February 20, 2006 Observer Newsletter: Bret Hart agrees to enter the WWE Hall of Fame
Bret Hart agreed to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at the ceremony on 4/1 in Chicago–the night before this year’s Wrestlemania, ending a long recruiting practice by the company that started immediately after last year’s show.
Hart was the leading vote getter in the company’s unofficial balloting to present names to Vince McMahon, although he was being recruited long before any real discussion for this year had started. He indicated to WWE officials more than a week ago that he would do so, but still was going back-and-forth on the decision until finally telling Kevin Dunn on 2/12 that it was okay to make the announcement the next night on Raw (which aired live in Canada and the U.K.). All sides agreed on confidentiality until the announcement was done on television.
As things stand, Hart has only agreed to do the Hall of Fame, and will not appear at Wrestlemania. Hart is currently in Calgary working in his book project, which he wants done quickly, but at this point is only in 1999.
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Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.