WWE Hall of Famer and pro wrestling legend Bret Hart took to Instagram on Monday to announce he is battling prostate cancer.
Hart, 58, wrote on his account, in part: “I’ve had a great lifelong dance and I’m a survivor of many hard battles. I now face my toughest battle. With hesitation and fear, I openly declare myself in my fight against prostate cancer. In the next few days, I will undergo surgery with the hope of defeating this nemesis once and for all.”
Hart, known as “The Excellence of Execution,” was forced out of pro wrestling after suffering a concussion in 1999, though he made appearances in the ring in the years following.
He also suffered a stroke in 2002 that left him in a wheelchair. He recovered from that and, despite a contentious relationship with WWE impresario Vince McMahon, has been an on-and-off performer/character in recent years.
Hart’s younger brother, Owen, died from a 78-foot fall while performing an aerial stunt in 1999.