Bret Hart says Vince McMahon promised him up to seven years as WWE Champion. By WrestleMania 9, those plans had unravelled.

Speaking to Inside The Ropes, Hart recalled McMahon comparing his future reign to those of Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund.

“Vince had told me in those, that time period right after I won the belt, he goes, ‘We’re going to keep the belt on you for a really long time. Like, you’re going to be champion for at least seven years.’ We’re thinking six, seven years. Kind of like Bruno Sammartino and Backlund in the old days, how they used to keep the belt on one guy for.”

For The Hitman, that meant a huge opportunity and the prospect of serious money.

“I remember going, ching ching. Like I’m going to be making some serious money. The belt is the highest paid guy in the company.”

Hart said he threw himself into the role, determined to make the most of WWE’s faith in him.

“I don’t want to lose this opportunity. I’m going to keep work. And I worked really hard as soon as I got the belt.”

According to Hart, McMahon continued to reassure him that his place at the top was secure.

“He said, ‘Don’t worry about your position. You don’t have to worry about anything because you’re locked in. We’ve got big plans for you for a long time.’”

WrestleMania 9 told a different story. Hart lost the championship to Yokozuna, only for Hulk Hogan to beat the new champion minutes later and leave with the gold.

The lengthy reign Hart says he was promised never materialised, leaving a memorable chapter in his career defined by what might have been.