Bret Hart to host 1/4/10 WWE Raw

After a 12 year absence from Monday Night Raw, it's been made official; Bret "The Hitman" Hart will return to host the first episode of the show in the New Year 2010. The big news was announced by Vince McMahon in the ring, with a bit of prodding from WWE star Shawn Michaels.

It's no secret that Bret and Vince McMahon have a very strained relationship. The infamous "Montreal Screwjob" continues to loom over the heads of both Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels. The incident occured back in 1997 at the Survivor Series in Montreal, where Shawn Michaels used a Sharpshooter to defeat Bret for the WWE title match. Bret apparently wasn't in on the plan, and following the match showed his disgust by spitting in Mr. McMahon's face. Real stuff, no skits or writing involved.

Vince noted during his speech on last night's Raw that he still felt "Bret screwed Bret" and never would allow him back in the WWE again. Luckily for the fans, Shawn Michaels came out to suggest that Vince could gain some closure by bringing Bret back, and that only good things will happen if he does so. Vince laughed at the idea, but then agreed to it, and the news was set.

Also during last night's show, Shawn Michaels petitioned for a rematch against the Undertaker for Wrestlemania 26, claiming he can end Undertaker's undefeated streak. McMahon told Shawn Michaels that he won't agree to the match, so instead HBK must go out and make the match happen on his own.

You can read more about the Bret Hart return to Raw in their recent post at WWE.com