Stu Hart

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Stu Hart
Statistics
Ring name(s) Stu Hart
Born May 3, 1915(1915-05-03)
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Died October 16, 2003 (aged 88)
Calgary, Alberta
Billed from Canadian Navy
Debut 1946
Retired 1972

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.

Contents

[edit] 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 led 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 33 granchildren and 1 great-grandchild Stu And Helen Hart's Grandchildren:

1)Ted Annis (TJ Wilson) 2) Jennifer Neidhart 3) Angela Annis 4) Nattalie Neidhart, 5) Jade Hart 6) Matthew David Annis (RIP) 7)Kristin(Muffy) Neidhart, 8) Stewart Hart, 9) Brittany Hart, 10)Bronwynne Billington 11)Dallas Hart, 12) Tanya Hart 13)Lindsay Bassarab, 14)Annie Annis 15)Harry Smith 16)Brooke Bassarab, 17) Conor Hart 18)Georgia Smith 19)Bruce Hart Jr, 20)Beans Hart 21)Merrick Billington, 22) Rhett Hart 23) Brock Hart 24) Blade Hart 25) Farrah Hart, 26) Tory Hart 27) Matthew Dean Hart 28) Chad Hart, 29) Amaris Billington 30) Oje Hart 31) Lara Hart 32) Athena Hart... And Bradley Annis (fourth Generation)

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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] In wrestling

[edit] Finishing and signature moves

[edit] Wrestlers trained by Stu Hart

  • The Stomper Archie Gouldie
  • Kip Abee

[edit] Championships and accomplishments

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

[edit] References

  1. ^ Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1948-1990). Puroresu Dojo (2003).

[edit] External links

Professional wrestling
Portal
v • d • e
Hart wrestling family
First generation
Stu Hart
Second generation
Third generation