Owen Hart: A Canadian-American Wrestling Legend Remembered
Owen Hart, a Canadian-American professional wrestler, left a lasting impact on the world of wrestling. As a prominent figure in the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Hart achieved many accomplishments throughout his career.1
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USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion
Hart was a one-time USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion, a testament to his impressive wrestling abilities. He was also recognized as a member of the Hart family, a well-known Canadian family with a rich history in professional wrestling.
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Siblings with Bret Hart
As one of Bret Hart’s siblings, Owen was born into a family that was deeply involved in wrestling. Bret Hart, a retired professional wrestler himself, was a significant influence on Owen’s career. Their bond as brothers was strong, and their rivalry in the ring made for some unforgettable moments in wrestling history.
Remembering Owen Hart
Tragically, Owen Hart passed away on May 23, 1999, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate with wrestling fans. His death was a devastating loss for his family, friends, and the wrestling community as a whole. However, his memory lives on through his achievements and the impact he had on the sport.
In conclusion, Owen Hart was a remarkable wrestler who achieved many great things throughout his career. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of wrestlers and fans alike. We will always remember him as a beloved member of the wrestling community, a cherished sibling, and a true wrestling legend.
The Tragic Accident of Owen Hart: A Comprehensive Explanation
On May 23, 1999, Owen Hart suffered a fatal accident during the Over the Edge pay-per-view event in Kansas City, Missouri. Hart was scheduled to face The Godfather for the Intercontinental Championship title, but the night ended in tragedy as he fell to his death during a stunt gone wrong.2
The Incident
As part of his Blazer superhero character, Hart was to make a dramatic entrance by being lowered from the rafters of Kemper Arena into the wrestling ring via a harness and grappled line. However, during the stunt, something went terribly wrong, and Hart fell 78 feet (24 m) chest-first onto the top rope before landing in the ring.
Investigation
The incident was investigated thoroughly, and it was discovered that Hart had performed the stunt only a few times before. Additionally, his widow, Martha, hinted that Hart may have unintentionally initiated an early release by moving around to get comfortable with his harness and cape.
Repercussions
The tragic accident had far-reaching consequences, not just for Hart’s family and friends but for the wrestling industry as a whole. The incident led to the implementation of new safety regulations and procedures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Legacy
Despite the tragedy, Owen Hart’s legacy as a wrestler and entertainer lives on. He was known for his impressive athletic ability and charismatic personality, and his impact on the wrestling world is still felt today.
Owen Hart: The Tragic Incident That Led to His Untimely Death
The world of professional wrestling was left in shock on May 23, 1999, when Owen Hart, one of its most beloved stars, tragically lost his life during a live pay-per-view event. The incident, which took place during the Over the Edge pay-per-view, is still talked about today by fans and wrestlers alike.
What Happened to Owen Hart?
Owen Hart was performing as his character, The Blue Blazer, during a stunt that was meant to see him descend from the rafters of the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. Unfortunately, something went terribly wrong, and Hart fell over 70 feet to his death in front of a horrified audience.
The incident occurred during the live broadcast of the pay-per-view event, and the footage of Hart’s fall was captured by WWF cameras. Despite the tragic nature of the incident, the WWF chose to continue with the event, and only a small number of people in attendance were made aware of what had happened.
What Happened to the Footage of Owen Hart’s Death?
As mentioned earlier, footage of Owen Hart’s fatal fall exists on tape. The tape is said to be in the WWE Archive in Stamford, Connecticut, with instructions that it should never be destroyed, viewed, or duplicated. Former WWF announcer Kevin Kelly confirmed the existence of the tape in a column he wrote in May 2013.
The aftermath of the event was widely available online in bootleg VHS recordings until the start of the WWE Network in February 2014. The pay-per-view event is now available on the service, but the aftermath of Hart’s fall and the report of his death by Jim Ross have been edited out.
The Impact of Owen Hart’s Death
The death of Owen Hart had a profound impact on the wrestling industry. Hart was widely regarded as one of the most talented and beloved wrestlers of his generation, and his loss was felt deeply by fans and colleagues alike.
