Owen Hart , a member of the legendary Hart wrestling kinfolk , was known for his especial in - ring skills , charismatic personality and high - fly flair in professional wrestling . compete primarily in the WWF ( nowWWE ) , he won multiple title and was lionize for his technical prowess and entertaining matches .
But in 1999 , Hart ’s calling was cut tragically brusk during a stunt go bad wrong at a live pay - per - perspective event . Decades after his wrong end , fans and peers alike continue to remember Hart ’s contribution to wrestling , as well as the sportsmanship and joy he brought to the band .
Early Life
Owen James Hart was hold on May 7 , 1965 , in Calgary , Alberta , Canada . He was the youthful member of the legendary Hart wrestling family and the twelfth child ofStuand Helen Hart .
His early life was profoundly embedded in the grappling world due to the influence of his begetter , a promoter and founding father ofStampede Wrestlingand owner of the ill-famed training installation known as the " Dungeon . "
The next WWF asterisk was naturally acrobatic from a young age , lease in various sports , and initially wanted to prosecute a calling outside the ring . He attended the University of Calgary on a grappling scholarship but want to become a physical education teacher , harmonize to his widow woman , Martha Hart .
Stampede Wrestling
However , the allure of the professional rassling world and his father ’s wishes eventually drew him in . Hart start working as a wrestler in 1986 as part of his father ’s Stampede Wrestling promotion , where his talent quickly became evident .
Owen developed a luxuriously - flying style that was pretty atypical for a penis of the Hart fellowship , known more for their technical , mat - ground wrestle .
NJPW
His life history took a significant turning when he started competing internationally . In 1987 , he began wrestling forNew Japan Pro - Wrestling(NJPW ) , where he further developed his elan and gained a report for his strenuosity and luxuriously - fly maneuver .
His clip in Japanshaped his in - hoop persona and style , making him a well - rounded performer .
WWF
In 1988 , Hart went to the World Wrestling Federation , where he performed under a masked persona , The Blue Blazer . This character allowed Owen to showcase his aery skills and athleticism without the immediate pressure sensation of living up to the Hart family legacy .
However , he eventually drop the masked persona and began wrestle under his real name , adopt his inheritance and becoming an integral part of the WWF ’s roster .
Throughout his career in the WWF , Hart accomplish considerable success , succeed multiple championships and engaging in memorable feuds and couple , peculiarly with his brother , Bret Hart .
Brotherly Love
Owen ’s alliance with Bret was deeply tempt by their upbringing and stringent training in their beginner ’s " Dungeon " in Calgary . This ambitious environs was known for producing matman of exceptional skill and proficient acumen , set a hard origination for both brother ' vocation in professional hand-to-hand struggle .
Bret entered the WWF in 1984 , quickly ascending the ranks due to his technical prowess and in - ring psychology . By the former eighties and into the former nineties , Bret had prove himself as one of the WWF ’s chancellor talents , capturing multiple championships and headlining major upshot , cementing his condition as a leading grappling lead in the manufacture .
Despite sharing a similar training background and undeniable talent , Owen sputter to step out from under the considerable tail of Bret ’s accomplishment . His early years in the WWF were marked by a hunting for a distinct identity as he navigated through various personas and storylines , endeavour to cut up out his unequalled space within the wrestling world .
This period was implemental in showcasing Owen ’s resilience and versatility , qualities that would later define his successful life history in the industriousness .
The Hart Foundation
The Hart syndicate ’s encroachment on professional wrestling is monumental , with theHart Foundationserving as a prime good example of their prevail bequest .
Initially formed by Bret " The Hitman " Hart and Jim " The Anvil " Neidhart ( his brother - in - law ) in 1985 , the Hart Foundation was more than just a tag team ; it was a symbol of the Hart family unit ’s wrestling dynasty . This unnerving pair , managed byJimmy Hart(no relation ) , trance the WWF Tag Team Championships twice .
While Owen was not a part of the original duo , the radical ’s ethos and the excellency it defend deeply tempt his calling . Owen ’s journeying in grappling was intertwined with the legacy leave by his brother Bret and the Hart Foundation . This connection was evident in the acute contention between the Hart chum in the WWF during the former 1990s .
But Bret was n’t initially on control board with the brothers ' being pitted against each other .
" I call back I did n’t want to do it . They came to me with the idea … and I said , ' First of all , I can only do it with Owen if I do this . And , I want to think about it overnight because I do n’t bang if I want to fight my own chum , ' " Bret enunciate in an episode of " Confessions of a Hitman . " " I need to do this for Owen , so he could show everybody that he ’s better than they give him deferred payment for … they did n’t realize how adept of a talent Owen was . "
Professional Sibling Rivalry
Owen ’s character , often portrayed as live in the tail of his pal Bret ’s winner , hit a chord with pro hand-to-hand struggle fans worldwide . This tale of sibling rivalry tot up a deeply personal layer to their professional feud , resonating with audiences and making their showdown in the ring all the more compelling .
