Anyone who says Bret Hart was terrible at promos never saw his work in 1996 and 1997 in the WWF. When he turned heel and put over Stone Cold, making him the biggest draw in wrestling history, he did some of the best promos I've ever seen. Promos aren't all about yelling and screaming and using creative terminology. They're about adding another level of psychology to the story you're telling in the ring. What separated Bret from other wrestlers is that he had the other guy's match. He didn't have his own match. Ric Flair is a legend and one of the greatest of all time and like Hart, knew how to put himself and other guys over at the same time, but you knew what you were going to get from a Ric Flair match. Obviously, the finishes of Bret's matches were usually the same, if he was going over (the Sharpshooter), but what he did up until that point wasn't usually the same, because he wrestled the other guy's match. Flair could go for a long time, but you could usually guess, spot by spot, what was going to happen in a Ric Flair match, regardless of who was going over. That isn't to diminish the wrestler that Ric was. But there are a lot of guys who can go on the mic who don't understand the psychology of wrestling at all. I know Ric does understand that, so why he's making a big deal about this is beyond me. Ric could be way over the top and add psychology to his promos. Bret was more no-nonsense and to the point. But having said all that, for 85% of their careers, Ric and Bret were in competing companies. They were playing for the opposite team. That's probably where most of this is coming from. They were 2 completely different wrestlers. One played the hits, the other tried to do something different every single time. One was more no-nonsense in promos in terms of getting his point across, the other more over the top. Neither is right or wrong. Just different.
Bret got better at promos, yes, but he was still not that great even at his best on the mic. He took things SO seriously, it's as if he never knew the matches were predetermined or that the promoter decided who won/lost. It's like he felt the two opponents would decide it all and it was as serious as trusting his child's life with his opponent.
Flair jobbed to a lot of people he could've said no to or didn't have to. Somebody like Terry Funk who saw the bigger picture and that you could lose but still stay over.
Amazing to hear Ric tell the story of wanting to put over the Hitman in WCW. Bret's first match there, and he says, who cares if we went long. "I'm working with a guy who's taking care of me. ... I love wrestling Bret, it was a night off... we stole the show, go out and follow that. Really nice comments about the Hitman.
Bret was the best!! He made me a fan of WWF in 1992. His look was great, amazing theme music... bret did have a set move... but he made a ENTIRE match a story! Bret promos where not bad, but in 1996 and on.... his promos where epic good! He is def. GOAT
to be the man, you got to be the man!!! and its the best thing going today!! wooooo! diamonds are forever and so is Ric Flair!!! limousine riding, jet flying, wheeling dealing, kissing stealing son of a gun.. its the best thing going today wooo!! those are all the tag lines I remember of Nature Boy!!!
The argument, valid, about Bret having a finishing sequence is a double edged sword. He used it a lot on weekly TV especially when starting single, but look at his PPV matches. Out of all his victories on PPV there is like three matches or something with that sequence, maybe even less. Hell, he didn't win half his matches with the sharpshooter in one on one matches on PPV.
I believe Bret had even said he always tried to do something different on pay per views. Such as pulling out a new move out of the hat he never used before.
pretty sure Ric Flair has talked about why his style is so repetitive and it’s because people pay to see the spots that he’s known for and it was probably the same for Bret on weekly tv matches. sometimes having the five moves of doom leads to more success as now people can expect and pop for when that sequence comes up. it’s when you know the match is reaching its climax. it’s virtually the same for all pieces of media where if you want to make a name that people recognize, you have to do something every time that people can identify you with. same with flair talking about his iconic catchphrases
I distinctly remember Bret being one of the only wrestlers that would consistently win big matches without his finisher. Sunset flips, Roll ups and bridging pins. They were almost fluke wins which made the match’s more interesting.
I love both Bret and Flair difference with both of their repetitive sequences is Flairs was flopping on his face, thrown of the top rope etc... Brets sequence was trying to win end of the day both these guys are GOATS!!!!
One thing Bret was amazing at was putting guys over, even when he beat them. The matches vs Austin (Submission Match), 1-2-3 Kid (On Raw), Kevin Nash (survivor Series) come to mind.
It probably took all of Bret’s skill to put over Kevin Nash believably because Nash had no talent aside from being big. Bret would have had an easier time putting over Test because Test actually had talent
Regarding suplexing taker and Flair saying why would you do that if he is just going to sit back up....here is an example of why Bret did the suplex...there was a spot at the one night only PPV where Bret suplex's taker and then Bret hits the ropes and clotheslines Taker, as he is sitting up....That was a great reason to do that combo....
Never thought about that regarding taker. Him superplexing vader seemed questionable. But I thought the matches with diesel showcased how a big man vs smaller man match should look like. He never successfully overpowered diesel and worked on smaller man tactics like going after diesel’s legs and small package rollups.
Flair has people who heard Whoooo for the 1st time when they were 6 years old and now there kids are still doing it. Madden made an excellent point, Brets transition from offense to defense was flawless but I would add he was a counter wrestler which added more added moves to his offense based on the opponent he fought. It was always interesting to see how he would avoid or get out of opponents signature moves.
Loving these ric flair shoots,a new found respect for the guy,honestly when someone has an opinion on him he takes it well and has a good laugh about it
This content is much better than in the first few weeks. 👍 Bret & Ric are two people trying to build the same thing, but who see that same thing from completely different angles.
Really interesting interview. Mark, just slow down a bit. You interrupt Ric and don't let him finish saying some really interesting comments. A podcast is a marathon not a sprint.
Ric Flair is a good man. I couldn't agree more when he said to Canadians Bret Hart is the Wayne Gretzky of Wrestling. Growing watching wrestling, I didn't think any other Canadian was more famous than Brett "The Hitman" Hart.
Ric has admitted that Bret had more offensive tools than anyone he wrestled, with the possible exception of Randy Orton. Ric did not have an extensive move set, but he could mat wrestle and could anger a crowd or get sympathy very well. I'm glad they get along well now and hope they stay friends. Two of the best of all time, no doubt at all.
WOW! Mark Madden got old lol!! In all fairness though, it has been like 22 years since I last saw him (in WCW). I am glad to know he is still around and still doing his thing.
It wasn't a short match between him and Bret for the title it was about 30 minutes. If Flair had no equilibrium he wouldn't be able to do anything in the match. The match wasn't the best because it was short notice and not planned out very well but still a decent match and just the moment where Bret wins was so special and surreal. It was a big turning point in the business and you knew you were a part of something big. At that moment with all the great matches Bret had in that 2 years as a single wrestler you knew he was the best performer in the business and it all made sense. He earned it and it was the right decision to put the belt on him.
Flairs a known liar his equilibrium was fine warrior never suplexed him or hurt him, and he didnt take six months off after losing to bret hart he wrestled for the rest of the year before jumping to wcw and continuing to wrestle in 93
@@masterfulsky I know he didn't take six months off he was gone back to WCW in only 3 months so that makes no sense. I love the part where Mark asks him if he knows what things didn't work out for Bret in WCW and he puts his head down And says I don't know. Flair, Hogan, Hall, and Nash are all the reasons Bret was held down. There were burnt bridges with all of them in WWF so they knew when Bret came to WCW they were going to make things hard for him. Especially when Bischoff and Ted Turner allowed the talent to run things. What a stupid idea. I mean it didn't make sense that they were paying Bret all that money and they didn't care to get anything out of it? I mean they obviously felt Bret was worth the money because only Hogan was paid more. They allowed the inmates to run the asylum and what a costly mistake that was.
