Guide Note

Owen was a Canadian professional wrestler for the WWE. In 1999, Hart fell to his death in Kansas City, Missouri, during the "Over the Edge" pay-per-view event.

Fast Facts

1. Born: May 7, 1965
2. Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta
3. Death: May 23, 1999
4. Age at death: 34
5. Cause of death: accidental fall
6. Billed height: 5'10"
7. Billed weight: 227 lbs
8. Brother of Bret Hart
9. Youngest member of the Hart Family
10. 4-time WWE Tag-team Champion
11. 2-time WWE Intercontinental Champion

WWE Career

The youngest of 12 children to Stu and Helen Hart, Owen Hart entered the WWE as the "Blue Blazer" in 1988. After teaming with Jim Neidhart and Koko B. Ware through the early 1990s, he feuded with his brother Bret for the WWE Championship in 1994. The feud culminated in a memorable steel cage match at SummerSlam 1994.

Three years later, at SummerSlam 1997, Hart legitimately injured Stone Cold Steve Austin, piledriving Austin onto his neck at the end of the match. The injury would force Austin into early retirement years later.

Hart was a decorated technician throughout his career, winning the WWE Tag Team Championship on four occasions with Yokozuna, brother-in-law Davey Boy Smith and Jeff Jarrett.

Death

On May 23, 1999, at the WWE's "Over the Edge" pay-per-view, Hart was scheduled to be lowered into the ring from the Kemper Arena rafters via harness and rappel line. 78 feet from the ground, Hart accidentally triggered the early-release mechanism on the harness, resulting in a fatal fall to the ring. Hart died of internal bleeding caused by blunt chest trauma.

The Hart Family was awarded a reported $18 million from the WWE from a following lawsuit. Hart was 34 when he died.