Natalya has paid tribute to her uncle, Owen Hart on the anniversary of his tragic passing.
Hart passed away after a tragic accident during WWE’s Over The Edge pay-per-view on May 23rd, 1999.
The much-loved star was the son of the legendary Stu Hart and spent much of his early career in his father’s Canadian promotion, Stampede Wrestling. There he had memorable feuds with the likes of Dynamite Kid and Makhan Singh.
He also had two reigns with the promotion’s North American Championship as well as a lengthy run as the Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Champion.
Natalya posted a tribute to Hart on social media on the anniversary of his passing, sharing rare photographs of his time in Stampede Wrestling.
The star said her uncle was a “bright, positive light” in and out of the ring.
“Love these rare photos of Owen working for my grandfather in Stampede Wrestling. I’m thinking of Owen on the anniversary of his passing today. I think of Owen often and what a bright, positive light he was in the wrestling world, but even more so as a person outside the ring.”
Love these rare photos of Owen working for my grandfather in Stampede Wrestling. I’m thinking of Owen on the anniversary of his passing today. I think of Owen often and what a bright, positive light he was in the wrestling world, but even more so as a person outside the ring. pic.twitter.com/qEBYqBznLL
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) May 23, 2023
Natalya believes Owen Hart would have become World Champion
During a recent appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Natalya spoke of her belief that Owen was on the same level as Bret Hart, and would have been WWE Champion had he not passed so young.
“Yes, I do. I think Owen on par, you know I think it’s funny because I always felt like Bret was more serious and Owen wanted to have fun, but Owen had this character where I look at Dominik’s character in WWE and I see little shades of Owen, that little mischievous side in Dom.
“But I think Owen would have definitely won a World Heavyweight Championship. Owen, he just won in so many other different ways and in so many different things that people just never go to see.”
H/T to Fightful for the above transcription.