@@dannythedon82 Bret was damm overrated. He was boring as fuck. He had almost no charisma. The only reason Bret was paid that was because Eric wanted to do a Bret vs Hogan. Plus Eric himself says Bret was a flop.
@@bourbon646 he was the best wrestler in the company at the time and was having the best matches. When it came to wrestling not boring at all. Maybe not the best on the mic but he had the look and the presence.
@@bourbon646Bret Hart was the hardest worker and most serious wrestler of all time. His moves looked real his matches were incredible. Nothing Hulk Hogan did looked real he was very flamboyant and looked like a comic book character. Same with Bill Goldberg, Ultimate Warrior, and every steroid taking insane wrestlers. They had 20 minute matches that sucked and you never watch again. The Rock took a lot of his work ethic from Bret Hart, Steve Austin and CM Punk also wanted to look real. Not many of today’s wrestlers want to be Hulk Hogan. Bret Hart made a 6 foot guy be the main event not just the 6 foot 6 muscle bound freaks. Bret helped innovate technical wrestling because the best Dynamite Kid couldn’t. You could watch Bret Hart matches and just look at all the moves from inside the ring to outside how he planned everything and it looked so good. You can’t say that about Hulk Hogan or Bill Goldberg.
Bret Hart: grapling and countering, russian leg sweep, back breaker, ankle on the ropes, arm sweep to leg, bulldog, suplex, elbow off 2nd rope, superplex, figure 4, figure 4 on the post, piledriver, sharp shooter This may be repetitious but he had a large set of moves and he used them at the right time to make the match smooth and told right. He also used different moves vs different opponents. Rick Flair fought the same way every night of his life no matter the opponent
The thing that happened to his ear is crazy. I recently had that happen and the fix is crazy. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Don’t know how he wrestled like this!
Bret had so much more than just 4 moves if I were to think of the head I would say, leg sweep, headbutt to the groin, atomic drop, elbow, cross body, superplex, German,Sharpshooter,figure 4 round the ring post,Dropkick. Also he had one of the best punches in the game
Yeah flair talking about how many moves someone has is funny. Im 51 and have been watching wrestling and flair since the late 70s early 80s. Dont believe flair wants to compare moves with anyone besides maybe people like hogan, goldberg, ultimate warrior who all had 3 or 4 moves
Ric’s is the most limited wrestler next to hogan. He has literally 3 moves, chop, sleeper, and his figure 4. Bret had his atomic drop, back breaker, Russian leg sweep, nutcracker, sharpshooter
Ric and Bret had a great Ironman match I think in Boston in 1993..Ric won 5 falls 2 falls by figure four leflock..and Bret won a couple of falls by Sharpe shooter.. on his way to getting 6 falls to win the match..Great match.
He pinned Steamboat and Vader clean as well and made Dusty pass out from the Figure Four for World Title number 4 in 86. He's got quite a few clean victories.
Bret when you look at all of his work ..is really the best overall inring performer. Also, his usa vs canada promos can be considered the best sequence of promos of all time. He believed everyword he said.
Such a shame there was that miscommunication- Bret started to suspect that Ric was sabotaging their matches. The poor guy was suffering but still showed up to work.
Lol, I dunno if I would? I've heard some rough things about the guy meeting fans. If you turned up with a stacked blonde, he might be a little more amiable. If perchance he was keen, and tanked though, boy he certainly would be one interesting SOB.
@@jesselemar7157 Maybe 15,000 women(LOL). On a serious note though, I wouldn't blame you. Hope you have a good paying job because Flair buys for everybody in the room! WHOOOOOO
No reason? Are you kidding me? They were burying each other for years in interviews talking about their wrestling skills,promos and charisma. They had a major difference of opinion especially in 1992.
@@derekazyan9942 Maybe it was a WWF vs WCW thing when Flair arrived on the scene back in 1991. Maybe Bret was jealous because of all the attention Ric got in the wrestling world. Bret said he wasn't impressed with Flair in 1992 and felt he wasn't that great in the ring. Of course Ric returned fire and said that Bret had no charisma and wasn't a draw.
Hello fans! Its an honour to have the ability to share my two cents.All the respect to almost all wrestlers who done it in the ring.Respect to you Ric for such a great career,congratulions sir. i wanted to comment on your view about Bret suplexing the undertaker off the top rope. Mark Callaway said that Bret was the first guy he finally faced that he could actually wrestle rather than do the Frankenstein thing. Taker wasnt Andre,big but lean and athletic.Bret at 6'1,234lbs of muscle made it work.he didnt always get it off too. Could never keep him in the sharpshooter. love and respect to all. god bless Ric.
Bret was the best as far as making the moves look the est. He had the best move set and did crazy things with it, but he lacked Mic skills IMO. The Ability to draw people just because you could talk. People came to see Bret because his wrestling in Ring was fantastic and believable. Then you got Rick Flair the man had emotion like no other he translated that emotion to you. Made you get excited and want to see the match. Dusty Rhodes was the same way. Dusty did not have the look of most wrestlers, but had the ability to make you love the guy despite his lack of looks. He made it work and man did he . Seeing a Fat Man boogie and do Muhamed Ali style gimmicks was so funny and well executed. If you stop and think about it the top 4 wrestlers of all time popularity wise were all talkers except the Undertaker. Ric Flair, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Dusty Rhodes were all talkers with awesome Mic Skills, but they lacked mat skills (Ric Flair is the exception there he had the mat skills). Bret was pure Mat skills and the only other pure Mat skills wrestler I can think of to match Bret was David Von Eric. Had David not died young he could have risen to the levels of Bret Hart as far as wrestling abilities. In the end what determines success in Wrestling is your ability to put people in seats. If you can make people want to pay money to see you your over! When I think who is the real #1 best wrestler they got to have it all. Mic Skills and Mat skills. I want to say this now because he is under rated, but Curt Angle could be considered top 3 best of all time. Why? He had Mic Skills and he had real mat skills. He deserved more in the WWE.
Bret for me is the greatest wrestler of all time. Although he wasn't the best on the mic, like someone like The Rock.. I think when he found his voice, especially when him and HBK had their rivaly he was still up there with the best of them.
They had 2 in 95 (dark matches) against Eli and Jacob Blue and against Lawler and Hakushi. It was shown in the "unreleased matches 1986-1995" dvd and the one with Eli and Jacob can be found online (actually both can be found online).
Thank you, Ric. Bret deserves a clap around.i lost my mom this year and my best friend a year before that... I was divorced somewhere in between. Bret's matches and U2 kept me going. Thats all.
