On the latest episode of the My World podcast, Jeff Jarrett revealed that there were numerous discussions over the years to bring WWE Hall of Famer Bret “The Hitman” Hart to TNA Wrestling. Jarrett explained his vision for Hart in the company but ultimately believes Hart was never fully willing to commit because he was holding out for a return to WWE.
“Me and Bret are buddies,” Jarrett began. “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 had a specific idea of how to utilize the “Excellence of Execution,” seeing him as the perfect figure to legitimize and elevate TNA’s homegrown star, AJ Styles. “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.”
Despite the talks, a deal was never finalized. Jarrett feels that Hart was always hoping for a reconciliation with his former company, a hope that was eventually realized when WWE counter-programmed TNA’s live Monday night debut with an on-screen reunion between Hart and Shawn Michaels. “My gut was right all along that he never wanted to commit to us,” Jarrett said. “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.”
While a Bret Hart run in TNA remains one of wrestling’s bigger “what ifs,” he did eventually make his return to WWE in 2010, where he was involved in several non-wrestling and in-ring segments, including a match against Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 26.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit the My World podcast with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
