There’s no denying Bret Hart is the most celebrated member of the Hart family. His influence on WWE during the 1990s and his many accomplishments cannot be overstated. During his time in the company, he was one of the most popular wrestlers in the world and heralded as one of the very best. One downside to Bret’s legendary status was that his youngest brother, Owen Hart — “The King of Harts” — often found himself overshadowed.
Owen Hart might be one of the most underappreciated and undervalued talents in wrestling history. He was incredibly funny, sharp on the microphone, and understood exactly how to entertain fans — whether as a face or heel.
Outside of his charisma, Owen was also an incredible in-ring performer. “The Rocket” rarely had a bad match, and some of his bouts remain all-time classics. Here’s a look at ten of Owen Hart’s greatest matches.
Survivor Series – November 24, 1993
The Hart Family vs. Shawn Michaels & His Knights
Going into Survivor Series 1993, Bret Hart was deep in a feud with Jerry “The King” Lawler, who had been taking shots at the Hart family for years. The match was set as the Hart Family vs. Lawler and his Knights, but Shawn Michaels replaced Lawler at the last minute.
While most of Bret’s brothers were past their prime, they knew how to get from point A to point B. What stood out was Owen’s breakout performance — showing fantastic energy, sharp mat skills, and proving he could work a major program. The ending teased tensions with Bret, setting up his rise in the months to follow.
NJPW Explosion Tour – April 26, 1991
Owen Hart vs. Jushin Thunder Liger
Before making it big in North America, Owen wrestled in Japan as part of NJPW’s Junior Heavyweight Division. His 1991 clash with Jushin Liger showcased a mix of precise technical wrestling and spectacular high-flying offense.
The match was built around each man targeting a body part, combined with inventive aerial moves using the ropes and ringside area. Even in his younger years, Owen’s versatility and depth of skill were clear — traits that WWE fans would later come to love.
SummerSlam – August 29, 1994
Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart – Steel Cage Match for the WWE Championship
The Bret vs. Owen feud dominated 1994, following Owen’s heel turn at the Royal Rumble. Their SummerSlam cage match is widely considered the best blue-bar cage match ever and one of the top ten cage matches of all time.
Both brothers used escape attempts to build suspense, brought unexpected violence to a match between technicians, and delivered a clinic in storytelling. Unfortunately, it had to follow the odd “Undertaker vs. Undertaker” main event, but in terms of quality, this was the true headliner.
WrestleMania X – March 20, 1994
Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart
After the Royal Rumble’s double-winner scenario, Bret faced Owen in WrestleMania’s opening match. With months of animosity built since Owen’s betrayal, the brothers delivered what is still considered the greatest opening match in WrestleMania history.
Both showcased crisp technical exchanges and a compelling story of one-upmanship. The shock finish — Owen pinning Bret clean — made Owen a made man in WWE.
In Your House 6 – February 18, 1996
Shawn Michaels vs. Owen Hart
Following Michaels’ storyline concussion in November 1995, Owen was credited with “knocking him out” via a brutal enziguri. After HBK’s Royal Rumble win, Owen demanded he put his WrestleMania title shot on the line.
Fast-paced and smartly built, the match revolved around Owen targeting HBK’s head, with great tension over whether Owen might end Michaels’ career. HBK won, but Owen proved again how storytelling can elevate a great wrestling match.
In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede – July 6, 1997
The Hart Foundation vs. Steve Austin, Legion of Doom, Goldust & Ken Shamrock
By 1997, Bret Hart was a despised heel in the U.S., but still a hero abroad. In Calgary, the Hart Foundation received a hero’s welcome. Owen carried much of the match’s in-ring work, and his clean pin over Austin to end the bout gave him a huge rub.
WrestleMania XIV – March 29, 1998
Triple H vs. Owen Hart – European Championship
Post-Montreal Screwjob, Owen was the lone Hart left in WWE, feuding with D-Generation X to avenge his family. Facing Triple H at WrestleMania, Owen delivered a solid match with deliberate pacing to tell the story.
It was his first WrestleMania without any other Harts, proving he was still a valuable asset — though WWE never fully capitalized on it.
King of the Ring – June 19, 1994
Razor Ramon vs. Owen Hart – Finals
Owen’s heel turn, WrestleMania win, and King of the Ring victory cemented his 1994 as career-defining. In the short but energetic finals against Razor Ramon, their styles meshed perfectly. Jim Neidhart’s interference helped Owen win, but the moment elevated him as a serious title contender.
Monday Night Raw – February 26, 1997
British Bulldog vs. Owen Hart – European Championship Finals
In Berlin, tag partners Owen and Bulldog fought in a clean, technical match to crown the first European Champion. The sportsmanship and crisp chain wrestling made it stand out. Bulldog ultimately won with a reverse victory roll, but the bout is still one of Owen’s overlooked gems.
Monday Night Raw – January 9, 1995 (2nd Anniversary)
Razor Ramon vs. Owen Hart – Intercontinental Championship
Building off their King of the Ring encounter, Owen and Razor delivered a fast-paced TV title match. Razor surprisingly wrestled much of the match like a heel, controlling the pace and adding a fresh twist. For Owen fans, this is an underrated must-watch.
Owen Hart’s career is a bittersweet reminder of just how much potential can be left unfulfilled in professional wrestling. From technical masterpieces to emotionally charged feuds, Owen consistently proved he was among the very best in the business. Whether as a cocky heel, an underdog face, or a tag-team technician, “The King of Harts” left behind a body of work that will stand the test of time.
For fans, his matches remain a celebration of pure wrestling artistry — proof that great storytelling, athleticism, and charisma never go out of style.