The Hart family and the von Eirik family , it's like watching the old days of wrestling divisions and TV area divisions die out ..while all tv communications nationalize instead of regional right along with the old days of wrestling divisions
Mark A. Graff: You can definitely make a case for The Armstrongs. Also their NWA Southeastern Archrivals (and even sometimes Tag Partners) The Fullers, Welches, and Goldens. Also Boris, Dean, and Joe Malenko. Christine, Jerry, and Jeff Jarrett. Joe, Tully, and Tessa Blanchard. And Gory, Mando, Hector, Chavo Senior, Eddie, Chavo Junior, Vickie, and Shaul Guerrero going way back decades to La Familia Guerrero's work with AAA in Mexico. And though people really don't want to hear it The Anoi'a Family's unending succession of Pro Wrestling Royalty (no matter how another Family views it😏). And at least three of The Rhodes (or Runnels😏) Family. Certain there are ones unlisted before like Steiners and Rotundos and Windhams and such.😂😏🎤👨👩👧👧🤼♀️🤼♂️B.W.
A Hart Foundation vs Four Horseman feud would have been such a great way to bring Bret into WCW. The far north vs the deep south, with Benoit being the wildcard who's true allegiance was unknown.
Bret hands down best range of matches and opponents in history. When he turned heel - amazing promos. When he was a baby face he did some fun promos - Owen at summerslam 94, Dave boy summerslam 92 and the promo with piper at mania 8 was legendary. The greatest ever for me.
@@MCLogikILL No it wasn’t please stop. he wasn’t good at playing the heel and he was only a heel in the US because people were sick of him here and booing him but cheering Austin. They loved him in Canada because Cananda like Ric said and has said before, they don’t have a lot of great athletes so Bret was a huge deal to them. He was never going around on td mic saying “I’m the hitman and I’m emotionless!” No, his gimmick wasn’t even a gimmick it was really him which is good but you couldn’t ever tell if he was a heel or face. If a guy can’t do that naturally, then they usually change their hair or gear, something to make the fans dislike them. Austin knew how to change his tone and facial expressions when he was a heel or face. Look at Bailey the female wrestler, she had long hair and she was pretty! Then she just cut it short and she was still pretty but it pissses people off because it got rid of the pretty girly girl look.
@UC1aqBqefFgC8NNzb0qmT8Ug are you shittin me!?? Lmfao that “heel” promo in the wheelchair was a pos move by Bret. He talked everybody to sleep then the program went off air. After it was off air Michaels super kicked him and Michaels was kissed because Bret said “oh I didn’t realize the timing” god forbid somebody else lied or fucked up, Bret would trash them. Bret’s like 68 years old now and he still cries about everytbody he knew in the wrestling business because he’s a bitter person. I like him but his mark fans like you just suck because you love him so much that in your sick minds you beleived his bullshit and everything he says. DAvey boy smith is dead and Bret just talks sh it about his drug addiction Ll the time. If anybody said that Owen was a pos because of the bullying that he calls “ribs” or how Owen injured a lot of people And it seemed to be on purpose, Bret would have a fit. Imagine Davey boys son who’s a nice guy watching Bret call his father a junkie im shoot interviews???Brets lucky he didn’t slap him. And btw the match against piper was boring and put people to sleep with an awful finish that Bret thought was so creative. His match against the British bulldog in 1992 only seems so good because there’s millions of fans. Herring for Dave’s boy, not Bret and best brags hos all the little girl were chasing him and it sounds so creepy how excited he gets telling the stories how In Europe the little middle schooo girls loved him Lmfaoo. You’re a Bret hart mark so you’ll just fight until you’re blue in the face about how threat he was
So at 15:45 Ric states that all because of his sayings is why he is relevant today!! I know that Ric and Bret have had their issue's in the past and have mended fences but I can confidently state that the reason why Bret is still relevant today is because of his in ring performance!! IMO what make's someone a great wrestler 1st and foremost is their in ring performance. After that it would be your style/look and promo ability and Ric is probably #1 in the promo dept. Bret's in ring ability is obviously his best attribute, and considering that there are quite a few guys in the business that state they had their best match (Austin, 'Taker, Perfect, Nash, Bam Bam, etc) with Bret holds a lot of weight when considering the GOAT.
@@tonesdad0408 Yeah forgot Xpac. Plus I forgot to mention that many of the newer guys today, Punk, Drew Mac. Miz, Sheamus, Edge/Christain all say Bret was their biggest influence. Other than HHH, Road dog, Billy Gunn, Hall, (all friends in the early days) you dont here of others bad mouthing Bret, other than saying he took his job too seriously!! Cornette even says that he wished more people would have taken 'rasslin a bit more seriously!1
Bret Hart was on top in an era when more people were into and watching wrestling than ever... he was also a huge draw in Europe. Ric Flair was popular a decade or two in the past (before the 90s) and in southern regional promotions that had no international presence (being NWA champion has not meant anything since the 70s). Ric Flair was not over in the WWF as Bret was at that time...he was not even the top guy in WCW in the 90s next to Hogan, the nWo and others... c'mon man!
@@BronzeBullBalls Flair is bigger name in Japan. Bret was on top of least popular era of WWF competing against clowns, pirates, garbage men, and boy toys. Flair wrestled sold out arenas versus all time greats Funks, Brisco, Brody, Race, Wahoo, Hansen, Tenyru, Jumbo, Bockwinkel, Dusty, ect ect.
@@patale1640 lol Flair was only over with men in their 40s and 50s by the 90s... basically anyone who even remembered most of those opponents you mentioned in your list. He was like your Dad's favourite wrestler... as a 10 year old, I had no idea who he even was until he arrived in the WWF. I agree that the WWF was cartooney and for kids, but it was also the largest wrestling company in the world at that time and Bret Hart was more over in that company than Flair. Flair was not relevant in the mainstream or in pop culture by the 90s.
@@BronzeBullBalls Haha look at the numbers Flair drew higher ratings than Bret. Bret was putting people to sleep on RAW while Flair was cutting hot promos on Nitro. Bret didn’t get hot until he latched on the Stone Cold bandwagon.
@@BronzeBullBalls fans who grew up in the 80s(wrestling biggest drawing period until Rock/Austin.) all remember Flair. The same fans where teenagers/college kids in the 90s. BTW ask Rock and Austin who the GOAT is. Hint: Its not the Hitman.WHOOOOOOOO~!
Funny that he says he went home for 6 months after he lost the belt to Bret. The title change happened in October 92. One month later he wrestled at the Survivor Series. Two months later he took part in the Royal Rumble match 😅. Doesn't really add up does it?
I think every guy who’s been the top guy is repetitive. Because people come to the rock show to hear the hits not the deep cuts. Same with wrestling. The top guys go in take a bit of heat. Provide their comeback and deliver the 4-5 moves they’re famous for and the fans walk out feeling complete.
It's hard to say who was the best ever, but I would have to put Shawn Michaels and Brett Hart up there together. Shawn was indeed a top performer, and he had great mic skills. He was athletic and great at getting to thr crowd. Brett was more serious and not as good on the mic, but he was the most fluid wrestler in the ring. And he didn't hurt people. He could make thr worse wrestler look great.
I’m a big Bret fan but I felt he was too harsh on his criticism about Flair, he got so mad about HBK disrespecting then he kind of did it to Flair, just like Hart gave HBK his first run as champ Flair did it for Bret. I think a lot of Bret’s criticism of Flair comes from a period of time when Flair himself admitted he kinda was broken from years of dealing with WCW incompetence and Flairs wrote in his book his inner ear balance was off then. 2 of the best ever.
