Hart Legacy Wrestling Explained
Hart Legacy Wrestling |
Acronym: | HLW |
Established: | 2013 |
Style: | Canadian Wrestling |
Location: | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
Owner: | Smith Hart (2015–2017) John Oniston (2013)[1] Stacey Angel |
Parent: | Universal Ultimate Games inc |
Hart Legacy Wrestling (HLW)[2] is a Canadian professional wrestling promotion operated by some members of the Hart wrestling family, it was founded mainly by Teddy Hart and his associates.[3] Smith Hart was also involved with the promotion prior to his death on July 2, 2017.[3] [4] His long-time partner Stacey Angel is the current owner of the promotion.[5] Bret Hart has no involvement in HLW.[6] [7] [8]
History
Shows
The promotion was announced in 2012, founded and had their first show in the Victoria Pavilion in 2013.[2] [9] [10] [11]
In 2013 HLW held a show at the Stampede Pavilion named "Resurrection".[7] [12] The event starred wrestlers such as, Konnan, Chris Masters, Bobby Lashley, Trent Barreta, Samuray del Sol, The Super Smash Brothers, Cody Hall as well as IWGP Tag Team Champions Davey Boy Smith Jr. (David Hart Smith) and Lance Archer. The event had the final Canadian independent appearance of El Generico before his signing with WWE.[13] It also featured a 12-man battle royale consisting mostly of local talent.[14] [15] [16] Kevin Nash had to pull out of the event after his wife became ill.[17] During the event wrestler Pete Wilson suffered a shoulder injury and was rushed to the ER.[18]
Harry Smith and Teddy Hart would have a rematch in 2014, after that Smith returned after performing in Japan.[19]
In September 2015 an event was held which featured a match for the NWA World Women's Championship between Santana Garrett and Shojo Machiko which Garrett won. It also featured two matches with Teddy Hart.[20]
In December 2015 the promotion held a Hopes & Ropes charity event at the Ranchmans Roadhouse in Calgary.[21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] The main event was a match between cousins Teddy Hart and David Hart Smith.[27] The event was put on together with the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary, the main event between Smith and Hart was for the Stu Hart Heavyweight Championship Belt. The event's goal was to raise money for anti-bullying and self-confidence programs for children.[28] [29]
In February 2016 it was announced that the next event would be held on March 6, 2016, and that the main event would once again be Teddy Hart vs David Hart Smith.[30] The event was again held at the Ranchmans Roadhouse.[31] [32] [33] [34] In July 2016 the company held an event called the Stu Hart Memorial Cup.[35]
The promotion has events planned for 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic.[36]
Controversies
Payment
The 2013 show, "Resurrection", was followed by many wrestlers claiming that the promotion failed to pay them. A hotel manager in the area has also stated that a large amount of rooms were booked but that the bills were never paid by the promotion. Teddy Hart has claimed that the responsibility lays with the owners and promoters, John Oniston and Stacey "Angel" Olszak, others have maintained that Teddy was the one who was said to be in charge.[1] [37] [38] Hart continued to state that he simply lent his name to the event and featured as a wrestler and did not handle any of the other aspect of the promotion.[39] [40]
Wrestler Lance Storm[41] and Jeff Jackson, who served as play by play commentator for the event, have stated that John Oniston who was the promoter for the event had talked to everyone backstage after the show had concluded and ensured them that they would be paid eventually and that they would receive a bonus of 100 C$.[42] [43] [44]
In late 2013 Jackson told to CBC Radio once again mentioned that Oniston had said to him and the other workers from the event that they would be given their money later on and that they would be compensated for their troubles. He added that Teddy Hart, David Hart Smith and Wayne Hart were the only Hart family members to be involved in the promotion at the time of the event. He also stated that while he had at the time still not been paid, he said that he did not expect for his payment to ever come. Jackson claimed that the pavilion which the event was held at had at least between 1200 and 1800 people in it and that the cheapest tickets were for 25 C$, so there should not have been any problem to pay everyone. Jackson claimed that HLW originally planned another event on February 22 that was supposed to feature former WWE wrestler John Morrison but the event was canceled due to issues.[45]
