Kurt Angle’s Poignant Reflections on His Final Match with Owen Hart: “He Carried Me Through the Whole Thing”
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle has shared a deeply moving reflection on his only in-ring encounter with the late Owen Hart, a dark match that took place just 13 days before Hart’s tragic death in 1999. In a recent podcast appearance, Angle described the bout as a transformative moment in his early career, crediting Hart’s veteran savvy for boosting his confidence and predicting his future stardom. As wrestling fans continue to mourn Owen Hart’s untimely passing—now over 25 years later—Angle’s words offer a rare, heartfelt glimpse into the man behind the “Blue Blazer” persona and the “what ifs” that linger in the industry.
The Dark Match: A Rookie’s Rite of Passage in Orlando
On May 10, 1999, during a WWF (now WWE) taping for Raw Is War in Orlando, Florida, a fresh-faced Kurt Angle stepped into the ring for a non-televised dark match against one of the company’s most technically gifted performers: Owen Hart. Angle, an Olympic gold medalist making his transition from amateur wrestling to pro, was still green—having trained for just a couple of months under the watchful eyes of WWE’s developmental system.
The match, which lasted about 15 minutes, pitted Angle’s raw athleticism against Hart’s polished precision. As Angle recounted on the Inside the Ropes podcast in 2022 (with echoes in his 2025 social media plea for footage), Vince McMahon had handpicked the pairing to test the newcomer. “Owen said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll call it in the ring,'” Angle remembered. What followed was a clinic in storytelling and pacing, with Hart seamlessly guiding Angle through sequences that showcased both men’s strengths—Angle’s amateur takedowns clashing with Hart’s sharp counters and submissions.
Eyewitness accounts from fans in attendance describe a high-energy affair: Angle slamming Hart, Hart reversing into a spinning heel kick for the pinfall victory. It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective—a solid dark match that left the crowd buzzing. Little did anyone know, this would be Owen Hart’s final televised or dark match before his fatal accident at the Over the Edge pay-per-view on May 23, 1999.
Owen Hart’s Tragic Legacy: A Career Cut Short at 34
Owen Hart’s death remains one of the darkest chapters in wrestling history. During the St. Louis event, the 34-year-old attempted a dramatic entrance from the arena rafters as the “Blue Blazer” character, rappelling down with a quick-release mechanism. A faulty harness gave way, sending him plummeting 78 feet onto the ring ropes, where he suffered fatal internal injuries. The accident, ruled accidental by Missouri authorities, sparked lawsuits from Hart’s widow, Martha, against WWE for negligence—settled out of court for $18 million in 2000.
Hart, the youngest of the legendary Hart family siblings, was a two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion and a master technician known for his work with the Hart Foundation and as a singles star. Fans and peers remember him as underrated—often overshadowed by brother Bret “The Hitman” Hart—but Angle insists Owen was “every bit as good as Bret.” His death not only devastated the wrestling world but also altered WWE’s creative landscape, accelerating pushes for talents like Angle, Chris Jericho, and Eddie Guerrero.
Martha Hart has since become a vocal advocate for wrestler safety, founding the Owen Hart Foundation and blocking WWE from using Owen’s name or likeness in documentaries without her consent. This stance has kept rare footage, like the Angle match, locked away in WWE’s vaults—fueling Angle’s recent call for fans to share any bootlegs.
Angle’s Reflections: Gratitude, Confidence, and a Lost Mentorship
In his podcast chat, Angle didn’t hold back on the emotional weight of the match. “We had one of the best 15-minute matches, and he made me build my confidence to a level that it never was before because he carried me through this match,” Angle said. As a rookie still learning the ropes (literally), Angle credited Hart’s in-ring psychology for elevating the bout to “pretty damn good” status. Hart’s ability to “call” the match—improvising spots on the fly—taught Angle the nuances of pro wrestling storytelling, a skill that propelled him to six WWE World Championships and Olympic gold in 1996.
But Angle’s praise goes deeper. Backstage, Hart reportedly pulled officials aside and declared Angle a “future Hall of Famer and World Champion,” a prophetic endorsement that came true when Angle dethroned The Rock for his first title at No Mercy 2000. “Owen Hart doesn’t get enough credit for how good he was,” Angle emphasized, pushing back against Bret’s family shadow. “I think Bret gets most of the credit… but Owen was every bit as good as Bret Hart.”
