Tragedy Overwhelms the “Over the Edge” Pay-Per-View

The “Over the Edge” pay-per-view, hosted by the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri, sold out in less than one day. The announced attendance was 18,244.

The third match was scheduled to be an Intercontinental title match featuring IC champion The Godfather against the Blue Blazer. Owen Hart debuted the character upon his WWF debut, not to be placed in the shadow of his superstar brother Bret.

Before the match was about to start, a video highlight package was shown of Hart in his Blue Blazer apparel. In a pre-recorded interview, Hart revealed he brought back the Blue Blazer because the federation needed a superhero.

The match never took place. Hart was to make a “superhero” type entrance, dropping from the rafters. At press time, it is speculated that his harness snapped, plunging the thirteen-year veteran fifty feet. A visibly shaken Jerry Lawler returned to the announcer’s table, after investigating the situation, and told Jim Ross, “it doesn’t look good.”

The accident, nor the paramedics were shown attending to the WWF superstar. Cameras panned around the arena, as fans were deafly quiet, realizing the servility of the accident.

Eventually, the event continued with the next scheduled match, however, it paled by comparison to the tragedy that preceded it. At approximately 9:40PM EDT, Jim Ross finally confirmed the worse possible scenario. Owen Hart, the 12th and final child born to the legendary Stu Hart, and his wife Helen, had passed away at the age of 33.

For this writer, it is hard for me to even continue to report on the event. Owen Hart, in my humble opinion, was one of the top technical wrestlers in the world. In recent times he played the despised heel, being showered with chants of “nugget,” a phrase given to him by Shawn Michaels.

The Blue Blazer was an alias to disguise Owen Hart’s true identity. In his very successful WWF career, Hart won the WWF tag team, European, and Intercontinental titles. The only title that alluded him was the WWF World title. What was the point of him reverting back to the Blue Blazer?

"We at the WWF are saddened by the tragic accident that occurred here tonight," Vince McMahon Sr., chairman of WWF, said at a news conference. "We don't have any answer as to why this happened ... There is an ongoing investigation."

The WWF posted the following on their web site after the event. “We at the World Wrestling Federation are sad to report the death of Owen Hart. He was 34 years old. We do not have much information as to how it happened and will not know until an investigation is completed. We are all shaken, and to say Owen will be missed is to fall short of a way to fully explain what he meant to us.

The sadness of his death as a father, brother, son and uncle we’re certain is very deep and strongly felt. He was, and is, beloved by them and by all of us who were fortunate enough to work with him at the World Wrestling Federation.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Hart family.”

As is the case in life, the show must go on, and it did in Kansas City. The announcers and wrestlers worked hard, yet, in reality, the show was already over.

In action that took place in the ring -

Stone Cold Steve Austin dropped the WWF title, in the main event, to the Undertaker, when Shane McMahon used a fast count to screw the “Rattlesnake.”

The Rock defeated Triple H via disqualification.

The Union won the eight man elimination match over the Corporate Ministry. Mick Foley, as Mankind, brought out Mr. Socko, and beat the Big Boss Man with the maniable claw to win the match for his team.

“BA” Billy Gunn beat the “Road Dogg” Jesse James in a grunge match. Jim Ross called the New Age Outlaws the best team he had ever seen in the WWF.

Val Venis and Nicole Bass beat Jeff Jarrett and Debra. After the match, Bass kissed Venis, and it appeared he enjoyed it.

Al Snow successfully defended the WWF Hardcore title against Hardcore Holly.

In the opening match, Kane and X-Pac retained the WWF tag team title by defeating D-Lo Brown and Mark Henry.

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