Wrestling legend Bret "The Hitman" Hart celebrated his 69th birthday on Thursday, adding another milestone to one of the most respected careers in professional wrestling history.
Widely recognized as one of the greatest in-ring performers of all time, Hart remains one of the sport's most influential figures decades after stepping away from full-time competition. His technical wrestling style, championship success and memorable rivalries helped redefine mainstream North American professional wrestling throughout the 1990s.
The Canadian-American wrestling icon built a Hall of Fame career that spanned five decades, winning championships from the 1970s through the 2010s. During his career, Hart captured 32 championships, including seven world titles, with five WWF Championships and two WCW World Heavyweight Championships.
Hart is also remembered as the wrestler who brought technical wrestling to the forefront during the WWF's New Generation era, earning the nickname "The Excellence of Execution" while competing under his famous moniker, "The Hitman."
WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart makes his entrance during Monday Night RAW at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Sept. 9, 2024 in Calgary, Canada.Photo by WWE/Getty Images
His list of accomplishments includes becoming the second WWF Triple Crown Champion, winning the King of the Ring tournament twice in 1991 and 1993, sharing victory in the 1994 Royal Rumble with Lex Luger and headlining WrestleMania IX, X, and XII. He also became the first WCW World Heavyweight Champion born outside the United States.
In addition to his championship achievements, Hart became the first wrestler inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame three separate times; first as an individual in 2006, again with The Hart Foundation in 2019 and once more in 2025 when his Submission Match against Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13 became the inaugural inductee into the Immortal Moments category.
Hart's impact on professional wrestling continues to be recognized in 2026.
Earlier this year, the Cauliflower Alley Club announced that Hart will receive the prestigious 2026 Lou Thesz Award during CAC 60, scheduled for Aug. 24-26 at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
The organization praised Hart's lifelong contributions to wrestling, stating:
"Few names in professional wrestling carry the respect, legacy and excellence of Hart. A world champion, a master of his craft, and one of the most influential performers of all time, Bret's career represents everything the Lou Thesz Award stands for."
Making the occasion even more meaningful, Natalya "Nattie" Neidhart, who received the award in 2025, will present the honor to her uncle during the ceremony.
Although retired from regular competition, Hart continues to share his views on the wrestling business. During an interview in late 2025, the WWE Hall of Famer expressed concerns about the modern wrestling style.
"I have a hard time watching today's wrestling… It's too fake for me. I think that today's wrestlers are actors. Most of them are actors pretending to be wrestlers. And, you know, they don't actually know how to wrestle, and they don't even know what a headlock is… I see guys throwing punches, and they open their hand at the last second and slap the guy… Why don't you take 10 minutes and go down have someone teach you how to throw a punch instead of throwing that embarrassment of a punch?"
Despite those criticisms, Hart praised several modern and recent wrestling stars, including John Cena.
"I would love to have wrestled Dwayne Johnson a lot more times… John Cena would be up [there]. I found John Cena was very comparable or similar to me in the sense that he was a serious professional, that he was a detailed guy that went over every little detail in the match."
Born on July 2, 1957, in Calgary, Alberta, Hart grew up in the legendary Hart wrestling family under his father, Stu Hart. He began his wrestling journey in Stampede Wrestling before rising to international fame in WWF and later WCW.
Outside the ring, Hart has appeared in television and films, authored biographies, supported stroke recovery and cancer awareness causes and remained active through public appearances and wrestling events.
As he celebrates his 69th birthday, Bret "The Hitman" Hart continues to stand among wrestling's most respected legends, with his accomplishments and influence still recognized throughout the industry.
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