Angle’s sentiments echo a 2025 X post where he sought “lost media” footage of the match, pleading, “If anyone has ever seen the footage of my match with Owen, message me.” The clip, if it exists outside WWE’s archives, remains a holy grail for fans, symbolizing a “what if” era where Hart might have mentored Angle’s ascent alongside Jericho and Guerrero.
The “What If” Factor: Owen Hart’s Influence on Wrestling’s Golden Era
Owen’s death robbed wrestling of potential dream matches and storylines. Angle has mused about a Hart vs. Angle program—technical mastery meets amateur fire—that could have rivaled Angle’s classics with Benoit or Guerrero. “Owen was one of the best,” Angle reiterated in a 2023 Pro Wrestling Stories interview, lamenting the lost opportunity for mentorship. Hart’s passing accelerated WWE’s Attitude Era shift, with Angle debuting on TV just weeks later as a cocky gold medalist.
Peers share similar reflections. Chris Jericho, who feuded with Owen in 1998-99, called him “the most underrated Hart” in his 2020 book Undisputed. Martha Hart, in ongoing legal battles with WWE, has emphasized Owen’s legacy as a family man and technician, not a stuntman. Angle’s words add to the chorus, humanizing a tragedy that still stings 26 years on.
Fan and Industry Reactions: Nostalgia and Calls for Footage
Angle’s reflections have reignited fan passion. On Reddit’s r/SquaredCircle, a 2025 thread on the “lost” match garnered 5,000 upvotes, with users speculating on WWE’s reluctance to release it due to Martha Hart’s veto on profiting from Owen’s image. “Kurt vs. Owen is the ultimate what-if grail,” one commenter wrote, while another shared a grainy fan cam of Angle slamming Hart, drawing 10,000 views.
Industry voices echo the sentiment. Jim Ross, who called Owen’s final matches, tweeted in 2023: “Owen was a pro’s pro—Kurt’s right, he carried everyone.” WWE has honored Owen sparingly, with a 2019 Hall of Fame induction (accepted by Bret), but Angle’s plea highlights the void. As 2025 marks the 26th anniversary of Over the Edge, fans hope for closure—perhaps a tribute special, if clearances align.
Legacy and Lessons: Owen Hart’s Enduring Impact
Owen Hart’s story is wrestling’s cautionary tale: Talent cut short by recklessness. Angle’s reflections remind us of his quiet genius—a sharpshooter who elevated rookies like him without seeking spotlight. In an era of high-flying spectacles, Owen’s grounded style influenced technicians like Daniel Bryan and Chad Gable. Angle, now 56 and a WWE ambassador, credits that dark match for his breakout: “He saw something in me I didn’t see myself.”
For fans, it’s a poignant “what if”—a Hart-Angle feud that never was, but lives in memory. As Angle hunts the footage, Owen’s legacy endures: A reminder that behind the moves, wrestling is about heart.
FAQ: Kurt Angle’s Reflections on Owen Hart
Q: When did Kurt Angle wrestle Owen Hart?
A: May 10, 1999, in a dark match before Raw Is War in Orlando—13 days before Owen’s death.
Q: What did Owen say about Angle?
A: Backstage, Owen told officials Angle would be a “future Hall of Famer and World Champion,” a prediction that came true.
Q: Why is the match footage “lost”?
A: It’s likely in WWE’s vaults, but Martha Hart blocks releases profiting from Owen’s name due to the accident.
Q: How did the match impact Angle?
A: Owen “carried” him, building his confidence and teaching in-ring psychology during his rookie phase.
Q: Where can I hear Angle’s full reflections?
A: On the Inside the Ropes podcast (2022) or his X posts seeking footage (2025).
Conclusion: A Timeless Tribute to the Rocket
Kurt Angle’s reflections on his final match with Owen Hart are more than nostalgia—they’re a tribute to a lost legend who shaped the Attitude Era from the shadows. Just 13 days before tragedy, Owen’s guidance lit a fire in Angle, proving his unmatched skill and foresight. As fans clamor for that elusive footage, Owen’s influence lives on in every technical wizard who steps through the ropes. In wrestling’s hall of what-ifs, Hart vs. Angle remains the ultimate grail—a reminder that some stars burn brightest, even briefly. Rest in peace, Rocket—your legacy soars.