The feud between Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart, two of wrestling’s biggest stars, was both professional and personal, with tensions primarily stemming from behind-the-scenes politics in WWE (then WWF) during the early 1990s.

Creative Control and Politics

Hulk Hogan was one of the most dominant figures in wrestling during the 1980s and early 1990s. By the early ’90s, Bret Hart was rising as a top talent, known for his technical skills and in-ring storytelling. However, Hogan’s influence over WWE creative decisions often clashed with the company’s plans to elevate other wrestlers, including Hart.

Over the years, both wrestlers have taken shots at each other in interviews. Hart has often criticized Hogan for being selfish and for his backstage politics, while Hogan has downplayed Hart’s star power compared to his own.

BRET HATES EVERYBODY

“Bret hates everybody. If it’s not me, it’s Flair, it’s Vince. ‘I’ll never work for Vince again after what happened to my family’, and then he’s back. It just never ends with him. I love Bret to death, man. I started with Bret. I remember when I was in Atlanta, I was in the business for about three years, and I was like, 330 pounds, almost 340. I just remember Bret used to live across the hall from me when I was working for Channel 17, what was it? Crockett promotion, that I was so big, I’d wrestle three guys at once, so I’d pick all three of them up in a bear hug and just ragdoll them. Bret was one of them, but we were just all getting started so it was all fun, but then we got rolling, and man, he says I destroyed his career. You know, it’s like, okay, all right, whatever.

“Bret hates EVERYBODY!”

Hulk Hogan on Bret Hart’s bitterness towards him! 😡 pic.twitter.com/spwmgDzcMW

— IMPAULSIVE (@impaulsive) September 3, 2024

THE ORIGIN OF THEIR REAL LIFE BEEF

The most significant source of tension between Hogan and Hart occurred at WrestleMania IX. Bret Hart lost the WWE Championship to Yokozuna, and in an unexpected turn, Hogan came out and defeated Yokozuna moments later, regaining the championship. This made Hart feel disrespected, as he was supposed to be the company’s new face, and Hogan’s win felt like a way for Hogan to stay in the spotlight at the expense of Hart.

Bret Hart was promised a rematch against Hogan for the WWE Championship, but Hogan allegedly refused to drop the title to Hart. This caused a significant rift between the two, as Hart felt that Hogan was unwilling to help elevate new talent.

BRET HART AND HULK HOGAN BACK IN WWE

Despite their differences, both men are respected for their contributions to wrestling history, but their backstage drama remains one of wrestling’s more notable rivalries. Hulk Hogan recently signed a legends deal with WWE. It has been reported that Bret Hart will make his return to WWE in an appearance on the season premiere of Monday Night Raw in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

When in Hart country… @BretHart joins us for #WWERaw’s massive season premiere, this Monday at 8/7c LIVE from Calgary on @USANetwork.

You definitely won’t want to miss this. https://t.co/3ypa5Gsnpd

— Triple H (@TripleH) September 5, 2024