With His Latest WWE US Champion Win, Rey Mysterio Equals Esteemed Record Held by Bret Hart for 13 Years

Rey Mysterio and Bret Hart are two of the most decorated pro wrestlers in the world. Both legends have served WWE for many years. As a gesture for the service, the promotion has inducted the two into their prestigious Hall of Fame. While Hart, 66, received double honors in 2006 and 2019, Mysterio, 18 years his junior, joined other esteemed peers this year. The two wrestlers also have a few things in common. They both have other people from their families who have either been or are currently a part of the WWE. Apart from that, they both managed to win titles after their induction.

While not many wrestlers have been able to achieve that feat, The Hitman and Mysterio have their names on the honors board.

History repeats itself on SmackDown

The August 11 episode of SmackDown saw a title change hands. After holding on to the United States Championship for nearly nine months, Austin Theory was finally pinned by Rey Mysterio as the LWO leader managed to win the gold. While this wasn’t Mysterio’s first US title win, this was his first championship win after the Hall of Fame induction.

Coincidentally, Bret Hart had also won the US Championship after his Hall of Fame honor. The 66-year-old defeated The Miz on May 17, 2010 in his hometown in Toronto, Canada to register his fifth United States championship.

According to Wrestling Stats and Info, only 10 pro wrestlers have been able to win a title after being inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame. With his win, Mysterio became the 10th member of the elite group.

It also said that Hart was the only one to win the US title before The Master of 619 equaled the feat. Bret Hart held the record for 13 years.

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But it’s unlikely that The Hearthrob will mind sharing his record with Rey Mysterio.

Bret Hart rates Rey Mysterio’s pro wrestling skills

Hart shone in the 1990s and was the poster boy of WWE’s New Generation Era. The 5x WWE Champion is considered among one of the greatest superstars to have tied a pair of wrestling boots. It won’t be surprising if some fans pick him ahead of other legends as well. But who does Hart consider to be the best?

The answer is Rey Mysterio. Yes, the man himself said it during an interview earlier this year. Hart said on the Johnny I Pro Show that, “I’ll say this like one of the greatest, maybe the greatest wrestlers of all time that people don’t often forget about or don’t recognize. Rey Mysterio is maybe one of the greatest.”

Hart also rued a missed opportunity and said that he would have loved to have a match with The Biggest Little Man. “Very few wrestlers have the respect that I have for Rey Mysterio,” Hart said.

After Rey Mysterio’s recent accomplishment, Hart might actually be happy to share the record with his favorite pro wrestler.

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