The Legacy of Owen Hart Lives On

Today is a very tough day for me and I'm sure it is for many fans of professional wrestling. Exactly 21 years ago was a truly dark day when the world lost Owen Hart. It hits a little closer to home for me as Owen was and still is my favorite wrestler of all time. He was known as a loving family man that joked with his peers and always made people smile. Even though I never met him, I feel like I knew him. In fact, I once stood just feet away from him at the old Nassau Coliseum when my father took me in November of 1995. As I look back at that card, several wrestlers are no longer here, and it saddens me even further.

On this fateful day, Owen was to descend from the Kemper Arena roof in Kansas City, MO, and into the ring as his former masked persona, The Blue Blazer. Owen reluctantly went with the stunt that tragically ended his life. The harness and clasp malfunctioned in mid-air, releasing Owen, who feel about 80 feet down to the ring. Some people claim to remember hearing Owen say to move out of the way, showing how selfless a human being he was. The live crowd saw this but thought it wasn't real and didn't fully understand what had just happened. The audience at home at this time were viewing a pre-taped promo Owen did as The Blue Blazer for his upcoming match. Medical personnel and wrestlers alike tended to Owen, including Jerry Lawler, who was ringside with Jim Ross doing commentary.

Though nothing was announced on television beyond the fall, as Ross pleaded to the audience that this was indeed not part of the show, Lawler returned to commentary, stoic and pale as a ghost, and said it didn't look good. Owen was rushed to the back, motionless, and went to the hospital. The show went on with minimal updates on the situation until Ross received word over the headset. He had the unfortunate duty to tell the wrestling world that Owen Hart had passed away. I remember where I was that night and cried. As I'm writing this, a chill has come over me and my arms are nothing but goosebumps. I remember it like it was yesterday and not a day goes by that I don't think of Owen in some way. Vince McMahon made the tough and questionable decision to keep the show going after the tragedy. That could be entirely different blog so I won't get into that.

The reason I am writing this is that on Tuesday, Vice's Darkside of the Ring did an episode on the death of Owen Hart. Among the heart broken were his family, namely his older brother Bret Hart. Unfortunately, Owen left his wife Martha a widow and his children without a father. Since then, Martha has brought lawsuits to the WWF at the time, and refuses to let them use his likeness or induct him into their Hall of Fame. It was a tragic and unnecessary accident. Owen didn't even want to do it but he didn't right out refuse, which shows how much of a company man he was. Now, Martha has every right to be angry, as well as her children. I can't begin to understand how they felt and still feel to this day. To me, he was a wrestler, and my favorite at that, but I didn't know him personally. He may have been my hero but he was a father and a husband to them.

Martha Hart continues her hatred for everything involved with WWE, including owner Vince McMahon. Hart finds the company at fault and it's hard not to feel that way. She and her children had a lot to say on Tuesday's episode. Unfortunately, her hatred split the family, as she and Bret, among others, have not spoken to one another for a long time, nor do they get along. In fact, Bret had said he hasn't even seen his niece and nephew since they were kids. Bret, as sad is he was, and as angry he has been with McMahon and the WWE many times over, still wants Owen to be recognized. Martha does not want her late husband's name to be involved in anything where WWE can make a profit, understandably so.

I cannot and will not judge her for this decision. However, she refuses to believe WWE's sincerity and sentiment. I can, however, offer my opinion. Owen is more than deserving of being in the WWE's Hall of Fame; there is no doubt. He is part of the pro wrestling Hall of Fame, which is not associated with WWE, but celebrates professional wrestlers in general. From my perspective, even more so than WWE, his fans would like to see him inducted, as does some of his family. I think it would mean the world to Bret to be able to induct Owen. Beyond the amazing matches they had with and against one another, they were brothers. I can't imagine losing my brother so I can't begin to comprehend what Bret is still going through.

I believe WWE will respect Martha's wishes but it is unfortunate for Owen's fans that they can't celebrate his legacy in that way. I for one would love to see it. I've followed Owen from the beginning of his career to the moment his life was tragically cut short. In 1988, the Blue Blazer came onto the scene. He was fast and athletic, but there was something familiar about the masked man. Even at 8 years old at the time, I knew a lot about wrestling and it wasn't long before I figured out it was Owen Hart under the mask. Many were familiar with the famous Hart wrestling family, as his brother Bret was with the WWF at the time. Their father Stu, the Hart's tough patriarch, trained many wrestlers, specifically his children, to wrestle and he sold his Calgary Stampede promotion to Vince McMahon.

