Coliseum Corner: King of Harts! Remembering the Late, Great Owen Hart

Hey Video fans, it’s time for another dose of Coliseum Corner. In this edition we will be re-visiting a few of the late, great Owen Hart’s forgotten matches and be talking about perhaps, his most successful night in his great run as a WWF Superstar.

Now it’s a given that we will never forget Owen’s tragic death and we know there’s little to no chance of ever seeing The King of Harts taking his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame, and the same goes for a DVD release of his storied career. On the bright side, Owen Hart left a tremendous legacy and Coliseum Video brought to you some of his greatest moments.

In 1988, Owen Hart made his debut in the WWF as the Blue Blazer. Disguised under a blue mask, it was never acknowledged that he was the younger brother of Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart. Although he didn’t stick around for too long, you can view a few of the Blazer’s matches on Coliseum Video releases, most notably High Flyers, the 2nd annual Survivor Series, and WrestleMania V.

In late 1991, Owen Hart returned with his face and real name exposed. We also learned that this newcomer was to tag with his brother in law to form the New Foundation. Dubbed ‘The Rocket’, Owen showed off his high flying, exciting skills and won the fans over with his colourful outfit and big smile. The New Foundation only made it to one CV release (Royal Rumble 1992).

Fast forward to the spring of 92, Owen Hart had found a new partner in Koko B. Ware and High Energy was born. In this first match featured, we see an action packed 8-man tag team match.

 
High Energy & The Natural Disasters VS The Beverly Brothers & Money Incorporated – July 21 1992 (Wrestling Grudge Matches)

In this match (a Coliseum exclusive) it’s fair to say that High Energy were the least decorated team of the four. However, these men made the match exciting. Owen and Koko provided the pizazz, the high flying enjoyable moves. The disasters brought the power and dominance. Their opponents fared well, but on this day Money Inc and the Beverlys were beaten. Owen shared the spotlight with seven other men, but greatness always shines through as he proved here.

 

 
‘The Rocket’ Owen Hart VS Rick ‘The Model’ Martel – September 29 1993 (Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams)

This Coliseum exclusive brought to you ‘The Rocket’ as a singles wrestler attempting to make his way up the ranks. Fan favourite and loyal brother to Bret, Owen met the conceited Martel. Short as this match was, both men knew how to entertain. Such pretty moves, Owen was dominated. Just when it looked like he might have a chance, The Hitman’s arch nemesis Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler rushed to the ring and attacked him while he was recuperating from Martel’s assault. Unable to get back into the ring, Owen lost via count out.

 

 
Within two months of this match, Owen grew tired of being in the shadow of his brother’s success. At Survivor Series, Bret discovered the frustrations inside his younger brother. They soon reconciled but it wasn’t long before ‘The Rocket’ showed that dark side by attacking his brother at the 1994 Royal Rumble. At WrestleMania, Owen was finally given the opportunity to step out of his brother’s shadow and that he did. Owen Hart beat his brother and former WWF Champion Bret Hart. This was to become his launching pad.

 
King of the Ring – Owen Hart competes in the KOTR Tournament – June 16 1994

After qualifying for the King of the Ring, Owen entered the quarter finals against Tatanka. With a 15 minute time limit, there wasn’t much time to secure his place in the next round. Both men used their abilities to create an enjoyable match, but it was the youngest Hart who would score the pin, cleverly countering the sunset flip.

In the semi-final, he met the 1-2-3 Kid. Attacking the Kid before the bell, Owen gained an early advantage. In this beautiful display of aerial moves and sound technique, Owen secured his place in the final with his brother’s finishing move, the Sharpshooter.

 

 
The final saw ‘the Rocket’ versus ‘the Bad Guy’. Razor Ramon had also made it to the final and the winner would become King of the Ring. There was more at stake in this bout. These men showed more ability and more fight here. When it looked like Razor was going to clinch it, Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart (who had returned that night in Bret’s corner and cost him a victory) rushed to ringside and assaulted the bad guy. Owen recovered and delivered a big splash to win the King of the Ring. At his coronation Owen declared himself the King of Harts.

 
Owen Hart & Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart VS Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart & The British Bulldog – October 19 1994 (Wham Bam Bodyslam)

At the height of the Hart family feud, the anvil and the King of Harts had formed an alliance that wasn’t too popular with WWF fans. As brothers, Owen and Bret with their brother in laws competed in a match that was shot exclusively for Coliseum Video. This match was a heated affair to say the least, with the crowd on the edge of their seats. All four men used their skills and abilities to make for an exciting match. In the end it was the Bulldog (with help from Bret) who would roll up the King of the Ring for the victory.

 

 
Through the mid-nineties, Owen Hart became a major player in the WWF. Underestimated for many years, he featured on many magazine covers, video releases and console games. The King of Harts usually had one of the best matches on the card and achieved multiple championships. Owen created a legacy that is remembered today. So get those Coliseum Videos back in your VCRs and relive some of the youngest Hart’s best moments.

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