Did Bret Hart Ever Forgive Goldberg? Unpacking A Wrestling Legend's Long Grudge
For many people who follow professional wrestling, the question of whether Did Bret Hart ever forgive Goldberg remains a really big one. This isn't just about a simple disagreement; it's a deep, long-standing animosity that has kept fans talking for more than two decades, so it's quite a story. The wrestling world, you know, has seen its share of rivalries, but this particular one holds a special, somewhat sad, place in the hearts of many.
It really centers on a moment that happened in the ring, a single kick that changed the path of a legendary career forever. That event, which took place during a WCW Starrcade match in 1999, left a lasting mark, not just on Bret Hart, but also on the collective memory of wrestling enthusiasts. It’s a moment that had, arguably, a huge impact on Bret’s life and work, and it’s something fans still remember quite clearly.
This whole situation, you see, is a powerful example of how one incident can shape a person's entire outlook, particularly when their passion and livelihood are involved. We are talking about one of the very best wrestlers ever, someone whose skills were truly remarkable. The lingering feelings and the public statements from both Bret Hart and Bill Goldberg over the years paint a rather clear picture, and we will look at all of that here.
Table of Contents
- Bret Hart: A Brief Look at "The Hitman"
- The Fateful Night: Starrcade 1999
- Bret Hart's Perspective: A Grudge That Lasts
- Goldberg's Side of the Story and His Feelings
- The Ongoing Animosity and Public Statements
- Beyond the Ring: Bret's Other Struggles
- FAQ About Bret Hart and Goldberg
Bret Hart: A Brief Look at "The Hitman"
Bret "The Hitman" Hart is, by many accounts, one of the finest professional wrestlers to ever step into a ring. His technical ability, his storytelling in matches, and his connection with the crowd were, you know, truly special. He held many championships and was a main figure in both WWE and WCW during his active years. His career was filled with incredible highs, but also, as we know, some very painful lows.
His reputation as a precise and safe worker was something he was quite proud of, so it's a bit ironic that his career ended the way it did. Bret's influence on wrestling is still felt today, and many performers look up to his style and his approach to the craft. He has a very strong following of fans who appreciate his contributions to the sport, and they often feel very protective of his legacy, which is understandable.
Personal Details and Bio Data of Bret Hart
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bret Sergeant Hart |
| Ring Name | Bret "The Hitman" Hart |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Major Promotions | WWE (formerly WWF), WCW |
| Notable Achievements | Multiple World Championships, Hall of Famer |
| Career Defining Moment (Negative) | Injury at Starrcade 1999 |
The Fateful Night: Starrcade 1999
The incident that sparked this long-running bitterness happened at WCW Starrcade in 1999. During a match, Bill Goldberg delivered a superkick to Bret Hart's head. This was, basically, a very significant event that many fans still remember quite clearly. The impact of that kick was far more severe than anyone could have imagined at the time, and it truly changed everything for Bret, almost instantly.
Bret Hart, in his own words, was not even supposed to take a bump in that particular match. This means the plan was for him to avoid any hard landings or big impacts, so the kick was a major deviation from what was intended. The stiffness of the kick, you know, caused a severe concussion that ultimately led to Bret having to step away from wrestling for good. It was a terrible blow to his health and his livelihood, and it's something that, honestly, still resonates with him deeply.
The consequences of that one moment were, in a way, catastrophic for Bret. His wrestling career, which was filled with so much passion and dedication, came to an abrupt and painful end. The injury he suffered was very serious, and according to his autobiography, the kick almost internally decapitated him. This highlights just how dangerous and impactful that single action was, and why it's been so hard for Bret to move past it, even after so many years.
Bret Hart's Perspective: A Grudge That Lasts
For more than two decades, Bret Hart has held a very strong grudge against Goldberg because of that kick at Starrcade 1999. The "beef" between them has continued, and it shows no real signs of going away. Bret has publicly stated many times that he blames Bill Goldberg for ending his wrestling career. He generally just dislikes his fellow WWE Hall of Famer, and he will never, ever let any of us forget about it, which is pretty clear.
In 2007, Bret wrote an autobiography about his life and wrestling. In that book, he shared his thoughts on Goldberg and the kick. He said, “I was more responsible than anyone for downplaying my condition to myself and everyone else.” This suggests that even he might have initially minimized the severity of his injury, but the lasting effects became undeniable. He also said of Goldberg, “He doesn’t have a mean bone in his body, and what...” This part of his quote is a bit incomplete in the provided text, but it hints at a complex feeling, perhaps acknowledging Goldberg's character while still holding him responsible for the outcome.
However, Bret's feelings have, you know, certainly hardened over time. He once stated that Goldberg was not to blame for the end of his career, but then he retracted that statement, which shows a change of heart. More recently, Bret has been very critical of Goldberg. He watched an interview Goldberg did with Ariel Helwani and had some very strong words about it. Bret called it “one of the most pathetic attempts I’ve ever seen from a grown man trying to rewrite history,” which is a pretty harsh assessment.
Bret Hart also described Bill Goldberg as “one of the biggest babies I ever shared a locker room with.” He added that Goldberg “Always was… always needed to be handled with kid gloves because his ego.” These are very cutting remarks, and they show a deep-seated frustration and, in a way, a lack of respect for Goldberg. It's clear that Bret feels Goldberg's actions and his subsequent attempts to explain them have been, basically, disingenuous. The bitterness, it seems, runs very deep for Bret.
He has nothing to gain from pretending to forgive Goldberg, realistically. Like half his living relatives have, you know, seen the impact this had. Bret's business sense also plays a part; he knows his business, knows his family's business, and was a man about it. This is why he has been able to be cordial with Vince McMahon and WWE, because there was something to gain there. Goldberg, on the other hand, will never do anything for Bret Hart or his business, so there's no real incentive for a public reconciliation from Bret's side.