The incident also brought attention to the dangers of performing stunts in professional wrestling. Following Hart’s death, the industry implemented stricter safety measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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Remembering Owen Hart: A Look Back at His Funeral Service
On May 31, 1999, family and close friends of Owen Hart gathered to say their final goodbyes to the beloved wrestler. The funeral service, held at Park Memorial Chapel in Calgary, Alberta, was a private affair attended only by those closest to Hart.
Honoring His Life and Legacy
Although fans were not invited to the service, they still came together to pay their respects to Hart. The loss of such a talented and respected wrestler was deeply felt by his fans, and many wanted to show their support in any way they could.
Street Heat owners Tim and Bill are helping Dr. Hart collect items for our OHF Easter ‘Fill the Jeep’ Food Drive with a display set up this weekend in Calgary at the World of Wheels! Drops can also be made at TRAPPED, After Eight Interiors & Tower Chryslerhttps://t.co/eX76zINTlv pic.twitter.com/tqy65HlEy6
— The Owen Hart Foundation (@owen_foundation) April 1, 2023
During the service, singer Collin Raye performed two of Hart’s favorite songs – “One Boy, One Girl” and “Amazing Grace”. The heartfelt performance added a touch of personalization to the service and showcased Hart’s character and interests.
A Final Farewell
The Hart family is one of the most respected families in Canada, so it came as no surprise that Calgary Mayor Al Duerr and other top government officials attended the funeral service to pay their respects.
Despite the sadness felt by those in attendance, the service was a beautiful celebration of Hart’s life and the impact he had on those around him. It was a fitting farewell for a beloved wrestler and person.
Honoring Owen Hart’s Memory
Over two decades have passed since Hart’s tragic death, but his memory and legacy live on. He is remembered not only for his incredible talent as a wrestler but also for his kind and generous spirit.
The funeral service was just one way in which those closest to Hart were able to honor his memory and pay their respects. Today, his fans continue to remember him and the impact he had on the world of wrestling.
The Early Life of Owen Hart: A Glimpse into the Hart Wrestling Family
Owen Hart, born on May 7, 1965, in Calgary, Alberta, was part of the renowned Hart wrestling family, known for their impressive contributions to the professional wrestling industry. In this article, we will take a closer look at the early life of Owen Hart and his family background.
Family Background
The Hart family was a large family with Stu and Helen Hart as the parents. Owen was the youngest child of the family and had eleven older siblings, including Smith, Bruce, Keith, Wayne, Dean, Ellie, Georgia, Bret, Alison, Ross, and Diana. The Hart family’s legacy in professional wrestling is immense, and their name has become synonymous with the sport.
Owen’s Ancestry
Owen Hart was of Greek descent through his maternal grandmother and Irish through his maternal grandfather. On the other hand, his father, Stu Hart, was mainly of Scots-Irish descent, but also had Scottish and German ancestry. Owen’s diverse ancestry gave him a unique perspective on life and helped shape his character.
Citizenship
Owen Hart was born in Canada to a Canadian-born father, which automatically made him a Canadian citizen. However, his mother, Helen, was born in New York, making him eligible for American citizenship as well. As a result, Owen held dual citizenship in both Canada and the United States.
Owen Hart: From Stampede to International Fame
Owen Hart’s wrestling career started with Stampede, a promotion that was struggling to regain its former glory. Despite the efforts of the Hart family, nothing seemed to be working, but Owen saw it as an opportunity to improve his skills in the ring.
He eventually went on to win International tag team titles, along with the British Commonwealth Mid-heavyweight Title and the North American Heavyweight championship title.
Owen’s high-flying fighting style and his emphasis on technique over brute strength served him well in his debut at New Japan Pro wrestling in 1987. He quickly defeated some of the biggest names in the business, and in May 1988, he became the first non-Japanese wrestler to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
That same year, Hart caught the attention of WWF and was introduced in the ring under the moniker of the Blue Blazer. This was a strategic move by WWF to conceal his identity as the younger brother of Kevin Hart, a well-known wrestler at the time.
Honing His Skills in Stampede Wrestling
Despite its previous success, Stampede Wrestling was struggling to keep up with other promotions by the time Owen Hart joined. However, Owen saw this as an opportunity to work on his craft and improve his skills in the ring. His hard work paid off, and he soon won the International tag team titles with partner Ben Bassarab in 1986.
Over the next few years, Owen continued to climb the ranks of the wrestling world, winning titles like the British Commonwealth Mid-heavyweight Title and the North American Heavyweight championship title. These victories showcased Owen’s incredible wrestling ability and set him apart from his peers.
