of
Owen Hart
Part 2
Owen had quite an impact on Raw is War, June 15th, first together with Rocky Maivia, he made sure that X-Pac didn't qualify for the King of the Ring by taking him out in X-Pac's match against Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Later that night Owen together with Mark Henry took on Dan Severn and Ken Shamrock, but the match was thrown out the window, when Degeneration X attacked. Raw is War, June 22nd, Owen went up against Dan Severn in a King of the Ring qualifying match, but lost, when X-Pac used a chair on Owen. As an result of X-Pac's attack Owen had seven staples put into his head, which was used as a setup for their match at King of the Ring.
Owen and X-Pac put up one of the best matches at King of the Ring, which saw Mark Henry, Vader, and Chyna getting involved. The end came, when Chyna used a DDT on Owen. The next night on Raw is War, Owen challenged Ken Shamrock to a match, which Hunter Hearst Helmsley also did, so it turned into a three way dance. Shamrock won the match, but Owen got some revenge when he put on the figure four leglock around the ringpost on Shamrock, looks like this feud is heating up.
Owen has some problems with Jason Sensation, who has impersonated Owen a couple of times, but Jason had to pay for his actions, when Owen put him in the Sharpshooter. Owen and Rocky Maivia lost a tag match to Hunter and X-Pac at Raw is War, July 13, the ongoing war continues. Ken Shamrock aren't finished with Owen, since Shamrock chased Owen from the arena after Owen had defeated Faarooq from Raw is War, July 20.
At Fully Loaded, Owen had the home court advantage as he fought Ken Shamrock in a submission match in the Hart Family Dungeon, the special referee was Dan Severn. It was a good match with solid action, during the match Shamrok hit Severn with a kick, Owen took advantage of the situation and nailed Shamrock with a dumbbell to secure the tap out, though Owen helpend Shamrock tap out. A good feather in the cap for Owen.
The next day at Raw is War, Owen came to the ring and claimed that he wasn't a nugget and issued a challenge to everybody. Jason Sensation came out on the ramp and started the nugget chant, but when Owen went after Jason, he was stopped by Dan Severn, who had Owen at his mercy, Shamrock then came to the ring and took over, but suddenly Owen was saved by Severn, who slapped a hold on Shamrock.
At Sunday Night Heat, Owen and Rocky Maivia defeated the team of Kane and Mankind to earn a shot at the WWF Tag Team Champions, Steve Austin and the Undertaker. The match took place at Raw is War, but ended in a double disqualification, when Kane and Mankind and the New Age Outlaws interfered.
August 10, Owen was going to be in the Four Corners Tag Team Match, but Ken Shamrock made sure he didn't by putting Owen in the Ankle Lock Toe Hold, and he refused to let go.
At Raw is War, August 17, Owen, Ken Shamrockand Dan Severn squared of in a triple threat match, the end came when Shamrock had Owen in the Ankle Lock Toe Hold, Severn put on a choke on Shamrock, the referee then declared the match a no contest. Steve Blackman came to the rescue, but he was also put in the choke, when Severn had had enough he raised Owen's hand and the two left together. The next week Owen attacked Shamrock again.
Owen lost the Lion's Den Match to Ken Shamrock at Summer Slam, where they battled inside a 12 sided steel cage. At the end of the match Owen had Shamrock locked in the maneuver that Severn taught him, but Shamrock was able to escape by using the sides of the cage to position him so he could slap on the Ankle Lock Toe hold for the win, Severn was about to throw in the towel but decided to leave, so Owen tapped out. Is this the end of the relationship with Owen and Severn?
At Raw is War, September 14, Owen had the chance to capture the Intercontinental Title again in a match against old nemesis Hunter Hearst Helmsley, but Owen came out with the short end of the stick. Owen got a measure of revenge of all the jobs he has done lately, at Breakdown, Owen defeated Edge, this victory could bring Owen back in the title picture.
Lightning always strikes twice, at Raw is War, September 28, Owen went up against former "trainer" Dan Severn, during the match Owen went for the Tombstone piledriver and ended with the same result as Summer Slam 1997, where Austin's neck was severely injured. Severn's neck was immobolized and he was stretchered out and taken to hospital. Maybe McMahon should tell Owen not to use the piledriver.
The next week at Raw is War, Owen came to ring in street clothes and with tears in his eyes he apologizes for the incident with Severn and then leaves, later Michael Cole caught up with Owen, who stated that it was over.
But at Raw is War, October 12, Owen made a return as the Blue Blazer, when he attacked both Steve Blackman and Ken Shamrock. The Blue Blazer made another attack on Steve Blackman at Sunday Night Heat, October 18. The next night at Raw is War the Blue Blazer once again attacked Steve Blackman.
At Raw is War, November 2, Dan Severn wanted to confront Owen, who claimed that he had retired. Severn wanted to know who Owen thought he's fooling by parading around as the Blue Blazer, this got the two men in an altercation, which brought down Steve Blackman, who ran off Owen. Later Blackman attacked Owen again, but this time the Blue Blazer appeared and attacked Blackman.
