Bret Hart Claims Today’s Wrestlers Would Be ‘A Lot Better Off’ If They Copied Him More

Bret “The Hitman” Hart isn’t shy about where he stands on the current state of professional wrestling — and he thinks the industry could learn a lot by looking back at his own in-ring style.

Speaking on the Masked Man Wrestling Show, Hart said he’s honored when wrestlers today reach out to let him know they want to pay tribute to him on television, and he has no problem with them using his moves now that he’s retired.

“A lot of guys give me the courtesy of calling me and asking me, saying, ‘Would it be okay if we do this on TV. We want to do this as a sign of respect but I wanted to ask you first. I don’t want to steal your moves without asking.’ After you retire, it’s fair game, they can help themselves to all my moves. I don’t need them anymore. I take it as a compliment and whenever I watch wrestling and I see something that is obviously a salute, I take it as a huge compliment.”

Hart then made it clear that he believes more wrestlers should adopt his style, saying it would benefit the overall quality of the business.

“They’d all be a lot better off if they copied me more.”

For decades, Hart’s precise, realistic approach to wrestling earned him the nickname “The Excellence of Execution,” and his influence is still felt today in stars like CM Punk, FTR’s Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler, and Drew McIntyre. Now, The Hitman is challenging even more wrestlers to follow his example.