Why Bret Hart Probably Won’t Appear at AEW All In London at Wembley Stadium

AEW All In, set to take place at Wembley Stadium in London, England on August 27, is expected to be a significant event for AEW. With rumors swirling about potential appearances from big names like Will Ospreay, CM Punk, Goldberg, and Mercedes Mone, fans are speculating about other iconic figures who could make an appearance, particularly considering the show’s location in the UK.

One name that has been suggested is Harry Smith Jr., the son of British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith. Harry Smith Jr.’s father famously defeated Bret Hart for the WWE Intercontinental Championship in the main event of SummerSlam in 1992, which also took place at Wembley Stadium. Having the son of a legendary wrestler or even Bret Hart himself at the event would undoubtedly be a memorable moment for Tony Khan and AEW. However, making such plans may not be as straightforward as it seems.

According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, any plans involving Bret Hart would be challenging due to his contractual obligations with WWE. Meltzer wrote:

“Obviously, there has been a lot of U.K. sentiment toward Tony Khan to bring in Smith Jr., since he’s already there, and Bret Hart, for an appearance on this show. I don’t believe Hart can legally appear due to his WWE deal, as that’s the reason Hart has never appeared on an episode of Impact.”

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Details of Hart’s WWE deal emerged in May 2022, with Meltzer stating that the WWE Hall of Famer’s agreement with WWE is primarily focused on merchandise and not any other commitments. Although Bret Hart made an appearance on AEW’s first-ever show, Double Or Nothing in 2019, to unveil the promotion’s World Championship belt, his current contractual obligations might prevent him from appearing at AEW All In.

While fans may hope for the inclusion of Bret Hart or Harry Smith Jr. at the event, it remains uncertain whether their appearances can be made possible given their contractual situations.

As AEW continues to plan for All In, fans will eagerly await further announcements regarding the star-studded lineup for the monumental event.

What are your thoughts on the potential appearances of Bret Hart and Harry Smith Jr. at AEW All In in London? Do you believe their contractual obligations with WWE will prevent their participation? Leave a comment.