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Under the Mat

Under the Mat: Inside Wrestling's Greatest Family is a 2001 memoir co-authored by Diana Hart and Kirstie McLellan, offering an insider's account of life within the prominent Hart wrestling family in Canada. The book chronicles Diana Hart's experiences growing up in the Hart household, where professional wrestling was central to family dynamics, with her father Stu Hart founding the Hart Dungeon training facility in their Calgary home. It details the rise to fame of her brothers Bret "Hitman" Hart and the late Owen Hart in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), alongside personal stories involving her ex-husband, wrestler Davey Boy Smith, known as the British Bulldog. Published by HB Fenn and Company in hardcover format with ISBN 978-1-55168-256-3, the portrays the wrestling industry as a realm of superstars, egos, financial stakes, familial bonds, and underlying tragedies, extending beyond televised spectacles to the personal toll on those involved. , born into this wrestling-centric environment, recounts training sessions in the infamous basement gym that produced numerous and (WCW) stars, highlighting the physical and emotional rigors of the profession. The narrative also addresses devastating events, such as Owen Hart's fatal accident in 1999 during a event, underscoring the perils faced by family members in the ring. The book gained attention for its candid revelations about the Hart family's internal relationships and the behind-the-scenes realities of , including interactions with industry figures trained under Stu Hart's guidance. However, it became highly controversial when , Owen's widow, filed a against the authors and publisher in late , leading to the book's withdrawal from sale. It emphasizes themes of fame intertwined with personal hardship, providing readers with a grounded on a family dynasty that shaped modern wrestling entertainment.

Background and Writing

Hart Family Context

The Hart family emerged as a cornerstone of professional wrestling through the efforts of patriarch Stu Hart, who founded Stampede Wrestling in Calgary, Alberta, in 1948. This promotion quickly became a dominant force in Western Canada, providing a vital training ground for aspiring wrestlers and producing talents such as Bret Hart and Owen Hart, who later achieved prominence in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Stampede Wrestling operated until 1984, when it was sold to WWF owner Vince McMahon for $1 million, marking the end of an era that had shaped the regional wrestling landscape for over three decades. At the heart of the family's legacy was the Hart House in Calgary, purchased by Stu Hart in 1951, which served as both a bustling family residence and an informal hub for wrestling activities. Stu and his wife Helen raised 12 children in this environment, creating a chaotic yet tightly knit dynamic where wrestling permeated daily life. All eight of their sons pursued careers in professional wrestling, reflecting the intense familial commitment to the industry under Stu's guidance. Central to the Hart House was the Dungeon, a makeshift gym in the basement that functioned as one of wrestling's most rigorous training facilities from the early 1950s onward. These sessions emphasized brutal grappling techniques against bare walls without ropes, testing endurance and skill in ways that forged resilient performers. The Dungeon profoundly influenced family members' careers, with older sons like Keith, Smith, and Bruce receiving direct instruction from Stu, while younger ones such as Bret and Owen adapted its principles to become elite competitors. Among the standout family members, rose to international stardom as a five-time World Heavyweight Champion, renowned for his technical prowess and multiple Intercontinental Championship reigns. complemented this legacy with notable success, including partnerships that highlighted his agility and versatility in the during the , before his untimely in 1999. , one of the daughters, connected the family to the broader wrestling world through her marriage to , known as the , a prominent specialist and her partner in both personal and professional spheres.

Motivation and Development

Diana Hart, the youngest daughter of Stu and Helen Hart, grew up immersed in the family's wrestling legacy but never entered the ring herself, instead marrying wrestler in 1984 and raising their children while supporting his career. Following their contentious divorce in 2000, which involved allegations of infidelity and , Hart sought to reclaim her narrative amid escalating family tensions. The death of her brother in a tragic wrestling accident in May 1999 profoundly impacted the family, exacerbating divisions, particularly as Owen's widow, , publicly criticized the Hart family's dynamics and the wrestling industry's safety standards in media appearances. Motivated to counter these portrayals and share "untold stories" of the family's dysfunction, abuse, triumphs, and the personal toll of wrestling, began work on the manuscript shortly after Owen's passing. She explicitly aimed to set the record straight on her life within the male-dominated sport and the Hart household, where wrestling defined every aspect of existence. Over a two-year development period starting in 1999, Hart collaborated closely with Calgary-based writer Kirstie McLellan, who helped structure the narrative while allowing to maintain creative control. The initial manuscript centered on themes of romance, hidden family secrets, and the emotional and physical strains of the wrestling world, without framing it as a sensational from the outset. This process was further driven by urgency, as Hart wished to document her father's stories before his declining health prevented it.

