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In recent media engagements following a high-profile WWE SummerSlam event, wrestling icon Bret "The Hitman" Hart offered candid assessments of the contemporary professional wrestling landscape, singling out CM Punk for high praise while delivering a surprising, critical evaluation of Gunther’s in-ring approach, deeming it "unprofessional." Hart, widely celebrated as one of professional wrestling’s most technically proficient and safety-conscious performers, presented a nuanced perspective that underscored his long-held philosophy on ring psychology and opponent welfare.
Hart’s remarks emerged during a period of significant fan discussion surrounding the main event picture of WWE, particularly after the highly anticipated bout between CM Punk and Gunther. When prompted by Complex Sports about the current generation’s elite, Hart placed CM Punk at the top of a distinguished list that also included perennial fan favorite Rey Mysterio and the reigning Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. "I’m a forever Rey Mysterio fan. I love watching Rey even now today, especially as he gets older," Hart stated. "But I’m also a big fan of Roman Reigns, and I think if I had answered the question, I’d say CM Punk." This endorsement from a wrestling purist like Hart carries considerable weight, given his discerning eye for in-ring execution and storytelling.
CM Punk’s recent return to WWE in late 2023, following a contentious departure from All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and a prior nine-year hiatus from WWE, has been one of the most significant narratives in professional wrestling. His comeback was met with overwhelming fan enthusiasm, marking a new chapter in a career already defined by boundary-pushing promos and compelling in-ring performances. Punk’s prior WWE tenure saw him capture multiple world championships, including a historic 434-day reign as WWE Champion between 2011 and 2013, a period often lauded for its creative freedom and Punk’s pivotal "pipe bomb" promo that blurred the lines between fiction and reality. His match against Gunther at the recent SummerSlam was a testament to his continued drawing power and in-ring capability, culminating in Punk’s first WWE world heavyweight championship in over a decade. However, the celebratory moment was short-lived as Seth Rollins successfully cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase mere minutes later, stripping Punk of the title and igniting a new rivalry. Punk’s ability to maintain a high level of performance and connect with a global audience, even after extended periods away from the spotlight, appears to have resonated strongly with Hart.
Conversely, Hart’s critique of Gunther presented a stark contrast to the widespread acclaim currently enjoyed by "The Ring General." Gunther, the leader of the Imperium faction, has established himself as one of WWE’s most dominant and critically lauded performers since his main roster debut in 2022. His record-breaking 666-day reign as Intercontinental Champion, which concluded prior to the SummerSlam event, is a testament to his consistent in-ring excellence and the trust placed in him by WWE management. Gunther’s matches are frequently praised for their intensity, realism, and brutal efficiency, drawing comparisons to classic European and Japanese strong style wrestling. However, Hart’s assessment diverged sharply from this general consensus.
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Speaking on "The Masked Man Show," Hart articulated his core philosophy on wrestling’s presentation. "The best wrestling has to pretend to be real. That’s what I did. I tried to make it as real as I could," Hart explained. He then pivoted to his criticism of Gunther. "Contrary to that Gunther guy, who seems like a nice enough guy when I met him, but I hate wrestlers that hurt each other on purpose." Hart did not mince words, directly accusing Gunther of unprofessionalism. "I have no respect for guys who hurt each other all the time. It’s just to me, lazy, shit wrestling when guys like Gunther… I’ve told him this to his face, it’s bullshit. When you’re hurting somebody for real, you’re unprofessional. I wrestled guys and never hurt anybody."
This strong condemnation from the 68-year-old Hart stems from a long-standing adherence to the principle of "working safe" – a fundamental tenet of professional wrestling that dictates performers must protect their opponents from legitimate injury while still making the contest appear authentic. Hart’s own career, earning him the moniker "The Excellence of Execution," was characterized by his precise, impactful, yet famously safe style. He was known for making every move look devastating without inflicting actual harm, a skill he evidently believes is lacking in some contemporary performers.
A specific point of contention for Hart appears to be the wrestling chop, a move frequently employed by Gunther as a cornerstone of his offense. Hart’s disdain for the chop is not new, and he reiterated his long-held view. "Who ever won a fight with a chop? What a waste of time," Hart questioned rhetorically. "They hurt, they look like shit. They make a big slap sound, but they hurt." To illustrate his point, Hart invoked another legendary figure, fellow WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, who famously incorporated the "Nature Boy" chop into his signature repertoire. "When you get chopped by somebody like Ric Flair for a 30-minute match and he chops you 15 times, your whole chest the next day is bruises. It hurts to put a shirt on."
The chop, a percussive strike to the chest, has been a staple in wrestling across various promotions and styles for decades. While its effectiveness in a real fight is debatable, its purpose in professional wrestling is primarily to create a visceral sound and visual impact, conveying pain and aggression to the audience. In styles like Japanese strong style and Gunther’s European-influenced approach, chops are often delivered with significant force to emphasize the physical struggle and brutality of a contest. Hart’s comments highlight a philosophical divide within the industry: the balance between making a match look "real" and ensuring the safety and long-term well-being of the performers.
Hart’s wrestling philosophy is deeply rooted in the traditions of his family, particularly his father Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling promotion, which emphasized technical grappling and believable submission holds. Bret Hart’s career, which saw him main event WrestleMania multiple times and hold numerous championships in both WWE and WCW, was built on his ability to craft compelling narratives within the confines of a wrestling match, relying on psychology, timing, and flawless execution rather than gratuitous force. His stance reflects a concern that the perceived "realism" of some modern styles might be crossing a line into genuine injury, a practice he considers antithetical to the art form.
These comments from Bret Hart are likely to ignite further discussion within the wrestling community, particularly among fans and active performers. The debate between different wrestling styles – technical, high-flying, strong style, brawling – is perpetual, with each generation bringing new innovations and interpretations. Hart’s criticism of Gunther, while pointed, underscores a critical aspect of professional wrestling that often goes unaddressed: the responsibility performers have to one another. While Gunther’s hard-hitting style has undoubtedly garnered him widespread praise and established him as a formidable presence, Hart’s perspective serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between spectacle and safety, a cornerstone of professional wrestling that has evolved significantly over its storied history. Both CM Punk and Gunther continue to be pivotal figures in WWE, and the dialogue sparked by Hart’s seasoned observations only adds another layer of intrigue to their respective journeys.
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