Jeff Jarrett has shared a deeply personal account of the heartbreaking night Owen Hart tragically passed away during WWE Over the Edge 1999. Speaking on The Bobby Bones Jones, Jarrett reflected on the chaotic moments surrounding the incident and how it has stayed with him over the years.
Owen Hart, performing as The Blue Blazer, was set to make a dramatic entrance by descending from the rafters, but a stunt went horribly wrong, leading to his fatal fall. Jarrett, who was close friends with Hart, was next up on the card. Recalling the moments backstage, Jarrett said, His match was on before me. The backstage stage manager came and said, Hey, Owen is going to the ring, youre up next. I had in my mind 15-18 minutes. Three minutes later, they came and said, Youre on now.
Despite the tragic events, Jarrett was told to go to the ring as planned. I went, did a promo, and all that stuff was going around. They wheeled his body right beside me, Jarrett revealed, emphasizing how surreal the moment was. I went to the ring, did that, came back, and I said, I want to go to the hospital right now.
Jarrett admitted that, at the time, he didnt fully process the gravity of the situation. It was, I hate to say this, but it was the realityit caught up to me. It was, unfortunately, in my mind, another day at work with a tragic accident.
When Jarrett entered the ring, he immediately noticed something wasnt right. I felt the top rope was very, very loose, and I went over in the corner where his body had fallen, he said. There was a dip in the ring. There was no blood. It was where his body had fallen. In my gut, I didnt process it or intellectually think it through, but I was like, Okay, this is bad.
The wrestling world was left in shock as Jim Ross broke the devastating news during the broadcast that Owen Hart had been pronounced dead. Years later, Owens legacy continues to be celebrated through the AEW Owen Hart Foundation Memorial Tournament, held with the blessing of his widow, Martha Hart. Jarrett competed in the 2024 tournament, paying tribute to his fallen friend.
Jarrett also reflected on how hes processed the tragedy over time, saying, That was the one thing when I went into recovery that I never processed at all. I hate to say it, but it was work. Despite the trauma of that night, Jarrett expressed his admiration for Owen and how his legacy continues to inspire the wrestling community.
Jeff Jarretts heartbreaking account of that tragic night offers a raw glimpse into one of wrestlings darkest moments. Owen Harts legacy still looms large, and his memory lives on through tributes like the AEW Owen Hart Foundation Memorial Tournament.
Do you think WWE should have handled things differently that night, or was it an impossible situation? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
