Bret Hart’s unexpected return to WWE in 2010 was influenced by an unlikely figure: Donald Trump. In an interview with Inside the Ropes, Bret shared that watching Vince McMahon physically engage with Trump at WrestleMania sparked the idea that he could also step back into the ring, even if they never directly faced off. While living in Hawaii and enjoying retirement, Bret reached out to Kevin Dunn, Vince’s right-hand man, with the idea of coming back and creating a storyline, inspired by seeing Vince wrestle Trump.
Due to past severe concussions, Bret couldn’t handle the physical demands of typical wrestling moves but offered a unique approach. He told Vince that while he couldn’t take bumps or fall backwards, he could still give a hard-hitting performance by carefully dropping to his knees or stomach and delivering intense action without risking serious injury. After months of silence following their initial talks, Bret received an unexpected call from Vince during a flight back to Calgary and they met in San Francisco to discuss the plan.
Still, progress was slow, and Bret waited another five months without hearing back. Eventually, WWE fully committed in mid-December, informing Bret that his return would be on the following Monday’s Raw with no time for preparation. Despite the suddenness, Bret went out and performed with Sean, happy to be back in action. His return led to a WrestleMania match against Vince McMahon, a US Title challenge, and a SummerSlam main event, closing a chapter that many fans thought was lost forever.
What are your thoughts on Donald Trump’s unexpected role in inspiring Bret Hart’s comeback? Do you think WWE managed the return well? Share your opinion below.
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Fan Take: Bret Hart’s return highlights how unpredictable moments and personalities can reshape WWE storylines and bring legends back to the spotlight. This story reminds fans that wrestling is as much about unexpected inspiration as it is about athleticism, promising exciting possibilities for future comebacks.
