Bret Hart revisited the fallout from WrestleMania IX in the new Netflix Hulk Hogan documentary that premiered today, delivering one of the most direct assessments Hart has ever given of Hogan on camera.
The documentary features extensive interview footage with Hart recorded before Hogan’s death on July 24, 2025.
The WrestleMania IX Backstory
Hart recounted returning to the WWF after defeating Yokozuna for the WWF Championship at WrestleMania IX, only to have Hogan interrupt the celebration and take the title in an impromptu match minutes later.
“I was different than Hulk Hogan,” Hart said. “Hulk Hogan was Elvis Presley. I was the Robert De Niro of wrestling.”
Hart said he had expected Hogan to be supportive of his run as champion.
“I always thought that Hulk would be happy for me.”
Hart then recounted an encounter backstage where he said Hogan refused to even acknowledge him.
“I remember walking up to him. I was like, ‘Hey, Terry,'” Hart said. “I stood up with my hand out to shake his hand for about 30 seconds, but he wouldn’t even look at me and just kept talking to Beefcake.”
Hogan, in his own interview in the documentary, responded to Hart’s account.
“I can’t imagine doing that intentionally,” Hogan said. “Maybe I had an off day, maybe I was drunk, maybe I was high. I don’t know. I don’t know what to tell you, but it wouldn’t have been intentional.”
Hart said the moment confirmed to him what was coming.
“I knew right then. I got the belt and I got what he wants, and I’m the enemy now.”
The WrestleMania IX Finish
Hart broke down the finish of WrestleMania IX, where Yokozuna’s manager Mr. Fuji threw salt in Hart’s eyes, Yokozuna pinned Hart for the title, and Hogan came out, accepted a challenge from Fuji on the spot, and beat Yokozuna in seconds to win the WWF Championship.
“Came up with such a phony bulls*** match,” Hart said. “The kind of match that Hulk would dream up. Hulk Hogan came out like the hero. ‘Yeah, he’s my friend, coming out to run to my rescue.’ ‘Go get him, Hulk. Go in there and win my belt. Win it for me.’ It sucked.”
“Backstabbing, Knife-Wielding Piece Of Shit”
Hart delivered his most direct assessment of Hogan late in the segment.
“He was a good guy once upon a time,” Hart said. “But in the end, he was a backstabbing, knife-wielding piece of shit.”
Wrestling Writer David Shoemaker Weighs In
Wrestling writer David Shoemaker, featured throughout the documentary, supported Hart’s framing of the moment.
“It was basically just this revolving door gimmick to take the title off of Bret Hart and put it back on Hulk Hogan,” Shoemaker said. “And even as a kid, it just felt like Hogan was a bad friend.”
Hogan’s Own Account
Hogan, in his interview, acknowledged that the title change was not well-received but framed it as a Vince McMahon decision.
“I had that Hogan stroke back then,” Hogan said. “Bonds bonded at the hip. I can pull the plug on certain things or certain people. Vince ultimately made the decision for Hulk to win the title at Mania.”
Hart’s final assessment reinforced the divide the title change created.
“I said it’s gonna backfire, and it’s gonna be really bad.”
The documentary is streaming now on Netflix.
