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Infamous Bret Hart vs. Tom Magee Match Unearthed
WWE owns the largest library of pro-wrestling content in the world. One match, which has been reportedly lost, has finally been unearthed.
WWE houses over 125,000 tapes between two facilities, one in WWE’s main facility in Stamford, CT, and another stored in a vault at Iron Mountain in New York State’s Catskill Mountains.
Footage of Owen Hart’s death, the incident that led to Droz being paralyzed, as well as thousands of hours of vintage footage is under 24 hour security, in a facility that could withstand a nuclear blast.
In 1986, Bret “The Hitman” Hart faced a newcomer named Tom Magee at a WWE television taping in Rochester, NY.
According to Bret Hart, Vince McMahon watched the match, and was extremely impressed with Tom MaGee, he wanted to make him the next WWE Champion.
Bret Hart apparently made MaGee look so good during their match, that Vince McMahon thought he found his next superstar.
Unfortunately, Magee’s career never flourished, due to the fact he wasn’t a great wrestler. Bret reportedly carried him throughout the match, and despite his incredible physique, his in-ring ability was than desirable.
The footage of the match was reportedly lost, and never to be seen. Dave Meltzer claims he has a copy, but can not find it. Former WWE wrestler Colt Cabana states that he requested to see the match during his time in WWE developmental, but the company could not fulfil his request.
This past Tuesday, Mary-Kate Anthony, a woman who helped Bret Hart archive his video collection posted a VHS tape that read “09/19/89 Bret Hart vs. Tom Mcgee”. Bret Hart’s assistant Marcy Engelstein gave the footage to Mary-Kate Anthony to digitize. Many questioned the validity of the tape due the date being different than the sought after footage.
WWE producer TJ Wilson, who is married to Bret Hart’s niece Natalya was shocked that she had a copy.
Mary-Kate Anthony proceeded to post screen-cap of the match, which many now believe to be the infamous 1986 bout in Rochester, NY.
TJ Wilson validated he legitimacy of the tape with his response, “Proving Many Wrong”.
You have this!!??
— TJ Wilson (@TJWilson) March 27, 2019
Proving many wrong
— TJ Wilson (@TJWilson) March 29, 2019
POST MATCH PROMO pic.twitter.com/B9yhUZKCcw
— Mary-Kate Anthony (@marykayfabe) March 29, 2019
Guys. I’m shaking. I’m so excited that we have found something so amazing. I’m trying to respond to all the messages I am getting. Right now I will not upload the full match to YouTube. I have to work for the next 3 hours but will be around!
— Mary-Kate Anthony (@marykayfabe) March 29, 2019
Some are still doubting me and the legitimacy of the tape. Here is a small clip to show it’s real. It’s actually Bret. #HartMagee pic.twitter.com/v8wrawxLsy
— Mary-Kate Anthony (@marykayfabe) March 30, 2019
Mary-Kate Anthony states she will not be uploading the full match to Youtube. It’s unknown if she will make the footage available publicly.