Dan Severn on Was Owen Hart Injuring his Neck a Work?

The Owen Hart Incident and its Aftermath

The speaker recounts a harrowing experience involving Owen Hart, where Hart pile-drove him on his neck. This incident resurfaced in the speaker's mind when he stumbled upon a clip on YouTube about two or three weeks prior, which bore a striking resemblance to what happened with Steve Austin.

Steve Austin's Call and the Shared Experience

The speaker details how Steve Austin unexpectedly called him on his cell phone. Despite their limited prior interaction during their time working for Vince and WWE, Austin reached out after a friend showed him a match between the speaker and Owen Hart. Austin noted that Hart had "dropped to his butt" during the move, and asked the speaker if he had been hit. The speaker confirmed that he had indeed taken the full impact on the top of his head.

The Mechanics of the Move and Potential for Injury

The speaker elaborates on the physics of the move, explaining that if Hart had been a larger individual with "big old giganto thighs" and a "big old butt," there would have been more "real estate" to absorb the impact, and his head might not have been directly hit. He contrasts this with how some wrestlers with long hair might appear to have their heads crushed, but their hair actually takes the brunt of the impact, protecting their heads. The speaker believes Hart should have "dropped down straight down to his knees."

The Immediate Aftermath and Internal Struggle

The speaker describes the immediate sensation after the impact: "a bolt of lightning run down my spine and run down my right leg." While lying there, he attempted to "stay in character" as it was part of an "injury angle." Internally, he was trying to assess his condition by attempting to move his fingers and toes. He could see his fingers moving but was unsure about his toes. The planned scenario involved the arrival of a "neck brace" and a "backboard."

A Moment of Uncertainty and Connection

At one point, Owen Hart knelt down and whispered to the speaker, asking him to "squeeze my hand" if he was okay. The speaker was unable to do so, as he "did not know if I was okay." This moment highlights the genuine fear and uncertainty he experienced.

The Transition from Fake to Real Injury

The speaker confirms that the incident was intended to be a "fake injury" but "ended up being a real injury." He reiterates that Hart "actually did drop me on my head." He notes that once he was taken "through the curtain," he was able to get up off the backboard and felt "good to go."

Attributing Survival to Physical Attributes

The speaker attributes his ability to walk away from the incident to a combination of factors: his "youth," his "strength," his "big thick neck," and his "bone head." He refers to this as simply "dodging a bullet."

Key Concepts

• Pile Driver: A wrestling move where one wrestler lifts another and drives them headfirst into the mat.
• Injury Angle: A staged storyline in professional wrestling that depicts a wrestler suffering an injury.
• Staying in Character: Maintaining the persona of a wrestler even when experiencing real-life events.
• Real Estate (in wrestling context): Refers to the physical space or body parts that can absorb impact during a move.