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Legendary WWE Hall of Famer Bret "The Hitman" Hart recently expressed his embarrassment and disappointment over the WWE Clash at the Castle event, which took place in Cardiff, Wales, in September 2022. Despite the monumental occasion, marking the first stadium show in the UK in 30 years, Hart couldn't help but feel disheartened by the current state of professional wrestling.
The last stadium show in the UK, SummerSlam 1992, was held at Wembley Stadium in London, England, and featured a memorable match between Bret Hart and The British Bulldog. The Bulldog ultimately emerged victorious, winning the Intercontinental Championship from his brother-in-law.
However, when attending WWE's Clash at the Castle, Hart shared his thoughts on the modern wrestling landscape during an interview with HNLive. The Hitman lamented the lack of realism and storytelling in today's wrestling, mainly regarding the overuse of leg slapping during kick spots.
Hart Laments Modern Wrestling's Staged Moves
Bret Hart expressed his discomfort at seeing young fans in the audience mimic the wrestlers' leg-slapping, realizing that the crowd was fully aware of the staged nature of these moves.
He compared the current state of wrestling to the more genuine experience of watching Dungeon Wrestling, where he was impressed by a young wrestler named Zoe Sager executing a realistic headlock. The Hitman emphasized the importance of the art of wrestling and storytelling, which he believes has been lost among many wrestlers who entered the scene after 2005.
He stressed that wrestling is a simple art form that should focus on good versus evil narratives, which have been practiced for decades. The Clash at the Castle event was headlined by Roman Reigns defending his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Drew McIntyre, with Reigns retaining his title due to the debut of Solo Sikoa.
The event also featured a highly praised match between Gunther and Sheamus, considered a classic by critics. Bret Hart's recent comments highlight the growing concern among wrestling legends and fans alike regarding the direction of professional wrestling.
The emphasis on realism, storytelling, and the art of the sport is fading, and it remains to be seen whether WWE will address these concerns to preserve the rich legacy of professional wrestling.
