WWF staff on way to funeral
By BILL KAUFMANN -- Calgary Sun
World Wrestling Federation chief Vince McMahon has handed dozens of
his employees airline tickets to Calgary to attend Owen Hart's funeral, says
an organization source.
Backstage and office personnel are being encouraged to attend Monday's
private funeral that's expected to draw a large overflow crowd, said the
source.
"They all got their tickets on Tuesday -- 80 people from the WWF," said the
source, who didn't want to be named.
"Even the merchandising people have tickets to go."
More than 40 hotel rooms have been booked by federation staff.
A bevy of wrestlers, including Hart's tag team partner Jeff Jarrett and
superstar Stone Cold Steve Austin, are expected to attend.
WWF spokesman Jim Byrne said of the ticket handout: "It sounds like
something Vince would do. Suffice it to say, there'll be a very strong show of
support and tribute to Owen."
A sister of Hart's said she doesn't consider the gesture a public relations
ploy and damage control bid on the part of McMahon, who's been criticized for
allowing the stunt that killed the city wrestler.
Hart, 34, plunged about nine metres to his death Sunday after a dramatic
entry to a WWF pay-per-view show went tragically wrong.
