Comments from Bret Hart's personal assistant
The following is an e-mail I received last night from Bret Hart’s personal assistant, Marcy Engelstein, in regard to Hart’s remarks about wrestling journalist Greg Oliver during his speech at the Hall of Fame last Saturday. It is posted in the comments section of the “More on the Bret Hart Hall of Fame Incident” blog post from Monday (along with my response), but I decided to post her comments here as well:
“Bret did, in fact, make his comments during his formal acceptance speech, which was in the evening; the less formal version, for fans, was in the afternoon. Bret is not the least bit concerned with what ranking Greg Oliver gave him. Greg is entitled to his opinion, like anyone else.
“For Bret to have been upset about how Oliver ranked him would have been petty, as some here have posted, but that is not, in fact, the case. Bret feels that Greg Oliver’s books often present the writer’s own opinion — (not just about Hart) as fact and that blurs the line of responsible journalism. Bret told me that recognizing Greg Oliver with an award provides him with a “credential” upon which other credentials can be built; a few years from now Greg would appear to have a ‘wall of credentials’ and would be called upon ( more often than he already is) as a wrestling expert by the mainstream press, like Dave Meltzer is now. And so, then someone who presents his own opinion as fact would have too much power to further distort an accurate account of the history of pro wrestling. Bret is passionate about a truthful account of pro wrestling being preserved for generations to come, no matter how he is portrayed, as long as it is factually accurate.
“Bret’s perceived difference between Greg Oliver and those “like him” from Meltzer, for example, is that Oliver is in it for the wrong reason; recognition. During the afternoon event, while I was busy handling an autograph session where Bret and Roddy were signing, Greg Oliver gave me a copy of his latest book to give to Bret (The Heels), but then he said, ‘Oh wait, let me sign that for him before I give it to him ... ’ and he did. So, basically, Greg autographed his book for Bret. Bret feels there is some degree of audacity in that, as Greg is supposed to be the reporter, not the participant. Dave Meltzer, whose landmark publication is even named The Observer, defines himself as such, without the attached ego. He was a journalism major and has, over the years, displayed objectivity and detachment from outcome, which is lacking on Oliver’s reporting, and he, “... at least attempts to get it right...”, according to Bret.
“Bret doesn’t have any problem at all with a deserving journalist being honored and inducted. He just felt that Stu would have been honored to be inducted into this particular hall of fame because it is rooted in amateur, not pro, footings and the past inductees are all distinguished and deserving people who had sacrificed much for the love of wrestling and for the business. He felt that Greg Oliver doesn’t fit that bill in that he hasn’t paid his dues and doesn’t report or write with objectivity.
“I hear that Greg stated, on Wrestling Observer Live, to Bryan Alvarez, that I, myself, walked out of the banquet to tell Bret that he shouldn’t have said what he said. I didn’t hear this myself but was told this in an email from Mike Lano. In fact, I walked out only because it was such an unusually awkward moment that I wanted to see what, if anything, Bret might want from me. I’ll get back to that. Before I left, I saw that the first person to stand up and give Bret an ovation after Bret walked out was Harley Race. Next to stand to show his approval was Danny Hodge. Then other legends stood up, including Roddy. None of the wrestlers walked out and no fans walked out. I left a minute or so after Bret did. Bret asked me to get his notes, which he’d jotted down briefly just after sitting down at the head table (where seats had been reserved for Bret, Roddy and myself. (When we walked in, late I initially sat next to Bret but then I chose to sit with Harley and BJ instead so I could see better. Also, although I appreciated the compliment of my seat assignment, I’ve always preferred to be behind-the scenes and wasn’t comfortable being so visible at the head table.)
