The Hart Foundation’s dreams of becoming the first-ever 2-time World Tag Team Champions were dashed in Dallas in shocking fashion (WATCH).
In the closing moments of the third fall in the World Tag Team Title bout between the Hart Foundation and the defending champions the Dynasty, Teddy Hart (the current World Middleweight Champion) was attacked from behind and pummeled by Austin Aries.
Crunching Hart’s neck into the ring apron and leaving the captain of the Hart Foundation in a crumpled mess on the floor to be counted out, Aries had made a devastating statement: he wants his title shot now.
Aries, a notorious figure in the sport, has been campaigning for a World Middleweight Title shot since he returned to the league in June. Quickly cleaning out the division over the summer, the war drums between both Hart and Aries’ respective camps continued to beat louder.
Of course, a big title fight of this nature in any sport typically takes time to come together and that appeared to be the case.
With lawyers, league officials and the athletes all engaged for weeks on end to set the deal points for a fight of this magnitude, things were touch and go which reportedly frustrated Aries.
This all set the stage for Aries to show up backstage at FUSION this week where the Milwaukee native elected to end the professional and civil approach.
Upon arriving, Aries frustration reached its breaking point backstage during a reported heated meeting with Court Bauer.
While many believed Aries had stormed out of the arena prior to the main event, it would appear to have been a rouse with Aries storming the ring and brutally attacking Hart.
Hart was transported to a local hospital where he has been examined for neck and spinal trauma. Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Brian Pillman have both been spotted regularly at the hospital along with family and friends.
Sources have indicated there is concern Hart’s condition could require surgery.
The league’s physician Dr. Sweglar is refusing to give a prognosis but the status of a Hart-Aries dream match for the title is seemingly in jeopardy.
Meanwhile, the league is exploring disciplinary actions against Aries including a suspension and/or hefty fine for interrupting a championship bout and severely injuring a fellow athlete.
