I've watched wrestling since I was 8 or 9. At first, we all thought it was real. But to be honest, I liked it even more when I found out it was fake. I never really had any favorites; I loved and respected all the wrestlers. For them to work 360 days in a year, they've got more dedication than any "REAL" athlete has. I liked Owen... He is Canadian, so right away us Canadians are labeled with loving the Hart's!! But no. I only liked Owen... Bret was too much of a kiss ass, I hated Bulldog's wrestling style, The Anvil wasn't around much, and Pillman spent most of his career in WCW.
On May 25th 1996, me and good ol Nick Diamante headed downtown for an autograph session with Owen Hart. It was the same day as a WWF Pay Per View, so the session was early. Nick and I went really early, and ended up being 2nd or 3rd in line!! It was amazing. We got free Raw magazines because we were there so damn early, we got free chips and Coke's, I can remember it so clearly. 4 Hours later, Owen arrived. They had a little television screen beside the table he was signing autographs on, and when he sat down the TV was showing Wrestlemania 10!! Owen vs. Bret!! They showed the end of the match, and even the interview backstage. For those of you who don't remember it, Owen had a huge booger on his cheek! He didn't notice, and nobody told him!! He sat there and watched himself bad mouths his brother with a huge booger on his cheek!! I felt so bad for the guy!! We got our autographs, took our pictures and left.
In life, I'm quite lucky... only one family member has died in my lifetime. Exactly 3 years after that autograph session, at the WWF PPV: Over The Edge, Owen Hart who was The Blue Blazer for this PPV was going to make a somewhat of a super hero like entrance into the ring. He was going to zip down from the rafters. As he began his assent, the cord snapped and Owen fell about 40 to 90 feet (There are tons of articles, every one I've read has a different number) to the ring smacking his face into the turnbuckle below. Millions of people looked on, waiting for Owen to get up, because we all know... EVERYTHING IS FAKE!!!!! (That was sarcastic, btw...) Lawler and Ross pleaded for help, and Owen was carried away. About 25 minutes after the incident, Owen was pronounced dead.
I was in New York at the time, and was sitting in a room with 10 family members. All of which told me that in a couple weeks Owen would be back on TV!! I snapped. For some of you that know what Canadian Rage is, picture the worst Canadian Rage EVER. I completely lost it. I went on a screaming rampage calling people "fucking idiots" because I couldn't believe that they would think of it as a joke. You may be wondering why I went nuts, but when someone in your family says "GOOD!" after they declare a guy who you've known for so damn long dead, you sort of loose it. I still hate the person in my family that said that, and I always will. The next day I went and bought the New York FUCKING TIMES and shoved it in the guys face... He apologized, but what he said will never be forgotten.
The wrestling world will NEVER be the same. Owen was 34, had a wife, two kids, and words couldn't truly describe what they could be going through. Owen was the last guy anyone would want this to happen to. In the WWF locker room, he was the "class clown". In the ring, he was a great performer. It was always exciting to see what he had in store for us next. This shouldn't have happened to Owen. Accidents like that don't happen often, and when it does the wrestling world is spit on for it.
For the next few days, I couldn't sleep. You might think I'm bullshiting you, but that's your problem. I tried to make myself believe that it didn't happen... But it didn't work. Still today, the autographed picture of Owen Hart hangs on my wall over my bed. I see it every night, every morning, and still can't believe it happened to Owen. In my locker at school hangs a photocopy of it... I get made fun of because of it everyday, and I really don't give a shit what anyone thinks. Right now, I feel worst for the Hart family EXCLUDING Bret. Yeah, he lost his brother, but you don't use your brother's death as an excuse to make money. The Hart family will never be the same, and neither will I. Owen, RIP my friend... You'll be in my memories forever.
The EWA Owner, Tom "Stone".
The following statements are a few last words for Owen from EWA Wrestlers. These comments were left on The Roleplay Board, and I saved them so I could post them here. Their names will be included at the bottom.
