Owen Hart's Infamous WWF Slammy Award Speeches [Videos]

By the mid-90s, Owen Hart was money on the mic as a classic pro wrestling heel. Whether he was accepting a Slammy in 1996 and thanking absolutely nobody but himself or stealing the spotlight in 1997 as the presenter and taking the award for himself, Owen’s timing and personality made these moments unforgettable.

1996 WWF Slammy Awards

Anaheim Marriott

USA Network

March 30, 1996

1997 WWF Slammy Awards

Westin Hotel in Chicago

USA Network

March 21, 1997

WWF Tag Team Classic: The Hart Foundation vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin’s Team at Canadian Stampede [Videos]

Few professional wrestling matches in WWF history captured the power of a hometown crowd quite like the ten-man tag team main event at In Your House: Canadian Stampede, on July 6, 1997. Held in the red-hot environment of Calgary's Saddledome, the night felt less like a typical pay-per-view and more like a national rally.

Treated as conquering legends the instant they emerged from behind the curtain, Bret "Hitman" Hart, WWF Intercontinental Champion Owen Hart, WWF European Champion British Bulldog (Davey Boy Smith) with his wife "Mrs. Calgary" Diana Hart Smith, Jim "the Anvil" Neidhart, and the ever-unpredictable Brian Pillman were buoyed by an audience that was fully invested.

Opposing them were the rebellious "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, the no-nonsense Ken Shamrock, the bizarre and unsettling Goldust, and the intimidating powerhouse duo of The Legion of Doom. It was a clash of national identities, philosophies, and fan allegiances, colliding in one of the loudest and most unforgettable atmospheres the WWF ever produced.

"What a match this has been. What an unbelievable partisan crowd, J.R., we are witnessing here live tonight. I've never experienced anything like it.” 

                                                         - Vince McMahon

“I don’t think I’ve ever been, in my twenty-five years, feeling anything that we’re feeling here, the genuine enthusiasm!” 

                                                 - Jim Ross

In Your House: Canadian Stampede

July 6, 1997

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Commentary: Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, Jerry "the King" Lawler

Your WWF Ticket is also good
for admittance into the Calgary Stampede Rodeo!

Stu Hart (left), with his wife Helen and daughter Diana

—the wife of Davey Boy Smith—react from ringside.

RAW IS WAR

July 7, 1997

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Commentary: Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, Jerry "the King" Lawler

🖤 Match Companion Vol. 1 – Bret “Hitman” Hart vs. Owen Hart (WrestleMania X)

Bret vs Owen

They were born of wrestling royalty, trained in the legendary Hart Dungeon, and destined to clash.
At WrestleMania X, Owen Hart stepped out of the shadows of his older brother and into Madison Square Garden to prove he was every bit the wrestler — if not better.

Bret Hart was the beloved technician. Owen? The hungry, underappreciated challenger with something to prove.
What unfolded was not just a family feud — it was one of the most technically sound, emotionally charged matches in WrestleMania history.

📥 Match Companion Vol. 1

It’s the sibling showdown that opened WrestleMania X and left Madison Square Garden stunned. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart — a masterclass in storytelling, psychology, and execution.

We’re proud to launch our first-ever Match Companion PDF with this classic. Download it, follow along, and relive one of the best openers in WrestleMania history.

🎬 Watch the Match

Or stream on Peacock: WrestleMania X – March 20, 1994

📄 Download the PDF

Click here to download the Match Companion Vol. 1 – Bret vs. Owen (PDF)

---

Created by Vince • Pro Wrestling Resource
#MatchCompanion #WrestleManiaX #BretVsOwen

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin during the lead up to his WWF Royal Rumble victory [Videos]

In May 1996, an incident known as the "Curtain Call" involving Hunter Hearst Helmsley—later known as Triple H—led to changes in booking plans, removing him from the finals of the 1996 King of the Ring tournament. As a result, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin took his place in the finals, where his victory sparked the legendary "Austin 3:16" promo.

"..Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!"

Austin carried that momentum into an excellent match against Bret "The Hitman" Hart at the 1996 Survivor Series on November 17. In the months that followed, anticipation built for the next "major" pay-per-view, the WWF Royal Rumble, where the winner would earn a shot at the WWF World Championship at WrestleMania 13. However, due to backstage drama, beyond Austin's control involving Shawn Michaels, Austin wouldn’t receive his title match until WrestleMania XIV the following year.

Despite this, Austin showcased his talent and made a major impact at the 1997 Royal Rumble, controversially eliminating the "rightful" winner to claim victory. This set the stage for one of the most iconic matches in WrestleMania history—his No Disqualification Submission Match against Hart at WrestleMania 13. A match that would later be honored at the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame with the inaugural WWE Immortal Moment award.

WWF SUPERSTARS

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs "The Stalker" Barry Windham

Filmed on November 19, 1996

Aired on USA Network on December 15, 1996

Springfield, Massachusetts

IN YOUR HOUSE 12

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Goldust (Dustin Rhodes)

December 15, 1996

Palm Beach, Florida

WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Vader

Aired on December 16, 1996

Tampa, Florida

WWF SUPERSTARS

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Jason Ahrndt

Aired on December 22, 1996

Daytona Beach, Florida

WWF SUPERSTARS

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin in a Two-on-One Handicap Match

Aired on December 29, 1996

Daytona Beach, Florida

WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW

Bret Hart & Savio Vega vs Steve Austin & Faarooq

Aired on December 30, 1996

Albany, New York

WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW

Filmed on December 30, 1996

Aired on January 6, 1997

WWF SUPERSTARS

Appearance by The Iron Sheik

Filmed on December 17, 1996

Aired on January 12, 1997

Daytona Beach, Florida

WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW

The British Bulldog vs The Rock

with "Stone Cold" Appearance

Aired on January 13, 1996

Albany, New York

Commentary: Vince McMahon and Bret Hart

Bret Hart and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin to receive "WWE Immortal Moment" Award at the WWE Hall of Fame [Videos]

In what many consider one of the greatest WRESTLEMANIA matches of all time, the match between Bret Hart and Steve Austin will be honored at the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame with the inaugural WWE Immortal Moment award. Hart and Austin will be on hand to receive the award in person, making Hart the first three-time WWE Hall of Fame Inductee, as he was inducted prior in 2006 as a singles wrestler, and in 2019 as a member of The Hart Foundation with Jim Neidhart. 

RAW IS WAR

Bret Hart Promo

Aired on Monday, March 17, 1997

WWE HALL OF FAME IMMORTAL MOMENT

Promo Video

WRESTLEMANIA 13

Bret "Hitman" Hart vs "Stone Cold" Steve Austin

Sunday, March 23, 1997

Broken Skull Sessions

Guest: Bret Hart

Topic: Bret Hart vs Steve Austin at WM 13

RAW IS WAR

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin Interview after WM 13

and Bret Hart vs Rocky Maivia

Aired on Monday, March 24, 1997

WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING: September 20, 1988 [Videos]

The Golden Era of Professional Wrestling, from 1982 to 1992, saw Vince McMahon's WWF dominate the industry, led by Hulk Hogan. PRIME TIME WRESTLING was a notable program during this period, offering a unique two-hour show with top matches from WWF Superstars and Wrestling Challenge, along with exclusive bouts from various venues across the USA. From 1986 to 1991, Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan hosted the program, known for their analysis and comedic banter.

During this week's episode of PRIME TIME WRESTLING, which aired on Tuesday, September 20, 1988, Vince McMahon substituted for an ill Gorilla Monsoon.

The Opening of PRIME TIME WRESTLING

with Hosts Bobby Heenan and Vince McMahon

The first match of the Program

Bad News Brown vs Jumpin' Jim Brunzell

A Special Update

with Mean Gene Okerlund

The Rockers vs "Dangerous" Danny Davis & "Iron" Mike Sharpe

World Wrestling Federation Event Center

with Sean Mooney

Junk Yard Dog vs Hercules

The Blue Blazer (Owen Hart) vs Barry Horowitz

with Heenan talking about his Cannabis use in code

World Wrestling Federation Event Center

Promos with Sean Mooney

The Brother Love Show

Special guests The Big Boss Man with Slick

The British Bulldogs vs The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers

Vince and Bobby wrap up the Show

Heenan gives his favorite match "seen tonight"

and his final assessment of the blue blazer

1998 Royal Rumble Match - AUSTIN 3:16 STRIKES AGAIN! [Videos]

Royal Rumble 1998... Austin 3:16 Strikes Again!

1998 Royal Rumble Rules

"It's Every Man For Himself." - Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler repeat this statement several times throughout the Royal Rumble match.

