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Post by The Brain on May 21, 2019 15:50:34 GMT -5
This Thursday marks 20 years since we lost this great human being. Lets all celebrate his life by sharing our favorite matches/moments from his career. 
Long Live The King of Harts! |
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Zincdust
Main Eventer
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Redefining "Old Toy Weirdo"
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Post by Zincdust on May 21, 2019 18:08:10 GMT -5
I was just thinking the other day about the first time I'd seen Owen in-person.
Back in 1988, we were standing outside of the Boise State Pavilion before the house show, watching the wrestlers being driven in. The Powers of Pain arrived together in a van, followed closely by a taxi carrying Jim Neidhart and Ravishing Rick Rude. Not long after that, another van arrived. This one had Bret Hart and a fellow wearing a blue mask. I didn't know who it was at the time, of course.
During the show, Barry Horowitz was introduced, and his opponent for the evening was the Blue Angel. Dude put on a good aerial assault, finishing Barry off with a moonsault (which was still fairly uncommon in the late 80s).
Of course, it was Owen (pre-WWF TV debut). I've seen him wrestle live a few times since then (teaming with Koko VS. the Nasty Boys, VS. Savio Vega, VS. Ken Shamrock and teaming with Bulldog VS. Taker/Austin, and probably a couple more that I'm forgetting right now), but that first one always stuck with me. You can imagine my surprise when it finally dawned on me who it actually was (despite considering who he shared a ride with)!
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TheEvilDoink1987
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Post by TheEvilDoink1987 on May 21, 2019 19:23:55 GMT -5
I can't believe it has been twenty years.
In my opinion, still the most tragic night in the history of the business. Even more sad when you consider that he was leaning towards retirement and just moved into his dream house with his wife & two children. Then we found out that he was also an absolutely awesome person who everybody looked up to and respected.
One of the best in the ring who was way ahead of his time with the aerial stuff he was doing earlier in his career. When I first started watching the WWF religiously as a kid, the big feud was Bret versus Owen so he has always held a special place in my heart.
After twenty years, it is great to know that his memory and legacy are alive and well amongst fans. We miss you, Owen.
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Post by MKSavage on May 21, 2019 20:51:13 GMT -5
Great talent, greater person. The first time I ever saw Owen was his Royal Rumble 1992 match with Jim Neidhart vs the Orient Express. What a great match, Owen really had a great performance that night. I was really excited about this team, I was hoping they would continue to grow. Sadly they didn't. His feud with Bret Hart in 1993/94 was great, one of the best feuds and stories the WWF ever told. Some really classic matches during this run (WM 10 and SSL 94), two great technical wrestling clinics. I really liked the King of Harts gimmick, he really played that to a tee. He had some really good years after that, winning multiple titles and continuing to perform really well. I felt that the WWF really made a mistake not pushing him harder during 1998 when he returned after the Montreal Screwjob, the avenging brother angle could have done well but they buried him quickly, such a shame.
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Post by hbkbigdaddycool on May 22, 2019 11:55:28 GMT -5
I was a huge fan of Owen Hart 1994 - 1997. His heel run then was amazing. I did not care for the Black Hart gimmick, or the Nation gimmick, but definitely his heel turn at Royal Rumble 94 all the way to Survivor Series 97 is great and must see!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2019 13:52:42 GMT -5
Owen should have refused to do that stupid stunt. Maybe he would have lost his job, but kept his life! I don't blame his wife one bit for not letting wwe induct him into their so called hall of fame!
Ok enough ranting. Owen was a great one. That heel turn in 1994 did wonders for him. Who knows where his career would have wound up if he didn't as his character was directionless before that. His late 90s face run was good imo. I loved how on one ppv he beat triple h with the pedigree. To my knowledge nobody did that until Seth Rollins at wrestlemania 33.
Tomorrow will be the 20th year anniversary of his death. Crazy it's been that long. I may pop in my Owen Hart blu Ray tomorrow. According to Vince Russo(and I actually believe this) WWF was not going to do a full blown tribute show to honor him the day after he died. Russo threatened to quit if it wasn't.
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jason1980s
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Post by jason1980s on May 22, 2019 18:08:45 GMT -5
Owen should have refused to do that stupid stunt. Maybe he would have lost his job, but kept his life! I don't blame his wife one bit for not letting wwe induct him into their so called hall of fame! Ok enough ranting. Owen was a great one. That heel turn in 1994 did wonders for him. Who knows where his career would have wound up if he didn't as his character was directionless before that. His late 90s face run was good imo. I loved how on one ppv he beat triple h with the pedigree. To my knowledge nobody did that until Seth Rollins at wrestlemania 33. Tomorrow will be the 20th year anniversary of his death. Crazy it's been that long. I may pop in my Owen Hart blu Ray tomorrow. According to Vince Russo(and I actually believe this) WWF was not going to do a full blown tribute show to honor him the day after he died. Russo threatened to quit if it wasn't. He definitely should have refused and he probably would have been given bad storylines from then on. I don't see him being fired, he was too good a wrestlers and a man and he could be used well as far as athleticism goes and entertainment value. He first did a stunt on the pre show to Survivor Series on Heat. Either on purpose or accident, I'm thinking on purpose to show how silly the Blazer was, the stunt went wrong and he just sort of dangled near the floor while Steve Blackman, IIRC, fought him. If it was accidently they should have never tried it again. I'm sure when Sting did the stunt, WCW had a legit stunt company behind them to do it. Turner is an entertainment company, not McMahon. He is not in the movie or stunt business. I'm a huge Bret Hart fan but I can't agree with him going back to WWF. It shows just how much he cares about wrestling and his legacy because he knows if he never went back WWE would always try and bury him. But if it were my brother who died the way Owen did I would never go back and never forgive anyone involved. WWF and Vince McMahon started the ball rolling in late 1997 for what would become of Owen 20 years ago. WWF wouldn't let him go to WCW because they knew he was too good but they couldn't keep Bret Hart's brother around not bury him or give him silly storylines. He probably only got a tag title run because there wasn't many tag teams who were good at the time. Hardy Boyz were still jobbers and Edge and Christian were more in the background with the ministry. |
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Post by The Brain on May 23, 2019 17:42:41 GMT -5
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Post by JokerFC on May 24, 2019 10:17:17 GMT -5
A favourite angle of mine with Owen was where he was given credit for shelving HBK in late 95. The subsequent feud after RR96 and match @ IYH: Rage In The Cage was great. I really enjoy that match.
I enjoyed Owens work as a solid mid card heel from 94-99. great programmes with Bret, HBK & Austin. Great teams with JJ, Yoko & Bulldog. I would have liked a feud between Owen & Razor for the IC strap....Also would have enjoyed seeing him feud with 123 Kid.
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Post by The Brain on May 30, 2019 16:09:37 GMT -5
Brian Zane just put this out... |
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