Bret Hart Quietly Signs WWE Contract?
Internal AEW speculation on why 'The Hitman' could be BANNED from Tony Khan's promotion.
Speculation within All Elite Wrestling suggests that Bret Hart has quietly signed a WWE contract, effectively banning him from appearing for Tony Khan's promotion.
Dave Meltzer writes in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter that AEW personnel have pointed to this as the reason behind Hart's upcoming match managing FTR not taking place on All Elite television. Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler are set to be accompanied by the iconic 'Hitman' for a match with AEW rostermates Brian Pillman Jr. and Brock Anderson, managed by Arn Anderson themselves, at Big Time Wrestling's 10 June 2022 event.
Per Meltzer, Hart's "lucrative" WWE deal would understandably prevent him from working for AEW, but not independent promotions, with a contractual loophole allowing for him to appear alongside AEW talent for BTW.
Bret has previously claimed that AEW has never invited him to be involved in the company's ongoing Owen Hart Foundation Tournaments. With the men's and women's competitions set to conclude at Double Or Nothing 2022 (29 May), Bret, as Owen's brother, would be a natural fit for the final presentation. But if he has signed a WWE deal, this won't be possible anyway.
One of the most revered performers in wrestling history, Hart is paid tribute to weekly in AEW, with Wheeler, Harwood, and countless others (including Serena Deeb and CM Punk) continually calling back to his iconic work.