“Bret’s notes were not about Greg Oliver, but pertained to his speech in general. He’d left them on the podium when he walked out. I didn’t want to parade up to the podium in front of everyone so I asked Mike Chapman, the Director of the Museum, to get the notes for me, which he did. While Mike waited for an opportune moment to go to the podium, I was standing just outside the door to the banquet room and one notable after another came out and expressed support to me for what Bret had said. As what they said to me was not in a public forum, I won’t betray their confidences by revealing their exact words and identities at this time. No doubt, some will call that a convenient excuse or whatever, but frankly I don’t care about that because the reason I’ve been around as long as I have is because I respect the honor of being trusted by these men; and I work hard and have paid my dues. One of them passionately expressed to me that there are no shortcuts in this business and that respect and honor have to be earned — and that Greg Oliver hadn’t done so, in his opinion. That sentiment was echoed over and over to me by iconic men throughout the rest of the evening — and not so much that it was directed at Greg specifically, but at the so-called ‘wrestling reporters’, especially internet-based ones, whose egos have diluted whatever objectivity they might have started out with because they seem to enjoy the pseudo-celebrity that comes with the internet a little too much.
“Nowhere in this account have I expressed my own opinion of Greg Oliver; and I won’t. I’ve simply given you the facts of what happened. At CAC a couple of weeks ago, during his acceptance speech, Bret mentioned how he’d had the honor and privilege to watch and learn from Harley Race and Terry Funk (who were seated behind Bret, on the stage) when he was a kid. After Bret’s speech, while Bret was being mobbed at the side of the stage by the Japanese and European media, I watched as an emotional Terry Funk took the mic, ‘I speak for both myself and Harley.‘That kid grew up to do it so much better than we ever could. And we love him for it.’ Terry Funk’s supreme compliment carries more weight than how any reporter ranks Bret.”
Marcy Engelstein Sr. Consulting Mgr.
Bret Hart/ Hitman Productions
NOTE FROM KEVIN ECK: I have obtained a transcribed version of Hart's speech that I will post later today.
Also, in regard to her comment about Dave Meltzer that he “has, over the years, displayed objectivity and detachment from outcome,” I agree that he has when it comes to reporting a news story. As I have said before, I admire Meltzer and have tremendous respect for him as a journalist. However, Meltzer does express his opinion all the time — which he should do as an expert in his field — whether it’s about an angle or a wrestler’s workrate or any number of things. He was the one who introduced a star system for rating matches.
On another issue, there seems to be some confusion in regard to the order of events at the Hall of Fame that day. Ms. Engelstein said that Hart “did, in fact, make his comments during his formal acceptance speech, which was in the evening; the less formal version, for fans, was in the afternoon.” It’s not that important in the big scheme of things, but the source who was at both events said that the formal ceremony was in the afternoon (that’s when the plaques were handed out) and the less formal one for fans was at night. What is not in dispute is that Hart’s comments about Oliver were at night.
The source also indicated that Hart showed up 40 minutes late that afternoon and the order of the ceremony had to be changed as a result.
Comments
Thank you very much for your reporting, Kevin. I understand the backlash that this incident caused, especially Bret-Haters going ape-s**t on the incident.
This backlash is quite typical about guys like Bret Hart or Shawn Michaels, because GOD-FORBID if they voiced their opinion. I am sure you have noticed that from the piece of news on June 28-29: "Bret Hart lashed at Greg Oliver". Instead of presenting a valid, complete account of what happened, they jumped to conclusions right away.
Again, thank you for your reporting and i politely ask you not to jump to conclusions either. I am not trying to defend Bret's actions. Although i believe he had a point in his opinion, he should have handled the situation in a better fashion. Trust me, i have seen this backlash about Shawn Michaels as much as in Bret Hart.
Posted by: Karim Khelifi | July 3, 2008 3:25 PM
Ugh. I was once a huge fan but now I am just so tired of Bret Hart. This statement from Engelstein doesn't make things better. It just confirms that Hart needs to get over himself.
