Ziggy Vercetti Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Long recent backstory with Brets new response WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart recently appeared on CBS In This Corner podcast and blasted the legitimacy of the WWE Hall of Fame, also discussing Martha Hart and how shes done more to erase Owen Harts memory than she ever did to remember him. Heres part of what The Hitman said I think Martha, Owens widow shes a very obtuse, square-headed person. I think shes done more to erase my brother Owens memory than she ever did to remember him. I think it really bothers me that the fans that loved Owen so much didnt get a chance to remember him. You do these kind of things for people are here, left to remember them. I mean Owen, it would never matter to him if he was in the Hall of Fame but I think that you know it would mean a lot to different family members in my family. Martha then issued the following statement on Brets comments via The Owen Hart Foundation: Statement From Martha Hart in Response to Published Comments by Wrestler Bret Hart CALGARY, Alberta, July 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Dr. J. Martha Hart, PhD, released the following statement today in response to published comments attributed to the former WWE wrestler, Bret Hart: The suggestion by Bret Hart that I am erasing the memory of my late husband, Owen Hart, is reckless, irresponsible, and clearly untrue. Brets comments are rooted in the fact that I have steadfastly refused to work with the WWE to exploit Owens image for commercial gain. Owen was an incredible entertainer and I know that his many fans around the world enjoyed his wrestling career immensely. I encourage them to continue to do so. But I am firm in my belief that the WWE was responsible for Owens death. As a result, I cannot and will not support any efforts by the WWE to profit from Owens memory. Instead, I, my son Oje and daughter Athena have worked tirelessly to honor Owen through the good works of The Owen Hart Foundation, which has exceeded $4 million in gift giving and contributions toward scholarships, home owner bursaries, and other special projects that have greatly improved the lives of so many in Canada and around the world. We have always believed that this is the most fitting public tribute to a man of profound integrity; a wonderful human being who just happened to wrestle. I know that Owen would be very proud of the tremendous accomplishments the Foundation has achieved in his name. Bret Harts comments are disrespectful and cruel. It is disappointing that so many in the media have chosen to report them without seeking my perspective. Whatever Bret may believe, the fact is that, far from erasing Owens memory, I have devoted the last 20 years to celebrating his life in a very public way. I can think of very few people who have been remembered so glowingly by their spouse. For more information about The Owen Hart Foundation, including the Scholarship Fund, the Owen Hart Foundation Housing Program, and other special projects, visit www.owenhartfoundation.org. Our OHF Mandate is Education: Helping individuals with limited resources but unlimited potential. In an update, Bret took to Facebook this week and responded to Martha. You can see his full statement below: This past week, I have received multiple requests for comment regarding my recent interview on a podcast and the rebuttal made by Dr. Martha Hart. First of all, I want to express my disappointment in both the Calgary Sun and Calgary Herald for running a gossip-style article and making it front page news when there are more pressing issues in the world to highlight. You are better than that. I listened back to the interview in question and I specifically want to address Marthas comments about my words being cruel, reckless, irresponsible, and hurtful. Stampede Wrestling was an institution in the city of Calgary. Wrestling was our family business. My brothers and I either wrestled for my father Stu or worked behind the scenes. Fans packed the Victoria Pavilion every Friday night for decades. Martha has seemed to have forgotten that she attended those same shows before she met Owen. She was, by definition, a wrestling fan. That same group Martha appears to look down upon and ignore. Earlier this year, Mark Henry took time during his WWE Hall of Fame induction to specifically address Martha. With tears in his eyes, Henry pleaded with her to allow Owen to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. My nieces and nephews were in the audience with tears in their eyes as he expressed how much he deserved to be there with his peers. Fans have told me they had tears in their eyes when they watched the moment on television. Those same fans Martha sat side-by-side with at Stampede Wrestling and WWE events. Those same fans that donate to the Owen Hart Foundation and helped make it what it is today because they remember the joy he brought to their lives and not by how he died. Those royalty checks she receives from the company she says she doesnt want any part of? Those are also from those same fans. To her, their tears do not matter. To me, that is cruel and hurtful. It is true that Martha and I were close at one time. I was right by her side after Owens death until she received her settlement from WWE and proclaimed me a pest. Martha later declared herself and her children Harts in name only, called us all black sheep, and ceased contact with the rest of the Hart family. She further isolated from us when we all came together in 2010 to honour our father Stu being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and participated in a DVD that celebrated our family (Hart & Soul). Owens children do not have a relationship with his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins. One of my nieces, in fact, named her son Owen after him. I do not know Oje and I wouldnt know Athena if she walked passed me on the street. Owens children only know of their fathers family by what is told by their mother, whatever that may be, painting us all with one broad brush. To block Owens children from knowing their fathers family, to me, is cruel, reckless, and irresponsible. Owens tragic accident almost 20 years ago changed our family forever. Martha lost her soulmate and her children lost their father. You have to remember, however, that I also lost my brother. My children lost their uncle. My grandchildren will only know him through pictures and stories. His peers lost a close friend who filled them with endless laughter through long periods on the road. The fans lost someone that they lovingly connected to. Martha is not alone in her loss and grief. The Owen Hart Foundation is a wonderful charity that has raised millions of dollars and has helped many people in its 19 year history. I am not disputing or denying that whatsoever. I disagree, however, that it should be the sole outlet to remember Owen by. This is not just about Owen being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. This is about his wrestling career, his wrestling legacy, his contribution to the business that he loved and honouring that contribution. Owen Hart was a world-renowned professional wrester, and a damn good one. He was part of the foundation that our family name was built on not just in the city of Calgary but all over the world. For Martha to want to rewrite history, to refuse to acknowledge or recognize