False Hitman rumour causes panic

By JOHN POWELL -- SLAM! Wrestling
 An April Fool's joke was played on Bret Hart and he isn't laughing.
 
 News circulating around the Internet that Canada's own Bret "The Hitman" Hart has decided to leave World Championship Wrestling and might appear at WrestleMania are completely false says his personal co-ordinator.
 
 "He's not quitting", said Marcy Engelstein, who has worked closely with Hart for 16 years. "April Fool's is great but this is ridiculous."
 
 The false report first surfaced on the CBS-owned wrestling site - WrestleLine. The posting read: "WrestleLine.com has just learned that wrestling hero Bret 'the Hitman" Hart has resigned from World Championship Wrestling late last night, and plans on making a "special announcement" this Sunday. A press conference was originally scheduled for Sunday in Calgary, Alberta, but those plans have been changed".
 
 The announcement sent shock waves through Hart's fans and close friends world-wide.
 
 "The phone started ringing off the hook this morning," said Engelstein.
 
 "Bret knows so many people in so many cities throughout the world that they panicked when the news spread."
 
 Recovering from a serious concussion that threatens his wrestling carrer, Hart has been advised not to wrestle until July. He has been told not even to continue with his daily workout routine. Depending on how well he has healed, Hart will make a decision at the time if he is healthy enough to return to in-ring action. Next week Hart is scheduled to do several special appearances for WCW including a signing in the United States to promote his new book written with Toronto Sun sports writer Perry Lefko.
 
 Phony reports on non-mainstream media wrestling sites and news boards are a tradition on April Fool's Day. Though most are accompanied by a warning indicating that the information is untrue and was written in jest.
 
 Hart himself was at a Calgary Flames hockey game and could not be reached for comment on the situation.