Posted by: Mike MacLeod | July 3, 2008 3:31 PM
None of this changes the main point of your blog McMahon Jr. For once I agree with you, he is "Mark Man". Somebody tells these egomaniacal wrestlers that they are actors and not boxers or real athletes. Their skill is getting over with a crowd not being better performers because it's all fixed anyway. We'll never know if Bret was tougher or more skilled than Shawn or anybody else he ever wrestled because it's all fake. Evander Illegitifield for instance showed he's better than Mike Tyson because he legitimately kicked his [butt]. Remind these guys once again what they are. Sheesh
Posted by: eric | July 3, 2008 4:17 PM
First, Ms. Englestein, thank you for taking the time to provide Bret Hart's perspective. There is some redemption in understanding that it was not the ranking in a book, so much as his belief regarding Oliver's integrity in journalism.
However, that being said, who is Bret Hart to judge a journalist and air those opinions in a ceremony, formal or otherwise, in which that journalist was invited to accept an award? I am in no way denying that Bret Hart has the right to feel any way he likes about whether or not a writer is conveying opinions and facts appropriately. As I've not read the books, I'll make no statement one way or the other. But, and correct me if I'm wrong, Bret Hart is not a journalist. He has neither a journalism degree, nor years of professional experience with which to claim that he is an expert on journalism. My father is a journalist, and has been for nearly thirty years. My brother is a photo journalist, and I am in my senior year of a journalism major, myself. I note that Kevin, who has spent years in journalism, asks a similar question.
While that is an important point, one that supersedes it lies in the reason why Greg Oliver was at that ceremony in the first place. The powers that be chose to bestow the honor of an award on Greg Oliver. Those people clearly believe that Greg Oliver deserves to be so honored. If Hart or any other wrestler takes issue with their choice of honorees for awards, that is their prerogative. However, the point that Kevin was making, and the point that I agree very firmly with, is that Bret Hart chose an inappropriate forum to air his complaints. Whether other wrestlers or fans agree with his perspective is irrelevant. There are other mediums with which to address his issuess. Making his comments in that public a manner, with the man present, is completely gratuitous and improper. Why in the world did it seem like a good idea humiliate someone who had been invited to that ceremony to accept an award? It's not just unprofessional; it's childish and cruel.
The more appropriate course of behavior would have been to privately discuss it with the wrestlers and other notables at the event, and even others he might have wished to consult, and to present those opinions quietly to the board that chose to award Greg Oliver this honor. That would have allowed for Hart's feelings to be expressed in a way that wouldn't have caused this type of backlash.
Like it or not, no matter what the reasoning and emotion behind his actions, what Hart did at the ceremony was inexcusable. It was completely devoid of maturity or class.
That is what will be remembered out of this incident. It won't be the question of whether or not Greg Oliver is a journalist deserving of the award he received. It won't be whether or not notable names in wrestling agreed with Hart.
What will be remembered is that Bret Hart once again acted inappropriately because he felt that his opinion is incontrovertible fact, and that he cared more about being personally offended than he did about the dignity of another human being.
Posted by: Mina | July 3, 2008 4:32 PM
It's sports entertainment- get over yourself!!
Posted by: David | July 3, 2008 4:40 PM
We are now at the point of beating the proverbial dead horse . ' Nuff said .
Posted by: jack in hebron | July 3, 2008 5:52 PM
Whether or not it is sports entertainment or juggling or whetver it is one does for a living, it is never wrong to take pride in what you do and the sacrifices of those who came before you.
It is unfortunate that we live in a society today that dismisses that pride and sense of obligation to our past. It is what causes us to continually repeat the mistakes of history.
If indeed this individual has a history of showing a lack of fidelity for Bret Hart's chosen profession and it's legacy through his reporting or writing, then his disdain for him is justified. Just as we would take offense if someone disparaged what we did and those who made it possible for us to continue to do that job.
He took a stand on principle. Something we see far too little of today.
He did not physically try to harm the man, nor did he stand there and not allow the proceedings to continue. After stating his opinion, he simply left.
In the confrontational society we foster today, his actions are mild by those standards.
