****Sunday, June 2, 2013. ****

After the close of Death Before Dishonor, Bret Hart sat in the locker room of the Scotiabank Saddledome, leaned back on the bench against the wall, and breathed a deep sigh of relief. The fans in Calgary had welcomed him back with open arms, and just like that, Bret Hart was sucked back in. He thought of all the times he’d been in the Saddledome, and how life had come full circle so many times, and here he was back in Calgary one more time. Just then, Chris Jericho entered the locker room and looked around. Once he spotted Bret, he walked right over to him.

Chris Jericho: Bret, thanks for coming here tonight and welcome back.

Bret Hart: Hey, Chris. Thanks for the invite… and yeah, it’s great to be back.

Jericho: Good. Good. Maybe you can stick around for more than few matches this time, eh?

Jericho smirked. It was obvious that he was joking, but the comment still stung a little. After having walked away “for good” in 2008 to try to fix the problems he had in his own life and the problems he had made with his family, Bret returned in 2010 thinking that would fix the problems his wrestling life had caused. It blew up in his face, but Bret put on an incredible match.

Hart: Yeah Chris, I’m here until you don’t want me to be anymore or my body won’t let me. Wow, it’s crazy to think you’re my boss now… CEO of EBWF… how’d that happen?

Jericho: Honestly? I'm still asking myself that question... I sure as hell never saw myself running this place. But hey, don't forget I'm the interim CEO. If you stick around long enough for Wes to take the reins, you and I might just get to have ourselves a long overdue rematch.

Jericho's eyes glistened at the thought of going one more round with his mentor.

Jericho: Anyway, I've got some things to take care of for the show... but I'll see you around Bret. You know where I am if you need me.

Jericho shook Bret's hand and then made his exit. With that brief exchange, the two former Tag Team partners shook hands, and Jericho left the lockerroom, leaving Bret and a couple other guys packing up. Bret sat still for awhile, thinking back to his last match in the EBWF. Despite putting on what he believed was his greatest performance in his career, he fell one pinfall short and Randy Orton had bested him in the Elimination Chamber. The Best There is, The Best There Was, and the Best There Ever Will Be… was beaten at his best. It was too much to face, and Bret walked away.

****June 11, 2008****

Barely able to open his blood-shot eyes, Bret pulled himself out of the couch, and brushed his grimy locks away from his crusty eyes, which matched the dried crusted puke that was on his stomach, cheeks, and spilled over onto the couch and floor. He obviously hadn’t showered in days and was a complete mess. Despite owning a very nice house and still paying for two more, Bret was currently in a run down, seedy motel somewhere outside of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. As Bret stood before the door into the bathroom he surveyed the room. The blinds were torn in places and had been thrown shut. But when, Bret couldn’t remember. He had two double beds in the room but one had been flipped over, and the other looked like a war had been fought on it. He counted three holes in the wall, and didn’t remember a single one of them. The television had been on all night, on mute, and as Bret looked at what was on he wasn’t surprised to find that it was just static. Returning his attention to the bathroom he found six open pill bottles. Reading the labels he discovered some were prescribed to him, some not, and some he didn’t even recognize. He gathered a handful of the pills, which were strewn everywhere and noticed the puke scattered around the toilet. He found countless bottles of alcohol, all empty, and three pizza boxes, lazily stuffed into a trashcan that couldn’t fit one. He threw the handful of pills down his throat, leaned against the sink and looked into the mirror… and broke it with his fist.

**** June 1, 2008****

Bret smirked as he left his doctor’s office. Twenty years of backbreaking “entertainment” is always an easy way to get a prescription for Somas or Vicodins… who would question him? As Bret sat in his silver 2004 Ford F-150, he popped the cap off the first orange bottle he could grab. He just shook a couple pills into his hand, cocked his neck back, and threw them down his throat.

**** March 1, 2010 ****

It was a few hours before Bret was scheduled to appear on TV for EBWF again, but Bret was still lying in bed in his hotel room a days drive away. He had promised a win to his son Blade, a feeble attempt at rekindling their lost father-son bond. It had been Bret’s entire motivation for returning… what he envisioned as the selfless action Blade had hoped his father could make, but Blade had only been driven further away in the weeks leading up to the event. The years of being away, the years of drug and alcohol abuse, and the years of neglect by a internationally loved and well-known father was more than Blade could bear and Bret felt he had finished it. It was beyond repair.

Bret got out of bed and checked out of his hotel. He climbed into his rental car, a 2010 Chevy Impala and drove to the airport. He had no intention of returning to the EBWF again, there was no point any longer. He bought a ticket for Calgary, Alberta and returned home.

****Sunday, June 9 2013****

Bret had the convenience of enjoying a “Legends” schedule after negotiating himself a special contract. He only had to appear for TV, which meant no house shows, with the exception of during their time in Canada. He had spent most of the week at house shows across Canada, but hadn’t completed he physical yet so wasn’t cleared to wrestle, so his appearances were mainly thanking the EBWF crowds across Canada. However, now Bret was sitting in a hotel room in Toronto, Ontario doing an interview with members of the local press.

