Jimmy Korderas, a former WWE referee, has opened up about the traumatic experience of witnessing Owen Hart’s fatal fall at Over The Edge in 1999. As Korderas recounts, he was in the ring clearing debris from a previous hardcore match when the incident occurred. He was holding the top rope, watching the pre-recorded interview of Owen Hart on the screen, when he heard the crowd screaming and felt something brush past him. The top rope snapped, and he jerked his hand back, not realizing what had happened until he saw Owen lying on the mat. Korderas called out for help, but there was no response, and he eventually watched in horror as the paramedics took Owen away.
Owen Hart (Via WWE/Twitter)
In the aftermath, Korderas was taken to the hospital, where he was checked out and eventually learned the full extent of what had occurred. However, it was only later, when he spoke with fellow wrestlers and officials, that he realized how close Owen was to him when he fell. Jerry Lawler, a fellow wrestler, told him that he had seen the last 20 feet of the fall and thought Korderas was going to be the next victim. This revelation sparked intense feelings of survivor’s guilt in Korderas, who reflected on the family that had lost a loved one and couldn’t help but feel fortunate to have made it out alive.
The incident sparked widespread controversy, with many fans criticizing WWE for continuing the show despite Owen’s death. The tragedy left a lasting impact on the wrestling world, and Korderas’ account serves as a poignant reminder of the risks and sacrifices made by professional wrestlers.
