best book introduction EVER
I haven't posted consective posts in such a short time (<24 hours) in a while (maybe not ever). But last night, I picked up Bret Hart's autobiography and started reading. And I must say, the introduction itself is probably the best opening to a book I have ever read. As a lifelong fan of Bret, and old school pro wrestling, I cannot begin to describe what was going through my mind while I was reading this. All I can say is that while reading the short passage, I was able to fully envision the scene that Bret was describing, and fully feel his emotions just as if I was there myself. The scene:
It's Stu Hart's (Bret's dad) funeral. A retired Bret, fresh off his stroke and not nearly close to recovery, struggles to limp up to the podium to say his eulogy, all the while wondering if he will physically and emotionally be able to deliver what he intends to say. He reaches the podium and looks out at the crowd. He sees many family members and friends. He sees Vince McMahon in the front row, emotional scars still fresh from the infamous Montreal Screwjob. He sees various wreslters, old and new, and ponders their significance to Stu and himself. But while looking at the crowd, he also sees Owen, Davey Boy, Brian Pillman, Curt Hennig, Rick Rude, and other great legends who have passed away. He thinks about how Hawk (from the Road Warriors/Legion of Doom) died the day he found out about Stu's death. And in seeing these people, he comes to realize that the funeral is not really about his father's death. To Bret, the day is about the death of wrestling as he knew it.
It's Stu Hart's (Bret's dad) funeral. A retired Bret, fresh off his stroke and not nearly close to recovery, struggles to limp up to the podium to say his eulogy, all the while wondering if he will physically and emotionally be able to deliver what he intends to say. He reaches the podium and looks out at the crowd. He sees many family members and friends. He sees Vince McMahon in the front row, emotional scars still fresh from the infamous Montreal Screwjob. He sees various wreslters, old and new, and ponders their significance to Stu and himself. But while looking at the crowd, he also sees Owen, Davey Boy, Brian Pillman, Curt Hennig, Rick Rude, and other great legends who have passed away. He thinks about how Hawk (from the Road Warriors/Legion of Doom) died the day he found out about Stu's death. And in seeing these people, he comes to realize that the funeral is not really about his father's death. To Bret, the day is about the death of wrestling as he knew it.