The February show was replaced by a new promotion handled by the same people and the professional wrestling newsletter Figure Four Online made the following statement:[46]
"The Hart Legacy Wrestling promotion in Calgary with all the issues regarding payment to wrestlers has shut down, but essentially the same group, without John Oniston, is running a new promotion called AAA Canada Next Generation Wrestling on 2/22 at the Victoria Pavilion in Calgary with John Morrison, Kevin Nash, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Konnan, Teddy Hart, Jack Evans and Necro Butcher. A press conference was scheduled for Calgary today and they claim that all talent has already been paid in advance. They plan to run an iPPV that will be taped for the next day. B. J. Annis (the father of Teddy Hart) is behind the new company and Spencer Tapley is the front person for talent and media. Tapley wrote a letter to talent, blaming Oniston for being deceitful and said the only reason they were over budget is because others in charge bought airline tickets at the last minute."[47] [48] [49]
The issue was settled by 2015.[50]
David Benoit
In April 2014 Smith Hart announced that David Benoit, the son of controversial wrestler Chris Benoit was to make his in ring debut for Hart Legacy Wrestling on July 18 in Calgary in a tag team match with Chavo Guerrero, a friend of his father Chris.[51] [52] [53] Hart claimed that Benoit had been trained by his nephew David Hart Smith.[54] The match was later canceled[55] in May when another friend of David's father, Chris Jericho informed Guerrero that David did not have any formal training, prompting Guerrero to pull out of the match. Hart had told different versions to the two men, to Guerrero he had said that David had received training for the match but had also told Jericho that David would not be wrestling, just involved in a storyline.[56] [57] [58] [59] Jericho insisted that David would not be included in the show due to his lack of training and was reportedly upset at the promotion for using David to advertise the show.[60] [61] [62]
Talent
Wrestlers
Other
- Julie Hart, as chief operations officer[83] [84]
- Stacey "Angel" (Stacey Olaszak), as CEO[83] [85] [86]
- Michelle Billington, ring announcer[50]
- Bronwynne Billington, valet[87]
- Fay Hart (Fay Annis), valet[88]
- Andre Cobreil, general manager[89]
- Wayne Hart, referee[90]
- Alessandro Gazzera, social media manager
- Tim Stein, announcer[91]
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Lance Storm Talks Problems With Hart Legacy Wrestling Event And Outstanding Payment Issues. 18 February 2013. wrestlinginc.com.
- Web site: Hart Legacy Wrestling (HLW). cagematch.net.
- Web site: Hart Legacy Wrestling. January 17, 2016. Hart Legacy Wrestling.
- Web site: Oliver, Greg . Smith Hart passes away . SLAM! Wrestling . Canoe.com. 2017-07-12.
- Web site: Hart Legacy Wrestling (HLW) « Promotions Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database. Kreikenbohm. Philip. www.cagematch.net. 2018-01-22.
- Web site: The Hart family will be involved with a new promotion called Hart Family Legacy . onlineworldofwrestling.com.
- Web site: HART FAMILY LAUNCHES NEW PROMOTION, LIVE IN THE OLD HART HOUSE AND MORE NEWS. PWInsider.
- Web site: HART LEGACY WRESTLING LOOKS TO BE DONE ALREADY - PWInsider.com. www.pwinsider.com.
- Global Toronto - Hart Legacy Wrestling. 14 December 2012. YouTube.
- Web site: Wrestling returns to Victoria Pavilion with Hart Legacy Wrestling's Resurrection. McMurray, Jenna. Calgary Sun. December 11, 2012. 2016-01-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20161021203754/http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/12/11/wrestling-returns-to-victoria-pavilion-with-hart-legacy-wrestlings-resurrection. 2016-10-21. dead.
- Web site: HART LEGACY WRESTLING PRESENTS "RESURRECTION!". Apter, Bill. December 10, 2012. 1Wrestling.com.
- Hart Legacy Wrestling - Resurrection. 6 December 2012. YouTube.
- Web site: Wrestling "Resurrected" Friday at Stampede Pavilion: Hart Legacy Wrestling debuts at Calgary's legendary venue . April 21, 2015 . Canadian Online Explorer.
- Web site: Action speaks loudly at Hart Legacy Wrestling. Jason, Clevett. Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. January 19, 2013. 2016-01-31.
- Web site: Hart Legacy Wrestling Promote First Show of 2013. Thomas, Jeremy. Wrestling/NEWS. 411mania.com. April 21, 2015. 2016-05-03.
- Web site: TGIF: Rock Gets Shielded, WWE 2k14, and More. www.wewantinsanity.com. 2018-01-22.
