Owen Hart’s Tragic Death: Full Story Behind His Fatal WWE Fall

On May 23, 1999, the world of professional wrestling experienced one of its most tragic and unforgettable moments

Owen Hart, a beloved performer celebrated for his athleticism and humor perished in a high-risk stunt gone horribly wrong during the WWE’s Over the Edge pay-per-view event at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri.

Known to fans as the Blue Blazer, Hart was to make a dramatic entrance by rappelling from the rafters, only for the quick-release harness to fail.

He fell roughly 78 feet into the ring in front of a stunned live audience and viewers at home, suffering fatal internal injuries.

His death exposed serious safety oversights and triggered legal action, industry reflection, and a lasting legacy through charitable efforts. This article dives into the tragic event, its aftermath, and what really happened behind the scenes.

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What Happened with Owen Hart?

The Incident Explained

Setup and Stunt Details

• Owen Hart, wrestling as the Blue Blazer, was scheduled for a dramatic superhero-style entrance at Over the Edge 1999. The plan: he’d descend from the arena rafters via harness and grapple line, act “entangled,” then release himself for a comedic drop onto the mat.¹

• Unlike previous performances, this time a quick-release mechanism was used to allow rapid disengagement of the harness. ²

The Fall and Impact

• Hart fell 78 feet (~24 m), landing chest-first on the top rope—just inches from a turnbuckle—then collapsing onto the mat.³

• The force of impact severed his aorta, causing fatal internal bleeding.⁴

• A Kansas City Crime Lab expert estimated Hart’s terminal velocity at 50 mph upon impact. ⁵

Immediate Aftermath

• The arena lights were dimmed and a pre-taped video segment was airing, so the fall was not directly seen by the audience or viewers at home.⁶

• Medics rushed to the ring. Hart was transported to a hospital and was pronounced dead at about 8:12 p.m. at the age of 34.

• Jim Ross, WWE announcer, later informed viewers: “Owen Hart has tragically died from that accident here tonight.”

Stats Table: Quick Overview of Key Facts

The Human Stories: Voices From That Night

• Referee Jimmy Korderas later recalled: as Hart fell, something hit him—“the top rope … jammed my fingers.” He turned around and saw Hart in the ring, face up, prompting him to scream.

• Jim Cornette, who had worked with Owen, shared in Dark Side of the Ring that the last thing Owen yelled was: “Look out!” as he fell. Even in tragedy, he tried to protect those below.

• Mick Foley (Mankind) described working after the incident, noticing a hole in the ring where Owen had fallen: “I looked at the bloodstain … I had no idea that it was Owen’s blood.”

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Legal and Industry Aftermath

WWE’s Decision to Proceed

• The show was halted for about 15 minutes, then resumed under Vince McMahon’s decision because the live fans were unaware. He later said, “the show must go on,” as fans paid for entertainment, not tragedy. ⁷

• The decision remains controversial. Bret Hart, Owen’s brother, criticized Vince McMahon, implying he would have acted differently if his own child had been involved.⁸

THRILLED that ‘OWEN’ has now been officially announced! #OwenHart https://t.co/Y79eMXgHXK

— OWEN (@OwenHartFilm) June 18, 2020

Lawsuit and Settlement

• Martha Hart, Owen’s widow, and the estate sued WWE. In November 2000, a settlement was reached for around $18 million. Some sources state $11 million, but a generous public figure often cited is $18 million.

• Using part of the settlement, Martha founded the Owen Hart Foundation, supporting children and families in Calgary.

Legacy and Remembrance

• Raw is War the night after Owen’s death became a solemn tribute. Wrestlers gathered silently, a 10-bell salute, heartfelt video packages, and no storyline matches marked wrestling’s raw vulnerability.⁹

• Owen is remembered as one of the greatest in-ring performers—a technical genius with the capacity to connect deeply with colleagues and fans.

• In 2021, the Owen Hart Foundation partnered with AEW (All Elite Wrestling) to stage an annual Owen Hart Tournament, granting winners a championship opportunity on a high-profile card.

FAQ’s

1. Why did Owen Hart fall during the stunt?

His harness used a quick-release mechanism intended for dramatic effect. It either malfunctioned or was triggered accidentally, causing him to fall unexpectedly.¹⁰

2. How far did he fall?

He fell approximately 78 feet (around 24 meters).¹¹

3. What caused the injury that led to his death?

The fall ruptured his aorta, leading to fatal internal bleeding.¹²

4. Why did WWF/WWE continue the show?

Officials believed the audience didn’t realize the seriousness of the accident. Vince McMahon later explained that stopping the show would have confused and alarmed fans.¹³

5. What was the legal outcome?

A settlement of about $18 million was paid to Owen’s estate. Martha Hart used some of it to establish the Owen Hart Foundation.¹⁴

6. How is Owen Hart remembered today?

Through tributes on Raw is War, the ongoing Owen Hart Foundation, and the AEW Owen Hart Tournament, his memory endures among fans and within the wrestling community.¹⁵

 

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Conclusion

The tragic death of Owen Hart cast a long shadow across wrestling. A skilled performer taken too early, his passing revealed the human cost of entertainment and the need for safety reforms.

Yet from the tragedy grew a legacy of compassion and remembrance—through legal accountability, charitable work, and the profound respect of fans and peers alike. Owen Hart’s final act was more than performance.

It reminded the world that behind every character in wrestling, there is a real person, and their well-being matters.

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