Content Summary

Family Life in the Hart House

In Under the Mat, depicts her childhood in the Hart House, a spacious yet chaotic Victorian mansion in built in 1905, where she grew up alongside 11 siblings amid the constant bustle of a large family immersed in wrestling culture. The home, often cramped with children sharing beds and rooms, served as the epicenter of daily life, reflecting the energetic and sometimes overwhelming dynamics of the Hart household. , the family patriarch and wrestling promoter, enforced strict discipline, frequently absent due to his commitments but imposing rigorous expectations on his children through physical training and moral guidance. In contrast, Helen Hart managed the household with a blend of firm discipline and nurturing care, acting as the emotional anchor that kept the family cohesive despite the pressures of their unconventional lifestyle. Hart recounts specific anecdotes that highlight the intensity of sibling interactions and the underlying hardships, including frequent rivalries over limited , , and resources that often escalated into physical scuffles among the children. Despite Stu's prominence in the wrestling world, the family endured persistent financial strains, relying heavily on his irregular income from promotions while navigating everyday economies in a home filled with hand-me-downs and makeshift arrangements. A pivotal element in this upbringing was the , the basement gym beneath the Hart House where Stu subjected his children—particularly the boys—to grueling wrestling holds and exercises, fostering not only physical resilience but also a that shaped their characters amid pain and perseverance. The explores themes of parental favoritism, with Stu showing particular pride in his wrestling-oriented sons like Bret and Owen, whom he trained intensively and praised as embodying the family's athletic legacy, often at the expense of emotional support for the daughters. , as one of the girls, illustrates a sense of neglect in this male-centric environment, where opportunities for the sons overshadowed the experiences of female siblings, contributing to feelings of marginalization within the home. Family rituals provided moments of unity, such as elaborate Sunday dinners prepared by that brought everyone together for shared meals and , reinforcing bonds amid the chaos. Additionally, regular exposure to events allowed the children to immerse themselves in the crowds and atmosphere from a young age, blending domestic life with the spectacle of that permeated their early years.

Wrestling Careers and Industry Insights

In Under the Mat, Diana Hart chronicles her brother Bret Hart's entry into the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) following the 1984 sale of the family's Stampede Wrestling promotion to Vince McMahon, which secured Bret a position on the WWF payroll alongside other Hart family members. Bret's rise was marked by early challenges, including unsupportive training from established wrestlers who underestimated his potential, yet he persevered to become a prominent figure in the promotion. A pivotal moment came in 1992 when Bret defeated Ric Flair to win the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in a house show in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, an event so significant that McMahon personally flew their father, Stu Hart, to attend. This victory underscored Bret's technical prowess and elevated the Hart family's profile within the industry. Diana Hart also details her brother Owen Hart's professional trajectory, highlighting his long-term tag-team partnership with her husband, , spanning 15 years across various promotions. Owen's agile style as the "flyer" complemented Smith's powerhouse approach, notably during their time in the as part of a heel faction that included matches against teams like and . While Owen's collaborations extended to other high-profile wrestlers, his work with Smith exemplified the family's interconnected roles in building successful tag divisions. These partnerships contributed to Owen's reputation as a versatile performer in the and , often traveling and competing under the guidance of family traditions established in . The book provides Diana's firsthand observations of Davey Boy Smith's WWF career, which began in 1984 alongside the Hart influx but was briefly interrupted when he quit due to frustrations with "prima donnas" in the roster, only to return in 1990 at the urging of WWF executive Pat Patterson. Smith's tenure peaked at SummerSlam 1992 in Wembley Stadium, where he defeated Bret for the WWF Intercontinental Championship in front of 80,000 fans, a match that highlighted family dynamics on a global stage. Family tours in the 1980s and 1990s were extensive, including trips to Hawaii in 1980 with wrestlers like Bruce and Keith Hart, frequent excursions to Japan for matches, and events across North America, reflecting the relentless international demands of the profession. These travels often involved the entire family, blending professional obligations with personal support networks. Throughout these accounts, Diana Hart critiques the wrestling industry's harsh physical and operational realities. She describes the widespread use of steroids, such as Deca-Durabolin and testosterone prescribed to by a , which boosted performance but fueled aggression and led to incidents like the confiscation of supplies intended for , resulting in Smith's 1992 firing. McMahon implemented random drug testing that strained the promotion's finances, yet the culture of enhancement drugs persisted. Injuries were a constant threat, exemplified by Smith's 1989 van accident that required 135 stitches and caused herniated discs, alongside the era's grueling schedules that exacerbated wear on performers. Promoter pressures, particularly from , manifested in punitive measures like sidelining Bret after Smith's departure and enforcing rigorous itineraries that prioritized revenue over wrestler well-being, often forcing individuals into for addictions tied to . A defining industry insight in the book centers on the 1997 at , where orchestrated a double-cross against Bret during his Championship match with . Without Bret's knowledge, the referee prematurely rang the bell after a false submission, awarding the title to Michaels in a three-second finish, prompting Bret to spit in 's face and destroy equipment in rage. From the family's vantage, the event exposed deep betrayals; Smith and Owen were incensed, with Smith suffering torn knee ligaments in the chaos, while Owen chose to remain with despite Bret's urging to leave, illustrating the promotional leverage that divided even close-knit talents. This incident, as recounted, revealed the manipulative tactics promoters employed to control careers and narratives.