Event Date: January 18, 1998

Venue: San Jose Arena

Location: San Jose, California

1998 Royal Rumble

Commentators: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

#1 - Cactus Jack (Mick Foley)

#2 - Chainsaw Charlie (Terry Funk)

#4 - The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) enters the Royal Rumble

#16 - Mankind (Mick Foley) enters the Royal Rumble

#24 - Stone Cold Steve Austin enters the Royal Rumble

#28 - Dude Love (Mick Foley) enters the Royal Rumble

The Final Four

Stone Cold Steve Austin

The Rock (Dwayne Johnson)

Dude Love (Mick Foley)

Faarooq (Ron Simmons)

Please note this post is for educational and research purposes.

Bonus In-ring Interview:

WWF Raw

Aired on Monday, January 12, 1998

Stone Cold Steve Austin with Michael Cole

Owen Hart and Bret Hart Interviews in December 1998 on TSN [Videos]

 

Professional Wrestling brothers Bret and Owen Hart appeared one day apart on the Canadian television program Gallagher which aired on TSN.

Guest Owen Hart

Aired on December 9. 1998

Guest Bret Hart

Aired on December 8, 1998

WWF Survivor Series Showdown 1993 [Videos]

In the wacky world of professional wrestling in 1993, the World Wrestling Federation showcased the SURVIVOR SERIES SHOWDOWN on the USA NETWORK on Sunday, November 21, hosted by Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan and featured a WWF Championship Match between Yokozuna and "The Hitman" Bret Hart.

SURVIVOR SERIES SHOWDOWN

USA NETWORK

Aired on Sunday, November 21, 1993

Special Edition

WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW

SURVIVOR SERIES SHOWDOWN

USA NETWORK

Aired on November 22, 1993

Bret Hart Raw Promo with the Hart Foundation the night after winning the WWF Championship at SummerSlam 1997 [Videos]

 

The night after SummerSlam 1997, The Hart Foundation spoke on matters important to them including "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, on Raw's August 4th episode.

 

Jim Ross interview The Hart Foundation

WWF Raw

August 4, 1997

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Sgt. Slaughter and "Stone Cold" respond

WWF Raw

August 4, 1997

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Vince McMahon Calls Out Owen Hart in 1997 + "THE CURE FOR THE COMMON SHOW" [Videos]

 

Vince McMahon Interviews Owen Hart

WWF RAW - WarZone

Filmed on December 9, 1997

Aired on December 15, 1997

Whittemore Center Arena

Durham, New Hampshire

Commentators: Jim Ross and Jim  Cornette

Vince McMahon Speaks Directly to the WWF Television Audience

"THE CURE FOR THE COMMON SHOW"

WWF RAW

Aired December 15, 1997

Vince McMahon: "It has been said that anything can happen here in the World Wrestling Federation, but now more than ever truer words have never been spoken. This is a conscious effort on our part to open the creative envelope, so to speak, in order to entertain you in a more contemporary manner. Even though we call ourselves "Sports Entertainment" because of the athleticism involved, the keyword in that phrase is "Entertainment." The WWF extends far beyond the strict confines of sports presentation into the wide open environment of broad-based entertainment. We borrow from such programs niches like soap operas like The Days Of Our Lives or music videos such as those on MTV, Daytime talk shows like Jerry Springer and others, cartoons like The King Of The Hill on FOX, Sitcoms like Seinfeld and other widely accepted forms of television entertainment.

We in the WWF think that you, the audience, are quite frankly tired of having your intelligence insulted. We also think that you're tired of the same old simplistic theory of "Good Guys vs. Bad Guys". Surely the era of the superhero urge you to say your prayers and take your vitamins is definitely passé. Therefore, we've embarked on a far more innovative and contemporary creative campaign, that is far more invigorating and extemporaneous than ever before. However, due to the live nature of RAW and the WarZone, we encourage some degree of parental discretion, as relates to the younger audience allowed to stay up late. Other WWF programs on USA, such as the Saturday Morning Live Wire and Sunday Morning Superstars, where there's a 40% increase in the younger audience obviously, however, need no such discretion.

We are responsible television producers who work hard to bring you this outrageous, wacky, wonderful world known as the WWF. Through some 50 years, the World Wrestling Federation has been an entertainment mainstay here in North America and all over the world. One of the reasons for that longevity is: As the times have changed, so have we. I'm happy to say that this new vibrate, creative direction has resulted in a huge increase in television viewership, for which we thank the USA Network and TSN for allowing us to have the creative freedom, but most especially, we would like to thank you for watching. RAW and the WarZone are definitely the cure for the common show."