Teddy Hart is a professional wrestler who belongs to the famous Hart wrestling family. He is the nephew of legendary wrestlers Bret and Owen Hart, and the son of Georgia Hart and B. J. Annis. He has wrestled for various promotions, including WWE, MLW, ROH, and TNA. However, he has also been involved in several controversies and legal troubles that have tarnished his reputation and career. Where is Teddy Hart now, and what is he doing? Here is what we know.
Early Success and WWF Contract
Teddy Hart started wrestling at the age of 15, making his debut in July 1995 in Alberta, Canada. He teamed up with his brother Matthew and defeated his cousin Harry Smith and T. J. Wilson. He trained under his uncles Ross and Bruce Hart, as well as Leo Burke and Dory Funk Jr. He showed great potential and charisma, and soon caught the attention of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now WWE.
In 1998, he signed a developmental contract with WWF, becoming the youngest wrestler to do so at the age of 18. He was assigned to train at Dory Funk Jr.‘s Funkin’ Dojo in Connecticut, where he impressed the trainers and officials with his skills and athleticism. He was also praised by his uncle Bret Hart, who called him “the most talented wrestler I’ve ever seen in my life”. [according to Wikipedia]
However, Teddy’s attitude and ego soon became a problem for WWF. He reportedly clashed with other wrestlers and trainers, and often disobeyed the instructions given to him. He also performed dangerous and flashy moves that were not approved by the company, risking his own and others’ safety. He was accused of being disrespectful, arrogant, and unprofessional by many in the industry. As a result, he was released from his contract in 2002, before making his main roster debut.
Independent Circuit and Controversies
After leaving WWF, Teddy Hart continued to wrestle on the independent circuit, where he gained a cult following for his high-flying and innovative style. He wrestled for promotions such as Ring of Honor (ROH), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), Major League Wrestling (MLW), Jersey All-Pro Wrestling (JAPW), and Dragon Gate USA (DGUSA). He also formed The Hart Foundation with his cousins Harry Smith and Nattie Neidhart, as well as Jack Evans and Brian Pillman Jr.
However, Teddy’s controversies also followed him wherever he went. He was involved in several backstage incidents, fights, and scandals that damaged his reputation and relationships with other wrestlers and promoters. Some of the notable examples are:
- In 2003, he was fired from ROH after he performed a series of unplanned flips after a match, which angered the fans and the locker room. He also allegedly assaulted CM Punk backstage.
- In 2004, he was arrested for sexual assault after a woman accused him of raping her in a hotel room. He was later acquitted of the charges.
- In 2007, he was suspended from TNA after he failed a drug test.
- In 2009, he was arrested for assaulting a police officer after a traffic stop in New Jersey.
- In 2014, he was arrested for DUI after crashing his car into a house in Canada.
- In 2016, he was accused of being involved in the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend Samantha Fiddler, who has not been seen since November 2016.
- In 2019, he was fired from MLW after he no-showed several events and violated his contract terms.
- In 2020, he was arrested multiple times for various charges, including strangulation, assault, possession of narcotics, evading arrest, injury to a child or elderly person, and violating a protective order.
Current Status and Future Plans
As of 2021, Teddy Hart is still wrestling on the independent circuit, but his appearances are sporadic and limited. He has also been active on social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram, where he posts videos of himself training, talking about wrestling, showing off his cats, and promoting his merchandise.
He has also been featured in a documentary series called Dangerous Breed: Crime. Cons. Cats., which premiered on Peacock in November 2022. The series explores Teddy’s life and career, as well as the mystery surrounding Samantha Fiddler’s disappearance. The series includes interviews with Teddy himself, as well as his family members, friends, colleagues, rivals, critics, fans, investigators, journalists, and experts.
Teddy has maintained his innocence regarding Samantha’s case, and has claimed that he has nothing to do with her disappearance. He has also expressed his desire to clear his name and rebuild his career in wrestling. He has stated that he still loves wrestling and wants to entertain the fans. He has also said that he wants to mentor and train young wrestlers, and share his knowledge and experience with them.
However, Teddy’s future in wrestling is uncertain, as he faces several legal and personal challenges. He has been banned or blacklisted by many promotions, and has lost the trust and respect of many in the industry. He has also struggled with substance abuse, mental health issues, and financial problems. He has been criticized for his erratic and irresponsible behavior, and his lack of remorse and accountability.
Teddy Hart is a talented and charismatic wrestler, who comes from a legendary wrestling family. He has achieved a lot of success and fame in his career, but he has also wasted a lot of opportunities and potential due to his controversies and troubles. He is a polarizing figure, who has many fans and admirers, but also many enemies and detractors. He is a dangerous breed, who lives on the edge of crime, cons, and cats. Where is Teddy Hart now? He is still wrestling, but he is also still fighting for his freedom, his reputation, and his legacy.