Bret Hart thanks Mr. Perfect, Piper for rise; blasts Hogan, Roberts

WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart used a recent live question and answer session in Germersheim, Germany to praise several contemporaries for aiding his rise as a singles star and to sharply criticize others he says did not help develop new talent. Hart singled out Curt Hennig, known as Mr. Perfect, and Roddy Piper as instrumental in proving his value to promotion management, while accusing figures such as Hulk Hogan and Jake Roberts of protecting their own positions rather than lifting others.

Hart described the transition from tag team competitor to singles star as hinging on colleagues who were willing to work with him and showcase his abilities to company officials. "I owe a lot to Mr. Perfect," he said. "He was the first guy to really go in there and just show everybody how good I was." He identified Piper as another early ally who helped convince management that Hart could carry the roster as a top attraction.

By contrast, Hart asserted that Hogan and Roberts did not make a similar effort to help develop successors. He said Hogan "never did that for anybody" after his own run at the top, adding that some established stars seemed more intent on preserving their status than on...