Just finished reading Hitman's Book...

[indymadman]

... and it was real good. My second favorite wrestling book behind Foley's first book.

A few comments and things I'd like to point out...

1) He ends his book, literaly, by saying "I'll never forgive Shawn or Hunter...." And this was recently when he said this (it was in the Afterword). If Jan. 4th's RAW couldn't be ANY MORE INTERESTING!

2) Hart came off exactly as I thought he would. I've seen many interviews, both shoots and in general, and his book was in the same tone. A bit hyprocritical. For example, he bashed many wrestlers for cheating, but when talking about his own affairs, he always made an excuse like "If Julie was going to blame me for doing it, I might as well do so," or saying that having these affairs kept him off drugs, so they were a life saver...

He talks A LOT about other wrestlers not wanting to put others over... constantly throughout the book... yet it was him not wanting to put Shawn over that changed the course of history in professional wrestling.

3) I've heard guys like Roddy Piper say that some wrestlers "live their character" and can't distinguish the character from the real person... if that EVER SUMMED UP A PERSON, it sums up Bret Hart. I rewatched Wrestling with Shadows tonight... and it confirms him. He REALLY BELIEVED that losing in Canada would "kill" the Hitman character.

4) I do think that the Hitman's book, along with Foley's, is the most accurate and honest wrestling book out there. Although I didn't agree with Hart in his making excuses for his actions instead of owning up to them as falling to temptations (who wouldn't?)... I do believe he BELIEVED what he wrote.

5) Lastly, I remember reading that Hart admitted to having an affair with Sunny in his book... but it wasn't in there. Can anyone shed light on this?

[triplealbert]

Jan 3, 2010 2:55:13 GMT -5 indymadman said:

1) He ends his book, literaly, by saying "I'll never forgive Shawn or Hunter...." And this was recently when he said this (it was in the Afterword). If Jan. 4th's RAW couldn't be ANY MORE INTERESTING!

I've had that on my mind since it was announced. I find it kind of depressing that everyone has their price.

He talks A LOT about other wrestlers not wanting to put others over... constantly throughout the book... yet it was him not wanting to put Shawn over that changed the course of history in professional wrestling.

This cuts both ways. He refused to put over HBK because HBK refused to put him over.

5) Lastly, I remember reading that Hart admitted to having an affair with Sunny in his book... but it wasn't in there. Can anyone shed light on this?

Nope. Flatly denies it in there.

[A Dubya (El Hombre Muerto)]

But he did put Shawn over, at Wrestlemania no less.

[Mozenrath]

Jan 3, 2010 3:01:53 GMT -5 triplealbert said:

Jan 3, 2010 2:55:13 GMT -5 indymadman said:

1) He ends his book, literaly, by saying "I'll never forgive Shawn or Hunter...." And this was recently when he said this (it was in the Afterword). If Jan. 4th's RAW couldn't be ANY MORE INTERESTING!

I've had that on my mind since it was announced. I find it kind of depressing that everyone has their price.



This cuts both ways. He refused to put over HBK because HBK refused to put him over.

5) Lastly, I remember reading that Hart admitted to having an affair with Sunny in his book... but it wasn't in there. Can anyone shed light on this?

Nope. Flatly denies it in there.

Joke Answer: HAHAHAHAHA! Money Money Money Money Moneyyyyy

Serious Answer: It's possible that money is the issue, but it's also possible that he wants to leave this world without grudges and unfinished business. He's not getting younger, and his health is always in question. Wouldn't you want to settle scores in life, rather than leave a bitter man? I know that recently I forgave someone for some pretty terrible things, and while I'm not like their greatest fan now or something, letting go of the hate and resentment has made me feel much less encumbered, like carrying that baggage on my shoulders had made me sink lower than I ever wanted to.

[triplealbert]

Jan 3, 2010 3:15:22 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Jan 3, 2010 3:01:53 GMT -5 triplealbert said:

I've had that on my mind since it was announced. I find it kind of depressing that everyone has their price.

This cuts both ways. He refused to put over HBK because HBK refused to put him over.



Nope. Flatly denies it in there.

Joke Answer: HAHAHAHAHA! Money Money Money Money Moneyyyyy

Serious Answer: It's possible that money is the issue, but it's also possible that he wants to leave this world without grudges and unfinished business. He's not getting younger, and his health is always in question. Wouldn't you want to settle scores in life, rather than leave a bitter man? I know that recently I forgave someone for some pretty terrible things, and while I'm not like their greatest fan now or something, letting go of the hate and resentment has made me feel much less encumbered, like carrying that baggage on my shoulders had made me sink lower than I ever wanted to.