At the time, Owen was a lower card guy, likely wearing a mask so he wouldn't be in the shadow of Bret. Boy, was this some unintentional foreshadowing, no pun intended, as that was exactly a story that would be told years later. He wrestled for a year or so in the WWF and then back home in Canada, as well as with a few other minor promotions. In 1991, Owen returned to the company.. This time, due to his agility, he was now known as "The Rocket" Owen Hart. Just months earlier, Bret went solo and amicably split with longtime partner and brother-in-law, the late Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. Together, they were known as the Hart Foundation. Neidhart formed a team with Owen and they were known as the New Foundation. Their finisher was known as the Rocket Launcher, a move where Neidhart would throw Owen onto their opponents, usually for the win. At this point, I really started to rally behind Owen. After Neidhart left, Owen formed a team with Koko B. Ware known as High Energy. However, it wasn't until 1993 that Owen's career would really take off.

It was November of that year at the Survivor Series when people really took notice of Owen Hart. He teamed with brother Bret, along with brothers Bruce and Keith against what was to be a Jerry Lawler-led team, but the King was replaced by Shawn Michaels. In the match, Owen was the only member eliminated, though the team won the match. When Bret and the others celebrated, along with their parents Stu and Helen, Owen came back out and was furious with Bret, mainly because Owen got eliminated due to being distracted by Bret's minor injury. Owen pulled Bret from the turnbuckles and and shoved his older brother, yelling at his family as the show ended. The raw emotion Owen exhibited was so believable. The brothers made amends over the Holidays and decided to challenge the Quebecers for the Tag Team Championships at the Royal Rumble. Bret lost the match for his team and then Owen did the unthinkable. He turned on his brother. This bitter feud lasted the next few years and would involve other members of the family such as Jim Neidhart and the British Bulldog.

At WrestleMania X two months later, Owen had one of his biggest moments when he defeated Bret in the opening match. However, much to Owen's chagrin later that night, Bret defeated Yokozuna for the WWF Championship in the main event. A disgruntled Owen looked on as many of the roster came out to congratulate Bret. At the King of the Ring, Jim Neidhart returned to second Bret in his Championship defense against Diesel. Jim caused a disqualification, making sure Bret retained the Title. Later that night, Neidhart helped Owen win the King of the Ring tournament. Moments after Owen's loss to Bret at SummerSlam in a cage match, Neidhart and Owen attacked other family members. The family feud intensified as 1994 progressed. By years end, Owen cost Bret the WWF Title with one of his best acting performances to date, tearing on the heart strings, no pun intended, of his family and the fans.

Owen would go on to win the Tag Team Titles with Yokozuna the next year at WrestleMania XI. He also won the Titles with the British Bulldog, who had turned on Bret by then. In early 1997, Owen and Bulldog, still Tag Team Champions at the time, were in the finals to determine the first European Champion. The Bulldog won and it led to a rematch shortly after WrestleMania XIII. At the time, Bret became hated, at least by American fans, during his feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin. Bret couldn't stand to see the family divided anymore and he reunited with Owen and the Bulldog in a very emotional moment, even though they were the "bad guys" at the time. Owen feuded with Austin later that year and had two reigns as Intercontinental Champion. In November of that year at the Survivor Series, Bret lost his WWF Championship to Shawn Michaels in what is infamously known as the "Montreal Screwjob." Bret left the company for WCW but Owen ended up staying.

Unfortunately, instead of utilizing the tremendous talent and potential of Owen, WWE didn't book him very well. Despite a reign as European Champion, Owen was constantly humiliated by Shawn Michaels and Triple H of Degeneration X. After becoming a member of the Nation of Domination in 1998, having other various minor feuds, and a Tag Team Title run with partner Jeff Jarrett, Owen was forced to go back to his original Blue Blazer gimmick, which is what led to his untimely death months later.

Owen was one of the best wrestlers the world had ever seen, rivaling Bret's skills. Owen had a lot to give in the wrestling business. He gave it all, literally, as he ended up giving up his life. Owen was known by his peers as a great practical joker, and was one of the kindest people in the world. He loved his family dearly. Owen's life was cut short in his prime at the young the age of 34. To this day, he is missed by his family, his friends, and his fans. I'll never forget the amazing wrestler and man Owen was and certainly won't forget the day he died. Owen's legacy lives on and even though I respect his wife and children's wishes, I do hope to one day see Owen inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Rest in Peace, Owen! We love you and miss you!

