So here it is folks, one of the best kept secrets in wrestling history and its an absolute classic. Owen Hart was a familiar face to WWF viewers in the 1990s following his rise to prominence during his main event programme with brother, Bret Hart, throughout 1994. Although The Rocket would ultimately come off second best when all was said and done, the feud put the younger Hart sibling firmly on the map as a bona fide main-eventer and proved that Owen not only had the skills and wrestling prowess but also the charisma and personality to make it at the top of the WWF. With so many classic matches throughout his career, long-time fans still question why Owen was never given the chance to win the WWF Title. However, unbeknownst to many, for a brief five minute period in 1994, Owen Hart did just that and did indeed become WWF Champion. Less than two weeks before their epic cage match at SummerSlam 94, Bret and Owen would square off once more in a confrontation recorded exclusively for the Coliseum Home Video release Wham Bam Bodyslam! (available wherever videos are sold). Contested under Lumberjack rules, Bret would put his WWF Title on the line with the ring surrounded by the WWFs finest at the time...including the likes of Well Dunn, Kwang and the Heavenly Bodies. With the lumberjacks in place to ensure all hell wouldnt break loose, after just two minutes of action, all hell would break loose. The very second Bret managed to lock Owen in his patented Sharpshooter, several of the outside superstars quickly mounted the apron, providing ample opportunity for Jim The Anvil Neidhart intervene and clock Bret from behind. Owen immediately made the cover and, just like that, Owen Hart had become the new WWF Champion. In a mirrored recreation of the his older brothers title celebration at WrestleMania X, the heels immediately rushed the ring and hoisted the Owen onto the their shoulders; grandiosely celebrating the crowning of The King of Harts as the legendary Gorilla Monsson voiced his disgust on commentary. Despite the joyous elation of the villainous Owen and co in-ring, the babyfaces were quick to voice their objections to the officials, prompting a review of the finish. In an unprecedented move, the referee went to a replay on the big screen, where he saw the blatant interference first-hand and quickly opted to restart the match. After a further eight minutes of fast-paced, Hart Dungeon grappling, Bret would eventually pick up the victory via an opportune School Boy roll-up pin; retaining his coveted WWF Championship gold. Despite the high-profile exposure of the main event programme with Bret and validation under the bright lights of both WrestleMania and SummerSlam that year, Owen slid back down the card immediately following the climax of his feud with Bret. Having already spent the early part of his WWF career tagging with the likes of Jim Neidhart and Koko B. Ware, Owen would spend much of the rest of his career once again shackled to the tag team division; teaming with everyone from Yokozuna and Davey Boy Smith to the Nation of Domination and Jeff Jarrett. While he did enjoy spells as both the Intercontinental and European Champion, as well as engaging in notable singles feuds with the likes of Steve Austin, Triple H and Ken Shamrock, its almost universally agreed that Owen Hart was one of the most criminally under-utilised performers of the 1990s. Had he not tragically lost his life far too soon in May of 1999 at age 34, many believe that the King of Harts would have gone on to make a truly great WWF Champion in his own right. With his death forever engrained in wrestling folklore as one of the most tragic days in the sports history, his forgotten WWF Title victory in 94 remains as a small taste of what could and should have been.
Occasional wrestler, full-time gym rat and lifelong lover of the grapple game. Would probably buy you a shot of Jack at the bar in exchange for witty banter...and preferably more Jack.
@MartynGrant88 for more wrestling-related musings and weight room wisecracks!
