Bryan Danielson wants to embody how Owen Hart put his family first
2024 men’s Owen Hart Cup winner Bryan Danielson knows exactly what traits of the trophy’s namesake he wishes to embody.
Danielson told Sports Illustrated recently that it is the way Hart put his family first that makes him someone he aspires to be.
“When I was a teenager, Owen Hart was one of my favorites, which makes this really special,” said Danielson. “I love hearing about how much he loved his family. Those guys were on the road so much, something like 300 days a year. So when I hear the stories about how he’d find one extra day to be at home, that means a lot.”
“Was he an incredible professional wrestler? Of course. Was he hilarious? Everyone says he was. You can see it in his promos. But I want to embody the way he put his family first.”
Danielson defeated Hangman Page in the finals of the tournament on Dynamite last week. After the match, he was presented the Owen Hart Cup and a championship belt by Hart’s widow, Dr. Martha Hart, as well as Jeff Jarrett, whose emotional promos about his friend have been a highlight of AEW programming of late.
“I’m honored to be part of the Owen Hart Memorial Foundation Tournament,” said Danielson. “It’s really inspiring to me what Martha Hart has done with this tragedy, and how she’s helped so many people–and raised her children. She got her doctorate. She raised two wonderful children, and she’s an incredible parent. That’s something I aspire to be, too.”
Martha Hart created the Owen Hart Foundation in December 2000 after her husband’s death in May 1999. The charity runs programs to help those with limited resources secure housing and scholarships. They also help raise money for international aid efforts, food drives, and other special projects. You can learn more about the foundation’s work here.
After defeating Page on Dynamite last week, Danielson cut a promo calling Martha Hart an inspiration as well.
“I’m proud of winning The Owen because Owen Hart meant so much to professional wrestling. He meant so much as far as what it means to be a father in professional wrestling. What it means to put your family first. Right? That’s what Owen Hart means,” Danielson said.
“But then also as Martha is shaking my hand and giving me the trophy — we call this the Owen Hart Memorial Foundation tournament, but I’m just as proud to shake her hand. Because what she’s done as a mother all on her own and raised those kids and started the Owen Hart Memorial Foundation. And all the good that she’s done. Getting her doctorate. The people that her children have become. That’s inspiring to me. And that — not because I can’t handle it anymore, not because I’m not good enough — because I want to be the type of parent that Martha Hart is. That’s why I’m stopping full-time wrestling.”
While AEW was in Calgary last week, Martha and Owen’s son Oje Hart shared a special moment with Jarrett and said that he’s never felt closer to his father than when he takes part in AEW’s events with the Owen Hart Foundation.
“A lot of time has gone by since he’s gone but I’ve actually never felt closer to him since doing these things so it’s good for me too,” Oje said to Jarrett. “It’s really hitting hard. It’s probably hitting me the same way it’s hitting you, so thanks, man.”
The clip with Oje and Jarrett is available below.
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.