- Web site: Clayton Jack Wants to be a Heel in WWE, WWE Superstar Returns from Injury, Kevin Nash . 2018-01-06 . 2018-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180107203518/http://www.allwrestlingnews.com/2013/01/18/clayton-jack-heel-wwe-wwe-superstar-returns-injury-kevin-nash/ . dead .
- Web site: Hart Legacy Wrestling Issues Already . PWInsider .
- News: Drake Younger Works WWE NXT TV Tapings, Shield's Top 10 Six-Man Matches, Vampiro, More PWMania. PWMania. 2018-01-22. en-US.
- Web site: HLW Event Data. cagematch.net. September 9, 2015. 2016-03-04.
- Web site: "Hopes & Ropes" Calgary Fundraiser Announced. 1wrestling.com.
- Web site: Hart family wrestlers to take to the ring in Hopes & Ropes charity match. Calgary Herald. Video
- Web site: DAILY UPDATE: WWE TLC FALLOUT, STRONG CROWD EXPECTED FOR RAW. Dave. Meltzer. Dave Meltzer. f4wonline.com. 14 December 2015. Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
- Web site: Hart Legacy Wrestling: Hopes N Ropes. cagematch.net.
- HART LEGACY: WRESTLING NEWS - (HOPES & ROPES) CALGARY YOUTH FUNDRAISER DEC 13 2015. 3 December 2015. YouTube.
- HART VS HART OFFICIAL PRESS CONFERENCE CALGARY ALBERTA HART LEGACY WRESTLING. 6 December 2015. YouTube.
- Web site: 5 family-friendly things to do this weekend in Calgary. Weir, Bruce. Calgary Herald. December 9, 2015. 2016-01-30.
- Web site: Hart family wrestlers to take to the ring in Hopes & Ropes charity match. Rhodes, Ted. Ottawa Citizen. Dec 4, 2015. 2016-01-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20160422054622/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Hart+family+wrestlers+take+ring+Hopes+Ropes+charity+match/11569016/story.html. 2016-04-22. dead.
- Web site: Hart family wrestlers to take to the ring in Hopes & Ropes charity match . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190922093757/https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/hart-family-wrestlers-to-take-to-the-ring-in-hopes-ropes-charity-match . September 22, 2019 . . Rhodes . Ted . Dec 5, 2015 . January 31, 2016.
- News: Hart Legacy Wrestling: Hart vs. Hart 2 - Unfinished Business Feb 6 2016 Event. 2016-02-05.
- News: BRET HART SURGERY IS A HUGE SUCCESS! SMITH HART HEALTH UPDATE & HART LEGACY WRESTLING NEWS. https://web.archive.org/web/20181004230112/http://healthplanets.com/bret-hart-surgery-is-a-huge-success-smith-hart-health-update-hart-legacy-wrestling-news/. dead. 2018-10-04. healthplanets.com. 2016-03-04.
- Web site: Upcoming Indy wrestling events March 2-13, 2016. Online World Of Wrestling. 2016-03-04.
- News: Sunday Events Center - Gunner at PWX in Charlotte, Callihan & Ciampa at AWE in Atlanta, Abyss & Haas at Circle City, Gargano & Lio Rush at Next Gen, Ray Rowe in Austin, Hart Legacy, SPW -. 2016-04-17. 2018-01-22. en-US.
- News: HART LEGACY WRESTLING / UNFINISHED BUSINESS II at Ranchman's Cookhous…. https://archive.today/20180111085452/https://allevents.in/calgary/hart-legacy-wrestling-unfinished-business-ii/1095756183778870. dead. 2018-01-11. 2018-01-11. archive.is. 2018-01-22.
- Web site: STU HART MEMORIAL CUP. www.wherevent.com. en. 2018-01-22.
- Web site: Hart Legacy Wrestling Announces Return, Trio of Dates. 29 January 2020.
- Web site: Statement: Talent Not Paid by Hart Legacy Wrestling . 25 January 2013. wrestleview.com.
- Web site: Complaints grow over Hart family wrestling event. CBC.ca.
- News: Possible trouble for the new Hart Legacy Wrestling promotion?. Online World of Wrestling. 2018-01-22. en-US.
- News: Hart Legacy Wrestling Cancels Show - Details - eWrestlingNews.com. 2013-02-04. eWrestlingNews.com. 2018-01-22. en-US.