Reporter: Hi, Jeff Blair with the Toronto Sun here Bret… first question, why return at Death Before Dishonor after so much time away? Does it have to do with The Shield’s recent actions….?

Bret Hart: Frankly, I returned now, because the EBWF approached me about returning. I myself hadn’t thought of returning in a long time… but sometimes forces align beyond your control and that perfect opportunity is presented to you… sometimes exactly what you need is right in front of you, and you’d be a fool not to take advantage of that opportunity… so that’s what brought me back. Opportunity. As far as the Shield goes, I’m reminded of an old saying…. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction… and if the Shield believes that they can bring about the end of the EBWF… something that in 2002, I helped start… well a deep and primal reaction is to be expected by the people who worked hard to make EBWF what it was. I’ll leave it at that.

Reporter: Hi, Gregor Chisholm with the Star… so who called you about returning to EBWF? Was it Jericho… or Wes Ikeda? Who exactly? What did they say? Was it the Plan B that Jericho mentioned at Death Before Dishonor?

Bret Hart: I don’t think I’ll comment on that much right now… that’s not really important right now. The Shield is something I will deal with when I get to them, and I will get to them… especially Dean Ambrose, but for now, I’m looking ahead to Total Recall and my match against Ted DiBiase Jr.

Reporter: Bret, there is a rumor that you haven’t been medically cleared to compete yet and with only a few days before your match at Total Recall, are you concerned at all… what’s the hold up?

Bret Hart: I haven’t yet been medically cleared, but that’s only due to a scheduling problem with the EBWF doctors, I’m seeing them later tonight, and I have every confidence everything will be fine. No hold ups and no concerns… just looking forward to spending the next few days preparing for Ted DiBiase Jr. and the rest of the King of the Ring tournament… thanks for the interview guys, but I do have to head off for my physical. Thanks again.

As the reporters and Bret gathered their things and left the hotel room, Bret briefly thought of the Shield, and back to Wrestlemania and what they had done… but only briefly. He shook it off, and thought ahead to his physical… and then about Ted DiBiase Jr. He was still thinking of DiBiase, when he accidentally bumped into Katie, his beautiful young assistant, and long-time friend.

Katie: Oh sorry…

Bret: Oh no, I’m sorry Katie, I was lost in thought.

Katie: Yeah… everything okay… you’re still clean right?

Bret: Yes Katie… since I met Brandon… you know this.

Katie: Oh I know… it’s just neither of us heard from you all week since the pay-per-view. Brandon didn’t say anything, but you know I worry.

Bret: Katie, I’ve just been busy. I’ve had all these house shows on the way from Calgary to here, and interviews in every city along the way… you don’t need to worry. After all this time and all this work, I’m not going to blow it now.

****Wednesday March 17, 2010****

Papers were scattered across a circular wooden table, and Bret sat with his elbows on the table and his head held in his hands. An opened UPS box was on the floor beside him, and a cool cup of coffee ahead of him on the table, just to his right. Bret is wearing an old Olympic Hitmen t-shirt, the name of his first tag team in EBWF and EBWF branded pajamas. It’s obvious he hasn’t showered in a few days, and he seems to be worn out. Bret’s at home, alone, and the papers scattered across his table are all printed on EBWF letterhead. It was all the legal stuff Bret had to deal with for walking away from the company and his contract. It was business. Your typical no-complete clause acknowledgement form, forms to sign to end his contract and his health benefits and that EBWF keeps marketing rights of his name, with a reduced royalty paid to Bret. The cost of leaving out of the blue was steep, but Bret made his decision. He was defeated. Almost two weeks removed from Bret’s loss in the Elimination Chamber at Fallout, Blade and Bret hadn’t even spoke, and Bret couldn’t figure out what he’d do next. He was utterly lost. It was then that his phone rang.

Brandon: Bret! I haven’t heard from you in two weeks… what… uh… what’s going on man? I heard you walked away from EBWF… you alright?

Bret: Yeah…umm Hi Brandon. I’m fine, I’m just… I’m having a really tough time coping with losing at Fallout. How could I claim to be the Best There Is, The Best There Was, and The Best There Ever Will Be… if I’m beaten at my best? I just couldn’t go out there and be shell of myself.

Brandon: Bret, far be it for me to tell you how to conduct your affairs or how do deal with your business, but when I was playing really high level baseball my Dad told me something that really resonated with me and stuck with me. You need to learn how to accept losses… without being defeated.

Their phone call went silent for awhile as Bret considered what Brandon had said. It had resonated with Bret… he was defeated, and he was all out of sorts. He wasn’t sure if he could ever come back from his loss at Fallout, but he wouldn’t allow himself to be defeated… not any longer.

Bret: Thanks Brandon. I’ll call you later.

