101 Shocking Wrestling Plans You Won't Believe Almost Happened
33. Owen Hart Becomes ‘The Game’
Some decisions will be debated forever. Vince decreeing that 'the show must go on' after Owen Hart's tragic (and fatal) fall at Over The Edge 1999 split opinion; some believe the WWF overseer was put in an impossible spot, whilst others reckon he should've cancelled the pay-per-view out of respect to 'The Rocket'.
As legend has it, Owen was in line to get 'The Game' gimmick that'd soon go to Triple H. Granted, it's tough to believe that wholeheartedly, because Hunter barking at Jim Ross during a backstage pre-tape on Sunday Night Heat did appear to be off the cuff. However, Trips himself has suggested that Hart would've received similar characterisation had he not passed away on a frightfully depressing night in May.
Look, nobody's saying that Owen would've been placed in an onscreen power couple role with Stephanie, but some elements of 'The Game' persona would've worked. Hart had the in-ring skills to believably present himself as the best worker on the roster, and Owen had steadily built credibility with the audience after years of stunning matches/moments.
If this is true, then WWF fans were robbed of something special. 'The Game' Owen Hart would've been a vast improvement over his comedic undercard Blue Blazer guise, and it could've been the tonic that rocketed (ahem) Hart up the tanks towards that seemingly elusive permanent main event status.
Fate intervened, Triple H assumed the mantle, and the rest is history.