10 Wrestlers Who Nearly Died

by Benjamin Richardson

1. Bret Hart Goes Over The Bar

Bret Hart Table
WWE.com

The turn of the century was a devastating time for Bret Hart. A year after losing brother Owen in tragic circumstances in 1999, Hart suffered a mule kick to the side of his head from the careless Goldberg. The resultant concussion effectively ended his in-ring career.

In 2002, Hart was back in the ring, albeit with the jacket firmly on as Australian promotion WWA's commissioner.

Then he received another major blow - literally.

While out riding his bicycle one day, Hart was catapulted over the handlebars after hitting a pot hole at high speed. He struck the ground head first. Hospital tests revealed he'd suffered a stroke on the right side of his brain, leaving the left side of his body paralysed.

Luckily, Hart avoided any permanent brain damage, but had to undergo months of arduous physical therapy to restore full mobility. Any hope of a wrestling comeback flew over those same handlebars.

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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.