 Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation received strong criticism for designing the stunt and allowing the event to continue after Owen Hart 's fall . In his weekly column for the Calgary Sun — a major newspaper in Hart 's hometown — on May 31 , 1999 , Bret Hart blamed McMahon for his brother 's death . He " question [ ed ] if this was really necessary " and said , " Shame on you , Vince McMahon . " He also claimed that the tribute show " reeked of disrespect , " stating , " Yes , the so @-@ called tribute where afterward wrestlers point to their crotches and say : ' Suck it ! ' It makes me nauseous . " Other members of the Hart family also blamed McMahon for Owen 's death , claiming that the accident was the inevitable outcome of " an obsession for ratings and revenues . " While in Calgary for Owen 's funeral , wrestler Hulk Hogan stated , " Hopefully something good will happen . Wrestling 's gotten ... way too over the top " . In reference to McMahon , he added , " I hope he learns a lesson from this horrible accident " . Ralph Klein , Alberta 's premier at the time , expressed a hope that Hart 's death would lead to changes in wrestling , stating , " Maybe the various federations will rethink the gimmickry . " 
