|
Cage's Comments: Owen as well as the rest of
the Harts had a special place for me, because I am Canadian just
like them. I share their patriotic hearts, and when Owen passed
away, I shared their sorrow. My fondest memory is the Blue Blazer.
I remember the origional Blue Blazer, and I liked him alot, and
I was glad to see him come back near the end of Owen's life.
Here's to Canada's hero!
BIO
Owen is the youngest child of legendary Stu and Helen Hart.
Owen was trained by his father in the Dungeon. In 1986 Owen was
ready to join Stampede Wrestling, owned by his father, but at
that time it was already going downhill. Owen though, used the
time that was left to hone his skills and become one of the most
promising rookies the sport has ever seen with his European and
Japanese-influenced high-flying style. Owen actually had his
first pro match in 1983, when he went up against British veteran
Marty Jones. Owen had many great matches in Stampede and had
a great feud with Mike Shaw (Bastian Booger).
Owen showed on several occasions, that he was championship material,
and together with Ben Bassarab, he became International Tag Team
champion. Owen also showed his skills in singles competition
by winning the British Commonwealth Mid Heavyweight title once.
Owen then went after the North American Heavyweight title, which
he came close to winning in a tournament final, where he lost
to Makhan Singh, Owen though came back an won the title twice,
the last time holding it for 13 months.
In 1988 on a tour with New Japan, Owen's skills finally paid
off. Owen became the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion by defeating
Hiroshi Hase, May 27, in Sendai. Owen was the first westerner
to hold the title. Owen title regain lasted until, June 24 1988,
when he lost the title to Shiro Koshinaka, in Osaka.
Owen returned to the States, where the WWF showed interest in
him. Owen, beneath hood and cape, became the Blue Blazer - a
lightweight high flyer versus the heavyweights of the WWF. Owen's
skills was mostly used to put the other guys over, at WrestleMania
V, he jobbed to Mr. Perfect, shortly after Owen left the WWF.
Never once during his first stint in WWF was it mentioned, that
Owen was Bret Hart's brother.
Owen spent the next two years on the road, showing his skills
in Mexico, Canada, Japan, Europe, and he had a very short stint
in the WCW. In Mexico Owen lost the mask of the Blue Blazer to
El Canek.
WWF
Owen returned to the WWF, where he joined his brother-in-law,
Jim Neidhart, in the New Foundation. The team didn't last long
because they never got a clean break, everybody was comparing
them to the original Hart Foundation, which they couldn't live
up to.
Neidhart left the WWF, but Owen wasn't finished with tag team
wrestling yet. Owen and Koko B. Ware formed High Energy. They
didn't have much success though. Owen got a knee injury at the
end of 1992, and when he returned, Koko was gone.
The Rocket Owen Hart was born. Via the working agreement with
the USWA, Owen went to Memphis, where he defeated Papa Shango
for the Unified World Heavyweight Title, only to drop it to Jerry
Lawler after two weeks.
After the taste of gold Owen was ready to make his mark in the
WWF. But it didn't happen. Owen was still on the bottom of the
ladder, while Bret was on top, he had just won the 1993 edition
of the King of the Ring.
Problems in the Hart family
At the Survivor Series 1993, where a united Hart family fought
Shawn Michaels and his knights, Owen was whipped into Bret, who
stood on the apron, causing Bret to hit the railing and Owen
to get eliminated. The Hart family won the match, but Owen wasn't
satisfied with the result, he blamed Bret for his elimination,
Owen then developed an obsession, he wanted to be regarded as
his brother Bret's equal, Owen would not be in the shadow of
the Hitman. Owen was furious at Bret, so he wanted a match against
him, so he could step out of Bret's shadow, but Bret wouldn't
give it to him.
Owen and Bret talked the things through at the end of 1993, and
they agreed to form a tag team. Owen and Bret got a shot at the
tag team champions, the Quebecers, at the Royal Rumble 1994.
The brothers lost the match, when the referee ended the match,
because of Bret's injured knee. Owen totally lost it, he kicked
Bret on his knee after the match, and blamed Bret for the loss.
Owen also said, that it was Bret, who told him to wrestle under
hood and cap, so Owen wouldn't take the limelight from Bret.
At WrestleMania X, Owen and Bret had a classic match, which went
back and forth. Owen was victorious, but at the same event, Bret
became WWF Heavyweight Champion for the 2. time, which made Owen
even more jealous.
Owen wanted another shot at Bret, but to get that, he had to
win the King of the Ring tournament. Owen qualified to the King
of the Ring by beating Adam Bomb. In the first round of the tournament,
Owen and Tatanka went at it, with Owen coming out on top. In
the semifinal round waited the 1-2-3 Kid. Owen defeated him easily
with the sharpshooter.
It was time for the final round. Jim Neidhart had secured that
Bret was still the champ, by attacking Diesel, who got the DQ
victory. Owen and Razor Ramon was the two finalists, it was an
even match until Anvil attacked Razor, which made Owen the 1994
King of the Ring. After the victory Owen proclaimed himself the
King of Harts.
With the victory at the King of the Ring, Owen showed that he
was a force to be reckoned with, Owen also got what he really
wanted, a match against his brother for the WWF title at Summer
Slam 94. The match was a cage match, with Neidhart and the British
Bulldog in the public. The match went back and forth, both wrestlers
slugged it out up the cage, over the top and on the way down,
when suddenly Bret slammed Owen's head against the cage. Owen
got his ankles caught between the bars, Bret jumped, landing
feet-first at ringside. The British Bulldog cheered, when suddenly
Neidhart attacked him. Owen and Neidhart dragged Bret back into
the cage and started beating on him. Bulldog got to Bret's rescue.
This event was reason for some great tag team matches between
Bret/Bulldog and Owen/Neidhart.
Owen and Bret also had a Lumberjack match, where Neidhart was
one of the lumberjacks, during the match he sneaked up on Bret
and knocked him down, Owen then quickly pinned Bret, and thought
that he had won the World Title, but a second referee made his
way down and the decision was overturned.
Owen and his tag team partners
The family war died out when Neidhart left the federation in
the start of 1995. Owen then aligned himself with Jim Cornette,
Owen the challenged the WWF tag team champions, The Smoking Gunns,
at WrestleMania XI, where he would reveal his mystery partner.
The mystery partner was none other than the mighty Yokozuna.
Owen and Yokozuna defeated the Gunns with relatively ease, and
became WWF tag team champions. Owen had won his first title in
the WWF.
Owen and Yoko held on to the titles for almost a half year, before
dropping them to the Smoking Gunns, actually Owen and Yoko lost
the titles to Diesel and Shawn Michaels at In Your House III,
but since the Bulldog replaced Owen, and it was Owen who got
pinned, the titles was handed back. After the defeat both Yoko
and Owen wanted to use more time on their singles career, which
split the team.
The rest of 1995 and until the summer of 1996, Owen was jobbed
to almost every WWF superstar. Owen did have some success though,
on an installment of Monday Night Raw, in a match against Shawn
Michaels, Owen hit Michaels with a kick to the back of the head,
which made the lights go out for Michaels, who laid flat on his
back. At the Slammy Awards 1996, Owen won a Slammy for the incident,
after the event he billed himself the Slammy Award Winning Owen
Hart.
During the summer of 1996 The British Bulldog, who had joined
Camp Cornette in the end of 1995, and Owen decided to use their
combined forces to win the WWF tag team titles from the Smoking
Gunns. The title changed happened at In Your House X, where a
manager change also happened. Clarence Mason became the new manager
for the new champions, when he got a groggy Jim Cornette to sign
the papers.
With a new manager and the titles on their waist, you should
think everything was good. But it wasn't, Bulldog got more and
more popular among the fans, while Owen got more unpopular, it
seemed like a team split was unavoidable.
At the Royal Rumble 97, Owen "accidentally" eliminated
the British Bulldog from the battle royal. But it got worse,
Bulldog fired Clarence Mason when he lost a match to Crush, also
managed by Mason. Owen tried to convince Bulldog that it was
wrong, but he couldn't.
In February of 1997, the first ever WWF European Champion should
be crowned via a tournament in Germany. The final saw the tag
team partners Owen and Bulldog go at it. It was a tough match,
but in the end it was Bulldog, who stood triumphant with the
new belt. After the match Owen launched a post-match tirade about
Bulldog's lack of respect for him. Owen has been in another tournament
final in 1997, it was in Kuwait, where he lost to Tiger Ali Singh.
At the Slammy Awards 1997, Owen "won" another Slammy.
The tag team champions continued to fight of all comers, but
you could feel the tension between them. At Raw is War after
WrestleMania 13, Owen and Bulldog had to fight the Headbangers
for the titles. Bulldog and Owen got in a fight at the end of
the match, Owen said that he demanded a shot at the Bulldog's
European title at the following Raw is War, Bulldog gladly accepted.
The Hart Foundation
The following Raw is War it was time for the match for the European
title between Owen and Bulldog. It was a brutal match, where
Bulldog was going to use a chair on Owen, when Bret entered the
ring. Bret got the two combatants separated, he then told them,
that the WWF and the American wrestling fans were doing everything
in their power to destroy them. Bret also told Owen and Bulldog
that he needed and loved them, and that he wanted them to join
forces with him against Steve Austin, WWF and the American wrestling
fans. They accepted, the Hart Foundation was founded.
The following weeks Owen and Bulldog watched out for Bret, by
attacking Austin and Michaels. Pillman and Neidhart also joined
the Hart Foundation. 2 weeks after joining the Hart Foundation,
Owen won the Intercontinental Title, cleanly, from Rocky Maivia
at Raw is War. Owen had finally won a singles title, which he
has deserved.
Owen and Bulldog's constant attacks on Austin and Michaels lead
to a challenge from the Tag Team Champions. On an installment
of Raw is War Austin and Michaels won the titles from Owen and
Bulldog, who had held on to the titles for 8 months.
With only the Intercontinental Title at his waist, Owen will
go back to singles wrestling, a place where he fits much better.
Owen proved that he is one of the best, by beating Goldust and
Hunter Hearst Helmsley in a Three Way Dance on Raw is War.
The feud with Steve Austin
During the five man tag team match at Canadian Stampede, where
the Hart Foundation went up against Steve Austin, Ken Shamrock,
Goldust, and LOD, Austin smashed Owen's leg against the ring
post. Owen was then lead back to the locker room, but later returned
and scored the pin on Austin, which Owen was very proud of and
started bragging about it, this lead to a feud with Austin.
At Summer Slam Owen had to defend his Intercontinental Title
against Steve Austin. As expected Owen lost the title to Austin,
but injured Austin in the match. Since the match, Owen has been
very proud of himself, because he injured Austin, this has lead
to Austin attacking Owen at every opportunity. Owen and Bulldog
came close to winning the Tag Team Title once again, but a stunner
from Austin stopped this dream.
Owen then got a restraining order on Austin, but this hasn't
stopped Austin, who continues to attack Owen. In my opinion it
looks like Owen will win the Intercontinental Title only to loose
it to Austin, when he returns.
Owen did win the IC Title at Badd Blood, with the help of Austin,
who smacked Faarooq in the head with the Title. Just so Austin
could face Owen at Survivor Series.
As expected Owen lost the IC Title to Steve Austin at the Survivor
Series in a very short match, both were set back with injuries,
Owen had suffered a concussion from a match with Ahmed Johnson.
Hopefully Owen will get some shots at the World Title now, since
Bret is leaving the WWF.
Owen wasn't happy with the way the Survivor Series ended for
his brother, so he decided to not work for the WWF, until they
had settled their differences.
Owen the lunatic?
At Degeneration X Owen returned to the WWF with a vengeance,
attacking Shawn Michaels, have Vince McMahon promised Owen the
WWF Title and a healthy pay raise to return, I think so.
