WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart has criticised the current state of professional wrestling, arguing that the industry has abandoned the realism and traditional storytelling that once defined the business.
Speaking on the Johnny I Pro Show, the former WWE Champion expressed frustration with modern wrestling’s emphasis on spectacle, claiming that matches no longer make a convincing effort to appear authentic. Bret Hart explained that he dedicated much of his career to making his performances believable and believes today’s wrestlers no longer maintain those principles.
“I know that I gave so much and tried so hard to make it appear real. And I have a hard time today when it’s not. I don’t think those values are carried forward, and they’re moving on in a different direction now where wrestling is starting to become … it’s a circus,” Hart said.
The legendary wrestler continued, questioning the industry’s increasing reliance on elaborate presentation and exaggerated action, suggesting these elements have overshadowed the fundamentals of professional wrestling.
“It doesn’t try to be real anymore. It tries to be unreal, like too outrageously. The more explosions and pyro and stuff that you can do. It has nothing to do with wrestling.”
Bret Hart Criticises Modern Wrestling’s Lack Of Realism And Storytelling
Bret Hart went on to explain that his appreciation for professional wrestling has always centred on matches that develop naturally, incorporate traditional techniques and tell compelling stories inside the ring. Despite remaining a wrestling fan, he admitted that today’s product no longer provides the type of matches he particularly enjoys watching.
“I’m a wrestling fan deep in my heart, and I like to watch a really good wrestling match that builds and tells a story and all that. And I don’t get that fix anymore. I’m not getting that at all from today’s wrestling,” he added.
Hart believes professional wrestling has historically been at its best when performers make matches look as realistic as possible, even though the outcomes are predetermined. While he acknowledged his admiration for many contemporary wrestlers, he suggested that traditional wrestling techniques have become increasingly overlooked.
The former World Champion expressed a desire to see performers place greater emphasis on basic holds, including headlocks, rather than relying so heavily on spectacle. Although Bret Hart remains appreciative of the talent within the modern industry, his latest comments underline his dissatisfaction with the direction professional wrestling has taken and his preference for the more traditional, realism-focused approach that defined his own career.
