By Lucas Swineford 

After going back and listening to the comments Owen Hart made following another unjust loss to Triple H and D-Generation X, I realized that we all should have known something drastic was on the horizon. Listening to him declare “the bull@#$% had to end,” it should have been clear to us that Hart was being driven to the brink of sanity, where he would be forced to enlist some radical measures if he hoped to achieve his goal of destroying DX. 

Since returning to the Federation after a temporary hiatus, Owen has found it very difficult living up to his promise of making D-Generation X’s life a living hell. After a string of unfortunate loses to Triple H, Hart was given the chance for retribution at UNFORGIVEN—and once again he came up on the losing end. Many Federation experts and fans alike felt that the match represented a pivotal point in the career of Owen Hart. If he was able to succeed and defeat Triple H, he could move on knowing he had toppled the leader of the faction he hates so passionately. But what if he lost? What would become of Owen Hart following another failed attempt at revenge? On Monday, April 27 the youngest member of the Hart family began to show us. 

Seconds after offering a good luck high-five to teammate Ken Shamrock, Owen unleashed an uncontrollable attack on his scheduled partner! With the Nation’s help, Hart pummeled the World’s Most Dangerous Man, who later had to be hospitalized due to the severity of the leg injuries he suffered during the vicious beating. Even though he had Shamrock down on the canvas screaming in pain, Owen was not content. He then resorted to animal-like tactics by biting through the former UFC Champions ear. It is often said that “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and following his maniacal episode, Federation cameras caught an image of Owen Hart which depicts how far over the edge the former Intercontinental Champion has gone. With Federation officials attempting to restrain him from continuing his assault on Shamrock, Owen wore a look of satisfaction as he smiled through teeth freshly stained with the blood of his victim. 

Many unanswered questions arise out of Monday’s action, the most pressing of which concerns Owen Hart’s involvement with the Nation. Is there any? Or is it just a major coincidence that the Nation just happened to be in the ring when Hart lost control of his emotions and unleashed a raging fury on “The Rock’s” most dangerous foe? Nothing we saw on RAW IS WAR points to the fact that there is any relationship between them, but that’s not to say there isn’t one developing. 

The truth of the matter is, Owen Hart is a desperate man. Listening to Triple H utter the words, “I own you,” must have driven Hart to begin to ponder tactics he never thought he would consider. If in fact there is something brewing, how did it come about? Did Hart seek out the Nation knowing that they would provide him with the physical presence he needed to destroy DX? Or did “The Rock” sense the desperation in Owen, and knew that lending the talented superstar a helping hand now, may greatly benefit “The People’s Champ” later on down the road? Regardless of who is using who, would Owen be making a wise choice by joining the Nation? 

It is no secret that Hart possesses all the tools to be one of the greatest superstars to ever compete in this sport, however throughout his career he has had to overcome the annoying, ever-present shadow cast by his older brother. So after finally being afforded the opportunity to emerge into the spotlight, why would he want to nestle under another shadow cast by “The Rock?” There is no question, “The Rock” is the one and only RULER in the Nation, and anyone who enlists in the faction must assume their position underneath the Godfather of the group. 

The only possible explanation would be that Owen Hart feels he needs allies. Following the departure of the rest of the Hart Foundation, Owen made a vital error in my view. He allowed himself to be taken over by his emotion and aggression, which lead him into believing that he could accomplish anything. Perhaps Owen arrived at the conclusion that he could not defeat D-Generation X by himself, so he began a search for an individual, or group to align himself with. 

When I look at the Nation, I see a faction that one-day may be challenging DX for supremacy throughout the wrestling world. I wonder if Owen Hart sees the same thing? Maybe we will find out later this week in the Cole Mine, where Michael Cole will have an exclusive interview with Owen. 

The one thing I am certain of in this situation is that over the next few weeks the ever-evolving saga of Owen Hart will certainly be one of the more interesting and talked about stories in the world of wrestling. Will Hart reveal more of his future plans next week on RAW IS WAR? 

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