10 Wrestlers Who Were Recklessly Dangerous
9. Bill Goldberg
This article's introduction profiled Bret Hart as professional wrestling's safest proprietor. Born into the business, Hart grasped the basics and the beauty in equal measure better than just about all of his siblings and most of his peers. Now gently ribbed for his pride from 2018 observers less enamoured with his body of work that he is, Hart's view on the industry was stringent but not unreasonable - if you're hurting people, you're doing it wrong.
Knife edge chops were one of the many sticks 'The Excellence Of Execution' used to beat Ric Flair with during the years of tension that existed between the pair. He saw that as the most direct contravention of pro wrestling logic - pain caused on purpose rather than by accident. Accidents happen - even in Bret Hart matches.
As was the case in December 1999 when a Bill Goldberg one-two punch (or...kick) saw off 'The Best There Is, The Best There Was and The Best There Ever Will Be' forever. Big Bill didn't know his own strength when he fired a boot right into Hart's head, nor did he understand the science of the ringpost figure four leglock when he let 'The Hitman' hit the arena floor skull-first. Goldberg's schtick required him to hit fast and hard, but retirement was far too much and far too soon for a fragile turn-of-the-century 'Hitman'.