When Hitman won the belt from Flair the match was much longer than 5 mins. I don't remember the part where Flair was on his back for a long time just remember it being a great match in a year of classics from Flair winning the Royal Rumble, Flair vs Savage at Mania 8, Savage and Warrior at SummerSlam, Davey Boy vs Hart at SummerSlam
Mark Madden should know when talking about Bret having the replica of the WWE belt that Bischoff couldn’t do anything like that, Turners lawyers had major restrictions on things like that because of the Hall and Nash lawsuits going on between WCW and WWE, they absolutely should have referred to the fact Bret never lost the world title, every viewer was aware of it, even if Bret lost it immediately after they should have made Bret champ and made him out to be the first ever undisputed champion basically combining both world titles it would have brought credibility to the WCW belt but judging from the finger poke of doom it’s obvious they wanted to devalue there championships.
Ric is being way too hard on himself. The match vs Bret in Saskatoon was a damn good match. Remind Ric he had a clinic with the Hitman. They both did great that night.
Mark did not get what Ric meant by saying he just beat Vader in a singles match then got beat when it was Ric and Arn vs. Vader in a handicap match. Admittedly, Conrad is better than Mark.
As a fellow Canadian, Bret Hart was the most famous Canadian in the world in 1997 bar none. Non wrestling fans who are 30+ years old know who he is and he even has a hockey team named after him in Calgary.
Lmao I remember one of those urban legends I heard as kid that if you sent mail to Canada with just 'Bret Hart' and no address, like it would still get mailed to his house cus everyone knew him lol
@@billblaski9523 You're right Bill, the mail would just wind up at the bottom of some snow bank if there was no address. Carl DeMarco would have to go look for it and dig it out.
Bret, to me was a cool stoic babyface. His interviews reflected that. Sting was outgoing and charismatic. Just different personalities and both cool. Not everyone in pro wrestling needs to have the same personality. I will say being sharp and shooting off the cuff, Bret's microphone flaws definitely showed much more. Beyond the cool lines or whatever he rehearsed, if someone hits him with an insult that he didn't expect, Bret's comebacks weren't always the best. The repetitive routines? Part of pro wrestling. Getting the crowd excited is the important part. You do try and tell a good story and there is a balance. Near anyone I can think of has somewhat of a routine. It is cool to see both Nature Boy and the Hitman getting along nowadays. They were both greats, glad to see they could both see the good in each others' work.
Ric Flair and Stone Cold Steve Austin had the best and memorable entrance songs of them all and that's really important when you want to be a legend of wwe! And unforgettable by your fans for the next 100,200 years! These two had something special about their entrance song and when they enterted the ring! And you said nobody comes close but you have to respect all the legends and put them equals! I will never put one legend over another
Anyone who says Bret Hart was terrible at promos never saw his work in 1996 and 1997 in the WWF. When he turned heel and put over Stone Cold, making him the biggest draw in wrestling history, he did some of the best promos I've ever seen. Promos aren't all about yelling and screaming and using creative terminology. They're about adding another level of psychology to the story you're telling in the ring. What separated Bret from other wrestlers is that he had the other guy's match. He didn't have his own match. Ric Flair is a legend and one of the greatest of all time and like Hart, knew how to put himself and other guys over at the same time, but you knew what you were going to get from a Ric Flair match. Obviously, the finishes of Bret's matches were usually the same, if he was going over (the Sharpshooter), but what he did up until that point wasn't usually the same, because he wrestled the other guy's match. Flair could go for a long time, but you could usually guess, spot by spot, what was going to happen in a Ric Flair match, regardless of who was going over. That isn't to diminish the wrestler that Ric was. But there are a lot of guys who can go on the mic who don't understand the psychology of wrestling at all. I know Ric does understand that, so why he's making a big deal about this is beyond me. Ric could be way over the top and add psychology to his promos. Bret was more no-nonsense and to the point. But having said all that, for 85% of their careers, Ric and Bret were in competing companies. They were playing for the opposite team. That's probably where most of this is coming from. They were 2 completely different wrestlers. One played the hits, the other tried to do something different every single time. One was more no-nonsense in promos in terms of getting his point across, the other more over the top. Neither is right or wrong. Just different.
Actually Bret was terrible on promos
Bret had a couple good ones, but overall he was a 5/10 when it came to promos. He says the same thing.
Bret got better at promos, yes, but he was still not that great even at his best on the mic. He took things SO seriously, it's as if he never knew the matches were predetermined or that the promoter decided who won/lost. It's like he felt the two opponents would decide it all and it was as serious as trusting his child's life with his opponent.
Bret had NOTHING to do with Austin's success
Good joke there big boi .’
Flair dropped the belt to Bret at a time when Hogan would have considered him not ready to win. He deserves some credit for that.
Agreed And I Guarantee You That If Hogan Was There He Would've Got The Title Instead Because Hogan Never Thought Bret Hart Was On His Level.
Flair jobbed to a lot of people he could've said no to or didn't have to. Somebody like Terry Funk who saw the bigger picture and that you could lose but still stay over.
Bret Hart was a much superior wrestler to Hogan..who was just a big guy with no technical nous.
Well he's not exactly in a position to say no to the boss...it's not that easy.
@@Born2Punch Flair booked more than Bischoff did really, at least everything but NWO, for years off and on.
Amazing to hear Ric tell the story of wanting to put over the Hitman in WCW. Bret's first match there, and he says, who cares if we went long. "I'm working with a guy who's taking care of me. ... I love wrestling Bret, it was a night off... we stole the show, go out and follow that. Really nice comments about the Hitman.
You think he really told Savage to F off after the match knowing what kind of a nutball he was?
Ric Flair beat Bret Hart in New Haven, 1991.
He won by count out but it was still a victory. The match is on dailymotion.
Good call.
Thank you! I’ll check that out!
If u look up Brets matches on wcw, fair beat him once
He still never pinned Bret, and I know that eats him on the inside low key. Nobody cares about a count out lool. Bret beat him twice.
@@Rich-km7pr Bret beat Flair more than twice. They faced each other tons of times between October 92 - February 93 when Bret was champion.
Bret was the best!! He made me a fan of WWF in 1992. His look was great, amazing theme music... bret did have a set move... but he made a ENTIRE match a story! Bret promos where not bad, but in 1996 and on.... his promos where epic good! He is def. GOAT
Finally they aren't talking crap about eachother !!! it's nice to see them being friends.
Brets mic work in 97 was his best work on the stick
to be the man, you got to be the man!!! and its the best thing going today!! wooooo! diamonds are forever and so is Ric Flair!!! limousine riding, jet flying, wheeling dealing, kissing stealing son of a gun.. its the best thing going today wooo!! those are all the tag lines I remember of Nature Boy!!!
The argument, valid, about Bret having a finishing sequence is a double edged sword. He used it a lot on weekly TV especially when starting single, but look at his PPV matches. Out of all his victories on PPV there is like three matches or something with that sequence, maybe even less. Hell, he didn't win half his matches with the sharpshooter in one on one matches on PPV.
I believe Bret had even said he always tried to do something different on pay per views. Such as pulling out a new move out of the hat he never used before.
pretty sure Ric Flair has talked about why his style is so repetitive and it’s because people pay to see the spots that he’s known for and it was probably the same for Bret on weekly tv matches. sometimes having the five moves of doom leads to more success as now people can expect and pop for when that sequence comes up. it’s when you know the match is reaching its climax. it’s virtually the same for all pieces of media where if you want to make a name that people recognize, you have to do something every time that people can identify you with. same with flair talking about his iconic catchphrases
I distinctly remember Bret being one of the only wrestlers that would consistently win big matches without his finisher. Sunset flips, Roll ups and bridging pins. They were almost fluke wins which made the match’s more interesting.
