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==Early life==
==Early life==
Hart played football for the [[Edmonton Eskimos]] in the 1938 and 1939 seasons. Stu Hart began amateur wrestling when he joined the YMCA in Edmonton in 1929. By 1937 he won a gold medal in the welterweight class from the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada. His amateur career peaked in May 1940 when Hart won the dominion Amateur Wrestling Championship in the light heavyweight category. It must have been a bittersweet win for Hart as by that time the Phoney War had ended in Europe, and WW II had erupted. This lead to the cancellation of the Olympics ending one of Hart's greatest dreams. Hart did enlist in the [[Canadian Navy]] and served as the Director of Athletics.
It really sucks


==Career==
==Career==

Revision as of 13:58, 2 May 2008

Stu Hart
Born(1915-05-03)May 3, 1915
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
DiedOctober 16, 2003(2003-10-16) (aged 88)
Calgary, Alberta
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Stu Hart
Billed fromCanadian Navy
Debut1946
Retired1972

Stewart Edward "Stu" Hart, CM (May 3, 1915 – October 16, 2003) was a Canadian amateur wrestler, professional wrestler, promoter and trainer. Stu also founded Stampede Wrestling, a promotion based in Calgary, Alberta, and was the father of famous wrestlers Bret and Owen Hart.

Early life

Hart played football for the Edmonton Eskimos in the 1938 and 1939 seasons. Stu Hart began amateur wrestling when he joined the YMCA in Edmonton in 1929. By 1937 he won a gold medal in the welterweight class from the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada. His amateur career peaked in May 1940 when Hart won the dominion Amateur Wrestling Championship in the light heavyweight category. It must have been a bittersweet win for Hart as by that time the Phoney War had ended in Europe, and WW II had erupted. This lead to the cancellation of the Olympics ending one of Hart's greatest dreams. Hart did enlist in the Canadian Navy and served as the Director of Athletics.

Career

It was during his service that Stu was introduced to professional wrestling. After recovering from a car accident, Stu competed in various exhibition matches to entertain the troops. In 1946, while receiving training from Toots Mondt, Hart debuted in New York and embarked on a long, eventful career, at one point wrestling a tiger and a grizzly bear.

In 1948, Hart established Stampede Wrestling, which was responsible for developing many second generation wrestling superstars. Three years later, he purchased a mansion in Patterson Heights, Calgary. The Hart House is now considered a historical site for the many famous figures that had passed through its doors. Its basement, known as the Dungeon, provided training grounds with an extensive legacy all its own.

Family

Main article: Hart wrestling family

Stu considered family to be his biggest achievement in life. Married for 53 years to Helen Hart (who died in 2001), together they raised 12 children in the Hart mansion. All four of Stu and Helen's daughters married wrestlers. Seven of the eight Hart boys went on to become professional wrestlers, and the other became a referee. The Couple Share 36 granchildren and 1 great-grandchild

Family life with Stu Hart was colourful, including having André the Giant as a babysitter and a wrestling grizzly bear named Terrible Ted sleeping under the front porch. Despite his career, Stu was a gentle man with a big heart. He loved to cook Sunday dinner for all twelve of his children and their families (including pets). Hart was one of the most respected trainers of professional wrestlers - some of his students who are currently active include Edge, Christian, Chris Jericho and Mark Henry.

Death

Hart was admitted to Rockyview General Hospital on October 3, 2003 for an elbow infection and then developed pneumonia. He also suffered from ailments associated with diabetes and arthritis. He had a stroke then died 13 days later.

In 2005 the City of Saskatoon announced that a street in the city's new Blairmore Suburban Centre development will be named Hart Road in Stu Hart's honor.

In wrestling

Finishing and signature moves

Wrestlers trained by Stu Hart

Championships and accomplishments

  • Stampede Wrestling
  • Other
  • Northwest Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Pat Meehan and Luigi Macera
  • Iron Mike Mazurki Award (2001)

References

  1. ^ "Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1948-1990)". Puroresu Dojo. 2003. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
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