Tragedies and Personal Reflections

One of the most poignant sections in Under the Mat details the tragic death of Diana Hart's brother on May 23, 1999, during the WWF's Over the Edge pay-per-view event at the Kemper Arena in . Owen, performing as the Blue Blazer, was descending from the arena rafters on a harness as part of his entrance when the quick-release mechanism failed, causing him to plummet approximately 78 feet onto the top rope of the ring, resulting in immediate blunt force trauma and his death at age 34. Diana recounts receiving the news directly from her father Stu Hart, who called her in shock, emphasizing Owen's talent and the family's deep bond with him as the youngest sibling; she describes the moment as shattering, leaving her "numb" and unable to process the loss amid the chaos of the ongoing event. The book extends this examination to broader tragedies within the Hart family's wrestling world, underscoring Diana's view of as a "perilous craft" that exacted a heavy toll on its practitioners through inadequate safety measures and relentless physical demands. Diana's reflections in the book delve into the emotional fractures within the Hart , exacerbated by Owen's death, which divided siblings over whether to sue the —Diana supported reconciliation, leading to her alienation from and others who pursued litigation. She candidly discusses her 2000 divorce from as a painful escape from an abusive marked by his use and , expressing over the impact on their children and the irony of the Harts as wrestling's "greatest " amid allegations of Stu's extramarital affairs and the household's tolerance of dysfunction. Throughout, Diana emphasizes themes of , portraying her of these "hard knocks" as a testament to inner strength and the hard-won lessons of prioritizing over familial in an rife with tragedy.

Publication and Legal Issues

Initial Release

Under the Mat: Inside Wrestling's Greatest Family was published by Fenn Publishing Company Ltd. in October 2001 as a co-authored by and Kirstie McLellan, spanning 200 pages with 1-55168-256-7. The book featured a cover with photographs of the Hart family members, emphasizing its intimate portrayal of their lives. Marketed as a candid "" revealing the inner workings and secrets of the Hart wrestling dynasty, the memoir generated early media interest in , the family's hometown, and among publications. Promotional efforts highlighted its focus on family dynamics, wrestling careers, and personal tragedies, targeting Canadian readers and dedicated wrestling enthusiasts through local outlets and industry channels. No prominent celebrity endorsements appeared on the cover or promotional materials, reflecting the sensitive nature of the family's private revelations. The initial release made the book publicly available in bookstores and online shortly after its October launch, capitalizing on the Hart family's prominence in the wrestling world to drive early accessibility for fans seeking behind-the-scenes insights.