I love both Bret and Flair difference with both of their repetitive sequences is Flairs was flopping on his face, thrown of the top rope etc... Brets sequence was trying to win end of the day both these guys are GOATS!!!!
I love how Bret gave away a pair of shades to kids right before stepping into the ring
Flair and Hart both are Ring Greats! There will never be another Nature Boy or Hitman
Well there was another Nature Boy
@@ZBR_ProXP There certainly was and he was the original. The Rogers' family should sue Flair too!
I like how these two great performers are getting along now. Same with Bret and Shawn. I guess time heals all wounds.
Not Bret and Hogan. Time didn’t heal those yet.
@@troyrblb44 Never will. As for the others,just because they talk now doesn't mean some things haven't been forgotten.
Absolutely right
Time heals on wounds.
@@troyrblb44 Everyone has issues with Hogan, literally everyone.
One thing Bret was amazing at was putting guys over, even when he beat them. The matches vs Austin (Submission Match), 1-2-3 Kid (On Raw), Kevin Nash (survivor Series) come to mind.
The 1-2-3 Kid match on Raw scared the crap out of me, thinking Bret would lose!
It probably took all of Bret’s skill to put over Kevin Nash believably because Nash had no talent aside from being big. Bret would have had an easier time putting over Test because Test actually had talent
Regarding suplexing taker and Flair saying why would you do that if he is just going to sit back up....here is an example of why Bret did the suplex...there was a spot at the one night only PPV where Bret suplex's taker and then Bret hits the ropes and clotheslines Taker, as he is sitting up....That was a great reason to do that combo....
Yeah his matches with Taker were off the charts.
He superplexed Vader too.
Never thought about that regarding taker. Him superplexing vader seemed questionable. But I thought the matches with diesel showcased how a big man vs smaller man match should look like. He never successfully overpowered diesel and worked on smaller man tactics like going after diesel’s legs and small package rollups.
Flair has people who heard Whoooo for the 1st time when they were 6 years old and now there kids are still doing it. Madden made an excellent point, Brets transition from offense to defense was flawless but I would add he was a counter wrestler which added more added moves to his offense based on the opponent he fought. It was always interesting to see how he would avoid or get out of opponents signature moves.
Bret and Ric is almost like Bret and HBK, they often had harsh words about each other but when they got it in the ring it was always great stuff
Good job ric and mark. This podcast is great.
Ric literally has been living his gimmick for the last 40+ years; idk if it gets any more serious then that.
Very true. But Scott Hall has said that walking into Bret's house was like walking into a shrine to the Hitman.
@@curthennig9448 meanwhile right behind Ric Flair in THIS VERY VIDEO!
I doubt ric has a gimmick. He’s just himself.
Loving these ric flair shoots,a new found respect for the guy,honestly when someone has an opinion on him he takes it well and has a good laugh about it
1:15 Headbutt, Bulldog, Bulldog from elevated platforms, vertical suplex, superplex, figure-4-leg lock wrapped around the ring steel post….Wooooooooo!
But he used more moves then that the way he used the move and incorporated it
@@thaboyshawn5911 But if you can’t name them like Mark Madden and I did, then nobody knows what you’re talking about.
This content is much better than in the first few weeks. 👍 Bret & Ric are two people trying to build the same thing, but who see that same thing from completely different angles.
Really interesting interview. Mark, just slow down a bit. You interrupt Ric and don't let him finish saying some really interesting comments. A podcast is a marathon not a sprint.
Ric Flair is a good man. I couldn't agree more when he said to Canadians Bret Hart is the Wayne Gretzky of Wrestling. Growing watching wrestling, I didn't think any other Canadian was more famous than Brett "The Hitman" Hart.
I was a big fan of both of them back in the day. Glad they're both still around to tell the old stories and pass on their knowledge and experience.
B mom is
"Space Mountain.. oldest ride, Longest Line!!; Woooo!
He did the best leg drop and vertical/ off the top rop suplex ever #BretHart #RicFlair
Ric has admitted that Bret had more offensive tools than anyone he wrestled, with the possible exception of Randy Orton. Ric did not have an extensive move set, but he could mat wrestle and could anger a crowd or get sympathy very well. I'm glad they get along well now and hope they stay friends. Two of the best of all time, no doubt at all.
Then you should watch ric and steamboat
@@ericostling4727 I watched all of them when they happened. Ric's greatest matches, no doubt.
Great honest interview from Ric about Bret, this Podcast is growing on me
WOW! Mark Madden got old lol!! In all fairness though, it has been like 22 years since I last saw him (in WCW). I am glad to know he is still around and still doing his thing.
It wasn't a short match between him and Bret for the title it was about 30 minutes. If Flair had no equilibrium he wouldn't be able to do anything in the match. The match wasn't the best because it was short notice and not planned out very well but still a decent match and just the moment where Bret wins was so special and surreal. It was a big turning point in the business and you knew you were a part of something big. At that moment with all the great matches Bret had in that 2 years as a single wrestler you knew he was the best performer in the business and it all made sense. He earned it and it was the right decision to put the belt on him.
Flairs a known liar his equilibrium was fine warrior never suplexed him or hurt him, and he didnt take six months off after losing to bret hart he wrestled for the rest of the year before jumping to wcw and continuing to wrestle in 93
@@masterfulsky I know he didn't take six months off he was gone back to WCW in only 3 months so that makes no sense. I love the part where Mark asks him if he knows what things didn't work out for Bret in WCW and he puts his head down And says I don't know. Flair, Hogan, Hall, and Nash are all the reasons Bret was held down. There were burnt bridges with all of them in WWF so they knew when Bret came to WCW they were going to make things hard for him. Especially when Bischoff and Ted Turner allowed the talent to run things. What a stupid idea. I mean it didn't make sense that they were paying Bret all that money and they didn't care to get anything out of it? I mean they obviously felt Bret was worth the money because only Hogan was paid more. They allowed the inmates to run the asylum and what a costly mistake that was.
@@dannythedon82 Bret was damm overrated. He was boring as fuck. He had almost no charisma.
The only reason Bret was paid that was because Eric wanted to do a Bret vs Hogan. Plus Eric himself says Bret was a flop.
@@bourbon646 he was the best wrestler in the company at the time and was having the best matches. When it came to wrestling not boring at all. Maybe not the best on the mic but he had the look and the presence.
@@bourbon646Bret Hart was the hardest worker and most serious wrestler of all time. His moves looked real his matches were incredible. Nothing Hulk Hogan did looked real he was very flamboyant and looked like a comic book character. Same with Bill Goldberg, Ultimate Warrior, and every steroid taking insane wrestlers. They had 20 minute matches that sucked and you never watch again. The Rock took a lot of his work ethic from Bret Hart, Steve Austin and CM Punk also wanted to look real. Not many of today’s wrestlers want to be Hulk Hogan. Bret Hart made a 6 foot guy be the main event not just the 6 foot 6 muscle bound freaks. Bret helped innovate technical wrestling because the best Dynamite Kid couldn’t. You could watch Bret Hart matches and just look at all the moves from inside the ring to outside how he planned everything and it looked so good. You can’t say that about Hulk Hogan or Bill Goldberg.