Posted by: Walter Hollman | July 3, 2008 8:01 PM
I kind of want to agree with Bret and Ms. Englestein (timing disputes and haughtiness aside). I've admittedly never read any of Mr. Oliver's work, but if we were going to play one of these people doesn't belong here at this ceremony, he's it. While good writing takes a lot of hard work (as Keven demonstrates), it's nowhere near what any wrestler there has been through in their career for the sake of their craft.
I almost sound like VKM when I say not everything is for the fans, but a HOF is to recognize those enshrined within. Authors have their place in the industry, but how many writers are enshrined in Cooperstown or Canton? Much like the Nitro Girls, in the sceme of professional wrestling (in the context of this HOF I don't think you can call it sports entertainment), writers are more enhancement talent than superstars.
I know it was complicated with family and guests of Mr. Oliver there too, but you can leave the room and work it out rather than try and be a martyr in a room of legends.
So while Bret could have swallowed his pride for the sake of the event, Brian Pilman on the mic he is not.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Just to make it clear, Greg Oliver and Steve Johnson were NOT being inducted into the Hall of Fame. They were receiving an award for outstanding wrestling journalism.
Posted by: James C | July 3, 2008 11:58 PM
This whole incident was not about Bret's ego or his own personal feelings. It was about defending professional wrestling from the liars such as Greg Oliver. With that being said, why do you people see it as a crime for a man to stand up for what he loves from the people who disgrace professional wrestling with their b.s. stories? Now some of you say that it shouldn't have happened at the ceremony, but a man who lies their way for recognition does not deserve to be at a place where honor and tribute is paid for the wrestlers who have sacrificed. Someone had to take a stand and that is exactly what Bret Hart did.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: How do you know Greg Oliver is a liar? Oh, because Bret Hart said so, so it must be true. Obviously, if Oliver was being honored for his achievements as a wrestling writer, somebody in the industry must think he's pretty good, right? Why would they honor a known liar?
Posted by: vince | July 4, 2008 4:38 AM
Regarding Mr. Eck's note and his observation that "Meltzer does express his opinion all the time", what I got from Hart's speech and his assistant's comments wasn't that you (as in wrestling reporter/journalist) aren't entitled to voice your opinion (come on, how silly would that be) but the point that reporting facts and mixing it with opinions and not differentiating the two clearly enough. I think that that's fair criticism a journalist has to consider about his work.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Obviously, there is a difference between reporting a news story and writing an opinion piece. For example, if I was writing a news report about the incident at the Hall of Fame, I would interview people who were there, piece together the facts as best I could and try to get comments from both sides so I could present a fair and accurate story. If I've done my job correctly, than you the reader would have no idea what I personally think of the situation and could draw your own conclusions. Writing a blog, however, is different. Here, I am reacting to the news and giving you my take on it. Is it only my opinion, but it is based on the facts as I know them. That's how a dialogue begins and others can weigh in with their opinions.
Posted by: WoooPhil | July 4, 2008 8:30 AM
Well considering the fact that Bret's assistant actually knows the guy and you don't, I think I would rather side with the people who have actually dealt with him rather than the people who haven't. With that being said, it's quite obvious that the people who awarded Oliver have no background on him. Otherwise you would be right. They would not honor a known liar.......
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: So, you don't think that someone who is both a long-time friend and an employee of Hart would just be the least bit biased? That's right, I forgot -- only writers who don't believe Hart is the greatest of all time are biased.
BTW, I do not claim to know Hart, although I have interacted with him once. I sat down with him for a one-hour interview in 2001 when I was editor of WCW Magazine.
Posted by: vince | July 4, 2008 7:57 PM
Bret hart is an absolute legend in the wrestling business. The fact that the fellow wrestler stood up and applauded Bret when he made those comments proves they agreed with what he was saying. This isn't therefore a case of Bret whining, he simply stood up and said what all wrestlers obviously think about the little rat. All you Americans (crap} all over the hitman towards the end of his career and you all just try to continue the negativity towards the man at every single oppurtunity by blowing little things like this out of proportion. The wrestlers know alot more about the business than us fans and for them all to applaud Bret it proves that they were speaking the truth and it wasn't a case of Bret whinging and coming across as sour due to the fact that he wasnt rated higher than 13th as all of you muppets claim.