I get that, but I have trouble buying it. His paperback is new and it contains the same things about Shawn/HHH. His change of heart has only come as news reports come out about him not having as much cash as he'd like.

On the other hand, I know -- and everyone should learn -- that every human action has hundreds of motivations, big and small, so I have no doubt that a part of this has to do with self-improvement and non-financial quality of life.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

All I know about Bret and Sunny is that they both deny it......

And Sunny confirms she DID have a long affair with HBK.

So, there ya go on Sunny Days.

[indymadman]

I seriously would have lost my house if allowed to bet on "Will Bret Hart ever return to RAW." I still won't believe it until I see it. When I do allow myself to get excited about it... I keep thinking he'll come out, do the ROH-like 3 minute "thank you to all my fans" and head out.

In his book, he is very harsh on his family (most likely deservingly so)... I just can't see him saying "eff it... I'll go on RAW to wash away the demons"... now, I don't know if Bret has already patched up things with his family... and maybe this is just "next" on his bucket list...

No matter what... it will be a sureal moment indeed.

[ASK HIM]

I'm just after reading his book as well, so this return is incredibly good timing for me.

I started watching WWF in late 1997 - I think I missed Montreal by a matter of days. I remember watching Livewire and seeing video packages of Bret's career and thinking 'oh yeah, I've heard of him.'

[Can you afford to pay me, Gah]

Jan 3, 2010 3:18:34 GMT -5 triplealbert said:

Jan 3, 2010 3:15:22 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Joke Answer: HAHAHAHAHA! Money Money Money Money Moneyyyyy

Serious Answer: It's possible that money is the issue, but it's also possible that he wants to leave this world without grudges and unfinished business. He's not getting younger, and his health is always in question. Wouldn't you want to settle scores in life, rather than leave a bitter man? I know that recently I forgave someone for some pretty terrible things, and while I'm not like their greatest fan now or something, letting go of the hate and resentment has made me feel much less encumbered, like carrying that baggage on my shoulders had made me sink lower than I ever wanted to.

I get that, but I have trouble buying it. His paperback is new and it contains the same things about Shawn/HHH. His change of heart has only come as news reports come out about him not having as much cash as he'd like.

On the other hand, I know -- and everyone should learn -- that every human action has hundreds of motivations, big and small, so I have no doubt that a part of this has to do with self-improvement and non-financial quality of life.

It Paperback is just a re-release of stuff from the regular book. It not a new writing from him when it goes Paperback. There are a few Paper back released Books on Wrestlers. I think you can find Foley's book on Paperback.

It should be interesting on Raw backstage. If HBK went up to Bret and they talked it out I'm sure Hart would think different about him. Watching Raw last week where HBK was for Hart coming in on the mic. It was like he wants to bury the hatchet.

[valiens]

I really think HBK had to have called him and been like, "Look, man. I'm sorry. I'm a Born-Again Christian and I want to put this to rest. I was a completely different guy back then... kind of a douche. Can you forgive me? And to prove I'm serious I'll apologize to you in front of the world on RAW."

"Christian? What do you have to apologize for?"

"No, Born-Again Christian. It's me, HBK."

"Oh. Alright. How does Vince feel about that?"

"Vince feels great. Hogan's taking over TNA. You'd be like our answer to that. Plus we're PG now. Think of the kids, Brett, think of the kids...."

[Citizen Snips Has Left]

At various points in the book, Bret claims he completely understands that it was Vince manipulating both him and HBK all along. At others, he paints HBK as the worst monster of all times.

So figure Bret decks him, then takes him out for an ice cream sundae. Every week.

[amishassassin]

I agree that his book belongs in the top 3 all time with Foley's first and Jericho's. I also think that Bret has more beef with Vince than HBK. He seems to feel that Vince is the master manipulator who told him what he wanted to hear and changed his plans at the drop of a hat. Shawn was just a douche who didn't care about anyone but himself.

[triplealbert]

Jan 3, 2010 12:41:53 GMT -5 amishassassin said:

I agree that his book belongs in the top 3 all time with Foley's first and Jericho's. I also think that Bret has more beef with Vince than HBK. He seems to feel that Vince is the master manipulator who told him what he wanted to hear and changed his plans at the drop of a hat. Shawn was just a douche who didn't care about anyone but himself.

