The Legacy Of The Hart Family: A Deep Dive Into Wrestling's First Family

Wrestling fans old enough to remember the booming popularity of the WWE in the late 20th century no doubt recall the exploits of Bret Hart, an athlete of explosive power and flawless precision who earned such nicknames as the "Hitman" and the "Excellence of Execution." And while Bret has earned his due as one of WWE's great champions, his reign also marks just one chapter in a multi-generational saga of parents, siblings, in-laws, and nephews who made their living from the ring. The official record leaves the Harts in a position to claim, with the possible exception of the McMahons who run WWE, the title belt as the first family of professional wrestling.

Stu's Journey: From Wrestler to Promoter

The dynasty began with the unlikely rise of Bret's father, longtime wrestler, booker, and promoter, Stu Hart. His childhood was seemingly ripped from the pages of a frontier-life novel, as he survived the Great Depression in the unforgiving Canadian prairies. Shelter was found in a tent during harsh winters, but wrestling became his salvation at an Edmonton YMCA. Although his dream of an Olympic berth never materialized, he crafted a prominent professional career based out of New York, where he met his wife, Helen Smith.

By the late 1940s, Stu launched the western Canadian promotion that became Stampede Wrestling, with Helen assisting by managing scheduling, advertising, and payroll. Business fluctuated over the years, yet Stampede regularly featured some of the biggest names in wrestling, including Gorgeous George, Killer Kowalski, and Andre the Giant. The Hart family truly became synonymous with professional wrestling during this time.

Stu earned notoriety for personally training budding talent in the basement of his Calgary mansion known as "The Dungeon." Many wrestlers who survived his grueling training regimen went on to achieve great success in Stampede and beyond, proving that hard work and perseverance are essential in the wrestling industry.

The Hart Family: A Legacy of Wrestling Talent

Stu and Helen's family grew to include 12 children, all of whom had ties to professional wrestling. As described in Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling, all eight of the Hart boys found themselves involved in the family business in some capacity. Bruce and Keith became Stampede champions, while Wayne made a name as a referee. Ross found his niche as a trainer and TV producer, and both Smith and Dean dabbled in wrestling between other ventures.

The Hart daughters also played significant roles in wrestling, although they avoided the rigorous training in the Dungeon. They deepened their ties to the industry by marrying wrestlers employed by their father: Ellie to Jim "the Anvil" Neidhart, Georgia to B.J. Annis, Alison to Ben Bassarab, and Diana to Davey Boy Smith, aka the British Bulldog.

Their collective experiences highlight the importance of family bonds in the wrestling world, showing how each member contributed to the legacy of the Hart family and the wrestling industry.

Breaking into the Big Leagues: The Harts Join WWE

A new era for the Harts began with the sale of Stampede Wrestling to WWE in 1984, which brought four top Canadian talents – Bret, Neidhart, Smith, and Tom "Dynamite Kid" Billington – to American audiences. The quartet found success in their respective partnerships. Cousins Smith and Billington became tag-team champions as the British Bulldogs, but they were soon overshadowed by the pink-and-black clad Bret and Neidhart, who formed the Hart Connection under the mouthy manager Jimmy Hart.

Bret's rise as a solo superstar brought increased attention to the family, as announcers emphasized his lineage and years of hard training in the Dungeon. When Smith challenged Bret for the intercontinental belt at SummerSlam 1992, it was easy to involve family drama. Promos depicted their mother, Helen, "crying" over the family conflict, and viewers witnessed the emotional tension between Diana, Bret, and Smith during the match.

The youngest Hart, Owen, also emerged as a skilled performer in WWE. After an early stint as the Blue Blazer and a brief tag-team partnership with Neidhart, Owen's rivalry with Bret gained significant attention, culminating in a memorable match at WrestleMania X where Owen was the surprising victor.

Triumphs and Tragedies: The Hart Family's Journey

While the Harts enjoyed fame, they also faced immense heartache. Dean passed away from Bright's Disease at age 36, and Owen tragically fell to his death during an event in 1999. Following these events, Bret retired from full-time wrestling, grappling with multiple concussions, and the passing of Helen and Stu marked the end of a significant era.

Despite these setbacks, the family persevered and continued the legacy that had brought them success. Bret and Ross revived Stampede Wrestling in 1999, introducing a new generation of talent that included Teddy Hart, Davey Boy Smith Jr., and especially Natalya Neidhart, who became a WWE Divas, SmackDown, and tag-team champion.

Though the mom-and-pop aspect of the wrestling business has faded, and the revered Dungeon is no more, the proud heart of this wrestling dynasty continues to beat. The Hart family remains an enduring symbol of resilience, dedication, and passion in the world of professional wrestling.