Bret your still a hero to us in the UK. Ignore the arrogant and ignorant americans. The majority of them think Europe is one country and dont even realise the UK is 4 countries. They think America is the only place in the world. Shame on them.
We all know Bret is the excellence of execution, and that stupid journalist felt it first hand.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Oh God, please let's not make this about America vs. Canada. Talk about blowing things out of proportion. BTW, while some wrestlers did applaud Bret, he doesn't speak for all wrestlers because I know there are some who disagree with what he did. And if Bret didn't care about his ranking in the book (actually he was 14th), whi did he mention it at all in his speech?
Posted by: Scott-UK | July 5, 2008 9:07 AM
when you said that "only writers who don't believe Hart is the greatest of all time are biased"...well i can't speak for others but you have definitely proven that you are....so go ahead. keep talking!
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: You really seem to have a problem understanding the difference between bias and opinion. I'll make it simple for you and provide definitions.
Bias: A perference or an inclination, especially one that inhibits impartial judgment.
Opinion: A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof:
Posted by: vince | July 5, 2008 1:54 PM
No I think I'm pretty aware of the differences between bias and opinion. But nice try though genius. But yes Mr. Eck, you ARE bias against Bret. And the problem with you and all of the haters out there is that no matter how many times you guys are proven wrong, you guys always have to come up with excuses that won't even justify the point. GOD FORBID THAT KEVIN ECK CAN'T BE WRONG!!! Even as a Bret mark, I will admit that he can have an ego. But it's not nearly as bad as you and the haters perceive it to be. For Christs sakes he at least marks for other wrestlers and not just himself. Hell he even marked for Shawn Michaels! Not as a person but as a wrestler. Bret has stated that Shawn is one of the most talented wrestlers ever. Unlike Shawn Michaels who the proclaimed "changed man" had criticized Bret as a person AND A WRESTLER (don't believe me? read his auto biography Heartbreak and Triumph and you'll know what i mean). Ok it's understandable for Shawn to be bitter about Bret considering that they've never got along, but to criticize Bret as a WRESTLER....well that's just hate! But this isn't about good ole HBK(note: i'm not hatin on michaels. he is my favorite all-time but his statement about Hart makes me question if he really has "changed"), this is about the hypocrisy between you KEVIN ECK and the haters who just have to be right about everything. But perhaps I'm just wasting my time....So i ask you Kevin...what's the next excuse that you'll come up with next? I'm just dying to hear it since you absolutely can do no wrong.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: OK, here's another definition for you. Benjamin Franklin defined insanity as
"doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Continuing this debate with you is insanity on my part. I have conveyed my thoughts and opinions on this matter as best I can.
BTW, I think you meant to say "God forbid that Kevin Eck CAN be wrong." That would make more sense.
Posted by: vince | July 5, 2008 4:47 PM
First of all Id like to thank Kevin, for actually covering this part of the story. I may not agree with your opinion on Bret, but thank you nonetheless....
With that being said, unless you've actually stepped into a ring, and worked a crowd, you'll never understand what it takes to be a pro wrestler.
The sacrifice, the pain, the agony in and out of the ring is unbeliveable, and with so many dead greats not being honored in the hall in any way. Award or induction, for a writer who shows such biased towards another wrestler, to be honored, is a shame. and for Bret, being in the ring all those years he had the (guts) to say something.
Listen, I am a huge fan of Bret, but also a huge fan of wrestling. For Bret to be ranked 13th place overall for all time great CANADIAN wrestlers is true biased and ignorance at its best.
Greg's list wasn't all time in the world...It was CANADIAN, and as a CANADIAN and a wrestling fan, there is no way any self respecting so called journalist could justify that....
Im not marking out here, but thats the truth....Maybe not number one....but not even in the top ten?....and he gets honored in the hall as a journalist?