Thank you For doing these Interviews Nature Boy.
Dude where has this podcast been! This is gold content
I just found flair vs martel in Japan, after watching this video...looks like it's a good one
Bret Hart: grapling and countering, russian leg sweep, back breaker, ankle on the ropes, arm sweep to leg, bulldog, suplex, elbow off 2nd rope, superplex, figure 4, figure 4 on the post, piledriver, sharp shooter
This may be repetitious but he had a large set of moves and he used them at the right time to make the match smooth and told right. He also used different moves vs different opponents. Rick Flair fought the same way every night of his life no matter the opponent
Inverted atomic drop, and snap over suplex, he had some other moves but yea he mainly liked dismantling u from the leg up.
He had a hell of a leg drop, as well
He also rocked a ddt
The thing that happened to his ear is crazy. I recently had that happen and the fix is crazy. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Don’t know how he wrestled like this!
Kidding me? Bret had an extensive arsenal.
He absolutely did, and he innovated.
@@ernssantiago8997 I hope I'm in your top ten Mr.Santiago!
@@curthennig9448 yes you are
German Suplex, piledriver, wrestling skills, he'll of selling, the run in the ring corner was epic.. First ladder match vs Shawn Michaels on VHS
Bret had so much more than just 4 moves if I were to think of the head I would say, leg sweep, headbutt to the groin, atomic drop, elbow, cross body, superplex, German,Sharpshooter,figure 4 round the ring post,Dropkick. Also he had one of the best punches in the game
Yeah flair talking about how many moves someone has is funny. Im 51 and have been watching wrestling and flair since the late 70s early 80s. Dont believe flair wants to compare moves with anyone besides maybe people like hogan, goldberg, ultimate warrior who all had 3 or 4 moves
Agreed. This is just Mark Madden choking on Flair’s weiner.
Ric’s is the most limited wrestler next to hogan. He has literally 3 moves, chop, sleeper, and his figure 4. Bret had his atomic drop, back breaker, Russian leg sweep, nutcracker, sharpshooter
Ric and Bret had a great Ironman match I think in Boston in 1993..Ric won 5 falls 2 falls by figure four leflock..and Bret won a couple of falls by Sharpe shooter.. on his way to getting 6 falls to win the match..Great match.
Flair puts an interesting perspective on the screw job because it does makes sense that it wouldn’t torment him if it was a work
You sell yourself short Ric, you pinned Sting for title number 7 at the Meodowlands in New Jersey, you used the ropes but you won and it was Awesome
I remember that. The fans cheered for Ric
He pinned Steamboat and Vader clean as well and made Dusty pass out from the Figure Four for World Title number 4 in 86. He's got quite a few clean victories.
And beat Sting clean if I'm not mistaken for that unification match in 1994 that led up to Hogan's arrival.
Agreed..
You do know it’s all scripted right?
Great show Mark and Ric. I just discovered this channel.
Bret was great as a heel in a tag team. I loved him when the fans would scream “greaseball..greaseball!”
I got that shit on my hands all the time from Bret.
Bret when you look at all of his work ..is really the best overall inring performer.
Also, his usa vs canada promos can be considered the best sequence of promos of all time. He believed everyword he said.
Such a shame there was that miscommunication- Bret started to suspect that Ric was sabotaging their matches. The poor guy was suffering but still showed up to work.
I loved Brett's interviews.
Ric Flair is a national treasure. I'd love to sit down and have a few beers with the man. Whooooo!!
Lol, I dunno if I would? I've heard some rough things about the guy meeting fans. If you turned up with a stacked blonde, he might be a little more amiable. If perchance he was keen, and tanked though, boy he certainly would be one interesting SOB.
You know Jesse you'd have to cover the bar tab after Flair's credit card is rejected.
@@curthennig9448 That's fine with me. How many people can say they hung out with the man.
@@jesselemar7157 Maybe 15,000 women(LOL). On a serious note though, I wouldn't blame you. Hope you have a good paying job because Flair buys for everybody in the room! WHOOOOOO
Saw Flair vs. Bret live at a WWF houseshow in Germany in early 1993. Probably one of Ric's last matches before he went back to WCW.
What would u rate ot and who won
Thank you, Ric, and merry Christmas to you. So sad to know you have lost a son.
You, Hart, Perfect, Macho, Steamboat and Bam Bam are the best to ever do it in my opinion
Bam bam is criminally underrated
How was thr 92 title match bad and short? I thought it was very good,and it wasn't short.
brets wrestling + flairs promos and you have the greatest combo of all
I love both of you guys. I think your both among the best to do it.
Flair is the best ever. He made you believe him. In ring and out of ring. He made you hate him and love him. He is the best in the business.
I’m glad Bret and Ric buried the hatchet. There’s was really no reason they were hating on each other before.
No reason? Are you kidding me? They were burying each other for years in interviews talking about their wrestling skills,promos and charisma. They had a major difference of opinion especially in 1992.
@@curthennig9448 I know but it almost seemed like they were jealous of each other in some way. Glad they are friends now.
@@derekazyan9942 Maybe it was a WWF vs WCW thing when Flair arrived on the scene back in 1991. Maybe Bret was jealous because of all the attention Ric got in the wrestling world. Bret said he wasn't impressed with Flair in 1992 and felt he wasn't that great in the ring. Of course Ric returned fire and said that Bret had no charisma and wasn't a draw.
This host Madden runs over some of Ric's responses. There are some career pts that come heavy hearted and Madden's a little insensitive sometimes.
Ric Flair and Bret Hart had great matches. But my favorite were between Bret Hart and Kurt Hennig.
Good call Ass.
“With the help of 5 horsemen.” I have no idea why that was so funny 😂😂😂😂 7:41
When I clicked on this video I was not expecting to hear and see Mark Madden for the first time since he was on WCW! Crazy.
I’m glad these two legends are friends today.
Hello fans! Its an honour to have the ability to share my two cents.All the respect to almost all wrestlers who done it in the ring.Respect to you Ric for such a great career,congratulions sir. i wanted to comment on your view about Bret suplexing the undertaker off the top rope. Mark Callaway said that Bret was the first guy he finally faced that he could actually wrestle rather than do the Frankenstein thing. Taker wasnt Andre,big but lean and athletic.Bret at 6'1,234lbs of muscle made it work.he didnt always get it off too. Could never keep him in the sharpshooter. love and respect to all. god bless Ric.
Bret was the best as far as making the moves look the est. He had the best move set and did crazy things with it, but he lacked Mic skills IMO. The Ability to draw people just because you could talk. People came to see Bret because his wrestling in Ring was fantastic and believable. Then you got Rick Flair the man had emotion like no other he translated that emotion to you. Made you get excited and want to see the match. Dusty Rhodes was the same way. Dusty did not have the look of most wrestlers, but had the ability to make you love the guy despite his lack of looks. He made it work and man did he . Seeing a Fat Man boogie and do Muhamed Ali style gimmicks was so funny and well executed. If you stop and think about it the top 4 wrestlers of all time popularity wise were all talkers except the Undertaker. Ric Flair, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Dusty Rhodes were all talkers with awesome Mic Skills, but they lacked mat skills (Ric Flair is the exception there he had the mat skills). Bret was pure Mat skills and the only other pure Mat skills wrestler I can think of to match Bret was David Von Eric. Had David not died young he could have risen to the levels of Bret Hart as far as wrestling abilities. In the end what determines success in Wrestling is your ability to put people in seats. If you can make people want to pay money to see you your over! When I think who is the real #1 best wrestler they got to have it all. Mic Skills and Mat skills. I want to say this now because he is under rated, but Curt Angle could be considered top 3 best of all time. Why? He had Mic Skills and he had real mat skills. He deserved more in the WWE.
