How I Would Book: Bret Hart in 1998 Part 1

Now I know I just opened a new section called Monday Morning QB and seeing the title of this article would bring up the question exactly why I am including it here. The real reason that it is here is because I wanted to go a little bit more in depth into this booking what if scenario. For fans that might not know other then some minor highlights Bret Hart's WCW run wasn't anywhere close to where it should've been especially with him coming into the company as the hottest free agent in wrestling. With that being said this is how I would book Bret Hart in WCW 1998: 

Starting January I would have Eddie Guerrero come out on the first Nitro of the year cut a promo "I've worked hard to get to where I am now and I am not willing to get my spot taken from me by some reject; the one thing that is clear there are a lot of should be retirees already we don't need another." For the next couple of weeks Eddie would continue to unclearly take shots at Bret Hart before costing him a match on the go home show before Sold Out. This would bring us to there first face to face meeting at Sold Out, but they wouldn't compete they would just speak with Eddie explaining his issues with Bret. Saying that "these fans don't care what you accomplished elsewhere your in a new place & have to prove yourself all over again. Starting with me I don't believe that you still have in you I think your best years are behind you Hitman." Bret challenges him to a match on Nitro & Eddie answers with nope this match belongs on PPV, but not tonight how's Superbrawl sound. 

Following what I can only imagine would be a fantastic match we would move Bret into a feud with Curt Hennig tapping into the mutual respect they have for each other & the feud they had in WWE. It starts with Hennig & Rude interrupting Hart's praising of Eddie Guerrero following Superbrawl offering him a spot in the NWO. Hart rejects the offer which pisses both Rude & Hennig off and following a match with Bagwell on Nitro we see Bret get attacked by Konnan, Hennig, and Rude. In the build to Uncensored Bret is looking for someone to watch his back this is when Davey Boy Smith & The Anvil join in with Bret against NWO, as both are in his corner at Uncensored. Then we slide to a tag match in April at Spring Stampede with Bret & Davey Boy vs Hennig & Konnan where Bret finally gets a clean win over the NWO. 

This is where things get a little more interesting in the build to Great American Bash we see Bret move up the ladder into a feud with Macho Man who has been showing signs of a face turn in recent months. It seems like this match will be evenly contested as both want to go at alone. Following Bret's victory he shakes Savage's hand and the PPV ends with Hogan staring down Hart & the newly face Randy Savage. Now with Bash at the Beach in the cross hairs Bret vs Hogan is finally in the cards. However, to avoid making this article ridiculously long like I would have to do to give this part of the story the depth it deserves look out for part 2 coming soon.