The apex of this competition was reached atSummerSlam 1994 in a Steel Cage matchfor the WWF Championship . This match was a technological showcase and a narrative masterpiece , capturing the essence of their complex kinship .
While Bret had the official victory , the catch elevated Owen in the eye of fan , cement his status as a top - tier natural endowment within the industry .
Despite their intense on - screen rivalry , Owen and Bret shared a strong off - screen bond , emblematic of their ability to distinguish their personal relationship from their professional persona . Their match , characterise by common understanding and technological prowess , were proclaim for their storytelling and athleticism , underscore the bass connection and deference between the two brothers .
They were experience to share laughs and maintain a close family relationship outside the gang , with Owen often described as thepranksterof the family , institute lighthearted moments to their interactions .
Tragedy in the Ring
On May 23 , 1999 , the WWF ’s " Over the Edge " pay - per - thought event at the Kemper Arena in Kansas City , Missouri , take a tragic play during one of its scheduled features . Owen , performing under his superhero - like theatrical role " The Blue Blazer , " was part of the night ’s batting order .
The highlight of his appearance was meant to be a spectacular entrance , come from the arena ’s rafter straight off into the gang , a stunt place at exhilarate the consultation with its daring and theatricality .
For this high - flee entrance , Hart was equipped with a harness and grapple line designed to safely lower him to the hoop . However , the eventtook a catastrophic turn when the harness ’s ready - departure chemical mechanism by chance engaged while the wrestler was still gamey above the gang .
This malfunction led to Hart fall roughly 78 foot ( 24 meters ) , land chest - first on the top rope before collapsing inside the ring , all in full panorama of a alive audience and video viewer .
Staff provided immediate medical intervention in the closed chain and fleetly channelise the matman to a hospital . Despite these efforts , he was sound out dead due to the blunt force trauma sustained from the fall . The cause of his decease was attribute to a spartan chest injury , specifically a transection of the aorta , which is the main artery of the body .
The decision to stay the event after such a disturbing incident has been a stop of contention andcriticismever since .
The Wrestling World Mourns
The red of such a beloved figure in professional wrestling deep regard his kin , fans and fellow wrestlers , marking a somber moment in the sport ’s history and lead to lasting change in how wrestling entertainment prioritizes performer safety .
“ In this business , it ’s cold , it ’s pachydermatous , it ’s selfish , it ’s self - process , it ’s unrealistic , it ’s a fantasy domain , ” saidJeff Jarrett , Owen ’s close acquaintance and shred - team partner . “ But Owen was veridical . ”
Hart’sfuneralwas held on May 31 , 1999 , in Calgary . It was a deep moving event , drawing fellowship , friends , lover and a pregnant detail from the wrestling community to ante up their deference .
Alongside his WWF peers , fellow wrestlers from rival establishment ECW and WCW were also in attendance , underscoring the widespread admiration and affection for Hart within the industry .
The servicing was marked by emotional tributes , with Bret offering a poignant eulogy . He speculate on his comrade ’s living — inside and outside the tintinnabulation — highlighting Owen ’s humor and forgivingness .
Breaking Character in Memoriam
In the wrestling world , the response to Hart ’s death was notable not just for its depth of feeling but for how it momently pulled back the pall on the industry ’s highly written nature .
The WWF ’s tribute show , " in the buff is Owen , " hold the dark after his passing , was an extraordinary event where wrestlers openly expressed their heartache and partake in personal anecdote about Hart , often break fibre to do so .
This departure from the average was significant in the context of use of professional grapple , where maintainingkayfabe — the portraiture of staged events within the diligence as " existent " or " true , " particularly with respect to the information concerning the scripted aspects of the storylines — is traditionally ascertain as sacrosanct .
The decision by matman and the WWF to set away their in - ring persona and storylines to abide by Owen ’s memory board was a rare and impactful gesture , demonstrating the thick respect and love life they had for him .
The Owen Hart Foundation
This initiative has played a pivotal role in preserving Hart ’s legacy , celebrating his contributions to professional wrestling while reflecting his compassionate nature .
The organisation host fundraising upshot , including an one-year gala featuring renowned Edgar Guest speakers and performer . These events mother funds for its kindly exploit and honor Hart ’s life history and his survive influence on acquaintance and fans alike .
Through its endeavors , theOwen Hart Foundationensures the recent wrestler ’s legacy continues to come across , embody his generous and genial - hearted smell .
This article was updated in conjunction with AI technology , then fact - checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor program .
