5 Best Owen Hart Matches

The season finale of Dark Side of the Ring conjured up all sorts of feelings about wrestling great Owen Hart, who tragically passed away 21 years ago this month. While many of those feelings were anger toward the details surrounding his death, fans who remember Owen the wrestler were reminded of just how great he was. Whether he was a cheerful do-gooder that relied on his effortless agility and form-perfect technique, or a scheming heel that did all he could to raise hell on brother Bret and others, Owen was a natural in any role.

It occurs to me that many of today's fans may not have even been alive at the time of Owen's passing, and may only have had their curiosities piqued by the Dark Side feature (and surrounding social media hubbub). And if they're fans of great in-ring wrestling, they might have a sudden interest in seeing the best works of Owen Hart's storied time in the ring.

Here's a little elementary primer into core Owen Hart, with what I feel are the five top matches of his career.

The season finale of Dark Side of the Ring conjured up all sorts of feelings about wrestling great Owen Hart, who tragically passed away 21 years ago this month. While many of those feelings were anger toward the details surrounding his death, fans who remember Owen the wrestler were reminded of just how great he was. Whether he was a cheerful do-gooder that relied on his effortless agility and form-perfect technique, or a scheming heel that did all he could to raise hell on brother Bret and others, Owen was a natural in any role.

It occurs to me that many of today's fans may not have even been alive at the time of Owen's passing, and may only have had their curiosities piqued by the Dark Side feature (and surrounding social media hubbub). And if they're fans of great in-ring wrestling, they might have a sudden interest in seeing the best works of Owen Hart's storied time in the ring.

Here's a little elementary primer into core Owen Hart, with what I feel are the five top matches of his career.

5. With Bret, Vs. The Steiner Brothers (WWF, January 1994)

This battle of real-life pairs of siblings wasn't meant to be a TV match - it was recorded for a Coliseum Video release, and what a buried gem it turned out to be. It might well be the best "non-canon" match in the entirety of WWE's history.

What begins as your typical battle of proud babyfaces turns into a hyper-competitive wrestling match, before degenerating further into a heated scrap that results in the match being thrown out after 25 unbelievable minutes. Kudos to Owen for taking the Steiner Screwdriver.

4. Vs. Jushin Liger (NJPW, April 1991)

Yeah, it happened. This match from the 1991 Top of the Super Juniors tournament pitted mainstay Liger against Hart, who some might not realize had held the promotion's Junior Heavyweight title three years earlier. As you might expect, this was a technical showcase.

Hart did all he could to ground his foe, wrenching at Liger's arm with various holds. The finish is especially brutal, as Liger wins with a top-rope DDT that actually injured Owen's neck, though not severely. The middle-rope electric chair spot from Liger was especially nuts.

4. Vs. Jushin Liger (NJPW, April 1991)

Yeah, it happened. This match from the 1991 Top of the Super Juniors tournament pitted mainstay Liger against Hart, who some might not realize had held the promotion's Junior Heavyweight title three years earlier. As you might expect, this was a technical showcase.

Hart did all he could to ground his foe, wrenching at Liger's arm with various holds. The finish is especially brutal, as Liger wins with a top-rope DDT that actually injured Owen's neck, though not severely. The middle-rope electric chair spot from Liger was especially nuts.

3. Vs. Davey Boy Smith (WWF Raw, 1997)

The final round of the tournament to crown the first-ever European champion pitted the reigning Tag Team champions against each other. For this match, The British Bulldog played the continental hero (the event was in Berlin), while Owen remained a conniving heel.

The two veterans hearkened back to their formative years as junior heavyweight standouts, displaying much in the way of crisp, competitive wrestling. Owen worked in just enough subtle villainy and opportunism to enhance the struggle, which the Bulldog narrowly eked out.

2. Vs. Bret Hart (SummerSlam 1994)

The steel cage match for Bret's WWF championship was a bit restricted - because of WWF toning down on violence at the time, there could be no bleeding. Thus, the Harts had to work a heated grudge match deep into their long-standing feud, while somewhat colouring within the lines.

The two still made the match work, playing on the drama of a million and one escape attempts, while continuing to emphasize Owen's aggressive envy, and Bret's ability to calmly weather most storms. The race to the finish caps off one of the New Generation's best outings.

1. Vs. Bret Hart (WrestleMania 10)

Just four months previous, Owen was still an underutilized midcarder whose claim to fame in the eyes of WWF fans was, "Being Bret's brother". The hypothetical shadow spoken of in the angle had a realness to it, and Bret was determined to help his brother shine on the big stage.

It's the greatest opener in WrestleMania history (and possibly in all of PPV history) as the brothers go shot for shot in a mostly-scientific battle of wills. Owen capitalizes on just enough of Bret's pains, countering a victory roll into a pinfall for the upset victory.