The (New) Hart Foundation were a stable in the World Wrestling Federation in 1997.
In 1997, the Hart Foundation re-formed as a Pro-Canadian and British/Anti-American stable that was born after the events of 1997's WrestleMania 13, where Bret Hart defeated his then-nemesis Stone Cold Steve Austin in a Submission match. During the match, Austin became a fan favorite and Hart became a villain. After the event, Hart reunited with Jim Neidhart and recruited Owen Hart, The British Bulldog, and Brian Pillman to form the new Hart Foundation.
This stable opposed the United States, and even degraded the United States and its values whereas they would speak highly of Canada and the United Kingdom (where they were beloved). The New Hart Foundation usually brought the Canadian and British flags out to their matches, and in their promos would talk in disgust about the United States and its inhabitants in general, thus causing fan reactions and making the New Hart Foundation (and Bret Hart in particular) unpopular in the States but highly popular in Canada. Their main feud was with Stone Cold and Shawn Michaels, who (as opposed to the Hart Foundation) were booed heavily in Canada and Europe, but cheered on wildly in the United States. At Canadian Stampede, the Hart Foundation took part in a historic 10-man tag team match where the entire Hart Foundation faced the team of Steve Austin, the Legion of Doom, Ken Shamrock, and Goldust. In the end, Owen Hart pinned Steve Austin. The entire Hart family came into the ring to celebrate afterward.
The stable was highly successful, garnering every championship available at the time (WWF Championship, Intercontinental Championship, European Championship, and Tag Team Championship) in the WWF.
The new Hart Foundation eventually disbanded in late 1997. Pillman was found dead of an undetected heart condition on October 5, the day of In Your House: Badd Blood. At the following pay-per-view, Survivor Series, Bret (who was leaving the WWF to join World Championship Wrestling) lost the WWF Championship to Shawn Michaels in the infamous "Montreal Screwjob". Both Neidhart and Smith left over the incident, but Owen remained feeling that he may have been sued for breach of contract if he left.
Championships and accomplishments
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Feud of the Year (1997) The Hart Foundation vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin