My World with Jeff Jarrett - Remembering Owen [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Jeff today we’re here to talk about a topic near and dear to your heart...no pun intended...in your late, great friend Owen Hart.

Owen James Hart was born on May 7th, 1965 to Stu & Helen Hart. He was 2 years older than you Jeff. Did Owen act like a big brother to you?

Being born into wrestling like yourself was that a common bond you two shared and talked about?

Did your grandmother or father ever share stories about the Dungeon and the Hart Family? Do you know if they ever did business together?

Being a student of the game when did you first hear of the famed Hart Family?

Was Bret the first Hart member family you met?

What were your first impressions of Bret?

Did you first hear of Owen or meet him?

Owen was doing some revolutionary stuff early on in his career. Obviously your styles and upbringing let alone type of wrestling were different but did you learn anything watching him early on in his career?

You made your “WWF debut” on August 9th, 1992 at the Pyramid in Memphis. You sat front row with Jerry Lawler and being that you were upset the WWF would run in your backyard you jumped the rail and cut a promo for an open challenge and who else but Bret Hart answered and accepted. How was Bret to deal with here and how important was this to you?

Owen Hart opened that night teaming with Koko B. Ware as High Energy and defeated the Nasty Boys. You sat front row that night, how good was Owen?

Your match with Bret Hart never actually happens but you’re put on the road in the Northeast working with “Iron” Mike Sharpe. Did you ride or room with Owen and did you get an opportunity to sit and talk with him?

The first time you ever share a ring with him according to my research was in Memphis at the Mid-South Coliseum on August 16, 1993 in front of 1,850 fans. You team with Jerry Lawler to face the Hart Brothers, Bret & Owen who have Paul Neighbors in their corner.

For those who don’t know...who is Paul Neighbors?

Well he helps the Hart brothers get a win as Bret hits Lawler with a foreign object given to him. What was this match like to work with 3 of some of the all-time greats and what did you take away from it?

You’d get Owen one-on-one just 2 weeks later...the night before SummerSlam 93. This time there’s 2100 fans at the Mid-South Coliseum and you defend and retain your Southern championship over Owen. You two get involved in the main event as Lawler pins Bret in a Steel Cage Match after not just yourselves but Giant Gonzalez interferes. This results in Lawler refunding everyone their money as per the pre-match stip. What is the thought process behind doing a gimmick like that and what do you remember of this whole scenario?

Just two months later vignettes begin for your debut on WWF TV. Do you think your matches with the Harts in Memphis played a role in getting you in the WWF?

Your first singles match with Owen was on January 20th, 1994 in Torrington, CT. Owen gets the victory. What do you remember of that and what did you learn from it?

Your father comes into the World Wrestling Federation as a “consultant” as Bruce Prichard has called it while Vince McMahon’s steroid trial is happening. How much impact did your father have on not just yours but Owen’s creative as well?

Was Jerry a fan of the Harts...specifically Owen?

Once Owen turns heel on his brother Bret at the Royal Rumble you two are on the same side so you’re not really going to wrestle against each other. Did Jerry have anything to do with the Bret vs. Owen feud?

Owen has his career moment by defeating Bret Hart in the opening match at WrestleMania X...while your match gets cut last minute. Did Owen give you any advice regarding that?

What did you think of the Owen vs. Bret match?

After WrestleMania X the usual European trip happens and it’s your first European trip with Owen Hart. What do you remember of this trip and anything special stand out to you?

Owen Hart is facing Doink in a King of the Ring Qualifying Match. You come out...and try to kidnap Dink! No question here...just one of my all-time favorite funny moments.

What is yours & Owen’s relationship like at this point? Are you going to him for advice, feedback, etc?

Is he talking to you about work in the ring, his family outside the ring, or was it all just business with him and you at this point?

As we all know Owen’s reputation as a ribber is legendary. Did he ever get you or were you a part of one his classic ribs?

Owen’s 1994 featured a lot of working against his brother Bret. He would win King of the Ring and take on Bret Hart for the WWF Title at SummerSlam in a salad steel cage.

Your 1994 featured not a lot of high profile matches for you. In the same King of the Ring Owen wins you lost to the 1-2-3 Kid before Owen beat him in the second round. You worked Mabel at SummerSlam.

How much of Owen’s career at this point was something you were looking at that could be you in the future?

There’s always been speculation that the WWF is a big man terrority but seeing the likes of Owen & Bret pushed and them being similar sized to you...did it give you hope?

You team with Owen, Jim Neidhart, Shawn Michaels & Diesel to face Razor Ramon, 1-2-3 Kid, Davey Boy Smith, Fatu & Sionne at your first Survivor Series. What was it like putting this together and how much of a thrill is it to be in the ring with that much talent? Out of the 10 guys in the match...only Sionne isn’t in the WWE Hall of Fame. That’s just a lineup.

You win the IC title in 1995 at Royal Rumble. Was Owen somebody you were going to for feedback about your matches?

Is it disappointing for both of you to be heels and never really get that opportunity to defend the IC title against Owen?

You leave after the Shawn Michaels match in Memphis at In Your House where he beats you for the IC title. Are you soliciting Owen’s advice for what is about to happen or did you talk to Owen afterwards about it?

You head to WCW while Owen is gaining steam as a heel. Did you talk with Owen at any point during your time in WCW?

What would you label your friendship with Owen as when you leave the company? Good, great or something else?

You return to the WWF in October of 97 and we all know what’s about to happen in November of 1997. The Montreal Screwjob takes place. With your recent return and your close ties to the Harts during your WWF career and your deep ties in the wrestling business...what is your opinion on the Montreal Screwjob?

How do you think Owen handled himself during all this?

Did you blame him for taking a new contract and stay with the WWF now that his brother is gone and he has the opportunity to be...the guy?

Owen is now a babyface and with you being a heel this should’ve given you an opportunity to face off. Was it something you were looking forward to happening?

It doesn’t take long for that to start as you attack him at the Royal Rumble 1998 with Jim Cornette’s racquet and Owen eliminates you during the Rumble itself. Were there plans for you two to feud?

The only singles match against Owen Hart you were able to have during this time in the WWF is an European Title match on Monday Night Raw on February 16th, 1998. How was putting this match together and what were the differences between this match and the one in 1995?

The match ends with Jim Cornette interference and Owen puts Jim in the sharpshooter. Do you wish you had a different finish?

That goes nowhere as you leave the NWA faction to become a country singer again and Owen turns heel to join the Nation. Were you two in a similar spot with creative at this point in your careers? Throw some shit against the wall and see what sticks?

As the Attitude Era rages on...did Owen ever express to you any concerns about the product?

SummerSlam you lose your hair and your with Southern Justice. Owen loses to Ken Shamrock. Are you just two guys floating at this point?

The Blue Blazer returns to the World Wrestling Federation on October 12th. At the time did you know that you would one day be the Blazer and what did Owen tell you about the gimmick?

Debra debuts just one week later on October 19th. When do you know that you two are going to be based around teaming together about the Blazer. Was it based on you two sort of looking alike now that you have short hair?

Did you two enjoy doing the gimmick and teaming up?

The rumor and innuendo at the time was putting the Blue Blazer with you was because they wanted Debra to try and tempt Owen and Owen turned it down. What do you remember about that and is that rumor true?

Was Owen fed up with the business at this point and was he just going through the motions to get as much money as he could for his family?

The debut of the Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett tag team happened on December 27, 1998 Sunday Night Heat in a win over the Godfather & Val Venis. Was there ever a long term plan for your tag team?

Any ideas if a team name was ever thrown around?

Very quickly you & Owen win the Tag Team Titles over Big Bossman & Ken Shamrock on Monday Night Raw with the Blue Blazer’s interference. Who was the Blazer on nights both of you were in the ring?

Was it a big accomplishment for you to team with Owen and win those belts? Titles meant a lot more back then than now but it was not a small feat to hold those titles so it had to mean something right?

You defend the tag team titles at St. Valentine’s Day Massacre against D’Lo Brown & Mark Henry in Memphis. You haven’t had the best record in Memphis with the WWF but to get this win here had to mean something?

You guys worked Public Enemy during their very short time in the WWF. What did you think of them and their exit from the WWF?

At Owen’s last WrestleMania and well actually the last one you wrestled at, 15 in Philadelphia, you team with him & defend your tag team titles over D’Lo & Test in 3 minutes. Is WrestleMania still a big deal to you at this point in your career?

Not long after WrestleMania Road Dogg talks about Debra’s “Puppies” which becomes Jerry Lawler’s trademark at this point. Did Owen have an issue with this?

Very shortly after you two drop the tag team titles to Kane & X-Pac. Do you think you two had more legs or were you ready to go back to being a singles?

You tag with Owen in his last match at Madison Square Garden in a losing effort to Road Dogg & Billy Gunn and The Brood in an elimination match. How surreal is it to look back at it knowing it’s Owen’s last MSG match...the same building that gave him his original push in his win over his brother Bret at WrestleMania 10?

Owen’s last pay-per-view match is teaming with you to face Road Dogg & Billy Gunn in a #1 Contender’s match at Backlash which Dogg & Gunn get the win.

Why the return to the Blue Blazer for Owen at this point do you know?

You begin to feud with Val Venis and Nicole Bass as Owen as the Blazer starts a feud with the Godfather. What is Owen’s mindset on the business at this point?

You mentioned in our first episode how Owen’s house finished being built right before Over the Edge. Was he talking to you a lot about this at the time?

The common theme in interviews about Owen afterwards is that he was ready to retire and get out of the business as soon as he could. Was this ever something you & him discussed?

May 22nd in Chicago at the Rosemont Horizon you & Owen team up to defeat Edge & Christian in Owen’s last ever match. Do you know if Owen is aware of what the plan is for Over the Edge at this point?

From Chicago to St. Louis. Do you ride with Owen from Chicago to St. Louis?

We’re here Jeff. May 23rd, 1999. Kemper Arena. Recently we did a Confidential version of Dark Side of the Ring covering this topic on VICE and in it Jim Ross talked about how he didn’t think Owen was in his normal state of mind that day. What do you remember of Owen before the show?