Bret for me is the greatest wrestler of all time. Although he wasn't the best on the mic, like someone like The Rock.. I think when he found his voice, especially when him and HBK had their rivaly he was still up there with the best of them.
Bret wasn't the best promo but his ring work is AMAZING ! Austin vs Hart (I quit match) is my favorite match of all time.
I just wish Bret and Shawn had one tagged match together while both were still active.. at least one match
They had 2 in 95 (dark matches) against Eli and Jacob Blue and against Lawler and Hakushi. It was shown in the "unreleased matches 1986-1995" dvd and the one with Eli and Jacob can be found online (actually both can be found online).
Thank you, Ric. Bret deserves a clap around.i lost my mom this year and my best friend a year before that... I was divorced somewhere in between.
Bret's matches and U2 kept me going. Thats all.
The match was not short and not terrible.
Bret Hart was a true artist in the ring. He was Rembrandt; perfection in every way.
okay, jim ross
Owen was better
Thanks for the laugh ...
He wasn't in my league but he was close.
16:09 u sure about that mark? ever heard of Austin back in the late 90s?
The Hart family and the von Eirik family , it's like watching the old days of wrestling divisions and TV area divisions die out ..while all tv communications nationalize instead of regional right along with the old days of wrestling divisions
The Armstrong's are right there with both of them.
Mark A. Graff: You can definitely make a case for The Armstrongs. Also their NWA Southeastern Archrivals (and even sometimes Tag Partners) The Fullers, Welches, and Goldens. Also Boris, Dean, and Joe Malenko. Christine, Jerry, and Jeff Jarrett. Joe, Tully, and Tessa Blanchard. And Gory, Mando, Hector, Chavo Senior, Eddie, Chavo Junior, Vickie, and Shaul Guerrero going way back decades to La Familia Guerrero's work with AAA in Mexico. And though people really don't want to hear it The Anoi'a Family's unending succession of Pro Wrestling Royalty (no matter how another Family views it😏). And at least three of The Rhodes (or Runnels😏) Family. Certain there are ones unlisted before like Steiners and Rotundos and Windhams and such.😂😏🎤👨👩👧👧🤼♀️🤼♂️B.W.
A Hart Foundation vs Four Horseman feud would have been such a great way to bring Bret into WCW. The far north vs the deep south, with Benoit being the wildcard who's true allegiance was unknown.
Not many can beat Flair's promos. Limousine ridin....
That is just a fantastic, candid interview. I love it when people open up after their careers.
Bret hands down best range of matches and opponents in history. When he turned heel - amazing promos. When he was a baby face he did some fun promos - Owen at summerslam 94, Dave boy summerslam 92 and the promo with piper at mania 8 was legendary. The greatest ever for me.
His promos were never good and you could never tell if he was face or a heel because he always had the same facial expressions
@@SlapNutsMaxx You haven’t watched much then, or you’re just a flat out hater. Bret had awesome Mic skills.
@@SlapNutsMaxx his gimmick was a hitman, sorta emotionless and down to the point.
@@MCLogikILL No it wasn’t please stop. he wasn’t good at playing the heel and he was only a heel in the US because people were sick of him here and booing him but cheering Austin. They loved him in Canada because Cananda like Ric said and has said before, they don’t have a lot of great athletes so Bret was a huge deal to them. He was never going around on td mic saying “I’m the hitman and I’m emotionless!” No, his gimmick wasn’t even a gimmick it was really him which is good but you couldn’t ever tell if he was a heel or face. If a guy can’t do that naturally, then they usually change their hair or gear, something to make the fans dislike them. Austin knew how to change his tone and facial expressions when he was a heel or face. Look at Bailey the female wrestler, she had long hair and she was pretty! Then she just cut it short and she was still pretty but it pissses people off because it got rid of the pretty girly girl look.
@UC1aqBqefFgC8NNzb0qmT8Ug are you shittin me!?? Lmfao that “heel” promo in the wheelchair was a pos move by Bret. He talked everybody to sleep then the program went off air. After it was off air Michaels super kicked him and Michaels was kissed because Bret said “oh I didn’t realize the timing” god forbid somebody else lied or fucked up, Bret would trash them. Bret’s like 68 years old now and he still cries about everytbody he knew in the wrestling business because he’s a bitter person. I like him but his mark fans like you just suck because you love him so much that in your sick minds you beleived his bullshit and everything he says. DAvey boy smith is dead and Bret just talks sh it about his drug addiction Ll the time. If anybody said that Owen was a pos because of the bullying that he calls “ribs” or how Owen injured a lot of people And it seemed to be on purpose, Bret would have a fit. Imagine Davey boys son who’s a nice guy watching Bret call his father a junkie im shoot interviews???Brets lucky he didn’t slap him. And btw the match against piper was boring and put people to sleep with an awful finish that Bret thought was so creative. His match against the British bulldog in 1992 only seems so good because there’s millions of fans. Herring for Dave’s boy, not Bret and best brags hos all the little girl were chasing him and it sounds so creepy how excited he gets telling the stories how In Europe the little middle schooo girls loved him Lmfaoo. You’re a Bret hart mark so you’ll just fight until you’re blue in the face about how threat he was
I always liked ric flair but now after hearing some podcasts i have so say the is one of the greatest ever and a cool honestly dude
i would love to see rick insight on working w bruiser brody
Its cool hearing these wrestling legends respect one another.
Ive never seen someone run full speed with intensity into the turnbuckles like Bret did
So at 15:45 Ric states that all because of his sayings is why he is relevant today!! I know that Ric and Bret have had their issue's in the past and have mended fences but I can confidently state that the reason why Bret is still relevant today is because of his in ring performance!! IMO what make's someone a great wrestler 1st and foremost is their in ring performance. After that it would be your style/look and promo ability and Ric is probably #1 in the promo dept. Bret's in ring ability is obviously his best attribute, and considering that there are quite a few guys in the business that state they had their best match (Austin, 'Taker, Perfect, Nash, Bam Bam, etc) with Bret holds a lot of weight when considering the GOAT.
Waltman
@@tonesdad0408 Yeah forgot Xpac. Plus I forgot to mention that many of the newer guys today, Punk, Drew Mac. Miz, Sheamus, Edge/Christain all say Bret was their biggest influence. Other than HHH, Road dog, Billy Gunn, Hall, (all friends in the early days) you dont here of others bad mouthing Bret, other than saying he took his job too seriously!! Cornette even says that he wished more people would have taken 'rasslin a bit more seriously!1
The only people Flair says
'screwed him' was Jim Herd & thousands of Women.
That and drawing power is what seperates Ric Flair from Bret Hart.
