Bret Hart honors Leo Burke and credits him for his famous WWE finish

Bret Hart had great respect for the late Leo Burke, calling him one of the top five wrestlers he ever faced.

Burke sadly passed away earlier this week, but left behind a great legacy in a squared circle, especially in Canada. Bret Hart mentioned in his Hitman biography that he learned a lot from Burke in the ring and Hart wrote a heartwarming trible to his friend on social media.

RELATED: Canadian Wrestling Legend Leo Burke Dies at 76

“Words cannot describe how sad I was to hear of the recent passing of Leo Cormier, better known in the wrestling world as Leo Burke. I consider him one of the top five workers I ever stepped into the ring with. I learned the fundamentals of professional wrestling from my two teachers, Mr. Hito and Mr. Sakurada, but the most valuable lessons I ever learned were from Leo. He taught me pacing and storytelling. There was no one better at building a match and as a young wrestler working with him, he opened up his vault of finishes and I enjoyed every bit of it.”

Hart said Burke was the instigator of the fantastic finish between him and Davey Boy Smith in 1992.

“The great finish at Wembley Stadium SummerSlam 1992 with The British Bulldog was Leo Burke. We did the same finish in Edmonton back in my old Stampede days and I’ve never forgotten it. He taught me so much about ring psychology, the ability to visualize scenes in your head and then execute them. When people compliment me on my style and work rate, they should thank Leo Burke. He was my greatest teacher. Besides being a consummate professional in and out of the ring, he was a kind and fun-loving man who loved what he did. Leo Burke was a true friend and one of the most incredible wrestlers who ever lived and I will miss him terribly. Rest in peace, Leo.”

Not only did Burke influence Bret, but fellow WWE Hall Of Famer Mark Henry also learned a lot from Leo. After his passing, Henry also went to X to honor his former teacher.