WWE News: Bret Hart reportedly signs a talent contract with WWE, likely to host the January 4 edition of Raw

Bret Hart has signed a short-term talent contract with WWE that goes into effect on January 1, 2010 and runs until approximately two weeks after WrestleMania 26, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. There is talk of Hart returning to the ring for one match. Although nothing is official, he is expected to debut on the January 4 Raw show that will go head-to-head with TNA.

Powell's POV: The mention of Bret by guest host Dennis Miller on Monday's Raw didn't seem to generate a lot of buzz, so it will be interesting to see what effect Hart will have on WWE business after being away for so long. There was talk of him doing a street fight with Vince McMahon in 2006, but Hart passed. The ideal match would be Bret vs. Shawn Michaels given their history together, but Hart has never indicated in interviews that he's made peace with his former backstage nemesis.

This original source for the above news was Dave Meltzer of WrestlingObserver.com.