Owen's new look and attitude have made the fans pop for him,
maybe he will surpass the legend of his brother, he certainly
got the skills to do it. Owen have had so great run-ins, when
he wanted to go after Degeneration X. Instead of going after
Shawn Michaels, Owen has chosen to go after Hunter Hearst Helmsley,
who is the European Champion. Personally I think it destroys
Owen's comeback since I wanted to see Owen go after Shawn, but
it looks like we will have to wait for it.
At the Royal Rumble, Owen never made it to the ring, when he
was attacked by Jeff Jarrett and Jim Cornette. But when Jeff
Jarrett entered the ring, Owen attacked and threw him out of
the ring, Hunter Hearst Helmsley destroyed Owen's chances, when
HHH used his crutch to hammer Owen on the back, and Chyna heaved
him out of the ring.
At Raw is War, January 26, Owen was set to face Hunter Hearst
Helmsley for the WWF European Title, but the Degeneration X thought
that they could trick the WWF so they sent The Artist Formerly
Known As Goldust, disguised as HHH, to face Owen. Owen disposed
TAFKA Goldust rather quickly, when commissioner Slaughter came
out and said that since the match was sanctioned for the WWF
European Title and Owen had won the match, he was awarded the
title.
At WrestleMania 14, Owen will go up against the real HHH, who
will pay for his actions. Owen suffered a severe tear in his
right ankle ligament in a match against Barry Windham, but he
should be ready for WrestleMania.
Owen lost the WWF European Title to Hunter Hearst Helmsley on
March 17th, 1998. Hunter challenged Owen, who still is injured,
and shoved him out of his chair. Chyna used a baseball bat on
Owen's injured leg, and after that Hunter put an ankle lock on
Owen, and was declared the winner and WWF European Champion.
Owen wasn't fit for fight at WresteMania, but still he delivered
a solid match, but he wasn't able to get the win due to interference
form Chyna, who dealt Owen a low blow, which secured Hunter the
win. Obviously Owen and Hunter aren't through with each other,
at Raw is War, April 6th, Owen was on his way to win the Intercontinental
Title from Rocky Maivia, when Chyna came down to the ring and
whacked Owen with a baseball bat.
Owen has aligned himself with the LOD 2000 in his battle with
Degeneration X. At In Your House, Unforgiven, where Chyna was
locked in a cage, which was suspended above the ring. Owen and
Hunter put on a great show, but it was Hunter who pulled out
the win due to interference from X-Pac. After the match Owen
stated that things have to change.
Enough is enough, and it's time for a change
And things certainly changed the next day at Raw is War, Owen
teamed with Ken Shamrock to take on Rocky Maivia and Mark Henry.
In the start of the match Owen turned heel and delivered a low
blow to Shamrock, he then put Ken's ankle in a steel chair and
proceeded to drop on it twice from the turn buckle, Owen put
Shamrock in the Sharpshooter. When officials talked Owen into
releasing the hold, he jumped on Shamrock and bit him in his
ear, when the officials pulled him off, Owen's face was smeared
in blood. Personally I'm glad for Owen's heel turn, since he
now is out of the feud with Degeneration X, which couldn't go
any further, Owen now have the chance to shine as he did when
he turned on Bret in 1994.
Owen is now a full fledged member of the Nation of Domination,
where he alongside Rocky Maivia will lead the Nation on to bigger
and better things. With the Nation behind him Owen will continue
to battle Hunter and Degeneration X, but now the odds are even.
One of Owen's new trademark maneuvers since joining the Nation,
is to bite the ear of his opponents until blood is drawn.
At Over the Edge, Owen and the rest of the Nation worked good
together to defeat Degeneration X, Owen secured the win for his
team when he executed the Pedigree on Hunter. At Raw is War,
June 2nd, the Nation fought DX in a elimination match, when suddenly
Ken Shamrock appeared and attacked Owen, this feud can only be
good. Owen qualified himself to the next round of the King of
the Ring tournament by defeating Too Cold Scorpio at Raw is War,
June 8th, also Owen's feud with Shamrock go more heat to it,
when the Nation attacked Shamrock only to be stopped by Dan Severn
who later got a taste of the same but only to be saved by Shamrock.
