24 years ago, WWE experienced the most tragic episode in its history in one of its rings. Owen Hart died in a spectacular fall from 24 meters. HERE the story.
None of the WWE fans who attended Kemper Arena in Kansas City to witness the Over the Edge event knew that on May 23, 1999 they would be watching one of their Superstars die live. Owen Hart, 34, fell from a height of 78 feet, approximately 24 meters while making his way into the ring. So Hart played Blue blazer – a masked wrestler whose true identity was unknown – and that night he would face the Godfather Intercontinental Championship.
For this fight, WWE wanted Hart to enter the ring from the top of the arena. The wrestler would descend hanging from a harness and land in the ring. Unfortunately, the equipment supporting the fighter came loose and he fell, hitting the ropes and rebounding back into the ring.
As part of Hart’s entry into the ring, the arena lights were dimmed; For this reason, a large proportion of those present did not see the fall. Those who watched the event on TV were also unable to see the tragic event, since at that moment the advert for the fight was being narrated Hugo Savinovich j Carlo Cabrera.
Owen Hart plays the Blue Blazer. Photo: Pinterest
It was precisely thanks to the story of Savinovich and Cabrera that viewers found out about the fall of the Blue Blazer. The shock of the fateful accident can be heard in the words of the two narrators, who could only wish Hart a recovery, which unfortunately never came.
Owen Hart: What happened after he fell?
Immediately after the fall, the paramedic team approached the ring to administer first aid to the fighter who was lying on the canvas. The television broadcast was interrupted for a few minutes while the medical staff carried out resuscitation work.
Hart was removed from the arena to be taken to a hospital. However, the blunt trauma caused by the fall from more than 20 meters caused internal bleeding and the hospital ordered only the fighter’s death.
Vince McMahon, owners of WWE, decided the event should go ahead with their billboard. The Canadian wrestler’s death was reported to viewers but not to fans who attended the event. When asked about the controversial decision to resume the PPV, McMahon replied that he believed Hart would have wanted it.
Who Was Owen Hart?
Owen Hart was born on May 7, 1965 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He was the younger brother of the wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer. Bret Hart. During his fighting career, he used his first name and other nicknames such as The Blue Blazer, Rocket, and Owen James.
Owen Hart with his brother Bret. Photo: WWE
His record includes four WWE Pairs Championships, one European Championship. He twice won the intercontinental title and was the king of the ring in 1994. He made his talent available to major wrestling companies such as New Japan Pro Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE).