Some rivalries never die. Professional wrestler Jimmy Hart, who in the past has faced Brian Blair in the ring, is now backing his opponent in another contest. Hart said he's throwing his weight behind Irene Guy in the 2010 Republican primary for Florida's District 47 state House seat. Blair is also running for the post. Hart was part of the Hart Foundation wrestling team when Blair was one of the Killer Bees.

"I hope I don't get drop-kicked by Brian Blair," Hart said during a phone interview from California, his latest stop on a book-signing tour with Hulk Hogan. Hart met Guy last month when the two volunteered at an event sponsored by Computer Mentors, a non profit that helps underprivileged children gain technological skills. The two are pictured here with Ralph Smith, executive director of Computer Mentors. (Smith is the one in the middle.)

"My main thing is this -- when I met the lady, she came across as very real," Hart said. "She seemed to really know what she was talking about." Hart, who lives in Tampa but not Guy's district, said he hasn't spoken to Blair about what he might like to accomplish in the Florida legislature. "I've known Brian for a long time. I love him to death," Hart said. "But in this case, I think Irene has something to offer."

Blair said Hart apparently still wants to be the bad guy. "He was my arch enemy," Blair said, calling Hart a "far-left liberal" who endorsed Barack Obama. "If he wants to carry on from the 80s and early 90s, we can do that," he said. 

And in case you BayBuzz readers are wondering, Hart and the Hulk will be at the Barnes and Noble on U.S. 19 in Clearwater at 7 pm. Monday for a book-signing.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer