June 4, 2001 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Hart family/WWF issues resurface, more
The complicated mess that involves the Hart Family and the WWF, which seemingly was over from a public standpoint when the WWF agreed to an $18 million settlement in the wrongful death claim in the Owen Hart case, reared its ugly head this past week.
Ugly was the word, with the family ripped apart, combined with television booking that appeared either strangely vindictive or subtly manipulative when Raw for the first time ever came to a sold out Calgary Saddledome before one of the hottest crowds in a long time on 5/28.
The show, to a casual viewer unaware of the backstage politics, seemed to be built along the idea that they would tease the fantasy confrontation between Vince McMahon and Bret Hart throughout the show, particularly once the main event started, with references throughout the show that something strange was about to happen. Several members of the Hart family were at ringside, including Stu, announced very early in the show.
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Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.