"I'm going to make this short and sweet. A horrifying event took place lastnight on the WWF: Over the Edge pay per view. Owen Hart tragically passed away, affecting all those affiliated with the wrestling world. I, myself, was shocked at the death of Owen Hart. Anyone in here who has watched wrestling as long as I have knows what Owen meant to the sport. I grew up watching this man, whether it was laughing at the Blue Blazer, enjoying The New Foundation team w/Jim Niedhart, watching he and Koko B. Ware team to make High Energy, or even the King of Hart's gimmick. Everyone will agree, Owen has been a constant in a sport that has few constants. He should be remembered for what he was: A great performer. I'm sure everyone in the EWA's thoughts and prayers are with the Hart family, whether we know them or not."
Thanks for your time
"Thrylla, Dave, whatever. I know me and you have talked about this situation and i have done so with others also. I was, and i have to be honest, not the biggest Owen Hart fan in the world. But much of that had nothing to do with the man himself. He always seemed to be stuck with lame gimmicks. The man was an amazing performer in the ring, as well as a husband and father of two. Wrestlers are real people folks, and they need to be mourned, not lauged at. Owen brought a lot to the table for the WWF, Stampede, and New Japan. He was great on the mat and also before his knee problems quite a good high flyer. My thoughts and prayers are with the Hart family. There's many things I could do as a tribute to the man, but here's one I know if he read this will love... REST IN PEACE OWEN, THE 2 TIME SLAMMY AWARD WINNER."
- Chandler
"Owen Hart is dead at a very young age, in an accident that never should have happened. When Louie Spicolli, Brian Pillman, Renegade, and Rick Rude, all passed on, I was shocked... but not really... effected. But Owen died, in ring, at a PPV. Owen also was a link to the WWF's old school days. He was around when Hogan was red and yellow. When Macho Man entered to "Pomp and Circumstance". When Piper was funny. When the Warrior didn't act like Batman. When Barry Darsow was Smash. He saw all these guys... plus guys like Skinner, Man Moutain Rock, Leaf Cassidy, Doink, and The Bodydonnas. Owen was extremely loyal to the company, and was actually successful. He held the IC belt. He was a Euro champ. He was a KOTR. He was a tag champ with Yoko (my personal favorite. I loved Owen and Yoko. I mean, they had no buisness being together, but it was a great way to get Yoko in the Company again. Yoko was a huge power guy, and Owen the High Flyer. I loved that team. Another thing I loved about owen was his Inseguries. That is spelt wicked wrong I bet. But that still kicked ass. It was a fairly common move, but it was so cool when he did it). So, somebody said it best, and I'll end with this. "Heaven needed a superhero, so they called for the Blazer." RIP Owen Hart."
- Biggie
"Hey guys. I watched Monday Night RAW tonight like it usually do, and I was extremely saddened by the show. I had heard about Owen Hart's death on Sunday, but I wasn't expecting a Tribute for him like the one that there was tonight. It was touching and sad. A really touching moment while watching the show was watching HHH win his match, and afterwords he pointed to the sky, and pointed to his chest, and he was saying something. You couldn't hear what he was saying, but you could read his lips. He said, "Owen..... Owen, you're right here." He said this while pointing to his chest. He almost cried in front of thousands of people. It was very sad and touching. It was neat seeing Chyna out of character, and talking about Owen. She's not bad looking when she's out of character. I cried when I saw Debra talking about Owen. It was interesting to see Steve Austin give his respects to Owen. I didn't know if he would, since he had his neck broken by Owen accidentally. I had thought that Austin kinda hated him for that. I guess not anymore. We've lost a great human being in Owen Hart. Pro Wrestling will never be the same again."
- The Wildman
"Well, as many of you have stated, I am very saddened by the tragic loss of a great athlete. Owen Hart was without a doubt a great wrestler, a great mat technician indeed, and a great symbol of honor and respect. Although I was never a fan of his, he did a great job at making me boo him. I must say, I loved to hate JJ and Owen. They were more than just the usual heel-funny guys. The guy was one title away from being the second grand slam winner. It's too bad that he had to leave us at such young age. I really feel it's a tragedy, but most probably he's right now watching us from somewhere in this huge place smiling down upon us, for I've heard he was always a happy person. Owen, you'll be sorely missed. As a wrestler to me, as a husband and father to his family, as a friend for many. Rest In Peace, Owen Hart."
