The Hitman Returns!

It’s been reported that Hall of Famer, Bret “The Hitman” Hart is making a return to the WWE.  Wrestling writer, Dave Meltzer has reported that Hart has inked a short-term deal that will start the 1st of the year and run till shortly after Wrestlemania 26.  It’s likely that he will appear on TV on Monday Night RAW, January 4, 2010 to compete against TNA’s Monday night effort.

The reason why this is such a big deal is because of the history between Hart and WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon.  If you have not heard about the story known as the “Montreal Screwjob” you have not been following wrestling long or do not know your history.  In November of 1997 at the Survivor Series PPV, “The Hitman” was defending his WWF Championship against Shawn Michaels in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in his last official match with WWF (he was leaving for WCW).  The match was abruptly ended by referee Earl Hebner when Michaels used Hart’s trademark submission maneuver, The Sharpshooter, on him and Hart NEVER submitted.  Michaels was declared the winner and new WWF Champion.  After the match, Hart was furious and spit on McMahon who came down to the ring.  Then signed the letters WCW in the air with his fingers to the crowd.

This is news to me!  WOW!  A few months ago, I was at a question and answer session with “The Hitman” and one of the things he said to the crowd was that, “He was retired!”  He praised a lot of the young talent in WWE, but was very firm in his stance that he would not return to the ring.  He NEVER said that he wouldn’t come back to be an on-air talent though.  I’m not sure exactly what WWE has planned for him.  They eluded to him maybe being a guest host last week on RAW, but if they signed him to a short-term deal, then they have something more in mind than just guest hosting a single show.  Maybe to be a mouth piece for the Hart Dynasty? Maybe they’ll have him call out Shawn Michaels and address the Montreal Screwjob on TV?

This is going to make things interesting on January 4th.  Do people tune into RAW for Bret Hart, or do they tune into TNA’s offering to see Hulk Hogan?  Even for me, this is going to be a tough decision!