Lawsuit and Withdrawal

In November 2001, shortly after the October publication of Under the Mat: Inside Wrestling's Greatest Family, , widow of the late wrestler , filed a in the against her sister-in-law Diana Hart-Smith, co-author Kirstie McLellan, publisher Fenn Publishing Company, and distributor H.B. Fenn & Co. Ltd. Martha alleged , invasion of privacy, and unauthorized use of her and Owen Hart's likenesses, claiming the book contained inaccurate and irresponsible statements that portrayed her family as dysfunctional and inaccurately depicted the circumstances surrounding Owen's 1999 death, including suggestions of his unhappiness in his marriage and career. These depictions, argued, violated informal family agreements made after Owen's death to protect his memory and privacy, and sought unspecified damages, a public apology, retraction of the offending content, and an to prevent further sales and distribution. By January 2002, the parties reached an out-of-court settlement, under which H.B. Fenn & Co. Ltd. withdrew the from all Canadian bookstores and ceased distribution. The agreement included a financial payment to the Foundation and a formal expression of regret from the publisher for any distress caused, with no further reprints permitted, leading to the book's complete market removal by early 2003. Diana Hart-Smith later distanced herself from the project, describing it as an "unsuccessful journey" she regretted pursuing.

Reception and Controversy

Critical Reviews

Upon its release in , Under the Mat garnered mixed critical reception, with praise centered on its candid revelations about the personal toll of on the Hart family. SLAM! Wrestling commended the book as a "heart-felt description" of Diana Hart's experiences, emphasizing its value in illuminating the "underbelly" of the industry through intimate family anecdotes and the harsh realities beyond the ring. The review noted a sometimes bitter and resigned tone but stated that these changes added greater authenticity rather than detracting from it. The narrative was seen as brave for exposing the emotional and physical strains of life in a wrestling dynasty, providing readers with rare insider perspectives on fame, tragedy, and interpersonal conflicts. Critics, however, faulted the 's style for shifting focus from reflective analysis to anecdotal . Reviewers noted a gossipy quality in its recounting of family secrets, which often prioritized shock value over nuanced storytelling or broader industry critique. This approach led to perceptions of uneven writing, with the prose described as amateurish in places, lacking the polish of more established wrestling memoirs. Fan and reader responses echoed this divide, averaging around 3 out of 5 stars on based on 94 ratings as of recent data. Many appreciated the raw family drama and revealing glimpses into Hart House life, calling it an engaging, if flawed, window into wrestling's hidden world, while others dismissed it as poorly structured and overly focused on personal vendettas. The later reflected on the memoir's controversial nature in coverage of Hart's subsequent works, portraying her voice as embittered by familial strife. Overall, the book's narrative merits were valued for their authenticity by wrestling enthusiasts but critiqued for stylistic shortcomings that limited its enduring literary impact.

Accusations of Inaccuracy

Bret Hart publicly denounced his sister Diana Hart's memoir Under the Mat, describing it as "pornographic" and "absolute trash" and calling for it to be banned and removed from stores. He specifically denied allegations of spousal abuse toward his ex-wife Julie, which the book claimed stemmed from jealousy over Diana's husband, Davey Boy Smith. Martha Hart, widow of Owen Hart, filed a lawsuit against Diana Hart, co-author Kirstie McLellan, and the publishers in November 2001, alleging the book contained "inaccurate and irresponsible" statements about her family, including fabrications regarding her marriage to Owen and the circumstances of his death. She demanded a retraction, apology, and withdrawal of the book, claiming it misrepresented details of Owen's fatal 1999 wrestling-ring accident, which official reports attributed to equipment failure during a stunt but which Martha separately pursued as WWE negligence in a distinct lawsuit. The book faced further accusations of factual unreliability from other family members over its portrayals of sibling relationships and personal histories. It alleged numerous unverified extramarital affairs involving patriarch and several brothers, including claims of sexual relationships with underage students attributed to , , and , as well as suggestions of exaggerated family financial hardship during their upbringing in . and other siblings rebutted these depictions as biased and distorted, emphasizing the memoir's negative focus on family dynamics over balanced accounts. Media outlets, including the , criticized the book as one-sided and filled with unsubstantiated claims, such as allegations of Owen Hart's sexuality and widespread drug abuse within the family, which fueled broader debates about its legitimacy as a historical record of the Harts. These accusations contributed to the memoir's rapid withdrawal from circulation shortly after its October 2001 release.