****Tuesday, June 11, 2013****

Bret was leaning against the window in his hotel room at the Shang-ri La in Toronto. One of the nicest hotels in all of Canada, let alone Toronto. Bret had his tights spread out across his bed behind him and his MacBook open on the desk with a replay of EBWF Warfare from the night before on TV on low volume. Bret had passed his physical, and had watch Warfare from the back. He wasn’t booked, so he didn’t want to overextend himself. The distractions were finally starting to subside for Bret, and the reality of his situation was settling in. In two short days, Bret would return to the ring for the first time in over three years in a first round King of the Ring match against a second generation superstar in Ted DiBiase Jr. He was a former World Champion in his own right, although it seemed he had lost a step and hadn’t been able to recapture the fire that made him a world champion more than two years earlier. But Bret had realized that at any time, a DiBiase can surprise you. The Millionaire Dollar Man and Bret had tackled in Bret’s earlier life, and Bret knew all too much about the DiBiase family. Let your guard down and you will pay.

Bret pushed himself away from the window, and grabbed his tights and started to pack up his things. As he had always done, Bret packed his tights very last. The first thing he saw when he opened his bag was the old Pink and Black, and it was the last thing he tucked back into the bag. It was a sense of comfort for him, the routine… it was one thing he had done for years, and coming back, he saw no reason to stop. He looked around his room one last time to make sure he hadn’t missed anything, before closing the door and heading to the airport to make his way to Winnipeg.

****Thursday, June 13, 2013****

Fireworks fill the air throughout the MTS Arena in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada hosting EBWF‘s WARFARE!!! The Fans cheer loudly, but the roof came unglued when “Hart Attack” explodes into the fans ears! After more than three years away, Bret Hart had finally returned to the EBWF!! The sold-out arena let out a deafening cheer as Bret Hart stepped out onto into the gaze of thousands and thousands of EBWF fans. Bret smiles that classic Bret Hart smile and struts down to the EBWF ring like it was his own backyard. He is surveying the crowd with every step and sees countless Hitman signs scattered throughout the arena. He steps up the ringside steps, and pauses for just a brief moment by the turnbuckle, before entering the ring. He takes a few steps into the ring, raises his arms straight out from his shoulders and spins as he always has done. The crowd is electric, but simmers as a microphone is handed to Bret, and he returns to the center of the ring.

Bret Hart: You know, I haven’t done this in awhile, but I want to start by saying thank you to all the fans here tonight and around the world. The EBWF fans are the best in the world, and I also want to say thank you to everyone in the back and especially to the staff running EBWF. I wouldn’t be here without the fantastic people I’ve worked for and with, so thank you again.

But before I get to the reason I’m out here, there is one guy who deserves a special thank you, and it seems fitting since we are here in Winnipeg! * Crowd Pop * One guy has brought the best out in me here in the EBWF, and I have a feel he’s a big reason why I’m back… but I want to say a special thank you to the 2011 EBWF King of the Ring - Chris Jericho! * Even bigger crowd pop! * Chris, you are a true friend and one of the most impressive wrestler’s I’ve ever seen. So thank you Chris.

Anyways, that’s enough of the fluff. The reason I’m back in the EBWF is to accomplish one thing. In 2004, one of the greatest years in EBWF History, I was crowned the King of the Ring… and three years later, I reclaimed that crown. Now, almost ten years after my first EBWF crown as King of the Ring… I’m here to win the 2013 EBWF King of the Ring tournament for an unprecedented third time… and that starts with one man… it starts with Ted DiBiase Jr.

He’s an impressive superstar - there is no question. He has unmatched pedigree and the natural ability that many work tirelessly for years to acquire, and it’s brought him to great heights and has brought him loads of success. He’s a former EBWF World Champion, and that’s no easy feat. Trust me, I know… I won the title four times. But if there is one thing that I think DiBiase lacks… he lacks the focus that could help him accomplish so much more. I’ve done everything that can be done here in the EBWF and I’ve done many times over. But the past is not what’s important, and I’m not going to rest on the laurels of my accomplishments. I bring them up because I had to be remarkably focused to accomplish what I did. To hold four separate championships at one time isn’t something you just fall into. I see the potential breaks that DiBiase has been afforded, no pun intended, and I see missed opportunities. The King of the Ring tournament has barely begun and already Ted DiBiase Jr has lost sight of what he should be focused on, and is, predictably, focused on something else. On Daniel Bryan. It’s a mistake that will cost him the match, and if he doesn’t get his head right, a great deal more as well.

The King of the Ring tournament, starting here in Winnipeg tonight is one of those potential breaks… a new opportunity, but Ted DiBiase Jr has run into some bad luck. He’s run into the Excellence of Execution.... he’s run into the Hitman. I’m not saying that tonight will be a missed opportunity because Teddy is going to lose. I’m not saying that at all. The missed opportunity will come if he fails to learn anything from the loss… if he doesn’t learn anything from being in the ring with me here tonight… then it’s time he run back to the Million Dollar Man and start learning why he’s here all over again. You only get one chance to learn from the Best There Is, the Best There Was, and THE BEST There EVER Will Be.

Bret drops the mic and plays up the crowd to a deafening standing ovation. He finally makes his way up the ramp to the back, slapping hands of the fans reaching across the guardrails, giving out high fives and posing for an occasional photo as EBWF Warfare goes to a commercial break.