Walk us through some of your day of what you remember. You’re teaming with Debra to face Nicole Bass & Val Venis at the show. I’m assuming you’re very focused on your stuff but how much are you talking to Owen?

What is the last conversation you have with Owen that day?

The show starts, Owen goes to the catwalk to prepare for his superhero entrance. You’re getting ready for your match. You are scheduled to follow that match...are you paying attention to the monitor, talking over your match or just getting yourself into the zone?

Owen is scheduled to be lowered to the ring and eventually get tangled close to the ring and release and fall on his face.

Sadly, Owen Hart falls from the roof of Kemper Arena 78 feet while a pre-taped promo is playing so the pay-per-view audience doesn’t see it but the live audience does. Where are you when this happens?

Walk us through the next 10 minutes or so Jeff. EMTs rush out, Jim Ross is talking on live TV explaining this is a not a work or angle but real life. What do you remember? What is the backstage area like?

Were you supposed to do the promo or was this them filling time?

The whole Owen Hart saga is edited off of Peacock...from Owen...to JR vamping...and your promo. So literally they wheel Owen out and JR throws back to you & Debra with Kevin Kelly. What is running through your mind?

How hard is it at this exact moment in time to cut a promo?

“First off...Owen Hart...I’m praying for you buddy.” That line is said by you as you can hear people yelling in the background. Jeff...it’s been discussed time and time again. How does this show continue?

Do you believe...in your heart of hearts...that one of your best friends...Owen Hart...would’ve wanted the show to continue?

You finish your promo...your music hits...and you’re about to walk to the ring. What’s going through your mind?

Are you given any instructions by anybody regarding the ring or the blood that’s in it?

How hard is it to work a match at this point?

You get through the match...called bowling shoe ugly by Jim Ross...after Val Venis pins you. You get to the backstage and not long after Jim Ross makes the announcement that Owen Hart has passed away.

Is that how you found out? What is your reaction?

The show continues but really doesn’t matter. How are you feeling?

You’ve lost one of your best friends but the circus keeps rolling. We’re onto St. Louis and the Owen Hart Tribute Raw. What is it like backstage that day? Does Vince talk to everyone as a group, individually?

How do you decide to do the solo tribute to Owen and how hard was it for you to do it?

“In this business I guess you have a lot of acquestiances but very few friends. And Owen, he was one of those friends. And...there’s a lot of funny stories. His personality, the things he used to do. I told my wife a bunch of times over the last couple of months I’ve been with Owen on the road and I see him more than I see her and my little girl and he would say the same thing. And now that he’s not here it’s you look at it almost selfishly. That I don’t have my buddy, my friend, with me anymore. I know that Owen is in a better place, laughing and cutting up. But when you really think about Owen’s life, I think about integrity because in this business it’s cold, it’s callous, it’s selfish, it’s self serving, it’s unrealistic, it’s a fantasy world but Owen was real. He was a man’s man. His wife and kids, three of the luckiest people in the world because he loved them more than anything in the world and that’s why he did what he did...to provide for them. He did it with integrity. And integrity in this business is few and far between. That's not a good thing to know but it’s the truth. And outside all the laughs, because on the road, without the laughs, you know the fans get to see Owen 10-15 minutes a week, but when you get to see him 24 hours a day 10-12 days at a time, he’s one of the guys that made it fun. Made coming to work entertaining off the camera and that’s just as important as on the camera. Owen...I make the promise to you. Because you got two little kids and I got a little one of my own. As they grow older...the only thing that they may have to find out what their dad is like is wrestling films. But I make the promise to myself that as the years go by I’m going to do my best to let Oje and Athena really know what a great man you were Owen. That’s it.”

You mention the word integrity a couple times in that tribute. What was it about Owen’s integrity?

Do you think you’ve kept your promise and what is your relationship like with Martha, Oje & Athena at this point in time and did you ever have one after Owen’s death?

You wrestle on the Owen tribute show and cut a promo beforehand to let everyone know that Owen was not a nugget and then you beat Test with a sharpshooter. Was it surreal being in the ring that night after the initial shock had worn off?

What did you think of the final sendoff of that show? Steve Austin saluting Owen Hart after all the issues Steve & Owen had that the company chose Austin to toast him to close it? Do you think it was disingenuous?

Do you think you got the Intercontinental Title two days after because of your close relation to Owen?

Owen is really never mentioned again on WWF TV. Do you agree with that?

We haven’t talked too much about your road to recovery and your demons but I’m interested in knowing how you’ve dealt with the death of Owen before treatment, during treatment and after treatment?

What are your favorite memories of Owen inside and outside the ring?

Do you think there are any misconceptions about Owen?

Owen’s funeral

Easter Sunday in 1994

You’re inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 and you brought up Owen during your speech. There’s also a video from WWE on YouTube where you talk about Owen and you get emotional about it. You talk about how he would be trying to make you forget your speech and just being Owen. Is this how you choose to remember him?

It’s been over 20 years since the world lost Owen...how much do you miss him?