If you mention the Blue Blazer to a wrestling fan who grew up in the 80s, they probably think of a high-flying, anonymous hero in a cape. Mention him to a fan from the late 90s, and the tone shifts instantly. It’s heavy. It’s a name that carries the weight of a tragedy that changed the professional wrestling industry forever. But for Owen Hart, the man behind the mask, the Blue Blazer wasn't just a costume. It was a career bookend. It was a tool he used to navigate an industry that often didn't know what to do with a guy who was "too good" at the technical stuff.
Owen Hart didn't need a mask to be a star. He was a Hart. Growing up in the legendary Dungeon in Calgary, he was arguably the most naturally gifted athlete of the entire clan. Better than Bret? Some would say so, including Bret himself. But in the late 1980s, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) was a place for giants and caricatures. A 5'10" Canadian technician who could actually wrestle wasn't always an easy sell for Vince McMahon. So, they put him in blue.
The Birth of a High-Flyer
The Blue Blazer debuted in 1988. It was a gimmick designed to capitalize on Owen’s incredible agility without leaning on his family name. At the time, the WWF didn't want everyone to know he was Bret "Hitman" Hart’s little brother. They wanted a superhero.
Honestly, Owen hated the mask. It was hot, it shifted around, and it obscured his vision. Yet, he made it work. If you go back and watch his match against Mr. Perfect at WrestleMania V, you’ll see things that were decades ahead of their time. Moonsaults, powerslams, and a pace that the lumbering giants of that era couldn't touch. He was doing "cruiserweight" wrestling before the term was even a staple in the United States. He was a pioneer who was effectively anonymous.
The gimmick eventually faded. Owen left the WWF to wrestle in Mexico and Japan, honing a style that would eventually make him a household name as himself. By the time he returned to the WWF in the early 90s, the mask was gone, replaced by the "Rocket" and later the "King of Harts." He became one of the greatest villains in the history of the company, feuding with Bret in a storyline that felt incredibly real because, well, sibling rivalry is universal.
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The 1998 Return: A Joke That Went Too Far?
By 1998, the wrestling landscape had shifted. The "Attitude Era" was in full swing. It was gritty. It was foul-mouthed. It was sexualized. Owen Hart, a family man who didn't care for the "trashy" direction of the show, found himself at odds with the creative department.
He reportedly turned down a storyline involving an affair with Debra McMichael. He didn't want his kids seeing that. So, as a sort of creative compromise—or perhaps a subtle punishment, depending on who you ask—the Blue Blazer was resurrected.
This time, the character wasn't a serious superhero. He was a delusional hypocrite. He would preach about "saying your prayers and eating your vitamins" while cheating to win. He was a parody of the 80s wrestling tropes. Owen, being the incredible performer he was, leaned into it. He was hilarious. He would trip over his cape or cut promos about how he definitely wasn't Owen Hart, even though everyone knew it was him. It was a testament to his range. He could go from a serious main-event threat to a comedic opening act without losing a shred of credibility with the audience.
The Night Everything Changed: May 23, 1999
We have to talk about it. You can't discuss the Blue Blazer without addressing the Over the Edge pay-per-view in Kansas City.
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The plan was for Owen to descend from the rafters on a harness, a grand entrance that would further the "superhero" gimmick. He had done the stunt before, but this time, the equipment was different. The quick-release mechanism triggered early. Owen fell nearly 80 feet, striking the top rope before landing in the ring.
He was 34 years old.
The fallout was massive. The Hart family sued the WWF, resulting in an $18 million settlement. The tragedy led to a massive overhaul in how wrestling companies handled stunts and safety protocols. But more than that, it left a hole in the industry. Owen was the "ribber" of the locker room—the guy who kept everyone laughing. He was the man who wanted to retire early to spend time with his wife, Martha, and their kids, Oje and Athena.
Why the Mask Still Matters
There’s a reason you don't see the Blue Blazer in WWE video games or as a common piece of merchandise. Martha Hart has been incredibly protective of Owen's legacy, ensuring his likeness isn't used by the company she holds responsible for his death. This is why Owen was eventually inducted into the AEW (All Elite Wrestling) Hall of Fame and why the Owen Hart Foundation Cup exists today.
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The Blue Blazer represents a specific era of wrestling's transition. It shows how a world-class athlete can take a silly, restrictive gimmick and turn it into something memorable through sheer talent and charisma.
Some people view the mask as a tragedy. Others view it as a showcase of Owen’s versatility. In reality, it’s both. It’s a reminder that behind every gimmick is a human being with a family, a story, and a life outside the squared circle.
How to Honor Owen Hart's Legacy Today
If you want to truly understand the impact of Owen Hart and the Blue Blazer, don't just focus on the tragedy. Focus on the work.
- Watch the "King of Harts" Run: Check out Owen's 1994 run, specifically his match against Bret Hart at WrestleMania X. It is widely considered one of the best opening matches in history.
- Support the Owen Hart Foundation: Martha Hart established this foundation to provide university scholarships and housing for families in need. It’s the best way to see the positive impact his life continues to have.
- Look for the Influence: Watch modern high-flyers like Will Ospreay or Ricochet. The DNA of the Blue Blazer's 1988 matches is in their movement.
- Revisit the Comedy: Find the 1998/1999 Blue Blazer promos on YouTube. Watch Owen's timing. Notice how he never "winks" at the camera; he plays the character with 100% conviction, which makes it even funnier.
Owen Hart was a man who worked a job he loved to support the people he loved even more. The Blue Blazer was just one chapter in that story, but it remains a powerful symbol of a talent that was taken far too soon. Whether he was a serious athlete or a bumbling superhero, he was always, undeniably, one of the greatest to ever step through the ropes.
Actionable Insight: For fans looking to dive deeper into the technical side of the Blue Blazer's career, seek out his matches from New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) in the late 80s against Jushin "Thunder" Liger. These matches provide a blueprint for the modern "Junior Heavyweight" style and show the Blue Blazer character at its athletic peak, free from the constraints of 80s-style American booking.