The whole situation was, in Bret's view, like 20 bad things that happened to him in a row, not all caused by Goldberg but Goldberg started the chain of events. That kick set off a series of unfortunate events for Bret, and it’s a burden he clearly still carries. He even expressed a wish, saying, “I wished I’d never left for WCW because I probably wouldn’t have had a stroke and I probably wouldn’t have had to wrestle Bill Goldberg.” This statement, which can be found on postwrestling.com, shows the immense regret and sorrow he associates with that period of his life, and Goldberg's role in it.
Goldberg's Side of the Story and His Feelings
Former professional wrestler Bill Goldberg is, of course, well aware of what happened in 1999 between himself and Bret "Hitman" Hart. He knows the hitman will never forgive him, and he says he will take ending Bret Hart's career to the grave. This suggests a heavy burden of guilt or regret that Goldberg carries, even if Bret doesn't acknowledge it. He understands the lasting impact his action had, and that's something he has to live with, apparently.
Goldberg has, you know, apologized for the incident. He has also, in a way, praised himself for apologizing, and he has tried to move past it. However, Bret publicly holding that grudge has made it very hard for Bill to avoid the issue. It keeps coming up, and Goldberg is hurt by Bret Hart’s refusal to forgive him for ending the hitman’s wrestling career with a kick to the head. He has appeared on podcasts, like Chris Jericho's "Talk Is Jericho," where he has discussed the bad blood between them, trying to offer his perspective on the situation.
Now, Goldberg says he's finished apologizing for it. This indicates a point where he feels he has done what he can to express regret, and he's ready to move on, even if Bret is not. It's a difficult position for him, as he can't force forgiveness, but he clearly feels the weight of the situation. The animosity has been a long-standing issue between the two WWE Hall of Famers, and it stems from that moment more than two decades ago during their time in WCW, a rival promotion to WWE.
The Ongoing Animosity and Public Statements
The bitterness between Bret Hart and Bill Goldberg is something that, you know, just keeps going. It’s not a quiet disagreement; it’s often played out in public statements and interviews. Bret Hart and Dave Meltzer, for example, did commentary for a new release of "Wrestling with Shadows," a film that captures a very difficult period in Bret's career. During that conversation, Hart “went really hard on Bill Goldberg,” while Meltzer tried to defend him, which is interesting.
Meltzer reportedly said, “Bret is very bitter on Bill, it was an unfortunate thing that happened in wrestling.” This comment, in some respects, sums up the feeling many people have about the situation: it was a regrettable accident, but Bret’s feelings are completely valid. The fact that this topic continues to come up in public discussions, even after so many years, shows just how deeply etched this event is in the history of professional wrestling and in the lives of these two men, too it's almost.
The feud is a constant reminder of the risks involved in wrestling and the very real consequences of in-ring actions. It also highlights the personal toll that such events can take on individuals. Goldberg's desire to move past it and Bret's firm refusal to let go create a dynamic that, honestly, keeps the story alive for fans. It's a narrative that, in a way, feels unresolved, and that's why people keep asking about it.
Beyond the Ring: Bret's Other Struggles
It's important to remember that the injury from Goldberg's kick was not the only hardship Bret Hart faced around that time. His departure from WWE, known as the "Montreal Screwjob," was a very traumatic event for him, and it left him feeling betrayed. Then, in WCW, he suffered the career-ending concussion, which was another massive blow. These events were, in a way, a series of very difficult challenges that hit him one after another.
Bret has also, you know, faced serious health issues outside of wrestling, including a stroke. He has reflected on these events, sometimes linking them to the stress and circumstances of his wrestling career. He expressed gratitude for Shawn Michaels being in a better place today, and wished none of the bad history ever happened. This shows a desire for peace and a longing for things to have been different in his past, which is a very human feeling, arguably.
The impact of the Goldberg kick, therefore, is not just a single isolated event in Bret's mind. It seems to be part of a larger chain of difficult experiences that shaped his later life and health. This context helps us to understand why his feelings towards Goldberg are so strong and so enduring. It's not just about a kick; it's about the end of a cherished career and the start of a very challenging period in his life, which is a big deal.
FAQ About Bret Hart and Goldberg
Did Goldberg apologize to Bret Hart for the kick?
Yes, Bill Goldberg has apologized for the kick that ended Bret Hart's wrestling career. He has publicly expressed regret for the incident and has tried to move past it. However, Bret Hart has not accepted these apologies, and he continues to hold Goldberg responsible for the injury and its lasting effects on his life, which is something Goldberg himself acknowledges, apparently.
What was the specific injury Bret Hart suffered from Goldberg's kick?
Bret Hart suffered a severe concussion from Goldberg's stiff kick to his head at WCW Starrcade 1999. This concussion was so serious that it ultimately led to the end of his professional wrestling career. According to Bret's own account in his autobiography, the kick was extremely impactful and almost internally decapitated him, which gives a sense of the extreme force involved.
Why does Bret Hart still hold a grudge against Goldberg after so many years?
Bret Hart still holds a very strong grudge against Goldberg because he directly blames Goldberg's kick for ending his wrestling career, which was his passion and livelihood. He feels that Goldberg was careless in the ring and caused an injury that had profound, life-altering consequences for him. Bret has also expressed frustration with Goldberg's public statements about the incident, viewing them as attempts to "rewrite history," which further solidifies his bitterness. The bitterness is, you know, very deep.
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Did Bret Hart forgive Goldberg for ending his wrestling career?
WWE Name Believes Bret Hart Will Eventually Forgive Goldberg - WrestleTalk
Goldberg Says He's Through Apologizing To Bret Hart
