Chris D.
according to a article: In the early months of spring in 1999, Jeff Jarrett and Owen Hart had been building a reputation as a strong tag team, with Debra as their manager. Management had planned the team to eventually split up, and Owen begin to lust after Debra, infuriating Jarrett, which would in turn plant the seeds for a bitter and very personal feud.Owen, happily married in real life, didn't want his young children to see him cheating on his wife every Monday night, so he outright refused the angle. It was an honorable, if stubborn decision.The result, was that Owen was saddled with the Blue Blazer gimmick. It was a persona he'd donned early in his career as a glorified jobber, and one he was forced to revisit. It was punishment for declining a well thought out angle, orchestrated to humiliate Owen, who has to don a superhero persona and spend much of his time mimicking the wrestlers in WCW.Owen Hart had performed the stunt on two previous occasions in his career. Six months ago, Owen repelled from the ceiling at the 1998 Survivor Series in St. Louis. According to many, Vince McMahon was frustrated with how Owen's entrance came across on TV, as the "Blue Blazer" noticeably stalled and fumbled on the ground to break free of the contraption that had helped lower him. To the perfectionist in Vince McMahon, that simply wasn't good enough.Bobby Talbert (the creator or the rig) specially bought a quick-release snap shackle for this occasion, allowing Owen Hart to easily break free once he had landed on the ground. Talbertt bought the equipment from a company called Amspec Inc., and all Owen would have to do is tug lightly on a release cord that would disengage the rappelling line from his harness. Upon landing, in one motion Owen would be able to break free and continue his superhero façade without any slip-ups. It was easy, at least that's how Talbert made it sound.Bobby requested that Owen would rehearse the stunt, seeing as how the two had never worked together before. Owen declined. It was clear that he hated the stunt, and didn't want to do it for any more times than it was necessary. It is reported, that Owen tried to persuade management being lowered from the rafters wasn't essential to his character in the days leading up to the pay-per-view, only for Vince McMahon to insist otherwise As the backstage interview of the Blue Blazer was airing, Owen extended his elbows away from his body and tried to once again maneuverer his cape.It was then that Owen accidentally triggered the quick-release. And it was then, that Owen fell 78 feet to his death, screaming all the way down, until he violently landed on his left side, shattering his left arm and causing fatal internal injuries, as the audience watched on in horror
holveck2
I did not see the ppv my self but when i heard of the tragic passing of one of the greatest pure athletes and one of the WWE's top guys,Owen Hart i was shocked. I was young when it happened but i have been watching wrestling (WWE, WCW) for about 3 years and i knew a lot. I didn't really know much of the ppv besides Owen's death. When i got older i looked up the incident on Wikipedia had found out that they actually continued with the ppv as scheduled. I was appalled and angry. All of the things that Owen contributed to the business and especially WWE that was like a slap in the face to the Hart family. I don't know what could've been going through the head of billionaire Vince McMahon but he wasn't think straight. I try to give him the benefit of the doubt. I mean having a top performed or and superstar die during a live show can leave you hanging ideas. But when i think about it how can you possibly continue a ppv when that happens. The guy fell form the rafters and died. He was afraid of heights in the first place and didn't want to do the stupid stunt. I don't have much more to say but it was the worst possible tragedy for and type of sport to endure but that gives no excuse for the WWE or WWF as it was at the time to continue with ppv.
dlkell79
I remember it all like it was yesterday. Watching the PPV live at my friends' house. I saw Owen fall and thought to myself "Eh, it's just a publicity stunt." The next day, though, I saw it posted all over the news. Pretty sad I think. It is sad that Vince had to keep the show going knowing he lost one of his BEST wrestlers alive at that point in time. I believe that Owen would have been "The Game" instead of HHH today if he was still alive. He was and still is my favorite wrestlers of all times. Even though he stood in the shadows of older brother Bret, Owen was right up there as the best in the business. I think they should have postponed the rest of the PPV that night till either the next Sunday or even carded the rest of those matches until the next PPV. You will always be remembered in the hearts of all true wrestling fans around the world Owen. This ones for you! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
sickthings81
The fact the entire card of that PPV took place that night makes me really feel bad about being a wrestling fan. The WWE stated in a press conference following the event that the reason they went on after Owen's fall is that this is what Owen would have wanted. Sure Owen would have wanted wrestling to go on but not right away. Excuse me but that is by far the WORST decision Vince Mcmahon ever tooked. Im so disgusted with the fact that they were only able to give 15mins, they annouced his death live and spend the following night at Raw all crying out loud on network television paying him a so-called Steve Austin drinking beer celebration. No matter what kind of entertainment you are offering even though you are live in front of the entire country, sometimes the show must be stopped.
