WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart Criticizes Gunther’s In-Ring Style as ‘Lazy’

WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart has openly criticized current WWE star Gunther for his hard-hitting, chop-heavy wrestling style, describing it as "lazy sh*t wrestling" and unprofessional. Hart emphasized that wrestling should strive to realistically portray fights without actually hurting opponents, a principle instilled in him by his father, Stu Hart. He specifically criticized the use of knife-edge chops, calling them unnecessarily brutal and ineffective in storytelling, and blamed Ric Flair for popularizing the practice in North America. Despite acknowledging Gunther as a respectful individual, Hart told him directly that causing real pain in the ring is unacceptable and showed no respect for wrestlers who regularly hurt each other. Hart's comments highlight the philosophical divide between his technical, safety-focused approach and Gunther's "strong style," which embraces stiff strikes as a form of respect and realism. This ongoing debate reflects broader tensions within professional wrestling about balancing authenticity with performer safety.