Bret Hart Turned Down Major Promotion Before Shocking WWE Return
Bret Hart might have joined TNA if he had been fully committed to the idea.
Wrestling legend Jeff Jarrett recently spoke about holding talks with the ‘Excellence of Execution’ to bring him to Total Nonstop Action and elevate AJ Styles.
Jarrett also felt disappointed knowing that Hart was not fully committed to the idea and was holding out for a return to his former promotion, WWE.
Speaking on a recent My World podcast, the 58-year-old revealed how he held multiple discussions with the Canadian legend.
Me and Bret are buddies. We had a good working relationship… ‘Look, Bret, nobody expects you to wrestle. How can we get you involved?’ So those conversations kept ebbing and flowing because I knew there would be an ambassador role in there.
Jarrett explained his idea of how Bret Hart could boost AJ Styles, who was a homegrown talent and a heel figure in the company at the time.
My goal is… ‘Brett, you know that your image, if you will, is the excellence of execution.’ I’m like, ‘How can I get Bret to get involved with the product and really first understand who AJ is, and then really give him the rub?’ And maybe Bret would come up, or we’d collaborate on whatever it may be.
Jeff Jarrett Recalls Talks With Bret Hart Falling Through
Jeff Jarrett’s worst fears were realized when WWE counter-programmed TNA’s live Monday night debut by reuniting Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels.
This was the first time the two wrestling greats would share the ring since the 1997 Montreal Screwjob.
My gut was right all along that he never wanted to commit to us. I think at the very end of the day, he always had hope and optimism, ‘I’m going to go back to WWE and everything’s going to be alright.’ I just think that was in his brain, and we never would commit.
After returning to WWE, Bret Hart also reconciled with Vince McMahon. As part of a kayfabe storyline, McMahon faked the reconciliation, resulting in a match between him and Hart at WrestleMania 26.
H/T: WrestingNews.co