Raw is War, November 16, the Blue Blazer had his first match since his return, the Blazer tagged up with Jeff Jarrett to take on Steve Blackman and Goldust. After the match Blackman tried to unmask the Blazer, but Jarrett and Owen made sure he didn't. Almost the exact same thing happened the next week on Raw is War, but again Owen made sure that Blackman didn't finish the unmasking.
The problems with Steve Blackman continued at Raw is War, November 30, as Owen attacked Goldust, the Blue Blazer showed up and attacked Owen, the Blazer then unmasked and revealed himself to be Steve Blackman.
At Sunday Night Heat, December 6, Owen stated that his retirement was over and that he wanted to fight Steve Blackman at the Rock Bottom pay-per-view. The continuing saga of Blackman/Blazer/Owen happened once again on Raw is War, December 7, and followed it's usual pattern of the Blazer attacking Blackman - Blackman beating Blazer - Owen comes the rescue.
Owen's return to pay-per-view happened at Rock Bottom, December 13, where he took on Steve Blackman. After Blackman had Owen in the Sharpshooter, the match spilled out to the floor, here Owen realised that he had had enough and walked away from the ring to lose on count out.
The next night on Raw is War, the Blue Blazer took on Goldust, during the match Jeff Jarrett ran down to help the Blue Blazer, but Steve Blackman also interfered and revealed that Owen was infact the Blue Blazer (at least that night). But Owen got his revenge as he later blasted Blackman with a guitar during a match with Jeff Jarrett.
The ongoing situation with the Blue Blazers identity continued at the next weeks Raw is War, here Owen commentated a match between the Blazer and Steve Blackman. Owenclaimed that it wasn't him at last weeks show, and then attacked Blackman - Goldust then came to the rescue and unmasked the Blazer, revealing that it was Jeff Jarrett.
Owen and Jeff Jarrett have teamed on various occassions since then, but it looks like Owen will be locked in a singles feud with Dan Severn, who came to ringside at Raw is War, December 28, where he chased Owen.
It looks like the team of Owen and Jarrett will be around for a while, since they defeated the Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock at Sunday Night Heat, January 3, 1999, in a non-title match. The next week at Sunday Night Heat, Owen took on Steve Blackman in a Lion's Den Match, with Dan Severn as the special referee, the match lived up to Summer Slam, during the match Severn tore off his neckbrace and put the Dragon Sleeper on Blackman. After the match Blackman tried to attack Severn but Owen and Dan took care of him and then drove away.
The next night at Raw is War, Owen and Jeff Jarrett defeated the New Age Outlaws to gain a shot at the WWF Tag Team Title, which will proberbly take place at the Royal Rumble. The team of Owen and Jarrett also go a win in their bag at Sunday Night Heat, when they defeated the team of Edge and Gangrel. At Raw is War the following night, owen and Jeff cut an interview stating that they would defeat the Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock for the tag team title at Raw the next week, but this lead to an assault from the champions.
Owen took part in the battle royal at the Royal Rumble, but his actions weren't crowned with success as he was eliminated. The next night at Raw is War, Owen and Jarrett took on Ken Shamrock and the Big Boss Man for the WWF Tag Team Title. During the match and African-American under the guise of the Blue Blazer hit the Big Boss Man with a guitar, Jeff then rolled him up for the pin and Owen became tag team champion for a third time. After the match both Owen and Jarrett stated that the incident with the Blazer proved that they weren't him, looks like the Blue Blazer saga continues.
At Sunday Night Heat, Owen took on Ken Shamrock, but it was easy to see that Ken was upset about losing the tag team title, so even though the Blue Blazer came to ringside it wasn't enough as Shamrock won. The next night on Sunday Night Heat, Owen and Jeff won a three way dance against HHH and X-Pac and the team of D-Lo Brown and Mark Henry. But if it hadn't been for Chyna, who low blowed HHH, Owen and Jeff would have been out the gold.
At St. Valentine's Day Massacre, February 14, Owen and Jeff Jarrett took on D-Lo Brown and Mark Henry, the tag team champions dominated the match with superior double teaming and won the match when Owen used a guitar on Henry's knee and then Jeff slapped on the figure four leglock. The feud with D-Lo Brown and Mark Henry continued at Sunday Night Heat, here Owen and Jeff attacked D-Lo.
The next night at Raw is War, Owen and Jeff took on D-Lo Brown in a Handicap Match. The tag team champions dominated D-Lo the whole time, but it wasn't until Jacqueline dropkicked D-Lo from behind right into Owen's spinning heel kick, that they could pin him. At Sunday Night Heat, Owen and Jeff lost a non-title match to Too Much (Brian Christopher and Scott Taylor) but it was due to the interference from D-Lo Brown and the DOA.
