In Memory Of.

With the recent passing of 'Macho Man' Randy Savage, I felt as though it was time to share my thoughts about the deaths in professional wrestling. It isn't a secret that many wrestlers meet an early demise, with not too may of them living past an average age of 45. Lives and careers are cut short due to a variety of reasons, some self-inflicted and some just terrible accidents. A business loses a talent and the fans lose someone that they have looked up to for many years. When a wrestler dies, people come out of the woodwork with theories and reasons as to why it happened. No death is ever just that. There is always some kind of controversy surrounding it. It really makes me angry when people just assume a circumstance in a wrestler's death, it doesn't make them any less important than any other professional athlete that passes away.

The number one conclusion that people jump to is that it was steroids that contributed to the death of an individual. A myriad of evidence exists to support the fact that wrestlers lived lives of excess and no boundaries, I think this was more prevalent during the 'Rock 'n Wrestling' era (not saying that it did not exist at any other time). The fact of the matter is that the WWE does in fact provide very well for any talent signed to its roster, past or present. Their health and wellness policy is one of the most comprehensive ones I've ever seen for their field of work, there is no room for squeaking by or slipping through the cracks. Talent must submit to drug testing several times a year, penalties are handed down if ANYBODY is found in violation of this policy, and they provide rehab for anyone who needs it, among many other things. You can view the policy in full by clicking here.

It is listed on the 'Corporate' section of the WWE website that only five wrestlers have died while under contract with the company. One accident, one suicide, and three from heart disease. I personally think that, in the deaths related to drugs/alcohol, that an individual is responsible for their own actions. These aren't children that are being dealt with, it's grown people. If you are an adult and can't realize that drugs are bad, then you've got more problems than you think. Although the health and wellness policy was only introduced in 2006, there is more than enough support from the company to get its past and present talent the help that it needs. Whether you take it or not, that's your choice.

As for the accidental deaths, they are simply that, accidents. In the case of Owen Hart, it's not like Vince set out to kill him. It was an unfortunate series of events that led to that tragedy. No blame can be placed on anyone for that, and I admire the company for taking responsibility and stepping up to assist Martha, Oje, and Athena. I do feel sorry that they have to deal with Martha Hart, but that's another story for another article. The Chris Benoit situation is a completely different can of worms. That was completely shocking and very disturbing. He had the brain of an Alzheimer's patient and he just snapped. I'm not excusing what he did by any means, but he obviously was not well.

No matter what the circumstances, the wrestler that passes away leaves a lasting stamp on the business and the fans that they left behind. I'd like to share my thoughts on two wrestling deaths that left a huge impact on me:

Chris Benoit:
His death has to be one of the most controversial in all of professional wrestling. I was crushed when I got the text message that something happened. I froze. On my way to work that day, I grabbed whatever newspapers I could and watched every newscast after work. I simply refused to believe that one of my all-time favorites was dead, along with his family. I cried through the whole episode of Monday Night Raw dedicated to his life and career. When the details emerged I didn't know what to think. I get so emotional talking about him simply because he meant so much to me. One of the all time greats, it is just too bad that he had such a tragic end to what would have been a Hall of Fame worthy career. How do you react to something like this? There is no right or wrong way.

That being said, I still greatly admire his wrestling career, I do not condone what happened at all. I still enjoy watching his matches and seeing him go toe to toe with the biggest and baddest in the business.

Owen Hart:
I was sitting in my living room in my Bret Hart t-shirt when it happened. I wasn't too sure what was going on. Then they showed Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler at the announce table. Jerry, looking away and Jim Ross, pale as a ghost. It was unfathomable to me at the time to hear 'Owen Hart has died.'. I watched the rest of 'Over the Edge' in silence. The greatest tragedy ever happened on that night and I still have the pay-per-view on VHS and have it poked away. The thought of seeing Jim Ross announce that a member of my favorite wrestling family has passed away actually makes me sick to my stomach. I cried for a week straight, the tribute episode of Monday Night Raw for Owen was the biggest outpouring of love I have ever seen. It is still hard for me to deal with someone I grew up watching on television just dying like that. I will always think of Owen as a man of integrity and honesty, loving to have fun and caring about everyone around him. He is proof that you didn't have to be the biggest or baddest to be successful in the ring, you just have to have 'Hart'. Rest in peace Owen. We miss you.

In Memory of Owen...

Owen Hart is a legend. Not just because of how he tragically passed away, but because of his remarkable career and huge Hart (pun intended).

It saddens and dismays me that Martha is bringing a lawsuit against WWE yet again. All over the 'Hart & Soul' DVD set, which chronicles the lineage of the Hart family from Stu's rough upbringing, all the way to the Hart Dynasty. I do understand that she is still hurting over Owen, no one could possibly ever completely getting over their spouse dying like that. At the same time, Owen technically was public domain, a bare bones way of putting it. The WWE owns his likeness, the moves he used in the ring, and anything else that he did while with the company. She clearly knows that so I am baffled as to why she would even attempt to bring a lawsuit against them now concerning this issue. She had received generous treatment from Vince, Linda, and the entire WWE for what had happened. Suing them again over something so trivial as using him in a DVD and featuring him on the cover shows how vindictive and petty she really is.

I am in complete agreeance with Bret on this, she is essentially erasing everything that Owen has ever done in his career. He was one of the most honest men in the business, a gentle person, a jokester, and one of the most consummate professionals ever to step into the squared circle. He is truly one of the greats, very deserving of a place in the Hall of Fame, he probably won`t ever get to that accolade due to Martha. If you loved your husband, wouldn`t you want to see him recognized for all that he has done? All the success that he has had? Why would you want to rob his children of the chance to know exactly what their father meant to the people he entertained? His kids deserve to see what an impact their father had left on everyone in the industry.

According to a statement released by the WWE attorney, Martha had not contacted the company for ten years. Why now? Money? Greed? Hatred? Or a combination of all three?

I feel sorry for her. Even more so, I feel sorry for her children.

I remember exactly where I was when I saw Jim Ross announce that Owen had passed away. I was sitting at home with my Dad, our jaws dropped and our faces as white as ghosts. A legend had truly been snatched away from us decades too soon. The impact that he had left on the wrestling world was evidenced by the outpouring of grief and good memories that fellow wrestlers showed on that episode of Monday Night Raw. I cried for a week. I felt like I had lost someone close to me, growing up on wrestling for my entire life made me feel like I had a connection to the Harts. It is unfair that Martha wants to sever this connection that he had with his fans.

I still have that tape of Over the Edge. I can't bring myself to watch it. I keep it tucked away amongst my wrestling tapes, DVDs, magazines, and other memorabilia. It still stings to think about it. I hope that one day, she can get off her high horse and realize just what she is doing.

Rest in peace Owen.