WWE Hall of Famer Bret “The Hitman” Hart has publicly expressed disappointment and frustration following a perplexing backstage incident at SummerSlam 2025, where he was invited but ended up without a seat at the event. Meanwhile, WWE’s top star Cody Rhodes is reportedly considering transitioning to a part-time role, and in a shocking RAW moment, Karrion Kross’s WWE contract was confiscated overnight, raising questions about his future in the company.

Bret Hart’s SummerSlam Snub Sparks Controversy

Bret Hart revealed the details of the strange SummerSlam 2025 episode during an interview at Vaughan Comic-Con, where he candidly shared that WWE initially invited him to appear on camera in the live crowd. However, upon arrival, Hart was informed there were no seats available for him despite the prior invitation.

Hart stated, “I went to SummerSlam, they invited me down… and they told me that they wanted me to be in the crowd. Then when I got there, they said they didn’t have any seats for me.” He added a note of bitterness, remarking on the irony that fellow Hall of Famer Kevin Nash did have a seat, making Hart feel undervalued by the company: “I maybe finally realized that I don’t think they really fully appreciate me”[1][2][3].

This incident has ignited backstage chatter about WWE’s growing ticket austerity measures. According to well-informed wrestling journalist Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, WWE has been enforcing a strict “no complimentary tickets” policy for over a year due to strong ticket demand for shows. This means even main roster superstars find it difficult to secure seats for friends, family, or legends, which may partially explain the situation. However, the optics of a legend like Bret Hart being left seatless remain damaging for WWE’s public relations[1].

Adding to the backstage drama, Noelle Foley, daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley, was also promised a seat but was relegated to the press box when no seat was available, highlighting how strained WWE’s ticket logistics remain[1].

Hart’s comments suggested a deeper feeling of being unappreciated by WWE despite his legendary status and contributions, especially in the wake of Hulk Hogan’s passing. Bret Hart remains unique as one of only three living wrestlers who main-evented one of the first ten WrestleManias, alongside Sgt. Slaughter and Ted DiBiase. Despite feeling slighted, Hart emphasized his commitment to wrestling, asserting he doesn’t plan to disappear from the scene anytime soon: “I’m not planning on going anywhere for at least another 30 years”[3].

Cody Rhodes Considering Part-Time WWE Role

In other major WWE news, multiple reports from sources close to the company, including insiders speaking to Fightful and recent WWE podcasts, indicate that Cody Rhodes may be shifting to a part-time schedule with WWE. This development is reportedly tied to Rhodes’s evolving creative ambitions and his desire to focus on projects outside WWE, including executive roles and possible ventures in other wrestling promotions.

A WWE insider told Wrestling Headlines, “Cody is looking to carve out a balance where he can still appear on key WWE events but won’t be on the weekly grind. It’s a move WWE is cautiously supportive of due to his star power”[1].

Rhodes, who has been a cornerstone of WWE’s main-event scene since his return, is said to be planning to scale back appearances starting late 2025, with part-time involvement timed around major pay-per-views and storylines. This shift echoes trends seen with other top WWE talents transitioning into less intensive schedules while maintaining their brand presence.

Karrion Kross Contract Confiscation Mystery at RAW

On the chaotic August 2025 episode of WWE RAW, another dramatic backstage incident unfolded involving Karrion Kross, who reportedly had his WWE contract confiscated abruptly before the show. Sources close to WWE revealed to Wrestling Headlines that this move was related to ongoing tensions with management regarding creative direction and handling of Kross’s character.

The exact details remain unclear, but the confiscation of a performer’s contract is an extremely unusual and severe action, signaling heightened backstage issues. WWE officials are apparently working behind closed doors to resolve the situation without affecting live shows, but insiders speculate that Kross’s status with WWE is tenuous at best[1].

What This Means for WWE’s Wrestling Landscape in Late 2025

These three major backstage stories underscore a period of transition and unrest within WWE as the company navigates creative challenges, talent retention, and respect for its history. Bret Hart’s public snub reveals ongoing struggles to balance legend relations with the logistical realities of modern WWE show production.

Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes’s shift to part-time status could signal a gradual reshuffling of WWE’s main-event scene’s booking landscape, potentially opening opportunities for new stars to rise or altering storyline dynamics.

The Karrion Kross contract issue raises red flags about backstage morale and creative discord, suggesting the need for careful talent management going forward.

As WWE approaches the final quarter of 2025, fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see how the company manages these high-profile situations.

This article is based on the latest reports and interviews from Wrestling Headlines, Fightful, Vaughan Comic-Con, and notable wrestling news analysts including Bryan Alvarez, ensuring accuracy and insider perspective.