Martha Hart Responds to Netflix's Mr. McMahon Documentary
"Owen's Death Was No Accident"
In the world of pro wrestling, few moments are as heart-wrenching and impactful as the tragic death of Owen Hart. Nearly 25 years after the incident, his widow, Martha Hart, continues to fight for Owen's legacy—and this week, she's speaking out after the recent release of Netflix's Mr. McMahon documentary, which she claims misrepresents the proper circumstances surrounding her husband's death.
"It Was Pure Negligence That Killed My Husband"
Martha Hart's statement directly challenges the notion presented in the documentary that Owen's death was an accident, claiming that WWE's negligence was ultimately to blame. On May 23, 1999, during a live pay-per-view event (WWF Over the Edge), Owen Hart was set to perform a stunt that required him to rappel from the rafters into the ring. According to Martha, the rigging equipment used was inappropriate for such a dangerous stunt, which led to Owen's tragic fall.
“The real truth is that on May 23rd, 1999, out of a desire to cut costs and achieve a ‘quick release’ effect that a rigging expert specifically warned against, WWE hired unqualified riggers to arrange a stunt in which Owen was to rappel from the rafters during a wrestling event. As a result, the riggers used incorrect equipment that caused Owen to fall to his death. It was pure negligence that killed my husband.”
Martha's account contrasts sharply with Vince McMahon's claim in the documentary that the equipment was defective and that the stunt wasn't WWE's fault. In her statement, she explains that the equipment was never designed for rappelling but, instead, was meant for other types of stunts, such as dragging people behind cars in movies.
A History of Callousness
Martha Hart also addresses one of the most controversial decisions made that night—the decision to continue the wrestling show after Owen's death. According to her, the documentary omits important facts, including WWE's history of exploiting Owen's name and image even after his passing. She revealed that WWE had continued selling Owen Hart merchandise for years without compensating his estate and had sued her for breach of contract when she filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company.
Owen's Legacy Lives On
Despite the ongoing fight for Owen's legacy, Martha Hart has remained focused on her mission to honour her late husband through the Owen Hart Foundation and its charitable work. The Foundation provides scholarships, homeownership assistance, and other initiatives aimed at helping those in need.
Martha Hart's closing remarks in her statement reflect her determination to keep the memory of Owen's life, not his death, at the forefront of her efforts. She refuses to let WWE rewrite history and continues to advocate for accountability in her husband's tragic death.
“Instead, I remain focused on honouring Owen’s legacy through the charitable good work of the Owen Hart Foundation and via the AEW Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.”
For more information about the Owen Hart Foundation and its charitable initiatives, you can visit owenhartfoundation.org