Owen had quite an impact on Raw is War, June 15th, first together
with Rocky Maivia, he made sure that X-Pac didn't qualify for
the King of the Ring by taking him out in X-Pac's match against
Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Later that night Owen together with Mark
Henry took on Dan Severn and Ken Shamrock, but the match was
thrown out the window, when Degeneration X attacked. Raw is War,
June 22nd, Owen went up against Dan Severn in a King of the Ring
qualifying match, but lost, when X-Pac used a chair on Owen.
As an result of X-Pac's attack Owen had seven staples put into
his head, which was used as a setup for their match at King of
the Ring.
Owen and X-Pac put up one of the best matches at King of the
Ring, which saw Mark Henry, Vader, and Chyna getting involved.
The end came, when Chyna used a DDT on Owen. The next night on
Raw is War, Owen challenged Ken Shamrock to a match, which Hunter
Hearst Helmsley also did, so it turned into a three way dance.
Shamrock won the match, but Owen got some revenge when he put
on the figure four leglock around the ringpost on Shamrock, looks
like this feud is heating up.
Owen has some problems with Jason Sensation, who has impersonated
Owen a couple of times, but Jason had to pay for his actions,
when Owen put him in the Sharpshooter. Owen and Rocky Maivia
lost a tag match to Hunter and X-Pac at Raw is War, July 13,
the ongoing war continues. Ken Shamrock aren't finished with
Owen, since Shamrock chased Owen from the arena after Owen had
defeated Faarooq from Raw is War, July 20.
At Fully Loaded, Owen had the home court advantage as he fought
Ken Shamrock in a submission match in the Hart Family Dungeon,
the special referee was Dan Severn. It was a good match with
solid action, during the match Shamrok hit Severn with a kick,
Owen took advantage of the situation and nailed Shamrock with
a dumbbell to secure the tap out, though Owen helpend Shamrock
tap out. A good feather in the cap for Owen.
The next day at Raw is War, Owen came to the ring and claimed
that he wasn't a nugget and issued a challenge to everybody.
Jason Sensation came out on the ramp and started the nugget chant,
but when Owen went after Jason, he was stopped by Dan Severn,
who had Owen at his mercy, Shamrock then came to the ring and
took over, but suddenly Owen was saved by Severn, who slapped
a hold on Shamrock.
At Sunday Night Heat, Owen and Rocky Maivia defeated the team
of Kane and Mankind to earn a shot at the WWF Tag Team Champions,
Steve Austin and the Undertaker. The match took place at Raw
is War, but ended in a double disqualification, when Kane and
Mankind and the New Age Outlaws interfered.
August 10, Owen was going to be in the Four Corners Tag Team
Match, but Ken Shamrock made sure he didn't by putting Owen in
the Ankle Lock Toe Hold, and he refused to let go.
At Raw is War, August 17, Owen, Ken Shamrockand Dan Severn squared
of in a triple threat match, the end came when Shamrock had Owen
in the Ankle Lock Toe Hold, Severn put on a choke on Shamrock,
the referee then declared the match a no contest. Steve Blackman
came to the rescue, but he was also put in the choke, when Severn
had had enough he raised Owen's hand and the two left together.
The next week Owen attacked Shamrock again.
Owen lost the Lion's Den Match to Ken Shamrock at Summer Slam,
where they battled inside a 12 sided steel cage. At the end of
the match Owen had Shamrock locked in the maneuver that Severn
taught him, but Shamrock was able to escape by using the sides
of the cage to position him so he could slap on the Ankle Lock
Toe hold for the win, Severn was about to throw in the towel
but decided to leave, so Owen tapped out. Is this the end of
the relationship with Owen and Severn?
At Raw is War, September 14, Owen had the chance to capture the
Intercontinental Title again in a match against old nemesis Hunter
Hearst Helmsley, but Owen came out with the short end of the
stick. Owen got a measure of revenge of all the jobs he has done
lately, at Breakdown, Owen defeated Edge, this victory could
bring Owen back in the title picture.