Bret Hart was on top in an era when more people were into and watching wrestling than ever... he was also a huge draw in Europe. Ric Flair was popular a decade or two in the past (before the 90s) and in southern regional promotions that had no international presence (being NWA champion has not meant anything since the 70s). Ric Flair was not over in the WWF as Bret was at that time...he was not even the top guy in WCW in the 90s next to Hogan, the nWo and others... c'mon man!
@@BronzeBullBalls Flair is bigger name in Japan. Bret was on top of least popular era of WWF competing against clowns, pirates, garbage men, and boy toys. Flair wrestled sold out arenas versus all time greats Funks, Brisco, Brody, Race, Wahoo, Hansen, Tenyru, Jumbo, Bockwinkel, Dusty, ect ect.
@@patale1640 lol Flair was only over with men in their 40s and 50s by the 90s... basically anyone who even remembered most of those opponents you mentioned in your list. He was like your Dad's favourite wrestler... as a 10 year old, I had no idea who he even was until he arrived in the WWF. I agree that the WWF was cartooney and for kids, but it was also the largest wrestling company in the world at that time and Bret Hart was more over in that company than Flair. Flair was not relevant in the mainstream or in pop culture by the 90s.
@@BronzeBullBalls Haha look at the numbers Flair drew higher ratings than Bret. Bret was putting people to sleep on RAW while Flair was cutting hot promos on Nitro. Bret didn’t get hot until he latched on the Stone Cold bandwagon.
@@BronzeBullBalls fans who grew up in the 80s(wrestling biggest drawing period until Rock/Austin.) all remember Flair. The same fans where teenagers/college kids in the 90s. BTW ask Rock and Austin who the GOAT is. Hint: Its not the Hitman.WHOOOOOOOO~!
Funny that he says he went home for 6 months after he lost the belt to Bret. The title change happened in October 92. One month later he wrestled at the Survivor Series. Two months later he took part in the Royal Rumble match 😅. Doesn't really add up does it?
I think every guy who’s been the top guy is repetitive. Because people come to the rock show to hear the hits not the deep cuts. Same with wrestling. The top guys go in take a bit of heat. Provide their comeback and deliver the 4-5 moves they’re famous for and the fans walk out feeling complete.
My comment is simply this Both men a EXCELLENCE PERSONIFIED. If it wasn't for Ric Breat and a nameless end of super Stars I would not be here today
It's hard to say who was the best ever, but I would have to put Shawn Michaels and Brett Hart up there together. Shawn was indeed a top performer, and he had great mic skills. He was athletic and great at getting to thr crowd. Brett was more serious and not as good on the mic, but he was the most fluid wrestler in the ring. And he didn't hurt people. He could make thr worse wrestler look great.
Idk heel Bret was awesome on the mic
Please. Kurt Angle was heads and shoulder a superior wrestler than Bret.
@@rickfountain8328no he wasn't
Mark Madden’s idea for his WCW inception is perfect. 👍
I’m a big Bret fan but I felt he was too harsh on his criticism about Flair, he got so mad about HBK disrespecting then he kind of did it to Flair, just like Hart gave HBK his first run as champ Flair did it for Bret. I think a lot of Bret’s criticism of Flair comes from a period of time when Flair himself admitted he kinda was broken from years of dealing with WCW incompetence and Flairs wrote in his book his inner ear balance was off then. 2 of the best ever.
When Hitman won the belt from Flair the match was much longer than 5 mins. I don't remember the part where Flair was on his back for a long time just remember it being a great match in a year of classics from Flair winning the Royal Rumble, Flair vs Savage at Mania 8, Savage and Warrior at SummerSlam, Davey Boy vs Hart at SummerSlam
It was near 40 minutes.
Bret has huge respect and appreciation for Ric and has said it many times.
Flair's gotta stay on track... he's all over the place talking about Savage and Vader
I found out about that title change with Bret in the WWF magazine. I was gobsmacked at the time.
Mark Madden should know when talking about Bret having the replica of the WWE belt that Bischoff couldn’t do anything like that, Turners lawyers had major restrictions on things like that because of the Hall and Nash lawsuits going on between WCW and WWE, they absolutely should have referred to the fact Bret never lost the world title, every viewer was aware of it, even if Bret lost it immediately after they should have made Bret champ and made him out to be the first ever undisputed champion basically combining both world titles it would have brought credibility to the WCW belt but judging from the finger poke of doom it’s obvious they wanted to devalue there championships.
Ric is being way too hard on himself. The match vs Bret in Saskatoon was a damn good match. Remind Ric he had a clinic with the Hitman. They both did great that night.
Mark did not get what Ric meant by saying he just beat Vader in a singles match then got beat when it was Ric and Arn vs. Vader in a handicap match. Admittedly, Conrad is better than Mark.
I love you Champ. With all the medical things that go on in your line of work, I want to be there for Queen Charlotte
Bret looked like tom wopat of dukes of Hazzard
As a fellow Canadian, Bret Hart was the most famous Canadian in the world in 1997 bar none. Non wrestling fans who are 30+ years old know who he is and he even has a hockey team named after him in Calgary.
Lmao I remember one of those urban legends I heard as kid that if you sent mail to Canada with just 'Bret Hart' and no address, like it would still get mailed to his house cus everyone knew him lol
@@billblaski9523 You're right Bill, the mail would just wind up at the bottom of some snow bank if there was no address. Carl DeMarco would have to go look for it and dig it out.
Bret, to me was a cool stoic babyface. His interviews reflected that. Sting was outgoing and charismatic. Just different personalities and both cool. Not everyone in pro wrestling needs to have the same personality. I will say being sharp and shooting off the cuff, Bret's microphone flaws definitely showed much more. Beyond the cool lines or whatever he rehearsed, if someone hits him with an insult that he didn't expect, Bret's comebacks weren't always the best.
The repetitive routines? Part of pro wrestling. Getting the crowd excited is the important part. You do try and tell a good story and there is a balance. Near anyone I can think of has somewhat of a routine.
It is cool to see both Nature Boy and the Hitman getting along nowadays. They were both greats, glad to see they could both see the good in each others' work.
I love how tickled nature boy was with that jab lol. Nice
Yeah nice to see he can take them in stride
Ask Flair about Gino Hernandez and if he believes Gino copied his gimmick and if he was ever considered for horsemen membership?
Crazy that Ric says he only met Owen once in passing while they were in WWF together for over a year
Owen was a low card guy at that point
@@rubenarriaga3029 so? They were in the same locker room for over a year
@@vsrvideo8676 Flair was too drunk at the time to remember Owen
Bret has always been and always will be one of my absolute favorite wrestlers, but nobody comes close to The Nature Boy!
WOOOOOO!!
Ric Flair and Stone Cold Steve Austin had the best and memorable entrance songs of them all and that's really important when you want to be a legend of wwe! And unforgettable by your fans for the next 100,200 years! These two had something special about their entrance song and when they enterted the ring! And you said nobody comes close but you have to respect all the legends and put them equals! I will never put one legend over another
I love Ric Flair. What an amazing entertainer.
Me too. He had the look the Charisma and a master on the Mike
Ric wrestle brody in singapore? When is that?
That's True what you Said Natch. I remember you All the NWA Wrestlers in Mexico, Japan, etc., way before Bret became big.