Tuesday's season finale of Dark Side of the Ring focused on the final days of Owen Hart and brought to light some added information.
In the documentary, Martha Hart showed viewers the clip that was supposed to hold Owen for the stunt, revealing that it took just six pounds of pressure for the clip to release before giving an example of how easy it was to release the clip.
The clip used was a snap shackle designed to open on load for sailboats. Martha told CBS Sports, "By the very design of the stunt, it was meant to fail, because the weight of Owen on that clip actually made it more likely it would open spontaneously."
Clip. #darksideofthering pic.twitter.com/aT6OuTPJqE
— The Wrestling Gallifreyan Liv Morgan (@RahRahRollins) May 20, 2020
"...because the design is to let the mast down on sailboat. It's this quick release right here, six pounds of pressure to release it. That's it. This is what was holding him. This. Little. Thing. Right there. That's it." #DarkSideOfTheRing pic.twitter.com/BxCw0dUlWU
— The Wrestling Gallifreyan Liv Morgan (@RahRahRollins) May 20, 2020
David Bixenspan acquired an investigative file from the Kansas City Police Department, which features a 1999 interview with rigger Bobby Talbert, who was hired by WWE to set-up the stunt. In the interview, Talbert reveals that Max Mini was supposed to be attached to Owen, but they later decided against performing that stunt. Talbert stated he had done a similar stunt for WCW where two people were attached together and lowered from the rafters and to the ring.
From page 33 of the KCPD’s Owen Hart investigative file, which is page 1 of a 6/4/1999 interview with rigger Bobby Talbert:
— David Bixenspan (@davidbix) May 20, 2020
“...originally the stunt was to be that a midget MAX-MINI would be attached to the victim…”
Yes, Max Mini/Tzuki came way too close to falling with Owen. pic.twitter.com/xqUaVRdUrY
To add more context to this, here's Max Mini's testimonial from the Owen Hart tribute ep. of WWF Los Super Astros, which aired on 5/30/1999, 7 days after the accident.
— David Bixenspan (@davidbix) May 20, 2020
I've overlaid English subtitles thanks to transcription & translation work from @PharrFromHeaven & @RobViper. https://t.co/372kyYQxVR pic.twitter.com/Z5gheMH4e5
According to Martha in her book, Talbert claimed the stunt they asked Owen to perform was similar to Sting's stunt. But Ellis Edwards, who was the stunt coordinator for WCW, disputed that claim.
Martha filed a wrongful death lawsuit against WWE, which was settled out of court for approximately $18 million on November 2, 2000.