I think that's quite clearly false. He loves Vince and sees him as a father, despite his betrayals. He thinks HBK's a douche and has no emotional attachment to him aside from enjoying his matches.

[Cypress]

I just read the book and i have to diasgree with your first 2 points, you should read it again because he explained exactly why he didnt put Shawn over at SS 07 and it made perfect sense. Also i never recall any instance in the book where he called out another wrestler for cheating on his wife. Where was this?

[DrizzlinShytes]

Jan 3, 2010 12:28:09 GMT -5 Citizen Snips Has Left said:

At various points in the book, Bret claims he completely understands that it was Vince manipulating both him and HBK all along. At others, he paints HBK as the worst monster of all times.

So figure Bret decks him, then takes him out for an ice cream sundae. Every week.

You can definitely tell that Bret spent a long time on the book due to the extreme swings in thought expressed. It is great to take your time and make a book good, but in Bret's case the length of time working on it also made it an incoherent narrative. He definitely blames Vince for manipulating wrestlers while also blaming Hogan and Shawn where it seems that both can't be the case.

[Rick Mad]

Yeah I don't remember Bret calling out other wrestlers for cheating either, and again his reasoning behind refusing to lose at Montreal is pretty much justified, I'd say.

The thing that does stick out to me is the aforementioned "I hate Hunter and Shawn" ending and its the biggest reason I'm so shocked about Monday.. shocked and intrigued.

[Dr. T is an alien]

Jan 3, 2010 3:22:16 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

All I know about Bret and Sunny is that they both deny it......

And Sunny confirms she DID have a long affair with HBK.

So, there ya go on Sunny Days.

My line of thinking on it was that it did not matter whether the affair happened or not, but that Bret's wife thought that it did. Shawn's on-air comment could have only fueled that fire and caused more problems in Bret's marriage (not to say that Bret did not do enough on his own to cause problems, but that certainly could not have helped). I was not shocked to learn that they had a real fight backstage not long after those comments were made.

[MolotovMocktail]

I have a feeling Bret initially blamed and hated Vince more, but later that shifted to Shawn. Remember, Shawn lied for years about his involvement in Montreal, and only admitted it publicly a few years ago.

The thing that does stick out to me is the aforementioned "I hate Hunter and Shawn" ending and its the biggest reason I'm so shocked about Monday.. shocked and intrigued.

Will Shawn apologize? Will they come to blows? Will they just avoid each other until their TV confrontation you know they will have? Believe me, I'll be combing every wrestling site from F4W to Rajah as soon as Raw ends looking for whatever interaction they had backstage.

[HMARK Center]

Jan 3, 2010 12:54:24 GMT -5 triplealbert said:

Jan 3, 2010 12:41:53 GMT -5 amishassassin said:

I agree that his book belongs in the top 3 all time with Foley's first and Jericho's. I also think that Bret has more beef with Vince than HBK. He seems to feel that Vince is the master manipulator who told him what he wanted to hear and changed his plans at the drop of a hat. Shawn was just a douche who didn't care about anyone but himself.

I think that's quite clearly false. He loves Vince and sees him as a father, despite his betrayals. He thinks HBK's a douche and has no emotional attachment to him aside from enjoying his matches.

He most certainly does NOT paint his relationship with Vince today as a "father/son" relationship. "Love/Hate" is more accurate.

Bret seems to view Vince the way a lot of people who've been around him seem to; Vince is an egomaniac (not that many wrestlers aren't, too), a crass manipulator and often times a liar, but at the same time a man capable of acts of real kindness or affection. His book, in my opinion, seems to paint Vince as a guy who really does some awful things, may be a pretty rotten guy in many ways, but who also comes off as having a fear of hell or something, like there's a part of him that WANTS to be a father figure, or wants to be liked, but his dominant side is the "evil boss" side.

I think, when it comes to Vince, Bret comes off as always having a loyal side to him, since Vince gave him his big break, but that he can never really go back to having a real friendship with the guy, given what happened to Owen, given how Vince seemed to manipulate Bret's own family against Owen's wife and against Bret, etc., with promises of jobs for Anvil and Davey Boy following Owen's death.

I bet that, if the two of them are interacting backstage during Raw soon, it'll be friendly sounding, they'll reminisce, etc., but I don't think they'll ever fully get back to the days of Bret being Vince's loyal soldier in many ways.

[Lino]

I just started it about a week ago. It really is a great book so far. This is coming from a guy who's never read a book that he didn't have to because of school.