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Stu Hart

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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.

History

Hart played football for the Edmonton Eskimos in the 30's. He was a prolific amateur wrestler, and was eligible for the Olympics, but never got the chance due to World War II. Stu enlisted in the Canadian Navy and served as the Director of Athletics.

It was during his service that Stu was introduced to Professional Wrestling. After recovering from a car accident, Stu performed in some exhibition matches to entertain the troops. In 1946, he became a professional wrestler, debuting in New York, and embarked on a long, eventful career, at one point wrestling a tiger and a grizzly bear.

Wrestling

However, Hart was better known for his work behind the scenes in wrestling. In 1948 Hart founded Stampede Wrestling, a Calgary-based regional promotion. It was during this time the infamous “Hart Dungeon” was established. In this room Hart would train those looking to make a start in professional wrestling, varying from strongmen to football players. Stu would take down giant men and have them beg for mercy, grappling sometimes for hours. Surviving in the Dungeon brought credibility and respect from those within the industry.

Stampede operated until 1984, when it was purchased by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Some of Stampede Wrestling talent, including his son Bret, Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith, were given contracts to the WWF. Both went on to have great careers. Stu's youngest son Owen would also sign with the WWF, first in 1989 and then again in 1991.

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. All four of Stu and Helen's daughters would marry wrestlers. Seven of the eight Hart boys went on to become professional wrestlers, and the other became a referee.

  • Smith (1949-), a wrestler
  • Bruce (1950-), a wrestler and promoter
  • Keith (1951-), a wrestler and firefighter
  • Wayne (1953-), a wrestling referee
  • Dean (1954-1990) who died of kidney failure, also a wrestler
  • Ellie (1955-), who married the wrestler Jim Neidhart, with whom she had three daughters: Jennifer, Kristen (Muffy) and Nattie Neidhart
  • Georgia (1956-), who married the wrestler, firefighter and gym owner B.J. Annis, with whom she had four children: Teddy Hart, Matt (who died from flesh eating bacteria in 1996 at the age of thirteen), Annie and Angela.
  • Bret (1957-), WWF and WCW wrestling legend. Bret had four children with his first wife Julie, whose sister,Michelle married Dynamite Kid
  • Alison (1959-), who was married to the wrestler Ben Bassarab, with whom she has two daughters, Lindsay and Brooke Bassarab.
  • Ross (1961-), a wrestling producer and part-time wrestler.
  • Diana (1963-), who was married to the wrestler Davey Boy Smith (The British Bulldog). She wrote a book entitled Under the Mat about life in the Hart family; it was removed from bookstores only weeks after its release in November 2001, following a lawsuit by Owen Hart's widow Martha over the contents. Her son is Harry Smith, professional wrestler.
  • Owen (1965-1999), a WWE wrestler who died when a wrestling stunt involving a rope descent from the top of an arena to ring level went wrong.

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 Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Edge and Mark Henry.

Family tree

{{familytree| SMI |!| KEI |!| DEA |!|!| | |!| | |!| ROS | |!| OWE | | |SMI=Smith Hart|KEI=Keith Hart|DEA=Dean Hart|ROS=Ross Hart|OWE=Owen Hart

Stu HartHelen Hart
Bruce HartWayne HartBret HartJulie Hart
Jim NeidhartEllie HartJade, Dallas, Alexandra and Blade HartDiana HartDavid Smith
Jennifer NeidhartNatalie NeidhartGeorgia HartB.J. AnnisHarry Smith
Kristen NeidhartMatt AnnisAngela AnnisAlison HartBen Bassarab
Theodore AnnisAnnie AnnisLindsay BassarabBrooke Bassarab

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 died 13 days later at the age of 88.

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/signature moves

Wrestlers trained by Stu Hart

Championships/accomplishments

  • 1-Time NWA United States Heavyweight Champion
  • 3-time International Tag Team Champion (w/Pat McGill)

Other

  • 1-time Northwest Tag Team Champion (with Pat Meehan)
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