Former professional wrestler, movie star, and author, Bret "The Hitman" Hart stopped into Borders at Southcenter Mall Sunday to sign copies of his new autobiography "Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling."

This stop kicked off his 29-city, month-and-a-half tour to conclude in Birmingham, England. Fans arrived three hours early to be in front of the line to have Hart's signature and a photo taken with him. Most waited patiently with book in hand, a thick tome wrapped in an attention-getting hot-pink dust jacket. Some toted toy wrestling championship belts for the former World Wrestling Federation champion to sign.

Popular for his choreographed victories on the mat, Hart is also known for some real-life tragic events. Hardcore fans recall that in November, 1997, Hart wrestled in a pay-per-view match in Canada with an outcome promoter Vince McMahon rearranged. Hart lost the match and title which "belonged to him" but was not in the original "script. He claimed this damaged his career.

His brother Owen, the youngest of 12, and also in the family business (Bret, Owen, and other siblings followed in their father's footsteps) fell to his death from a cable onto the mat during a stunt mishap May 23, 1999.

Three years later Bret suffered a stroke from a bicycle accident and needed rehabilitation. These ups and downs on and off the mat are highlighted in his book.