Biography

The harness used in the fatal accident that caused his death was a $68 dollar sailboat harness not designed for humans to descend from heights. The WWF were warned specifically by many professional stunt coordinators not to use this harness. His widow, Martha, then sued the WWF for wrongful death due to negligence.

In early 1999, several months before his untimely death, he thought about retiring from wrestling and becoming a school teacher.

Died during the pay-per-view WWF Over the Edge (1999), which was held at Kemper Arena. He was supposed to have been lowered into the ring from the ceiling. A quick release mechanism accidentally triggered just a few seconds after starting his descent, while Owen was said to be adjusting his cape. Owen fell 78 feet into the ring, landing chest first, right beside a turnbuckle piercing his heart, then catapulting headfirst into the ring, which broke his neck. He died almost instantly. Commentators Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler addressed the situation out of character and the event continued at the direction of Vince McMahon. It was later said that Vince made the decisions to continue the show and not inform the arena fans of Owen's passing, out of fear that fans might have rioted.

Although he had died by the time UPN picked the series up, he appeared in the pilot episode of WWE Smackdown! (1999).

According to Triple H, Owen would have eventually been called "The Game". A few months after Owen's death, Triple H actually got the gimmick nickname instead.