WRESTLING legend Bret Hart today spoke about how he is looking forward to his “very special night” in Sheffield.
Hart, a WWE seven times world champion who has stepped in the ring with everyone from Hulk Hogan to Stone Cold Steve Austin, is regarded as one of the world’s greatest ever wrestlers.
Now retired he says he will fly in from Canada for what he says may be the last time fans get to meet him in Sheffield on July 11 when the iceSheffield venue stages Steel City Ice Rage – Total Meltdown.
Hart, known as "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be”, will take part in a question and answers session with signings and photographs, before stepping in the ring to say hello the show featuring other TV superstar wrestlers and British stars.
In a video message Hart said: “I’m looking forward to coming back to see all my fans. I hope everybody gets the chance to come along to see me because this is probably going to be one of the last times I’m going to get the chance to be in Sheffield. It’s going to be a very special night.””
The main event, during the evening show, will feature Sheffield boxer Ryan Rhodes, aged 32, in a Rocky-style boxer v wrestler grudge match against Scott Gallagher.
Rhodes, a wrestling fan, was with his family at ringside when Gallagher jumped over the ropes and squared up to him at a recent 1PW wrestling show, at Doncaster Dome. Johnny Nelson, the former WBO Cruiser weight world champ, and Kell Brook, the Sheffield-based British welterweight, had to restrain pal Rhodes, who pushed the Scotsman away when banter got out of hand.
Rhodes, ranked eighth light middleweight in the world by the WBC, has agreed to the match despite being warned he could suffer serious injury in the wrestling ring and end his lifelong dream of a becoming a world champ boxer.
1PW, the new established big name in British wrestling, will mark its Sheffield debut with other WWE, TNA and Ring Of Honour superstar names on the bill, including ROH Champion Jerry Lynn, ex WWE star Colt Cabana and TNA giant, The Masked Monster Abyss. “The Vigilante” Johnny Moss, Kevin Thorne, Doug Williams, Martin Stone, Project Ego, Pac and Rockstar Spud are due to appear. Line up is subject to change.
* Tickets are £15, £20 and £40, may be subject to a booking fee. Buy in person from iceSheffield, Coleridge Road, Attercliffe, call 0114 2789 789, 0114 256 5656, buy on line at www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk or www.sheffieldarena.co.uk. The Bret Hart Q&A, also at iceSheffield, Saturday, July 11, is 2pm to 4pm and costs £15, entry only. For those tickets call 01246 431079 or 01246 432189.