- News: Lance Storm Talks Problems With Hart Legacy Wrestling Event & Outstanding Payment Issues PWMania. PWMania. 2018-01-22. en-US.
- Web site: Former WWE & WCW Superstar Comments On Financial Issues With Hart Legacy Wrestling, Former HLW Executive Provides a Rebuttal To Storm's Comments. prowrestlingmadness.weebly.com.
- Web site: Interview – Lance Storm on Hart Legacy Wrestling. Fight Network. 2016-01-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20160131133930/http://fightnetwork.com/news/6384651:interview-lance-storm-on-hart-legacy-wrestling-full/. 2016-01-31. dead.
- Web site: Hart Legacy Wrestling promotion screws talent and staff over pay . oklafan.com.
- Web site: CBC Radio talks to Jeff Jackson about Hart Legacy Wrestling. .
- Web site: Another big Calgary promotion to debut. Oliver, Greg. Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. April 21, 2015. 2016-01-31.
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 2013
- News: AAA Canada Set To Replace Hart Legacy Wrestling - eWrestlingNews.com. 2013-02-07. eWrestlingNews.com. 2018-01-22. en-US.
- Web site: NEW CALGARY PROMOTION HEADED BY TEDDY HART TO REPLACE HART LEGACY WRESTLING PWInsider.com. www.pwinsider.com. 2018-01-22.
- News: 2018-01-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20180107061842/https://www.f4wonline.com/daily-updates/daily-update-wwe-tlc-fallout-strong-crowd-expected-raw-203736. Daily Update: WWE TLC Fallout, strong crowd expected for RAW. Meltzer, Dave. December 14, 2015. WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results. 2018-01-22. live.
- Web site: PWTorch.com - BENOIT NEWS: David Benoit to make wrestling debut in July. www.pwtorch.com. 2018-01-22.
- Web site: David Benoit, son of Chris Benoit, to make wrestling debut for Hart Legacy Wrestling on July 18th . kocosports.net.
- Web site: PITBULLS & SCORPIO TO BE INDUCTED INTO ECW ARENA HARDCORE HALL, HARDY WINS MCW TITLE, LOW KI VS. DANIELS, BOLIVIA, HERO IN FRANCE AND MORE NEWS PWInsider.com. www.pwinsider.com. 2018-01-22.
- Web site: Chris Benoit's Son Making His Pro Wrestling Debut In Tag Match With Former WWE Star . 29 April 2014 . pwmania.com .
- News: Saturday 17 05 2014 e version. Issuu. 2018-01-22. en.
- Web site: David Benoit's Pro Wrestling Debut Cancelled Amid Controversy; Chavo Guerrero Pulls Out of Event & Chris Jericho "Furious". 8 May 2014. wrestlezone.com.
- Web site: Update: The Latest on the David Benoit Smith Hart Situation, How Jericho Got Involved, Why Chavo Backed Out of the Match & Much More. 8 May 2014. wrestlezone.com.
- Web site: David Benoit's pro wrestling debut cancelled under strange circumstances. 10 May 2014 . cagesideseats.com .
- Web site: Smith Hart Comments On David Benoit's In-Ring Wrestling Debut Being Canceled. 11 May 2014 . sescoops.com .
- Web site: WWE NEWS: CHRIS BENOIT'S SON ATTENDS WWE EVENT SATURDAY NIGHT IN EDMONTON. February 2015 . inquisitr.com .
- News: Chris Benoit's son to make his wrestling debut Wrestling News. 2014-04-29. Wrestling News. 2018-01-22. en-US.
- News: Smith Hart Comments On David Benoit's Pro Wrestling In-Ring Debut Being Canceled PWMania. PWMania. 2018-01-22. en-US.
- Web site: Teddy Hart poses at the Hart Legacy Wrestling debut show. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205152709/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Microgalleries/HartLegacyJan2013/?&pic=5. dead. February 5, 2016. January 30, 2016. Canoe.ca.
- HART VS HART TEDDY HART VS DAVEY BOY SMITH JR HART LEGACY WRESTLING ANDRE CORBEIL SHOW 12. 18 December 2015. YouTube.
- Web site: 1/18 HART LEGACY WRESTLING RESULTS: CALGARY, ALBERTA . 20 January 2013 . wrestleview.com .
- Web site: Hart Legacy Wrestling to debut in Calgary on 1/16 . WrestleView. December 16, 2012. Martin, Adam.