He gets honored in the hall ahead of so many dead greats, as a journalist, who truly either is biased, or not qualified in his craft. Thats a joke, and Bret had the (guts) to say something.....Good for him
Posted by: Jason | July 5, 2008 6:13 PM
To respond to your comment
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: How do you know Greg Oliver is a liar? Oh, because Bret Hart said so, so it must be true. Obviously, if Oliver was being honored for his achievements as a wrestling writer, somebody in the industry must think he's pretty good, right? Why would they honor a known liar?
I really think thats the definition of bias right there.
A lot of impartial judgment. And your "why would the honor a known liar" made me laugh out loud.....What country do you live in? Because if they never honor liars where your from then I'm going to pack my bags and run for President.......
Cmon Kev.....Wheres you BIAS coming from
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Why is this so hard to comprehend? I'm stating my opinion. That doesn't make me biased, and why would I be biased in this instance anyway? I have never met or spoken to Greg Oliver in my life. I was indeed a fan of Bret Hart the wrestler -- going all the way back to when the Hart Foundation was first formed. I interviewed Hart in 2001 and he was pretty easy to deal with.
With all that being said, my opinion -- which I believe I am entitled to -- is that he is a mark for himself, and that is based on things I have observed. I am not the only person who covers the industry or is in the industry that has that opinion of him. This latest incident -- in my opinion -- was another example of him taking himself too seriously and being bitter. Now, if I was going to have a biased opinion, since I don't know Oliver and I was a "Hitman" fan and had a positive experience when I interviewed him, wouldn't I be biased in Hart's favor?
As for the "honoring a known liar" line, my point was that this particular Hall of Fame puts a lot of thought into its selections and has a high standard. Before his death, Lou Thesz was responsible for making the secections. IIn other words. Pete Rose, William Perry, Johnny Rodz and Vince McMahon's limo driver are not going to be inducted. So, if they are going to present an award for outstanding journalism, one would think they wouldn't give it to just any hack who writes nothing but lies.
The whole argument about Oliver telling lies is moot anyway. Oliver's books on the top Canadians, top heels, top tag teams, etc., are based on his opinion and extensive research. There are no lies and no truths. Just opinions. You might argue that Oliver is biased in his ranking of wrestlers, but that doesn't make it a lie, because there are no definitive lists.
Posted by: jay | July 6, 2008 1:38 AM
As I sort of expected after hearing Bret Hart's speech, there is some interesting commentary out there. I attended both Hall of Fame ceremonies in Waterloo with my wife and 15 year old son. We are wrestling fans. As a little background, we were excited to meet both Bret Hart and Greg Oliver. Certainly Bret is a wrestling legend that any fan would love to meet. As for Greg Oliver, my son and I have read one of his books and enjoyed learning about the wrestlers. We knew he was selling books in Waterloo and planned to buy at least one along with Bret's book. We had a chance to speak briefly with both Bret Hart and Greg Oliver and found both of them very pleasant. We were in line for Bret's autograph when Greg Oliver presented his book to Ms. Engelstein. He signed the book we bought from him, and all the other authors in attendance signed their books as authors do at book signings so it seemed only natural to me that he offered to sign the book he was giving to Bret. That whole thing about being the reporter and not the participant seems strange. This was simply an author signing his book. He may not be a participant in the ring, but surely he was the participant in writing his own book. When we stepped up to Bret he asked to look at the book I had purchased from Oliver. He made a few comments about some of the tag teams and we felt honored that this wrestling legend would share his insights with us. I won't share his comments here simply because they were personal we appreciated that. If every fan posted every wrestlers comments on the web, at some point wrestlers would stop talking to fans and as fans we like the interaction. Later at the banquet we sat and listened to some great and heart felt speeches. When Bret started talking about Greg Oliver we felt uncomfortable. We felt bad for both authors. It was sort of sad when Steven Johnson and a guest who appeared to be his mother left the room. The scene of this adoring mother attending a banquet where her son was