"The Hitman."
"The best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be."
"The excellence of execution."
Those three paragraphs sum up the man, Bret Hart.
I talked to Bret on Monday afternoon, as he is on a book tour for his recent release "HITMAN." What a class act he is.
Bret will hold a book signing this Wednesday (Nov. 19) at 4 p.m. at the Virgin Megastore (1494 Buena Vista Drive) in Lake Buena Vista near Orlando. I strongly suggest you go out and meet him.
Here's my Q&A with Bret:
Q: You had a stroke in 2002 and started this book back in July 1999. Talk a little about the process in getting this book completed.
A: "I started working on the book just before Owen's death (his brother who died in 1999) in Kansas City. I started making audiotapes and ended up with 100 tapes by the time my career was over. I promised that whatever I said I wouldn't change them. It wasn't until they (WWE's infamous Montreal incident in 1997) screwed me over that I started thinking about a book.''
Q: Several people are already calling your book the best wrestling book ever written. Your thoughts?
A: "I'm flattered by it. I appreciate it, as much time as I've put into it. I wanted to take the time to tell my story and tell it right -- the truth of it all."
Q: How are book sales?
A: "I think they are really going well. It's been as high as (No.) 18 on the New York Times List. I think my book is more of a life story for an average person. I wanted to write a book that sort of took the gloves off -- something that would last awhile."
Q: You've been to many places promoting your book. Your thoughts?
A: "I've met a lot of fans that really did connect with me as a hero. I made a lot of impact on kids. I'm grateful for the chances to meet fans."
Q: A recent online poll for Hall of Famers in a greatest pro wrestler of all-time poll had you finish at 52.1 percent to Ric Flair's 47.9 percent. Your thoughts?
A: "I'll rate Ric Flair in the top 300. I wouldn't rate him in the top 10 -- he's more of a cartoon sometimes wrestling."
Q: You've said you're done with pro wrestling after your U.S. book tour. True?
A: "I think so. You never know what tomorrow will bring. I don't know what opportunities will present themselves."
Q: You've never hurt one opponent in the ring. How did you accomplish this unbelievable feat?
A: "It's a testimonial as to what kind of professional I was. It's important to protect the likelihood and health of a guy you are working with."
Q: You've had some acting roles over the years -- Lonesome Dove, MADtv, Aladdin The Magical Family Musical to name a few. What about acting in your future?
A: "If it's something that comes along -- something I can have fun with. Speaking is tough for me since the stroke -- I'd have to see. I don't rule out anything."
Q: How's your health nowadays?
A: "I feel really good. I'm close to a 90-95 percent recovery from the stroke. There's still some delay in movement on one side. I'm mostly concerned as to the toll wrestling took on my body. My back. My knees. I will need a knee replacement surgery in the next few months. Wrestling is a very physical job."
Q: What keeps you busy?
A: "I'm working on another book -- a novel. Maybe go back to film school. Maybe make movies -- taking the ability I have to tell stories. I see a lot of wrestlers that go back -- all they know is wrestling."
Q: What are your thoughts on wrestling reality shows, like Hulk Hogan's celebrity show, which also has your former manager Jimmy Hart on it?
A: "I don't watch any reality shows at all." (Bret says he would rather watch CNN).
Q: You have some family ties in WWE with Teddy Hart, Harry Smith and Nattie Neidhart. Your thoughts?
A: "I hope Harry gets a better shot -- he's a much better talent than people realize. Nattie is doing really well. Teddy is setting Mexico ablaze. They all take a lot of pride in the profession."
Q: What about the current WWE product? Do you watch it?
A: "I try to. I find there's not enought wrestling nowadays. (Bret said some of his favorites are Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Batista and The Undertaker. He said he is amazed The Undertaker still does what he does.) I find the hardest workers today are the girl wrestlers." (Bret mentioned his favorites include Melina and Gail Kim.)
Q: The late Nancy Benoit grew up here in Daytona Beach. Any thoughts on her?
A: "I didn't know her very well. My heart goes out to everyone affected by that -- especially her family. It was just one of those horrible things. Everybody loved Chris Benoit. He was such a good guy. To look at what he did you would never know (it was him)."
Q: Any connection there with the concussion issue?
A: Chris was the guy who was getting his rental cars and traveling, etc. He was quite functional. I was articulate but I didn't remember anything I said 10 minutes after I said it. With Chris, the term 'postal worker' comes up."
Q: Any final thoughts on being in Orlando this Wednesday?
A: "I look forward to seeing any and all of my fans. I'll get a chance to sign my book and meet my fans."
For more on the Hitman, check out Bret's Hall of Fame speech