- Book: Historical Dictionary of Wrestling . Scarecrow Press, inc. . 2014 . 978-0-8108-7926-3. 37 pp.
- Web site: AAA star Jack Evans returns to Calgary at the Hart Legacy Wrestling debut show. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205150211/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Microgalleries/HartLegacyJan2013/?&pic=0. dead. February 5, 2016. January 30, 2016. Canoe.ca.
- Web site: Trent Baretta mocks Brian Cage at the Hart Legacy Wrestling debut show. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205142057/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Microgalleries/HartLegacyJan2013/?&pic=2. dead. February 5, 2016. January 30, 2016. Canoe.ca.
- Web site: Samuray Del Sol sends Flip Kendrick flying at the Hart Legacy Wrestling debut show. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205141156/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Microgalleries/HartLegacyJan2013/?%26pic%3D4. dead. February 5, 2016. January 30, 2016. Canoe.ca.
- Web site: Samuray Del Sol and WWE bound El Generico at the Hart Legacy Wrestling debut show. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205142024/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Microgalleries/HartLegacyJan2013/?%26pic%3D11. dead. February 5, 2016. January 30, 2016. Canoe.ca.
- Web site: Chris Masters makes an entrance at the Hart Legacy Wrestling debut show. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205153419/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Microgalleries/HartLegacyJan2013/?&pic=12. dead. February 5, 2016. January 30, 2016. Canoe.ca.
- Web site: Lance Archer and Chris Masters duke it out ringside at the Hart Legacy Wrestling debut show. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205155206/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Microgalleries/HartLegacyJan2013/?&pic=13. dead. February 5, 2016. January 30, 2016. Canoe.ca.
- Web site: Bobby Lashley has Davey Boy Smith Jr. in trouble at the Hart Legacy Wrestling debut show. January 30, 2016. Canoe.ca.
- Web site: Lance Storm offers to team with Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Lance Archer at the Hart Legacy Wrestling debut show. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205152726/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Microgalleries/HartLegacyJan2013/?&pic=16. dead. February 5, 2016. January 30, 2016. Canoe.ca.
- Web site: Davey Boy Smith Jr. takes Johnny Devine into the corner at the Hart Legacy Wrestling debut show. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205151151/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Microgalleries/HartLegacyJan2013/?&pic=17. dead. February 5, 2016. January 30, 2016. Canoe.ca.
- Web site: Principal Richard Pound and his leather strap take opponents to school in the battle royal at the Hart Legacy Wrestling debut show. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205151629/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Microgalleries/HartLegacyJan2013/?%26pic%3D24. dead. February 5, 2016. January 30, 2016. Canoe.ca.
- Web site: Jason The Terrible chokeslams Heavy Metal at the Hart Legacy Wrestling debut show. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205152928/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Microgalleries/HartLegacyJan2013/?&pic=26. dead. February 5, 2016. January 30, 2016. Canoe.ca.
- Web site: Wavell Starr joins the Karachi Vice at the Hart Legacy Wrestling debut show. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205154557/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Microgalleries/HartLegacyJan2013/?&pic=27. dead. February 5, 2016. January 30, 2016. Canoe.ca.
- Web site: Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart at the Hart Legacy Wrestling debut show. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205155046/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Microgalleries/HartLegacyJan2013/?&pic=28. dead. February 5, 2016. January 30, 2016. Canoe.ca.
- Web site: El Generico pulled from Hart Legacy Wrestling event . WrestleView. Martin, Adam. 14 January 2013.
- Web site: Hart Legacy Wrestling Returns to Action in 2019. 10 January 2019.
- Web site: Women Extraordinaire Luncheon - "JULIE SPEAKING FROM THE HART". meetup.com. Sep 19, 2013. 2016-05-21. 2017-08-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20170817133610/http://www.meetup.com/Women-Extraordinaire/events/138280542/.
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- Web site: Home Kayfabe Kickout Canada. Home Kayfabe Kickout Canada. en. 2018-01-22.
- Web site: 1/18 HART LEGACY RESULTS PWInsider.com. www.pwinsider.com. 2018-01-22.
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- Web site: Wrestle Talk Radio 02-24-19 – Wild Talk Radio Podcasts . 2019-03-06 . https://archive.today/20190306135859/https://wildtalkradio.com/wordpress/2019/02/25/wrestle-talk-radio-02-24-19/ . 2019-03-06 . live .