Lightning always strikes twice, at Raw is War, September 28,
Owen went up against former "trainer" Dan Severn, during
the match Owen went for the Tombstone piledriver and ended with
the same result as Summer Slam 1997, where Austin's neck was
severely injured. Severn's neck was immobolized and he was stretchered
out and taken to hospital. Maybe McMahon should tell Owen not
to use the piledriver.
The return of the Blue Blazer
The next week at Raw is War, Owen came to ring in street clothes
and with tears in his eyes he apologizes for the incident with
Severn and then leaves, later Michael Cole caught up with Owen,
who stated that it was over.
But at Raw is War, October 12, Owen made a return as the Blue
Blazer, when he attacked both Steve Blackman and Ken Shamrock.
The Blue Blazer made another attack on Steve Blackman at Sunday
Night Heat, October 18. The next night at Raw is War the Blue
Blazer once again attacked Steve Blackman.
At Raw is War, November 2, Dan Severn wanted to confront Owen,
who claimed that he had retired. Severn wanted to know who Owen
thought he's fooling by parading around as the Blue Blazer, this
got the two men in an altercation, which brought down Steve Blackman,
who ran off Owen. Later Blackman attacked Owen again, but this
time the Blue Blazer appeared and attacked Blackman.
Raw is War, November 16, the Blue Blazer had his first match
since his return, the Blazer tagged up with Jeff Jarrett to take
on Steve Blackman and Goldust. After the match Blackman tried
to unmask the Blazer, but Jarrett and Owen made sure he didn't.
Almost the exact same thing happened the next week on Raw is
War, but again Owen made sure that Blackman didn't finish the
unmasking.
The problems with Steve Blackman continued at Raw is War, November
30, as Owen attacked Goldust, the Blue Blazer showed up and attacked
Owen, the Blazer then unmasked and revealed himself to be Steve
Blackman.
At Sunday Night Heat, December 6, Owen stated that his retirement
was over and that he wanted to fight Steve Blackman at the Rock
Bottom pay-per-view. The continuing saga of Blackman/Blazer/Owen
happened once again on Raw is War, December 7, and followed it's
usual pattern of the Blazer attacking Blackman - Blackman beating
Blazer - Owen comes the rescue.
Owen's return to pay-per-view happened at Rock Bottom, December
13, where he took on Steve Blackman. After Blackman had Owen
in the Sharpshooter, the match spilled out to the floor, here
Owen realised that he had had enough and walked away from the
ring to lose on count out.
The next night on Raw is War, the Blue Blazer took on Goldust,
during the match Jeff Jarrett ran down to help the Blue Blazer,
but Steve Blackman also interfered and revealed that Owen was
infact the Blue Blazer (at least that night). But Owen got his
revenge as he later blasted Blackman with a guitar during a match
with Jeff Jarrett.
The ongoing situation with the Blue Blazers identity continued
at the next weeks Raw is War, here Owen commentated a match between
the Blazer and Steve Blackman. Owenclaimed that it wasn't him
at last weeks show, and then attacked Blackman - Goldust then
came to the rescue and unmasked the Blazer, revealing that it
was Jeff Jarrett.
Owen and Jeff Jarrett have teamed on various occassions since
then, but it looks like Owen will be locked in a singles feud
with Dan Severn, who came to ringside at Raw is War, December
28, where he chased Owen.
The team of Owen and Jeff Jarrett
It looks like the team of Owen and Jarrett will be around for
a while, since they defeated the Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock
at Sunday Night Heat, January 3, 1999, in a non-title match.
The next week at Sunday Night Heat, Owen took on Steve Blackman
in a Lion's Den Match, with Dan Severn as the special referee,
the match lived up to Summer Slam, during the match Severn tore
off his neckbrace and put the Dragon Sleeper on Blackman. After
the match Blackman tried to attack Severn but Owen and Dan took
care of him and then drove away.
