10 Things We Learned From Dark Side Of The Ring: Owen Hart

7. Martha Thought Owen Was Ribbing Her

Dark Side Of The Ring Owen Hart Martha
VICE

Martha didn't know what was going on hundreds of miles away in Kansas City when she picked up the phone late at night on 23 May 1999. The voice on the other end of the line said, "This is Vince McMahon", but Martha didn't believe it. She was so used to her husband's light ribs that she thought he was pranking her.

"This isn't Owen - it's Vince McMahon", the voice repeated.

McMahon told Martha that Hart had suffered a big fall, but said he wasn't sure about the extent of Owen's injuries. Worried and unsure, Martha had to wait on another follow-up phone call from the doctors in Kansas before learning that her man had tragically died live on WWF pay-per-view.

The whole scenario must've been distressing for Martha and Vince. He had the unfortunate task of calling her up without the full story, and then had to leave Martha hanging before she learned the most depressing of news.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.