Owen Hart died on May 23, 1999, at the age of 34. He fell more than seven stories during a wrestling stunt at a WWF event. The accident happened in front of a live audience at the Kemper Arena in Kansas City.
Hart was performing as his wrestling persona, the Blue Blazer. He was scheduled to descend from a catwalk into the ring on a cable. He had performed this stunt before. But on this night, he was wearing a quick-release harness. The harness released early, causing him to fall 78 feet into the ring.
He landed on his back, which severed his aorta and filled his lungs with blood. Announcer Jim Ross told the crowd that the accident was real and not part of the show. Paramedics tried to help him for about 20 minutes. But he reportedly died within minutes of the fall.
Many fans in the arena thought the fall was part of the show. They were stunned when they learned it was real. The accident was not shown on TV because the broadcast was playing a video package at the time.
The WWF continued the event after Hart’s death. This decision was widely criticized. Hart’s brother Bret called it “cold-blooded.” Fans also expressed disgust.
His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the WWF. In October 2000, the WWF settled for $18 million. His wife Martha has worked to protect his legacy. She has prevented the release of footage of his matches. She also blocked his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. Bret disagreed with this decision. He felt Owen’s legacy was being overshadowed by his death.
Martha Hart Blames WWE for Owen Hart’s Death
Martha Hart, the widow of wrestler Owen Hart, hold WWE responsible for his death. Owen fell to his death during a stunt at the Over the Edge event in 1999. His death was featured in the Netflix docuseries “Mr. McMahon.”
In the series, Vince McMahon denied any wrongdoing. He said the accident was not WWE’s fault. He also defended his decision to continue the event after Owen’s death.
Martha Hart responded to the docuseries. She said it portrayed Owen’s death as a mere accident. She rejected McMahon’s claim that it was not WWE’s fault.
Martha said WWE hired unqualified riggers to save money. They wanted a “quick release” effect, even though a rigging expert had warned against it. The riggers used incorrect equipment. The harness was meant for dragging stunt people behind cars, not for rappelling. It was used with a sailboat clip that released under just six pounds of pressure.
She said WWE sued her for breach of contract as retaliation for her wrongful death lawsuit. She said she was not contacted for the Netflix documentary. She continues to hold WWE and its management responsible for Owen’s death.
Martha continues to honor Owen’s legacy through the Owen Hart Foundation. She also partners with AEW for an annual tournament in his memory.
Vince McMahon Defends Decision to Continue WWE Show After the Tragedy
Vince McMahon has explained why he decided to continue the WWE event. Hart fell 78 feet from the rafters on May 23, 1999, during the Over the Edge pay-per-view. His harness malfunctioned, and he died from internal bleeding caused by blunt force trauma.
McMahon said he had to decide whether to go on with the show. He noted that the live audience did not clearly see what happened. He believed that if they had seen the accident, he would have had to shut the show down. But he felt that the fans came to see a show, not to watch someone die. As a businessman, he decided to continue the event.
McMahon acknowledged that there were many negative comments about his decision. Owen’s brother Bret Hart was particularly upset. McMahon said he understood Bret’s reaction. He said that if it had been him who died, he would want the show to go on. He stood by his decision to continue the event.
McMahon resigned as CEO of WWE in 2022. An investigation revealed hush-money payments related to an affair. He returned six months later but resigned again in January 2024. He faced sex trafficking accusations from a former employee. He has denied these allegations. The Netflix docuseries “Mr. McMahon” covered these events. McMahon’s decision to continue the show remains controversial. His explanation has not silenced his critics.
FAQs
Q. How did Owen Hart die?
A. Owen Hart died after falling during a wrestling stunt in 1999.
Q. How old was Owen Hart when he died?
A. Owen Hart was 34 years old.
Q. Did WWE continue the show after the accident?
A. Yes. WWE continued the event after his death.
Q. Did Owen Hart’s family sue WWE?
A. Yes. His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
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