Conquering Japan and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
In 1987, Owen Hart debuted in New Japan Pro wrestling, where his high-flying wrestling style and technical prowess earned him instant success. Despite facing some of the biggest names in the industry, Owen was able to defeat them all and prove that he was a force to be reckoned with.
In 1988, Owen made history when he became the first non-Japanese wrestler to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. This was a significant accomplishment for Owen and solidified his position as one of the best wrestlers in the world.
The Blue Blazer and WWF
In the summer of 1988, Owen Hart caught the attention of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and was introduced to fans under the moniker of the Blue Blazer. This was a clever move by WWF to hide Owen’s identity as the younger brother of Kevin Hart, who was already an established wrestler.
Owen quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to his high-flying wrestling style and impressive moves. He continued to perform under the Blue Blazer persona until 1990 when he returned to Stampede Wrestling for a brief period.
Owen Hart: Facts
- The accident occurred during a live pay-per-view event called “Over the Edge.” Hart was performing a stunt as his alter-ego “The Blue Blazer,” where he was supposed to descend from the rafters of the Kemper Arena in Kansas City.
- The stunt was supposed to be a superhero-like entrance for The Blue Blazer. However, something went wrong with the harness that was supposed to lower him to the ring, and he fell approximately 78 feet to his death.
- The cause of the accident was determined to be a failure in the quick-release mechanism of the harness. According to reports, the company that manufactured the equipment, should not have been used for the stunt.
- The event was being broadcast live on pay-per-view when the accident occurred, and the cameras continued to roll. However, the viewers at home did not see the actual fall, as the broadcast cut to a pre-recorded interview.
- Despite the accident, the event continued as scheduled, with a tribute to Owen Hart at the beginning of the show. However, the planned “Blue Blazer” match was cancelled.
- Owen Hart’s death was ruled accidental, and an autopsy revealed that he died from internal bleeding caused by blunt force trauma to the chest.
- Hart’s wife, Martha, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the WWE and settled for $18 million in November 2000. As part of the settlement, WWE agreed to remove any footage of Owen Hart’s fall from its video library.
- After Owen Hart’s death, the WWE implemented several safety measures, including the discontinuation of stunts involving harnesses and the use of pre-taped interviews during live events.
- Despite the tragedy, Owen Hart’s legacy continues to live on in the wrestling world. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018 and is remembered as one of the greatest technical wrestlers of all time.
- Owen Hart’s death also had a significant impact on the wrestling industry, leading to increased safety regulations and awareness of the potential dangers of performing stunts during live events.
FAQ’S
1. What happened to Owen Hart during the WWE pay-per-view event in 1999?
Ans: On May 23, 1999, Owen Hart, a professional wrestler, was scheduled to make a dramatic entrance from the ceiling of the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri, during the WWE’s Over the Edge pay-per-view event. However, while descending from the ceiling on a harness, the release mechanism was accidentally triggered, and Hart fell approximately 78 feet and hit the top rope, suffering fatal injuries.
2. Was the WWE held responsible for Owen Hart’s death?
Ans: After a lengthy investigation, the WWE was not held criminally responsible for Owen Hart’s death, but the Hart family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company, which was eventually settled out of court in November 2000 for $18 million.
3. Did the WWE make any changes to their safety procedures after Owen Hart’s death?
Ans: Yes, the WWE made several changes to their safety procedures following Owen Hart’s death, including discontinuing the use of harnesses for wrestler entrances, improving their communication systems during live events, and implementing more stringent safety guidelines for their performers.
4. What was the reaction of the wrestling community to Owen Hart’s death?
Ans: Owen Hart’s death was a shock to the wrestling community, and many wrestlers expressed their grief and condolences to the Hart family. The incident also sparked a debate about the safety of professional wrestling and led to increased scrutiny of the industry by both fans and regulators.
5. How is Owen Hart remembered today?
Ans: Owen Hart is remembered as a talented and beloved professional wrestler, known for his charisma, athleticism, and sense of humor. The WWE has since honored his legacy by inducting him into the company’s Hall of Fame in 2018 and releasing several DVDs highlighting his career. Additionally, the Owen Hart Foundation, established by his widow Martha, works to support various charitable causes in his memory.
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