The late Owen Hart requested to leave WWE after the Montreal Screwjob just months before his death, reveals wife Martha
OWEN HART’S widow Martha has revealed the late star requested his release from WWE after the Montreal Screwjob before his tragic death.
The Canadian tragically died aged 34 in 1999 after an equipment malfunction and subsequent fall from the roof of Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri during his ring entrance at the Over the Edge pay-per-view event.
The shocking accident will be highlighted in a new Dark Side Of The Ring documentary tomorrow where his wife discusses the horrendous incident in-depth for the first time.
However, Martha has recently appeared on Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast in the build-up to the premiere where she revealed Hart wanted to quit Vince McMahon’s company just over a year before his death.
The Montreal Screwjob happened at Survivor Series in November 1997 as Shawn Michaels defeated Owen’s brother Bret Hart for the WWF World Title.
McMahon infamously ordered referee Earl Hebner to call for the bell, even though Hart had not tapped, due to ‘The Hitman’ refusing to drop the belt to HBK in his home country prior to his departure to rival promotion WCW.
Martha said: “WWF, they just had introduced a few years before that, contracts, where you were locked in for five years. Owen was locked into his contract.
“He requested he be let go to when everything happened with his brother. They said no. They weren't going to let him go. The way the contract worked was that if you don't work, you can't work for somebody else.
“You don't necessarily have to work, but then you aren't making any money and you can't work somewhere else. It was a very onerous contract where it only benefited the company, not the wrestler.”
Owen was locked into his contract. He requested he be let go to when everything happened with his brother. They said no.
MARTHA HART
She continued: “Owen was really in a tough situation. He didn't have a choice. You either stay here or go nowhere.
“It was emotionally difficult to see his brother so upset and betrayed, and yet have to stay and fulfil his commitment that he made to the company.
“That was a really difficult time for Owen, because even though he didn't share the same philosophy as Bret, as far as wrestling goes, he knew that was really crushing for Bret, what happened with Vince and everything.
“He felt bad for his brother, of course. But he was also beholden to a contract at that time.”
Martha sued WWE twice following the tragedy, firstly a wrongful death lawsuit three weeks after he died which resulted in an out of court settlement for around $18m in November 2000.
She then filed another lawsuit in June 2010 against WWE for using Owen’s name and likeness, including the company using personal photos in the Hart & Soul DVD and failing to make royalty payments.
That was also settled out of court in April 2013 for an undisclosed figure.
Martha also revealed that she no longer has a relationship with the rest of the Hart family after feeling “betrayed” by them during her legal fight with WWE.
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She explained: “Unfortunately, I don't [have a relationship with them]. I don't know if people are aware of everything that transpired with my lawsuit. The family, they weren't that supportive of my lawsuit against WWE.
“The worst part of it was that some of the family actively worked against me. Other ones just remained silent. That was almost as hard as the ones that worked against me.
“When you break the trust, and I felt really betrayed and left alone and without any support, then although I've forgiven them, I'm totally passive. I wish them well.
“Trust me, my life hasn't been easy and I certainly wouldn't wish harm on anybody, I hope life has been kind to all of them. But, you know, somethings, the damage is done and you just can't repair it.
“That's one of the unfortunate casualties of war. The damage is irreparable and it can't be repaired, but I let it go and I wish them well. I really do.”