One big thing
Martha Hart, widow of Owen Hart, has strongly refuted Vince McMahon’s claims about her husband’s death in the Netflix docuseries “Mr. McMahon.”
Why it matters
Owen Hart’s tragic death in 1999 remains a pivotal moment in wrestling history, and Martha’s statement challenges WWE’s narrative about the incident.
The details
• In the docuseries, McMahon defended continuing the show after Owen’s fall, saying: “These people came to see a show. They didn’t come to see somebody die.”
• McMahon also claimed Owen’s death “wasn’t our fault.”
• Martha Hart released a statement to Daily Hive, asserting that WWE’s negligence directly caused Owen’s death.
Key points from Martha’s statement:
• WWE hired unqualified riggers to arrange the stunt.
• Incorrect equipment was used, including a harness meant for dragging stunt people and a sailboat clip that releases with only six pounds of pressure.
• Proper protocol and redundancy measures were not followed.
• No one from the documentary reached out to Martha for comment or perspective.
What they’re saying
Martha Hart: “The real truth is that on May 23rd, 1999, out of a desire to cut costs and achieve a ‘quick release’ effect that a rigging expert specifically warned against, WWE hired unqualified riggers to arrange a stunt in which Owen was to rappel from the rafters during a wrestling event. As a result, the riggers used incorrect equipment that caused Owen to fall to his death. It was pure negligence that killed my husband.”
The big picture
Martha remains focused on preserving Owen’s legacy through:
• The Owen Hart Foundation
• The AEW Owen Hart Foundation Tournament
What’s next
Martha’s statement reignites the debate about wrestling safety and corporate responsibility in the industry.
How do you think the wrestling industry has changed in terms of performer safety since Owen Hart’s tragic accident? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