being honored, and then hearing another honoree basically calling her son a liar was awkard and sad. I wish it hadn't happened. Having said that and after reading Ms. Engelstein's comments and others here I can see Bret Hart's side. He is passionate about his style of wrestling that was taught by his Dad who was being posthumously honored. Prior to his speech, Penny Banner's daughter gave a very heart-felt speech about her mother who had recently passed away. The room was full of wrestling legends and fans all deeply moved and feeling nostalgic about the "good old days of wrestling". Every honoree was opening up their heart and saying what they felt. It was in this context that Bret said what he said. And it was in this context that several legends showed their support to him, to Bret. No one can read minds, but from my perspective it looked like these men and women were showing their support for Bret and not necessarily his comments. One fan yelled out something to the effect that Greg Oliver should leave the room, but that garnered no visible support. After the event I spoke briefly with Greg Oliver and expressed my support as a fan of his books. Maybe some of what Bret said was true, but my son and I have learned about wrestling history by reading books about wrestling. I could not comment on Greg Oliver's biases without commenting on the bias of any other author including Bret Hart. I know if I want a clear account of how Bret Hart sees his career I will get that from his book. If I'm interested in what someone else thinks of Bret Hart I'll read their book. What I get out of each book is up to me. I certainly don't think any less of Bret Hart because of how he is ranked by Greg Oliver, nor do I think less of Greg Oliver for any of his rankings. If I did I wouldn't buy his books. Anyway the whole event was a great experience for wrestling fans and I hope other stories like Abe Jacobs and Roddy Piper breaking the tension after Bret's speech, Masanori Saito's great sense of humor, and Wendi Weaver's passionate speech also get some coverage, as well as the very important story about the flood ravaged museum.
Posted by: Laurence E. Ballard | July 6, 2008 1:40 PM
Look, I have no personal connection to either Greg Oliver or Bret Hart; my only connection to either man is respect for their work in their respective fields. As such, any comments are solely my opinion based on whatever reports I may have read.
That said, I do not feel that it was appropriate of Mr. Hart to use his acceptance speech as a platform to attack anyone else. If Mr. Oliver's award bothered him that much, then he could simply not have shown up. Speaking just for myself, I think that it shows a lack of respect for teh people who gave YOU an award, because it implies that they are stupid idiots because they also celebrated someone that you don't like.
As for Marcy Englestein's comments that began this blog entry, I should point out that, by signing the book before giving it did not affect Mr. Oliver's journalistic credibility. After all, he was not acting as a reporter; he was acting as an author. He deserves the same modicum of respect for writing his books that any person, such as Mr. Hart, deserves for working hard in their own areas.
On the matter of bias, it should be noted that, as a reporter, he receives his salary whether he criticizes or praises a wrestler; on the other hand, as Mr. Hart's personal asistant, Marcy Ecklestein's livelihood depends on Bret Hart's continued success and marketibility.
Finally, the fact that I am a Canadian wrestling fan may have predisposed me to cheer for Bret Hart, but that does not stop me from criticizing him when he does wrong. In this case, Mr. Hart was wrong.
Posted by: David | July 7, 2008 3:19 AM
Quite the firestorm over a speech.
I apologize for the oversight on my previous post about the exact honor being bestowed upon the authors. The whole situation was a mess and showed poor judgement and exposed Bret as a total mark for himself like Kevin has pointed out. Whether Bret has the stroke to pull a stunt like that or not, he shouldn't have tried.
As an aside though, I can't believe anyone would be calling Kevin biased. He gave a very open and honest opinion of Bret and then of his antics. He did what no one else has really done and supported the opinion with facts rather than just fly off the handle with accusations or blind defense. He's never claimed to be right, just steadily upheld his opinion, which I respect fully. Just look at his Q&A's and other posts. His interviews would make the late Tim Russert proud, as he pulls out interesting (sometimes controversial) information, but never lets any bias he may carry steer the interview. His work is quoted all over and his Santino interview was referenced in a TNA bit.
