10 Wresting Title Reigns That Were Ruined By Injury
3. Bret Hart (WCW World Heavyweight Championship)
Bret Hart’s is a similar story to Steve Austin and Daniel Bryan, though his injury woes had a far more immediate impact on his wrestling career than the former.
The Hitman’s WCW tenure ultimately fell flat. He was one of wrestling’s biggest stars when he signed, and whilst the Montréal Screwjob remains one of wrestling’s most infamous incidents, he never looked interested while performing on WCW television. Hart’s creative direction was all over the place, and Bret quickly grew disenfranchised with his new employers, leading to a series of visibly uninspired, mailed-in displays.
Hart was defending his WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Goldberg at Starrcade ‘99 when disaster struck. Bret endured a severe concussion when his opponent stiffed him with a thrust kick, and further damage was dealt when Hart smacked his head against the concrete floor when Goldberg failed to move properly during a post-assisted Figure Four.
He wrestled another three matches afterwards, but the concussion and resulting post-concussion syndrome forced Hart to vacate his championship. Hart continued to appear on WCW television and mounted several failed comeback attempts, but it was no use. Hart’s ongoing incapacity saw him released from WCW in October 2000, and he retired soon after.