Owen Hart has dominated social media, podcasts, and wrestling talk for the last week. It’s easy to say it’s VICE’s documentary show Darkside of the Ring’s fault, and it is, but mostly it’s because Owen Hart was one of the greatest tragedies to happen in professional wrestling. The fact his death happened in such a grand fashion at a pay-per-view makes it only more poignant. His death is a huge reason why he’s remembered today, but Owen was so much more than a footnote to an accident. It’s for that reason that this day in wrestling history, May 23, 1999, should be remembered for the day what is it, but the life of Owen Hart should be celebrated.
Humble life
There was nothing easy about growing up in the Hart household, as Owen’s older brother, Bret, describes in his book, Hitman.
The family constantly battled lack of finances as Stu’s Stampede Wrestling grew and waned as any business does. Being the son of the legendary Stu Hart was one thing, but being the youngest of the clan only added to it, but with the entire family in wrestling or married to wrestlers at some point, it was only natural he’d follow that path.
But Owen was different. He wasn’t planning on making it his life’s ambition as he planned to make what he could, and then retire and spend time with his family. His goal was to enjoy his time, and entertain fans to the best of his ability.
(Special thanks to @awrestlinghistorian for the excerpts.)
“I’d like fans to remember me as a guy who would go out and entertain them, give them quality matches, and not just the same old garbage every week.” – Owen Hart, Canoe.com interview December 1998
Stardom was never his intent, but when someone has as much talent as he did, it’s impossible not to shine.
Keeping it light
While many, including this day in wrestling history, remembers him for his in-ring ability, it’s his out-of-ring behavior that made him a legend among his fellow wrestlers and his stories continue to entertain us to this day.
We always hear of athletes being jokesters and doing everything they possibly can to torment their compatriots to keep things light. But it takes someone special to get their own family members good.
During his Hall of Fame speech, Bret Hart shared some Owen stories, and they’re priceless. Thankfully, he also shared them in his aforementioned book, Hitman.
(Once again, special thanks to @awrestlinghistorian)
“On the morning of WrestleMania V, a call came for Stu, who stood in his long, striped nightshirt talking with a big smile on his face. ‘Yeah, Reg…how the hell are you?’ Reggie Parks had been a respected bodybuilder once upon a time. He was an easygoing guy and the conversation started out friendly, but Stu couldn’t believe his ears when Reg suddenly said, ‘Stu, you were always afraid of me. You never had the balls to try me or I would have shoved your head up your ass!’ Stu was pacing the room with the receiver pressed hard against his cauliflower ear, his jaw set like granite. “Reg, if you wanted to try me, why didn’t you try me?” Even the veins in his sturdy white legs seemed to swell with rage.
“I was sure Stu was about to head downstairs and face off with Reg right there in the lobby!
“Then Stu abruptly sat on the bed and slammed the phone down. A shy, almost embarrassed smile broke over my dad’s face. One I’ll never forget. ‘That was Owen. The little bastard got me!’” – Bret Hart, Hitman book and HOF speech.
Often, it’s the little things we do that help others remember us, and they make for great memories for this day in wresting history.
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