I appreciate a fellow fan that shares my passion for the business as much as anybody, but it kind of makes us all look bad when we can't even let a man have his opinion.
Posted by: James C | July 8, 2008 6:56 PM
This incident really has fired some people up, but to me really has been blown way out of proportion. Two years ago I attended the HOF ceremony and banquet in Iowa at this very same Wrestling Hall of Fame when it was located in Newton, IA. Bret himself was inducted that day and I had the pleasure of meeting him that day, chatting with him briefly a couple of times and getting my picture taken with him and some autographs as well. I've met several pro athletes in my life and I must say that, at least on that day he was the nicest, most down to earth, humble pro athlete I've ever met. Even when I mentioned that I was their, in Kemper Arena in Kansas City the night his brother Owen fell to his death, his mood towards me never changed, in fact he asked me about my and other's fans reaction to what happened that night and the aftermath in KC the next day and week and even thanked me for sharing that with him. I'm not going to deny for a minuete that I am a huge Bret Hart fan, because I am and I don't claim to know him well and I'm sure he probably does have a big ego. But wouldn't he have to to achieve all the success that he did?? Name one great pro athlete that doesn't have a huge ego. This man, this wrestling legend signed a card for me that night before the HOF banquet started, met my wife and looked at a picture of our pug and we chatted a bit about pugs as he has one too and he didn't rush us off, didn't seem bothered even as another man, a pretty good wrestler in his own right waited to meet Bret for the 1st time. That man's name?? Dan Gable, perhaps the best amateur wrestler and amateur wrestling coach in the history of the sport. A man with a huge, out of control ego who takes himself too seriously would not have done that. Mike Chapman director of the museum told the entire crowd in attendence that night that in meetings earlier in the day that Bret had personally nominated Curt Hennig to be inducted into the HOF in the near future stating that Curt "was the best wrestler I ever competed against" and he did so in the presense of all of his fellow nominees for the HOF that year which included Larry "The Ax" Hennig, Curt's father. Can you imagine how proud Curt's dad felt hearing that and how much he appreciated Bret's kind words about his son?? Curt was inducted to the HOF the very next year in 2007. Bret Hart is a man who loves the sport of wrestling, is proud of it's history and very proud of his family's place in it, especially the place of his father Stu in it. If he feels that anyone has in any way disrespected the sport or any of the wrestler's competing in it, he's going to speak his mind. Obviously Greg Oliver had done that at some point in the past and Bret called him on it and let him know he didn't appreciate it and many of his fellow wrestler's agreed. I also noticed that none of these articles said anything about the fact that Bret Hart donated every cent of the proceeds he raised from his book and autograph signings to the museum to help them restore the museum to what it once was before the devasting flood waters ravaged it in June forcing it to close indefinately. I guess that would make Bret seem like too nice a guy and you wouldn't want your reader's to see that. Bret Hart is a good, kind, down to earth man who worked his a$$ off to become a wrestling legend and he deserves to be shown alot more respect than you choose to give him. So how about you bite your tongue, eat some crow, shut your mouth and start showing him the respect that he deserves!!
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I had not heard that Hart donated his earnings to the museum, but if that's true, I applaud him. I didn't write about it because I had not seen it reported anywhere. Everything is not a conspiracy.
I have no problem believing that Hart treats his fans well, and I'm glad you had a positive experience. But let's say you wrote a book about wrestling, and Hart felt slighted or insulted by what you wrote. Do you think he still would have discussed the merits of pugs with you? Or would he have ordered you to leave immediately because you didn't deserve to be in the same room with him?
You said that "obviously Greg Oliver had [disrespected wrestling or wrestlers] at some point in the past." Obvious to whom? I''m still waiting to hear specifically what Oliver has lied about in his writing or how he has disrespected wrestlers. Remember, rankings are subjective, and thus cannot be lies.
Posted by: SLICK RICK | July 9, 2008 2:15 AM