The Shock About the Shockmaster - A Different Perspective

Over the course of the history of professional wrestling, there have been many things that have come and gone; the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Many fans agree that one such idea that was considered bad for the most part, was the debut of The Shockmaster on that fateful 1993 day. It is generally regarded as one of the most "WrestleCrap" worthy moments in all of wrestling. However, what's shocking to me is the way some people perceive it.

Obviously, I could go on and on about how bad it was, and I will, trust me! It's just that I feel the need to clear something up, at least from my perspective. From the way people describe it, it seems like many believe that it only failed because of what happened. I'm here to tell you that it was a failure way before it was even on television. Most know the story. The titular Shockmaster was played by Fred Ottman, formerly Tugboat and Typhoon. First of all, they had him wear jeans, a vest, and an idiotic looking silver glittered Star Wars "Storm Trooper" helmet. So, we're already off to a bad start. Then the fun ensues! 

He was supposed to crash through the wall of the set of "A Flair For the Gold," in which Ric Flair interviewed the teams that would be colliding at Fall Brawl in War Games, along with Sting introducing his special partner. However, someone decided to place a piece of wood haphazardly on the lower portion of the wall at the last minute, after successful practice runs. Ottman, through no fault of his own, couldn't see at all and tripped over the piece of wood as he crashed through the wall, falling down, as his helmet rolled off. As quick as he could, he put the helmet back on. You audibly hear some of the wrestlers laughing, as well as the British Bulldog shouting out; "he fell on flat on his arse!" But it didn't end there! Sid Vicious and Harlem Heat did their best to stay in character as The Shockmaster began to "talk." It was famously the voice of Ole Anderson tweaked a little bit to sound menacing. What proceeded from there was some of the lamest smack talking I've ever heard. This was beyond embarrassing, even for 1993 WCW standards.

So, what you're telling me is that this thing only failed because he tripped and fell and scrambled to put back on his fallen helmet? Think about that for a second! For argument sake, let's just propose the notion of "what if he didn't trip?" You're going to tell me with a straight face that this wouldn't have been dead in the water if that was the case? Let's say, he busts through the wall like planned, didn't trip or lose his helmet. What then? Would that have been a success? No matter the circumstances, the plan was still for Ole Anderson to distortedly voice the gimmick, even audibly laughing while doing it. Hell, look at the damn outfit he wore! You're telling me that his attire wasn't as much of a failure compared to falling down? This gimmick was going to suck regardless.

I recall Dusty Rhodes speaking about the incident and stated that when his young son at the time, Cody, saw what happened watching TV with friends, the little guy shouted; "that's Unlce Fred!" If that didn't register for you, Dusty and Ottman were brothers-in-law. They even acknowledged what young Cody said when Ottman later portrayed the character of Super Shockmaster, claiming to be his nephew and calling him "Uncle Fred." To this day, Cody still talks about it, remembering this wrestling blunder from his childhood, and many of ours. The very idea of this gimmick was a failure! 

If I recall, the late Dusty Rhodes himself was the one who came up with this. Dusty was a booker for a lot of his time in the wrestling business. Sorry, Dusty, I love you, but this was not one of your best! That's putting it nicely, out of respect for him. Even if Ottman didn't trip, what about this gimmick at all would have gotten over with the crowd? In what world would this be looked at as a good idea? I'm genuinely shocked that so many people seem to think that his tripping and losing his helmet was the only reason it failed! This failed before it was even conceived! Clearly, not every idea is a winner. Although, in my opinion, it's not as bad as David Arquette as WCW Champion! Sorry, Mr. Russo! Haha!

Not only that, but let's discuss the name! What kind of name is Shockmaster? What is exactly is a Shockmaster? What was his gimmick supposed to be had the accident not occurred? As if a Storm Trooper helmet was bad enough, why was it covered in silver glitter, especially so much so that the man couldn't see in front of himself? Thank God Ted Turner didn't decide to start competing with Vince McMahon at that point! There would have been no Monday Night War! The idea as a whole was a failure. I hope people can see that! That's my point! I'd love someone to argue how this would have been successful if he didn't trip and lose his helmet. Thankfully, Ottman found the humor in it after his retirement, as it is still talked about to this day. He had the sense of humor to make fun of himself, and the gimmick. He even brings out the helmet for conventions from time to time. The bottom line is, I feel like people need to agree that this was DOA no matter what!