Tonight’s edition of RAW saw Bret Hart make an appearance at the Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada to address the crowd, before being interrupted by the World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther.
The champion addressed the WWE Hall of Famer, as described by Mike Tesdesco in his live coverage of the show:
World Heavyweight Champion Gunther heads to the ring. Gunther gets loudly booed. The crowd chants, “You suck.” Gunther says it is a time to be alive. Gunther says he is about to pull the heart out of one of his childhood heroes. Hart smirks. The crowd is viciously booing Gunther. Gunther says Hart is the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. Gunther says this is a passing of the torch moment. Hart is the best there was, but he’s looking at the best there is and the best there ever will be. Gunther wants to express something from the bottom of his heart. Like “Stu” (Wade Barrett) said before, all the boys in the back watched him growing up. Hart has been a hero for him. Gunther says Hart will always be a close second to his actual favorite. Gunther’s all-time favorite is none other than Bill Goldberg!
Hart has expressed repeatedly over the years his disdain for Goldberg, stemming from injuries the Hitman sustained in a match between the two at Starrcade 1999 leading to post-concussion syndrome that forced Hart to retire from pro wrestling.
The segment came to an end with Sami Zayn, who looks to challenge Gunther for the championship, making his way to the ring to confront the champion before a brawl broke out between them.