- The Rock
"I watch every Monday like always and I knew that in some way there would be some sort of ceremony. But not like that. It felt weird to see all the wrestlers out of character and showing their true feelings about Owen. I for one thought Owen was not very liked by few for injuring a few people. But what I saw made me realize I was very wrong. After about 5 of the interviews, I couldn't stand to watch how sad they were, especially Jeff Jarret and Debra. I was almost crying myself because of the way they were talking about Owen. It was a very sad thing to have happened but it was good for everyone to get out their feelings about it."
- X-Treme
"I have been grounded lately, so I couldn't respond to this as quickly as I would have liked. But I felt I should say my piece on the tragic death of Owen Hart.
I watched RAW the other night, fully expecting a memorial tribute of some sort. But when I saw all those wrestlers gathered on the ramp, my heart sank. And when they played that video, a tear ran down my cheek. Throughout the night, several of those interviews just blew me away. Jeff Jarrett's, Mark Henry's.... they were all so touching.
I haven't been watching wrestling all my life like so many people have, but I was still shocked and saddened by Owen's passing. I've only been watching wrestling for about a year and a half, but it still hit me pretty hard. I didn't like Owen's character, but I repected his superb wrestling ability. He was truly one of the greats. It is a tragedy that his life ended at such an early age, but hopefully we can get some good from this.
Don't take life for granted, yours or others'. Anyone can be taken from us at any age. And while I didn't know Owen personally, I got a good look at his real personality during those interviews on RAW on Monday. And I think it's safe to say that rather than look down and see us all saddened and depressed, he would rather see us gain strength from his death. Get something positive from it. If nothing else, this should be his legacy. Rest in peace, Owen, we're all gonna' miss you."
- Eric Jarres, handler of Nomad
"I would just like to say that I think it is great that all of you have put your memorials to Owen Hart on here. I was at the PPV and Owen's fall will be a horrible moment that I will never forget. I hope this past Raw and the comments and beliefs of people like yourselves will shut up the people that are disgusted with wrestlers and wrestling in general, and that think it is just a joke. These are REAL people and have real lives and families that they need to support. Rest in peace Owen, you will be greatly missed."
- Chris Adams
"Owen, Well everybody who grew up wrestling knows of the hart family. How could you not? Well, Owen as owen never really hit a chord with me but when I was younger I fell in love with the blue blazer. Although not as near herioc as bret hart ever was but aletic none the less. Owen your name will live long in our hearts forever for the moments you have given us.
Owen you were never a nugget, you just got the shaft but RIP OWEN You will be missed now and forever."
- Scott
"Last Night at the In Your House: Over the Edge, a horrible tragedy took place. A great wrestler only at the age of 34 was in a horrible accident that took his life while making his flashy entrance to come down and win the Intercontinental Championship. Everything was going great but then a horrible accident happend, Owen Hart's strap broke as he was being lowered from the rafters and he plummetted to his death at the height of 50 feet. Jim Ross announced the accident later on in the show, but to me that accident ruined the rest of that great card for me, I was in shock that a wrestler has just actually died, and he died for the thing he loved most, the fans. The sad thing is that everyone believes it was some publicity stunt and a man had died. If you were actually watching the In Your House you would definately realize that this was a serious issue and I believe the WWF would never go that low as to faking a wrestler's death, they didn't show the ring because it wasn't a good sight to see. Owen was a great wrestler and has held many titles in his glorius career such as the European, Intercontinental, & The Tag Team Titles. Owen was not only a wrestler but also was a loving husband and had kids too, how could people be so hartless to laugh at the death of a very special person like Owen Hart. I don't know how nobody could have no emotion about last night occurences, it has saddened me deeply and he will be missed greatly. I only now can pray for the Hart Family, and wish them my deep regret. Even though he wasn't one of the best wresters, I will always remember Owen Hart... Not As "The Nugget", Not as the "Blue Blazer", Not even as Owen Hart. I will always keep him in my memory as a very great person.
Owen, I will miss you... I will see you when I get there...
In Loving Memory of Owen Hart, 1965 - 1999"
- Tony Watkins
"I think we should all continue to kick ass in this fed, due to the fact that Owen Hart died last night... Out of respect, everyone should keep kicking ass in the EWA."
- An Owen Hart Fan
- Serial Thrylla: Commish