On the latest episode of the Kliq This podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash gave his perspective on the career and personality of his contemporary, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, addressing why he believes Hart is often misunderstood by fans and offering a simple business solution that he thinks could have prevented the infamous “Montreal Screwjob”.
When asked if he thinks Bret Hart is misunderstood, Nash spoke about Hart’s role in the WWF during a transitional period. “People weren’t there. Then Bret was our guy,” Nash said. “Like, when Hogan left, man, Bret was our… he was the guy that kind of carried the company until Vince could kind of put the pieces in place. But, you know, like, Bret was super over, and he was just, you know, he was a good champion”. Nash praised Hart’s professionalism and dedication to the fans, recalling, “He would sign… we’d be drunk before the bus left the building in Europe, because he’d go out there and sign every fucking fan’s program”.
Nash explained that he feels Hart is misunderstood because he approached wrestling from a different perspective than many of his peers, viewing it not just as a business but as a passion rooted in his family’s history. “Bret’s always going to be misunderstood, because Bret took it as a business, but he also loved it. It was his family’s. It was a passion in his family,” Nash stated, contrasting it with his own entry into the industry. “I didn’t appreciate the business until I got in the business. Then I realized, holy fuck… making it look like you kill somebody and not touching them is an art form, and Bret was… an amazing worker”.
The conversation then turned to the 1997 Survivor Series, and Nash questioned Hart’s refusal to lose the WWF Championship in Canada. However, he also proposed a simple contractual solution that he believes could have avoided the entire controversy. “You’re gonna tell me that you couldn’t fucking put a non-disclosure clause together that if he… doesn’t drop it at the next shot that’s in the states that he agrees to a $2 million fine?” Nash asked rhetorically. “God forbid if you treat the business like a business”.
Nash also spoke on the premature end to Hart’s in-ring career, which was caused by a concussion from a kick delivered by Goldberg in WCW. He argued that this injury, more than anything, has colored Hart’s perspective. “I think that Bret didn’t get a chance to fucking leave something he loved on his fucking… wishes,” Nash said. “He didn’t get to say, ‘I’ve had enough, and this is how I’m going to go out.’ He didn’t get his farewell tour. He just got fucking kicked in the head”.
Nash defended Goldberg, stating, “I don’t think Bill did it with malice,” but noted the force of his kicks by recalling his own experience in a WarGames match. “You watched that WarGames… he puts a thrust kick right in the side of my head,” Nash remembered. “That ain’t no fucking work the way I go down. You could tell that’s a… I got fucking rocked”. Ultimately, Nash’s comments painted a picture of respect for Hart’s abilities and a sense of regret for how his career concluded.
The full conversation is available on the Kliq This podcast, which can be found on all major podcast platforms and on YouTube at KliqThisTV.com.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Kliq This TV with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
