The Montreal Screwjob was a highly controversial incident in professional wrestling. It occurred on November 9, 1997, at the Survivor Series pay-per-view event in Montreal, Quebec. Shawn Michaels was scheduled to win the WWF Championship from Bret Hart in the main event. However, the WWF’s owner, Vince McMahon, decided to change the outcome of the match at the last minute. Michaels won the title after Hart was forced to submit to his sharpshooter hold. The Screwjob was widely criticized by fans and wrestlers alike. Hart left the WWF shortly after the incident and went to rival promotion WCW. The Screwjob remains one of the most infamous incidents in wrestling history.
Bret Hart’s Perspective
Bret Hart, the victim of the infamous Montreal Screwjob, has maintained that the incident was a carefully orchestrated work. His perspective is supported by several factors:
- Hart’s Refusal to Drop the WWF Championship: Hart had refused to lose the championship to Shawn Michaels in Montreal, as Vince McMahon had requested. This angered McMahon, who devised the plot to screw Hart over.
- The Earl Hebner Conspiracy: The referee, Earl Hebner, had been instructed by McMahon to ring the bell even though Hart had not submitted. Hebner’s actions were a clear violation of the rules and supported Hart’s claim that the match was fixed.
- The Post-Match Assault: After the match, Hart was attacked by several wrestlers, including Michaels and Triple H. This assault was likely staged to create the illusion of a legitimate outcome and to punish Hart for his defiance.
Hart’s perspective is further corroborated by the fact that the Montreal Screwjob resulted in a significant increase in WWF ratings. This suggests that McMahon had planned the incident to generate controversy and boost viewership.
Despite these factors, some believe that the Montreal Screwjob was a legitimate affair. Their arguments typically center around the following points:
| Legitimate Argument | Refutation |
|---|---|
| Hart’s refusal to lose the championship was part of the storyline. | Hart has always maintained that he had no intention of losing the championship and that McMahon had lied to him about the finish of the match. |
| Earl Hebner is a respected referee who would not have intentionally counted a false submission. | Hebner has admitted to being under pressure from McMahon to ring the bell. |
| The post-match assault was a legitimate attempt to punish Hart for his actions. | The assault was staged and choreographed. Hart was not injured and the wrestlers involved have admitted to their participation in the plot. |
While there are some arguments in favor of the legitimacy of the Montreal Screwjob, the evidence overwhelmingly supports Hart’s claim that it was a carefully orchestrated work. The incident was a turning point in WWF history, leading to the downfall of Hart and the rise of Michaels. It also left a lasting legacy of mistrust and betrayal in professional wrestling.
Shawn Michaels’ Involvement
Shawn Michaels played a pivotal role in the Montreal Screwjob and his involvement has been the subject of much speculation and controversy over the years. While there is no definitive answer as to whether Michaels was fully aware of the plan to screw Bret Hart, there is evidence to suggest that he may have had some knowledge of what was going to happen.
Hart has alleged that Michaels was in on the Screwjob from the beginning, and that he even helped to plan it. Michaels has denied these allegations, but there are certain aspects of his behavior that have led some to believe that he may have been involved.
- Michaels was uncharacteristically subdued in the days leading up to the Screwjob. He was not his usual jovial self, and he seemed to be preoccupied with something.
- On the night of the Screwjob, Michaels was seen talking to Vince McMahon and referee Earl Hebner in the backstage area. It is possible that this was when Michaels was informed of the plan to screw Hart.
- Michaels’ performance in the match itself was lackluster. He did not seem to be trying to win, and he even allowed Hart to hit him with his finishing move, the Sharpshooter.
Taken together, these pieces of evidence suggest that Shawn Michaels may have had some knowledge of the Montreal Screwjob. However, it is impossible to say for sure what his level of involvement was.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 9, 1997 | Michaels is informed of the plan to screw Hart. |
| November 10, 1997 | Michaels participates in the Screwjob. |
| November 11, 1997 | Michaels denies any involvement in the Screwjob. |
Vince McMahon’s Role
Vince McMahon’s role in the Montreal Screwjob is one of the most controversial aspects of the incident. Some believe that McMahon was the mastermind behind the plot to screw Bret Hart out of the WWF Championship, while others believe that he was simply a bystander who allowed the events to unfold.
There is no doubt that McMahon had a lot to gain from Hart losing the title. Hart was one of the most popular wrestlers in the WWF at the time, and his departure from the company would create a huge void. McMahon could fill that void with a new star, such as Shawn Michaels or Stone Cold Steve Austin.
However, there is also evidence to suggest that McMahon did not want to screw Hart. Hart was a close friend of McMahon’s, and he had been loyal to the WWF for many years. McMahon also knew that screwing Hart would damage the WWF’s reputation.
Despite this, McMahon allowed the Montreal Screwjob to happen. He did not stop referee Earl Hebner from calling for the bell when Shawn Michaels put Hart in the Sharpshooter. He also did not overturn Hebner’s decision after the match. This suggests that McMahon, at the very least, tacitly approved of the Screwjob.
Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they believe Vince McMahon was involved in the Montreal Screwjob. There is no definitive answer, and there is evidence to support both sides of the argument.
The Montreal Screwjob
The Montreal Screwjob was a highly controversial incident that occurred at the Survivor Series pay-per-view event on November 9, 1997, at the Molson Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It involved the then-WWF Champion Bret Hart losing his title to Shawn Michaels in a match that was originally scheduled to end in a disqualification.
The Incident
The incident unfolded as follows:
- During the match, Michaels applied the Sharpshooter submission hold on Hart.
- WWF referee Earl Hebner, who was instructed to stop the match if Hart did not submit, rang the bell even though Hart had not tapped out.
- Michaels was declared the winner and new WWF Champion.
- Hart was furious and spat in Vince McMahon’s face, believing he had been double-crossed.
Legacy
The Montreal Screwjob had a significant impact on the WWF and the professional wrestling industry as a whole:
- It led to Hart leaving the WWF and joining its rival promotion, World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
- It damaged the credibility of the WWF and its storylines.
- It created a bitter rivalry between Hart and Michaels that lasted for years.
The Montreal Screwjob is still considered one of the most controversial moments in wrestling history. It has been the subject of numerous documentaries, books, and articles. It has also been parodied and referenced in other forms of popular culture.
| Role | Person |
|---|---|
| WWF Champion | Bret Hart |
| Challenger | Shawn Michaels |
| Referee | Earl Hebner |
| WWF Owner | Vince McMahon |
Well, there you have it, folks! We’ve dug deep into the evidence and the testimonies, and while we may never know for sure whether the Montreal Screwjob was real or not, we hope we’ve given you plenty to chew on. Thanks for sticking with us on this wild ride! Be sure to check back with our website for more captivating stories and in-depth investigations into the fascinating world of wrestling. Until next time, stay curious and keep questioning the truth!