WWE VP Kevin Dunn Gets Twitter Backlash Following Owen Hart Documentary

VICE has aired its highly anticipated Dark Side of the Ring season finale, chronicling the final days of Owen Hart, who tragically fell to his death during a stunt gone wrong.

Among the many heartbreaking revelations of the documentary, including the fact that widow Martha Hart still has the errant clip from the bungee accident, was Jim Ross’ sobering account of having to announce Owen’s death.

Said Ross of the announcement (h/t Wrestling Inc):

“In the chaos, Kevin Dunn, the Executive Producer, thought that I had been told what the deal was. I said, ‘Kevin, no one has told us anything. What is the update?’ And [Dunn] said, he’s dead. And you’re back in 10… 9…”

“On camera what people saw was 10 seconds of preparation. I didn’t know what to say and it wasn’t storyline. I got very numb after that night. My hands were shaking, my stomach was hurting. I was just… I was… damn, man.”

Among the many criticisms leveled against WWE in its handling of Owen Hart’s death, one of the most prominent is the promotion’s decision to continue 1999’s Over the Edge pay-per-view following Hart’s death. With the reveal of Ross’ story, Dunn received the brunt of that yearslong criticism Tuesday night.

The optics of Ross being told to announce Owen Hart’s death just 10 seconds after finding out did not sit well with many on social media, who lashed out at the WWE Executive Vice President of Television Production.

A polarizing figure among fans and media as one of Vince McMahon’s right-hand men, Dunn is a longtime employee of WWE. Dunn is also a product of WWE lore, as his father Dennis reportedly saved tapes of WWE shows from a burning car. Many believe his seemingly iron-clad role with WWE was born out of gratitude for Dunn’s father, and an obligation from Vince McMahon to take care of Kevin Dunn.

Last month, it was reported that Dunn sold nearly $1.5 million shares of WWE stock. Fellow WWE Executive Vice President Paul “Triple H” Levesque unloaded around $1 million in shares shortly thereafter. Dunn’s position with WWE appears to be as secure as ever following the recent departure of top executive and Vice President of Global Television Production Michael Mansury.

Dunn, Kerwin Silfies and Marty Miller will be directing WWE broadcasts in place of Mansury.

WWE did not respond to a request for comment. This article will be updated if and when it does.