Legacy

Impact on the Hart Family

The publication of Under the Mat in 2001 severely strained relationships within the Hart family, particularly between author Diana Hart and her siblings Bret Hart and Martha Hart. Martha, the widow of Diana's brother Owen Hart, filed a libel lawsuit against Diana, co-author Kirstie McLellan Day, and the publisher, claiming the book contained defamatory falsehoods about her marriage to Owen and her family life, which led to the memoir's rapid withdrawal from circulation. This legal battle intensified an estrangement between Diana and Martha that endured well into the 2010s, rooted in the book's unflattering depictions of family dynamics and personal tragedies. Bret Hart, who publicly denounced the book as "pornographic" for its explicit allegations against members, also became estranged from Diana amid the ensuing fallout, exacerbating existing tensions from Owen's death and broader disputes. The memoir's revelations of internal conflicts, including accusations of abuse and infidelity, deepened sibling rifts, with Bret aligning closely with during her separate legal actions against over Owen's passing. These divisions persisted, contributing to a fractured unit where communication broke down for years. A partial mending of ties occurred during the 2010 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the family's patriarch, Stu Hart, where Diana joined her living siblings, including Bret, for the event in Toronto. Described by Diana as a moment of "closure," the gathering allowed the Harts to reunite publicly after over a decade of discord, though it did not fully resolve underlying grievances. In later reflections, Diana expressed regret over the book's tone, attributing some of its harshness to editorial decisions by her co-author rather than her intent to harm family bonds. The book's controversial content reinforced longstanding stereotypes of the Hart family as dysfunctional, casting a shadow over their public image and indirectly affecting the careers of younger relatives like Natalya Neidhart (Bret's niece) and Teddy Hart (Diana's son). By airing private scandals and rivalries, Under the Mat perpetuated media narratives of chaos within the dynasty, complicating their efforts to establish independent legacies in professional wrestling amid scrutiny of the family's "greatest" moniker. In contrast, Martha Hart's Owen Hart Foundation, established in 2000 to support scholarships and emergency housing in Owen's memory, gained heightened visibility through the lawsuit's media coverage, positioning her charitable work as a positive counterpoint to the book's negativity. By 2025, while isolated moments of unity had surfaced—such as family appearances at events honoring deceased members—ongoing divides remained evident, with Bret and maintaining no relationship due to unresolved disputes over Owen's and dealings. No full has materialized, leaving the interpersonal scars from Under the Mat as a lingering factor in the Harts' fractured dynamics.

Place in Wrestling Literature

"Under the Mat: Inside Wrestling's Greatest Family" occupies a distinctive yet contentious position within professional wrestling memoirs, particularly those exploring family dynamics in the industry. Co-authored by Diana Hart and Kirstie McLellan Day, the 2001 publication offers an insider's account of the Hart family's personal and professional struggles, contrasting sharply with Bret Hart's later autobiography, "Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling" (2007), which provides a more measured and professionally focused narrative of the same lineage. While Bret's book is widely regarded as a cornerstone of wrestling literature for its candid yet restrained insights into career highs and lows, Diana's work delves into more intimate and accusatory family revelations, earning it placement in lower tiers of recommended reading lists, such as Tier 4 ("Only If You Have Particular Interest in the Subject") on wrestling journalist Todd Martin's curated selections. The memoir's influence lies in its role as an early exposé of the ethical complexities within wrestling families, predating similar tributes like 's "Broken Harts: The Life and Death of " (2002), which responds to Diana's narrative with a focus on Owen's legacy amid grief and industry critique. Despite its suppression following a libel lawsuit by that led to its withdrawal from shelves, the book has contributed to broader discussions on the personal toll of wrestling's familial pressures, as evidenced by its inclusion in compilations of influential Canadian wrestling literature. Today, official reprints remain unavailable due to ongoing rights disputes stemming from the legal aftermath, rendering physical copies scarce and collectible. Used editions occasionally appear on online marketplaces like , typically priced between $50 and $100 depending on condition, while unofficial digital versions circulate on file-sharing sites. This limited accessibility has not diminished its reevaluation in wrestling circles; as of 2024, it continues to be referenced in lists of essential reads for understanding the Hart dynasty's internal conflicts, highlighting its pioneering, if polarizing, examination of industry family ethics amid evolving wellness policies in promotions like and AEW.

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