When Bret Hart returned to WWE in 2010, it was a homecoming few ever expected they would see. After all, The Hitman had departed in 1997, the victim of the most unforgettable screwjob to ever unfold inside the squared circle. His return marked the end of a heated rivalry between him and Vince McMahon off-screen and the ignition of an on-air program that would culminate in a match at WrestleMania XXVI. The match between Hart and McMahon was one fans had wanted to see for thirteen years and the blowoff was suitable. Hart pummeled the Chairman of the Board in a match that may have gone long but was exactly what it needed to be: Bret getting revenge on Vince and subjecting him to incredible amounts of pain. That should have been the end of Hart's miraculous comeback. Instead, McMahon did everything he could to exploit the Hall of Famer. Hart beat The Miz for the United States Championship, a move that threatened the credibility of the 'awesome' one. He also put him at the heart (pun intended) of The Nexus angle, where The Hitman was booked for a gigantic 7-on-7 tag team match at SummerSlam. This, despite the fact that it was readily apparent that Hart could hardly move between the ropes. Luckily, the SummerSlam match would be Hart's final appearance in a sanctioned, televised match. Today, he still makes the occasional on-screen appearance while continuing to excel as a spokesperson for the sport of professional wrestling.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
