Bret Hart Blasts Gunther’s Hard-Hitting Style and Labels Him “Unprofessional” in Brutal Critique

Gunther's enigmatic and strong style of wrestling has come under attack from Bret Hart in a lengthy tirade.

Bret Hart Blasts Gunther’s Hard-Hitting Style and Labels Him “Unprofessional” in Brutal Critique

Bret Hart and Gunther (via WWE)

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Bret Hart has never really pulled punches in his entire career. The legendary Canadian wears his heart on his sleeve and never shies away from speaking what’s the truth. His public criticism of Bill Goldberg and his role in ending Hart’s career back in 1999 has been well-documented. Moreover, his commentary on the Montreal Screwjob and related topics has garnered fan attention. And it seems that the latest victim of his tirade happens to be none other than Gunther. 

Speaking on The Masked Man Show, Hart didn’t hold back as he criticized wrestlers who, in his view, cross the line between performance and real harm, placing the former World Heavyweight Champion squarely in that category and his brutal use of chops inside the ring. A vocal advocate for safety in the ring, he emphasized that true wrestling artistry lies in creating the illusion of pain without actually causing injury.

The best wrestling has to pretend to be real. That’s what I did. Contrary to that Gunther guy… I hate wrestlers that hurt each other on purpose. I’ve told him this to his face, and it’s bullshit. When you’re hurting somebody for real, you’re unprofessional. Who ever won a fight with a chop? What a waste of time.

Bret Hart via The Masked Man Show

Hart then also targeted former 16-time World Champion Ric Flair as the man who made chops famous in the first place. 

They hurt, they look like shit. They make a big slap sound, but they hurt. When you get chopped by somebody like Ric Flair for a 30-minute match and he chops you 15 times, your whole chest the next day is bruises. It hurts to put a shirt on.

Bret Hart via The Masked Man Show

The WWE Hall of Famer has always believed that wrestling is a performance, and that performers should protect each other accordingly. Despite Bret Hart’s disapproval, Gunther hasn’t made many noticeable changes to his hard-hitting style. In fact, he delivered yet another critically acclaimed match at SummerSlam, going toe-to-toe with CM Punk and losing his heavyweight title. 

However, fans may not see him in action for a while, as he’s currently sidelined with a nose injury. Moreover, Hart recently offered high praise for Punk, whom he was openly rooting for to dethrone the Austrian in New Jersey. A master technician widely considered one of wrestling’s greatest, Hart named Punk as the top wrestler today, putting him above Rey Mysterio and Roman Reigns in a three-man race.

Bret Hart lambasts Hulk Hogan and their sour relationship after the Hulkster’s death

Bret Hart had a complex relationship, especially when it came to WCW and Hulk Hogan. The WWE Hall of Famer Hart opened up during the same podcast, reflecting on his tumultuous run in Ted Turner’s powerhouse and his history with the Hulkster. For the unversed, Hart spent nearly 13 years working his way up in WWE, from tag team wrestler to a 5-time world champion. 

Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan in WCW
Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan in WCW (via WWE)

Hart eventually followed Hogan to WCW in 1998, after the infamous Montreal Screwjob. Despite their shared history, Hart credited Hogan’s legendary career and said that they got along just fine earlier in their journey. 

[Hulk] was a great guy and a great star, and I got along really good with Hulk for years. I was one of his first matches. I helped make him from day one when the only move he knew how to do was a bear hug. I remember going out there and making him. I was a young guy, and I was happy to do for him. I was good friends with Hulk….I had so much respect for him and was always a friend to him.

Bret Hart via The Masked Man Show

However, Hart also expressed deep frustration with Hogan’s unwillingness to elevate others. For the unversed, the Hulkster infamously stole Hart’s WrestleMania 9 moment when he inserted himself to win the World title after Hart just lost to Yokozuna in the main event. Moreover, he didn’t wish to drop the belt to ‘The Hitman’ at King of the Ring that year. 

Roddy Piper was one of the few guys that reached down and pulled me up to his level… Roddy Piper made me and contributed to the next generation. But there were a lot of wrestlers that didn’t do that. Hulk Hogan never did that for anybody—he never pulled anyone else up. I always thought the day I won the belt, I always thought Hulk Hogan would come up and pat me on the back and tell me how glad he was that I was the guy that they picked to pull the sword out of the stone for him. 

Bret Hart via The Masked Man Show

He further expressed his anger and reflected on how their relationship worsened at the end of the decade in WCW. Moreover, he even termed Hogan as a bulls*itter who did not look out for his peers in the business.

And, you know, unfortunately, that’s not how it was. He, he—the second I won the belt—I was the enemy. I had what he wanted, and we were never really friends, ever again. I always will shake my head and wonder what it was that—why he was such a roadblock for me. Like, he wouldn’t do anything for me. And he made sure, and I know this to be a fact, but he made sure that, like, when I was in WCW, he made sure that they didn’t do anything with me.

Bret Hart via The Masked Man Show

With Hogan’s passing at the age of 71 last month, his legacy as one of wrestling’s biggest icons is firmly cemented. However, stories like Hart’s continue to spark debate about how Hogan treated his peers, and the lengths he may have gone to protect his spot at the top.

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