McMahon was a sly businessman, though, and allowed Stampede Wrestling to reform safe in the knowledge that he was in possession of all of Stampede’s former main eventers, such as Bret and Owen Hart, Jim Neidhart, Davey Boy Smith, and Dynamite Kid.

When Bruce Hart recreated Stampede Wrestling, he did so without any major stars, and the roster primarily consisted of trainees from The Dungeon, who were looking for a start in the business, hardly anyone who could draw a crowd. During the next ten years, Stampede Wrestling struggled to overcome the WWF’s monopoly on the wrestling business. In fact, there were no title changes in Stampede Wrestling between 1989 and 1998.

In 1998, Bruce Hart took on the assistance of his brother, Ross, as owner and booker of Stampede Wrestling, and many new talents began popping up in the Stampede Wrestling territory. Competitors such as Harry “Bulldog” Smith (son of Davey Boy Smith), “The Stampede Kid” TJ Wilson, Dave “The Rave” Swift, Nattie Neidhart (daughter of Jim Neidhart), and Teddy Hart (nephew of Bret and Owen) have rejuvenated Stampede Wrestling and returned it to its former glory, the glory that it so richly deserves.

NEXT MONTH:

We will take a look at the history of the Stampede Wrestling Commonwealth Title.