Stu Hart

Stu Hart was a legendary wrestling promoter, trainer, and former wrestler who founded and ran the **Calgary territory** in Alberta, Canada. His promotion, **Stampede Wrestling**, became one of the most successful and respected territories in the world of professional wrestling. Hart's Calgary territory was known for its tough training regimen, legendary "Dungeon," and for producing some of the most notable wrestling talent in the business.

### **Early Life and Wrestling Career**

Stu Hart was born on May 3, 1915, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. He had a background in amateur wrestling, excelling in the sport during his time at the University of Alberta. Hart was an accomplished athlete, winning multiple wrestling championships, and even participating in the Canadian football league.

After serving in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II, Hart transitioned to professional wrestling in the late 1940s. He wrestled across North America, gaining valuable experience and building a reputation as a legitimate tough competitor. Hart eventually settled in Calgary, Alberta, with his wife, Helen Smith, whom he had married in 1947.

### **Founding of Stampede Wrestling**

In 1948, Stu Hart acquired control of the Calgary territory, originally known as **Klondike Wrestling**, which had been started by Al Oeming. Hart rebranded the promotion as **Stampede Wrestling** in the 1950s. The promotion initially faced challenges, but Hart's dedication and hard work turned it into a thriving business.

Calgary, along with surrounding towns in Alberta and Saskatchewan, was a perfect base for Stampede Wrestling due to its growing population and enthusiastic local fanbase. Hart promoted weekly shows in Calgary, usually at the **Victoria Pavilion**, and expanded to other cities in Alberta and Saskatchewan, like Edmonton, Red Deer, and Regina. Stampede Wrestling’s weekly TV program, produced by local Calgary station **CFAC-TV**, helped spread the promotion's popularity.

### **The Dungeon and Training of Wrestlers**

One of the most enduring aspects of Stu Hart's legacy is his training facility, famously known as **"The Dungeon."** Located in the basement of Hart's home, the Dungeon was a small, cramped room with hard mats on the floor. Stu Hart personally trained wrestlers there, and the training sessions became legendary for their intensity, toughness, and rigorous discipline.

Hart's training methods were notoriously brutal; he would stretch and contort trainees into painful holds, testing both their physical endurance and mental toughness. Despite the severity, many wrestlers appreciated his knowledge and willingness to pass on his expertise. The Dungeon became known as a proving ground for aspiring wrestlers, with many who trained there going on to achieve significant success.

Notable wrestlers trained by Stu Hart at the Dungeon include:

- **Bret "Hitman" Hart**

- **Owen Hart**

- **Dynamite Kid (Tom Billington)**

- **Davey Boy Smith (The British Bulldog)**

- **Brian Pillman**

- **Chris Benoit**

- **Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart**

- **Jake "The Snake" Roberts**

- **"Superstar" Billy Graham**

- **Jushin Thunder Liger**

Hart's trainees often became top stars not just in Stampede Wrestling, but also in other territories and major promotions like the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

### **Promotional Success and Popularity**

During the 1970s and early 1980s, Stampede Wrestling experienced its greatest period of success. The promotion featured a mix of technical wrestling, high-flying action, and brawls, catering to a wide range of fans. Stu Hart himself was heavily involved in the booking, using his deep understanding of wrestling psychology to create compelling storylines and feuds.

Stampede Wrestling's top stars often included members of the Hart family, including Stu's sons **Bret**, **Owen**, **Bruce**, and **Keith Hart**. Additionally, Hart brought in international talent such as **Dynamite Kid** and **Davey Boy Smith**, who helped raise the profile of the promotion with their innovative, high-impact style. The promotion also hosted memorable matches featuring stars like **Bad News Allen (Bad News Brown)**, **Archie "The Stomper" Gouldie**, **Makhan Singh**, and **Judy Grable**.

The weekly TV show, "Stampede Wrestling," was broadcast locally and then syndicated in several countries, including the United Kingdom and Japan. This exposure helped build the promotion's international reputation and made stars out of many of its performers. Stampede's annual events, like the **Calgary Stampede** and **Christmas shows**, drew large crowds and became must-see events for wrestling fans in the region.

### **Sale to the WWF and Temporary Closure (1984)**

By the early 1980s, the wrestling landscape was changing, with national promotions like the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) expanding aggressively. In **1984**, Stu Hart sold Stampede Wrestling to Vince McMahon's WWF. The sale included the television time slot, contracts for several Stampede stars, and rights to promote in the Calgary territory.

However, the integration did not go smoothly. The Hart family members who joined WWF were often dissatisfied with their roles, and the WWF's style and direction clashed with Stampede's traditional approach. In **1985**, Stu Hart exercised a clause in the agreement, reclaiming the promotion, and reestablishing Stampede Wrestling.

### **Stampede's Return and Final Years (1985-1989)**

Stampede Wrestling resumed operations and continued to feature many of the wrestlers who had previously been with the promotion. However, the wrestling landscape had changed dramatically, with the WWF and Jim Crockett Promotions (later WCW) dominating the North American market. Stampede faced challenges in maintaining its audience and keeping its top stars, as many wrestlers opted for the more lucrative opportunities provided by the larger promotions.

Despite these difficulties, Stampede Wrestling maintained a loyal following and continued to produce new stars, such as **Owen Hart**, **Brian Pillman**, and **Chris Benoit**. The promotion retained its distinctive style, combining technical wrestling with intense feuds and colorful characters.

### **Closure and Legacy (1989)**

In **1989**, Stu Hart decided to close Stampede Wrestling, citing declining business, increased competition, and his desire to retire from promoting. The closure marked the end of an era in Canadian wrestling, but the legacy of Stampede Wrestling and the Hart family continued to live on through the contributions of its alumni to the wrestling world.

### **Impact on Wrestling and Hart Family Legacy**

Stu Hart’s impact on professional wrestling is immense. Through Stampede Wrestling, he created a breeding ground for some of the greatest talents in wrestling history. The Hart family, led by Stu, became synonymous with technical excellence, respect for the business, and a unique style of wrestling that influenced promotions worldwide.

After the closure of Stampede Wrestling, many of its stars, including members of the Hart family, went on to achieve great success in other major promotions. **Bret Hart** and **Owen Hart** became household names in the WWF, with Bret becoming a multi-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion and Owen a highly respected performer. Other Stampede alumni, like **Dynamite Kid**, **Davey Boy Smith**, and **Chris Benoit**, made their marks in international promotions.

Stu Hart was inducted into multiple wrestling Halls of Fame, including the **WWE Hall of Fame** in 2010, and remains celebrated as one of wrestling’s most influential figures. His contributions as a promoter, trainer, and patriarch of the Hart wrestling dynasty ensure that his legacy in professional wrestling endures.

### **Continued Influence of the Hart Family**

The Hart family continues to be involved in professional wrestling through the work of Stu’s children, grandchildren, and former trainees. The **Hart House**, with its famous Dungeon, remains a symbol of wrestling excellence and a place of pilgrimage for wrestling fans around the world. The legacy of Stu Hart and Stampede Wrestling is also kept alive through documentaries, books, and tributes that celebrate its unique place in wrestling history.