calls him "Hunter". Anyone who has been backstage at a wrestling event can testify that everyone does not go by their stage names.

Now we move a little further into the future and see that Owen Hart must either be really jealous of his brother or knows of this falsehood. Only Bulldog and Neidhart followed Bret to the WCW, which is believed that they are both involved with this entire work. Owen Hart stayed with the WWF where he is currently getting pushed as half of the WWF Tag Team Champions.

We also saw Stu and Helen Hart talking about how much they hate Vince McMahon for what he did yet they still let the WWF have a live match in their dungeon (in the Hart House).

Now that we have looked at some of the above obvious evidence, we ask ourselves WHY?

1. Why let Bret Hart leave...

Bret Hart was growing older, and was losing popularity. The WWF was being killed in the ratings war and the WWF was in need of a big change. Vince was also running low on money, and Bret wanted more. So off to WCW went Hart to make some money for a few years. Vince knows Bret Hart will return as soon as he is asked.

2. Why doesn't WCW know about this...

They do! At first they did not know very well, and thought what a great oppurtunity bringing a 5-time WWF Champion on their roster, another step in the right direction for World Championship Wrestling. Well, it looks like they must of found out about it as Bret Hart's character in WCW is being destroyed in hopes of killing any chance of redemption in WWF. After the documentary WCW was thinking of taking advantage and bring Hart back as a face, yet thought about the effect of it in the long run, and decided against it.

3. What was the idea behind this?

Today, we see Vince McMahon as the ultimate heel courtesy of none other than Bret Hart. After Hart got screwed we see Austin take over the slot of Employee Vs Boss, which is spreading pretty fast.The whole WWF employee against Mr. McMahon angle was planned in 1997 when the WWF was in a major slump. Remember, Bret started that angle when he drug McMahon into the ring and attacked him; Wrestled with him at the broadcast table. McMahon started the angle with Hart as a "test" and when it proved successful they moved forward with it.

4. What is the long run of the situation...

Bret has brought WCW down through demands causing termoil in the back, while McMahon and Austin have raised the status of the WWF and the Bret / Vince mission is accomplished. The WWF is now dominating the ratings which they began to take control of following Survivor Series.

5. How would Bret return if he is under WCW contract...

Bret could return as early as the 4th quarter of '99. His WCW contract was a one year deal, with an optional two year extension which has not been approved by Hart yet. Vince McMahon however may wait longer, in case WWF has any problems and does not want to rush Hart's return.

Finally, the last piece I will leave you with, is a very interesting subject that just has a Bret Hart feel to it. After a long break from Canada, the WWF is returning this Monday to Toronto where they have events every 2 months. Its just a thought but it has been so long since they have been in Canada, only to return there bi-monthly

After making a few phone calls, a more realistic scenerio that we could see is as follows. Shawn Michaels will eventually turn on Steve Austin joining w/ McMahon. This could take awhile since Bret's contract is til late of '99. Briefly after Michaels turn, Austin brings back none other than Bret Hart, which would be Michaels and McMahon's worst nightmare.