The next night at Raw is War, Owen and Jeff took on Triple H and X-Pac after Debra had promised that she would take her clothes off if Owen and Jeff lost. The match was declared a double DQ after Shane McMahon and D-Lo Brown's valet Ivory had interfered. When Owen and Jeff headed for the back D-Lo whacked them down from behind. At Sunday Night Heat Jeff took on Road Dogg, Owen wanted to help Jeff, but an African-American Blue Blazer came to the ring and shook the ropes so Owen fell down. After hitting Jarrett with the Sky-High the Blazer unmasked to reveal D-Lo Brown.
At Raw is War the following night Owen took on D-Lo in a Steel City Street Fight, during the match which saw constant use of cookie trays, Jarrett tried to throw a guitar to Owen, but D-Lo caught it and nailed Owen, who was busted up big time. D-Lo then covered him for the win.
March 15, Raw is War, Owen and Jeff defended their titles against the Public Enemy with success. The next week on Raw is War, Owen and Jeff took on the Brood (Edge and Gangrel), during the match Edge switched place with his brother Christian, this brought down the Public Enemy. The tag team champions and the Brood the teamed up to take out PE. The lights then went out and Debra was the subject of a Bloodbath.
At Sunday Night Heat before WrestleMania a battle royal was held to find out who would challenge the tag team champions. D-Lo Brown and Test were the two remaining competitors, which let to an attack from Owen and Jarrett. The momentum which the attack gave the champions continued to WrestleMania, when Owen and Jeff defeated Test and D-Lo, but it took a helping interference from PMS to gain the victory.
The next night at Raw is War the winning streak for the tag team champions continued as they defeated the Legion of Doom, but again the champions needed some interference so Jarrett could smash a guitar on the head of Animal, who was then pinned. At Sunday Night Heat, Jarrett and Owen laid out an open challenge to anyone, the lights went out and Kane attacked them. Later that night Jeff and Owen took on Kane in a match, but they were disqualfied when Jeff smashed a guitar on Kane's head, Owen and Jeff then started attacking Kane which brought out X-Pac to the rescue.
The next night at Raw is War, Kane and X-Pac teamed up to take on the champions. When Kane was in the ring he completely dominated and that proved to be the downfall of Owen and Jarrett, who lost the match and the tag team title. At Sunday Night Heat Owen and Jeff got a chance to win back the title in a three way dance against the New Age Outlaws and the champions X-Pac and Kane, but they failed miserably in a short match when X-Pac pinned Gunn.
At Raw is War, April 12, Owen and Jeff took on Acolytes, but the match was total chaos as the rest of the members of the Undertaker's Ministry of Darkness attacked Owen and Jeff, while the Undertaker wanted to sacrifice Debra, luckily it didn't happen because Ken Shamrock came to the rescue. Jeff and Owen had set all sails to regain the WWF Tag Team Title, and they won't let any other teams win them, so at Sunday Night Heat, April 18, they attacked the champions X-Pac and Kane, when they took on Triple H and the Rock.
The next night on Raw, Owen took on Road Dogg in singles competittion, but ended as the looser. At Backlash, April 25, Owen and Jarrett lost a number one contenders match to the New Age Outlaws, this could breakup the team as it will take some time before they get another shot at the title.
The next night at Raw is War, Jarrett took on the Godfather for the Intercontinental Title, but the Godfather wanted Debra as one of his ho's if he won, which he did, but Owen stopped Debra from joining the man, who says - Pimpin ain't easy. Later Owen and Jeff attacked X-Pac, but Kane stopped them.
At WWF Smackdown, April 29, Owen was supposed to take on Val Venis, but instead it was the Blue Blazer, who took on Venis. With Jarrett and Debra at ringside the Blazer was able to get the win, after the match the Godfather wanted to induct Debra into his ho stable, but the Blazer and Jarrett beat him down. Later in the interview the Blue Blazer claimed that the WWF needed a hero and reminded everyone to say their prayers, eat their vitamins and drink their milk.
At Raw is War, May 17, Owen (disguised as the Blue Blazer) along with Jeff Jarrett took on the Godfather and Val Venis. But Owen and Jeff lost the match, when Nicole Bass chased Jeff and Debra away, leaving the Blazer for himself and he quickly got pinned by the Godfather, whom the Blue Blazer will clash with at Over the Edge for the Intercontinental Title.
Owen tragically lost his life at Over the Edge, May 23, 1999. As the Blue Blazer, he should have made the entrance like a super hero from the ceiling, but the cable he was connected to either broke or became disconnected and he fell 50 feet into the ring, his head hit a turnbuckle and snapped back. Owen was given CPR in the ring and taken to hospital, where he was declared dead due to cardiac arrest.
My condolences and sympathy to the entire Hart family. Owen is survived by his wife Martha and two children. Owen, you will never be forgotten. I will always remember you as a great wrestler and entertainer.
The next day at Raw is War all the wrestlers paid tribute to their friend Owen Hart, by telling their stories, many of them were also wearing a black band around their arm which read OH or Owen. They clearly stated that Owen was respected and loved and that he will be missed.