The next night at Raw is War, Owen and Jeff Jarrett defeated
the New Age Outlaws to gain a shot at the WWF Tag Team Title,
which will proberbly take place at the Royal Rumble. The team
of Owen and Jarrett also go a win in their bag at Sunday Night
Heat, when they defeated the team of Edge and Gangrel. At Raw
is War the following night, owen and Jeff cut an interview stating
that they would defeat the Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock for
the tag team title at Raw the next week, but this lead to an
assault from the champions.
Owen took part in the battle royal at the Royal Rumble, but his
actions weren't crowned with success as he was eliminated. The
next night at Raw is War, Owen and Jarrett took on Ken Shamrock
and the Big Boss Man for the WWF Tag Team Title. During the match
and African-American under the guise of the Blue Blazer hit the
Big Boss Man with a guitar, Jeff then rolled him up for the pin
and Owen became tag team champion for a third time. After the
match both Owen and Jarrett stated that the incident with the
Blazer proved that they weren't him, looks like the Blue Blazer
saga continues.
At Sunday Night Heat, Owen took on Ken Shamrock, but it was easy
to see that Ken was upset about losing the tag team title, so
even though the Blue Blazer came to ringside it wasn't enough
as Shamrock won. The next night on Sunday Night Heat, Owen and
Jeff won a three way dance against HHH and X-Pac and the team
of D-Lo Brown and Mark Henry. But if it hadn't been for Chyna,
who low blowed HHH, Owen and Jeff would have been out the gold.
At St. Valentine's Day Massacre, February 14, Owen and Jeff Jarrett
took on D-Lo Brown and Mark Henry, the tag team champions dominated
the match with superior double teaming and won the match when
Owen used a guitar on Henry's knee and then Jeff slapped on the
figure four leglock. The feud with D-Lo Brown and Mark Henry
continued at Sunday Night Heat, here Owen and Jeff attacked D-Lo.
The next night at Raw is War, Owen and Jeff took on D-Lo Brown
in a Handicap Match. The tag team champions dominated D-Lo the
whole time, but it wasn't until Jacqueline dropkicked D-Lo from
behind right into Owen's spinning heel kick, that they could
pin him. At Sunday Night Heat, Owen and Jeff lost a non-title
match to Too Much (Brian Christopher and Scott Taylor) but it
was due to the interference from D-Lo Brown and the DOA.
The next night at Raw is War, Owen and Jeff took on Triple H
and X-Pac after Debra had promised that she would take her clothes
off if Owen and Jeff lost. The match was declared a double DQ
after Shane McMahon and D-Lo Brown's valet Ivory had interfered.
When Owen and Jeff headed for the back D-Lo whacked them down
from behind. At Sunday Night Heat Jeff took on Road Dogg, Owen
wanted to help Jeff, but an African-American Blue Blazer came
to the ring and shook the ropes so Owen fell down. After hitting
Jarrett with the Sky-High the Blazer unmasked to reveal D-Lo
Brown.
At Raw is War the following night Owen took on D-Lo in a Steel
City Street Fight, during the match which saw constant use of
cookie trays, Jarrett tried to throw a guitar to Owen, but D-Lo
caught it and nailed Owen, who was busted up big time. D-Lo then
covered him for the win.
March 15, Raw is War, Owen and Jeff defended their titles against
the Public Enemy with success. The next week on Raw is War, Owen
and Jeff took on the Brood (Edge and Gangrel), during the match
Edge switched place with his brother Christian, this brought
down the Public Enemy. The tag team champions and the Brood the
teamed up to take out PE. The lights then went out and Debra
was the subject of a Bloodbath.
At Sunday Night Heat before WrestleMania a battle royal was held
to find out who would challenge the tag team champions. D-Lo
Brown and Test were the two remaining competitors, which let
to an attack from Owen and Jarrett. The momentum which the attack
gave the champions continued to WrestleMania, when Owen and Jeff
defeated Test and D-Lo, but it took a helping interference from
PMS to gain the victory.
The next night at Raw is War the winning streak for the tag team
champions continued as they defeated the Legion of Doom, but
again the champions needed some interference so Jarrett could
smash a guitar on the head of Animal, who was then pinned. At
Sunday Night Heat, Jarrett and Owen laid out an open challenge
to anyone, the lights went out and Kane attacked them. Later
that night Jeff and Owen took on Kane in a match, but they were
disqualfied when Jeff smashed a guitar on Kane's head, Owen and
Jeff then started attacking Kane which brought out X-Pac to the
rescue.