his great wrestling career, to brush off what he, myself, and my father did as that fake stuff is wrong. Owen Hart was a wrestler. The next generation deserve to know how great he truly was. I am happy to hear that my brother Owen will be inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame on July 28 in Waterloo, Iowa. My father and I are past honourees. While I will not be in attendance, the Hart family will be well-represented with my brothers Ross, Bruce, Keith, sister Diana, and my nephew Harry Smith accepting the honour on his behalf. Thank you to the Board of Directors for recognizing his wrestling career, his contributions to the wrestling business, and his legacy. Im sure the event will be filled with laughter, tears, and an overall appreciation for the man that he was. I can only hope that this is only the beginning. Bret Hart x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willows Way Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Damn what a tough situation. I do agree with Bret though here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeM Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 That's just sad to read. I'll bet Bret won't be so forthcoming with the media in future though. Personally I think the ideal solution would be for Martha to release the footage, but WWE to give all proceeds (royalties) to Owen's foundation. Unfortunately though I can't ever see talks even taking place. Rightly or wrongly (and that's a whole different debate) Martha blames WWE for Owen's death, so there's no way she would ever consider a partnership with them. Beyond that, I wouldn't dare presume to know what either party are going through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Nerd Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Bruh, leave Martha the *Censored* alone. *Censored*. Im aware Bret is Owens brother. Their bond can never be explained enough. We get it. But years ago before he forgave WWE he himself said Owen wouldnt have wanted the PPV to continue. So why not keep the same energy knowing that Martha doesnt want WWE to possibly exploit Owen. Shes being cautious and I dont blame her. Do we really even need Owen to join the likes of certain people in the HOF? Is him going in really that much of a big deal? Is him being mentioned more or included in Network specials or etc really that deep? Let the woman run shit how she feels obligated too. Just be happy all his material is on the Network. What more can they actually do to promote Owen? A tournament? A name drop? Enough. And then to call her a square head? Have some *censored*ing respect. If you dont respect his wife how can you respect him? That was clearly who he loved. Pretty sure Owen wouldnt feel pleased with the dude constantly jabbing at his wife. Shes done more than remember him? Shes remembering their intimate moments not his wrestling career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niffan Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 I really see both sides of it. I'm just glad Martha is at least celebrating Owen in some fashion at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Nerd Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 I mean I still respect her for the foundation af stuff shes been doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGPLX. Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 What a depressing *censored*ing situation, I wish I didn't know about such personal stuff. Like the HOF is one thing but knowing Bret wouldn't recognise his niece in the street is on a whole other level completely. I can see both sides but I lean more towards Martha, simply because her memory of Owen is way more important than any fan's, which ironically is the opposite of what Bret is saying. I can let Bret off for being such a mark cos he's Owen's brother and an actual wrestler, but it can't be justified for regular wrestling fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BestInTheWorld614 Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 It may have to do more than just remembering Owen. I remember Bret saying once that she was really distant from the rest of the family and even was keeping her kids away from their cousins, aunts and uncles. Family drama usually runs deeper than the issue being discussed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faster Than Light Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 What a depressing *censored*ing situation, I wish I didn't know about such personal stuff. Like the HOF is one thing but knowing Bret wouldn't recognise his niece in the street is on a whole other level completely. I can see both sides but I lean more towards Martha, simply because her memory of Owen is way more important than any fan's, which ironically is the opposite of what Bret is saying. I can let Bret off for being such a mark cos he's Owen's brother and an actual wrestler, but it can't be justified for regular wrestling fans. I agree with the last part of this. Meh, this is something that if anything is to happen, the people actually involved need to work it out. I'm not really bothered with the status quo really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muur Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 I'm shocked at how she's isolated herself from everyone else, it's a shit situation all round. At least she's letting him in that other HOF at least. I don't see anything about him saying the WWE HOF is shit though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mango kid Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Honestly I really don't care after all this time if he gets in he gets in if he doesn't he doesn't world still turns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miguelnuva Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 I don't see how Martha's memory of Owen would be destroyed or insulted if she let Wwe.use his likeness for past footage. Just demand that she gets final ok or how he's being portrayed by wwe in games, vidoes and figures and then make sure she and her kids are getting a decent price for the use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil' Kazu Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 I won't comment on either side but I just wish they settle their differences in private instead of dragging this to the public eye... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M3J Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 I can understand why both feel the way they do, but can't they be private about this? At the very least, think of their kids, nieces, nephews, and grandkids. ON one hand, I agree with Martha that WWE is responsible for Owen's death and shouldn't be able to profit off them. On the other hand, I agree with Bret that Owen's life and career should be celebrated. Man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Nerd Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Its celebrated. Oh the Network. Now I dont see any issue with WWE adding a section like Owens greatest moments or something of the sort? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Walnuts Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 I agree with Bret that shes done more to erase Owen's legacy. I agree with Martha that WWE is fully responsible for Owen's passing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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