JBL Recalls Having To Inform The Undertaker And Steve Austin Of Owen Hart’s Tragic Passing

WWE Hall of Famer JBL shared his perspective on the devastating backstage atmosphere following Owen Hart’s tragic death during the 1999 Over the Edge pay-per-view event.

Speaking on the Something to Wrestle podcast, JBL recounted the emotional toll that Hart’s passing had on the WWE locker room and management. Hart tragically fell to his death due to a harness malfunction during his entrance as the Blue Blazer. The accident sent shockwaves through the wrestling world, leaving performers and staff grappling with an unimaginable loss.

I saw Vince [McMahon] with tears in his eyes—he couldn’t even talk. He loved Owen and was absolutely heartbroken. Vince had no idea what to do. The same with the whole Benoit thing, there’s no template for this stuff.

According to Bradshaw, it was evident early on that Hart’s injuries were fatal.

I don’t know if he was technically dead at that point, but he was turning colour and he was gone.

He said, describing the grim realisation that gripped everyone present. Tasked with delivering the heartbreaking news to fellow wrestlers, Bradshaw recounted informing The Undertaker and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.

Taker looked at me, and there was just shock.

Wrestlers were then given the option to either continue their matches or step aside, as WWE management struggled to determine the show’s course.

Vince didn’t know what to do, and Gerry Brisco took over.

Ultimately, The Undertaker and Austin’s match was shifted to the main event in the midst of the tragedy. Reflecting on the incident, Bradshaw acknowledged the heavy burden of sharing such devastating news. Owen Hart’s death remains a defining and sorrowful chapter in WWE history, its effects deeply felt to this day.

How Did The WWE Locker Room React To The Radicalz Joining From WCW According To JBL?

JBL spoke about how the WWE locker room felt about The Radicalz, consisting of Eddie Gerrero, Chirs Benoit, Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn, joining the company from WCW and said that everyone backstage was thrilled to hear the news because they knew the calibre of talent the group possessed and that they were all very well respected members of the wrestling business.

H/t to ITRWrestling.com