The next night at Raw is War, Kane and X-Pac teamed up to take
on the champions. When Kane was in the ring he completely dominated
and that proved to be the downfall of Owen and Jarrett, who lost
the match and the tag team title. At Sunday Night Heat Owen and
Jeff got a chance to win back the title in a three way dance
against the New Age Outlaws and the champions X-Pac and Kane,
but they failed miserably in a short match when X-Pac pinned
Gunn.
At Raw is War, April 12, Owen and Jeff took on Acolytes, but
the match was total chaos as the rest of the members of the Undertaker's
Ministry of Darkness attacked Owen and Jeff, while the Undertaker
wanted to sacrifice Debra, luckily it didn't happen because Ken
Shamrock came to the rescue. Jeff and Owen had set all sails
to regain the WWF Tag Team Title, and they won't let any other
teams win them, so at Sunday Night Heat, April 18, they attacked
the champions X-Pac and Kane, when they took on Triple H and
the Rock.
The next night on Raw, Owen took on Road Dogg in singles competittion,
but ended as the looser. At Backlash, April 25, Owen and Jarrett
lost a number one contenders match to the New Age Outlaws, this
could breakup the team as it will take some time before they
get another shot at the title.
The next night at Raw is War, Jarrett took on the Godfather for
the Intercontinental Title, but the Godfather wanted Debra as
one of his ho's if he won, which he did, but Owen stopped Debra
from joining the man, who says - Pimpin ain't easy. Later Owen
and Jeff attacked X-Pac, but Kane stopped them.
The Blue Blazer returns again
At WWF Smackdown, April 29, Owen was supposed to take on Val
Venis, but instead it was the Blue Blazer, who took on Venis.
With Jarrett and Debra at ringside the Blazer was able to get
the win, after the match the Godfather wanted to induct Debra
into his ho stable, but the Blazer and Jarrett beat him down.
Later in the interview the Blue Blazer claimed that the WWF needed
a hero and reminded everyone to say their prayers, eat their
vitamins and drink their milk.
At Raw is War, May 17, Owen (disguised as the Blue Blazer) along
with Jeff Jarrett took on the Godfather and Val Venis. But Owen
and Jeff lost the match, when Nicole Bass chased Jeff and Debra
away, leaving the Blazer for himself and he quickly got pinned
by the Godfather, whom the Blue Blazer will clash with at Over
the Edge for the Intercontinental Title.
Owen tragically lost his life at Over the Edge, May 23, 1999.
As the Blue Blazer, he should have made the entrance like a super
hero from the ceiling, but the cable he was connected to either
broke or became disconnected and he fell 50 feet into the ring,
his head hit a turnbuckle and snapped back. Owen was given CPR
in the ring and taken to hospital, where he was declared dead
due to cardiac arrest. According to various reports it was Owen's
Blue Blazer costume, which caused the release function of the
cable.
My condolences and sympathy to the entire Hart family. Owen is
survived by his wife Martha and two children. Owen, you will
never be forgotten. I will always remember you as a great wrestler
and entertainer.
The next day at Raw is War all the wrestlers paid tribute to
their friend Owen Hart, by telling their stories, many of them
were also wearing a black band around their arm which read OH
or Owen. They clearly stated that Owen was respected and loved
and that he will be missed.
Owen Hart's funeral was held on May 31, 1999, at Mcinnis and
Holloway Funeraln Chapel in Calgary. More than 1000 fans paid
their tribute, when they stood outside the chapel and listened
to the service over loudspeakers. Owen was laid to rest at the
Queens Park Cemetery.
The following is a poem written on the back of the program, the
poem is written by Martha Hart.
I am a lighthouse
Lonely but strong
I reach out to help people
Weather the storm
Some are lost souls
Some in dismay
My lights helts to guide them
Out of harms way
|