35 Current WWE Stars And Their '90s Counterparts

by Andrew Pollard

1. Daniel Bryan/Bret Hart

Daniel Bryan and Bret "Hitman" Hart
WWE.com/WWE

Of course, if Roman Reigns is a modern-day Lex Luger (sorry, Roman), then it makes perfect sense to see Daniel Bryan as a modern-day Bret Hart.

Yes, fans wanted Bryan rather than Reigns as the face of the company, much like the early-‘90s saw fans wanting Bret instead of Luger, but there’s more to this comparison than a failed Lex Luger push.

Bryan and Bret are simply two of the best ever in-ring talents to have graced professional wrestling. To quote Kurt Angle, “Oh, it’s true. It’s damn true.” The two can/could have a match with a broom (or even Ryback) and make it work.

A submission-based style, a practical and logical sense of realism to their work, immense selling ability, a huge connection with the fans – Bret Hart and Daniel Bryan share plenty.

Added to this, both were in the shadows of other superstars at times. It took for Hulk Hogan to leave the company for Bret Hart to really be given the ball, whilst Daniel Bryan has often struggled to get the nod ahead of John Cena, Randy Orton, Dave Batista and Roman Reigns.

Regardless of their position on the card, these two talents are ones who the audience truly appreciate and ones who simply never, ever had or have bad matches.

Agree or disagree with any of these entries? Have your own suggestions? Get commenting below.

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Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks/Saints, Jamie Hayter, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is co-host of the Fearless in Devotion podcast, which won the Club Podcast of the Year gong at the 2024 FSA Awards.