On November 9, 1997, at the Survivor Series in Montreal, Bret Hart was the WWE Champion. He had signed a lucrative deal with WCW and planned to forfeit the title the next night on Raw. Hart refused to lose to Shawn Michaels in Canada. McMahon and his team tried to find a solution, but Hart shot down every idea.
McMahon feared that Hart might show up on WCW Nitro with the WWE title. Two years earlier, Alundra Blaze had done exactly that. She appeared on WCW Nitro and threw the women’s title into a garbage can. McMahon could not let that happen again.
During the match, Michaels put Hart in his signature move, the Sharpshooter. Referee Earl Hebner called for the bell immediately. McMahon was heard yelling, “Ring the fucking bell!” Hart was shocked. He had been screwed.
McMahon knew, of course. Jerry Brisco, a longtime WWE official, knew. Shawn Michaels knew. Triple H knew. Earl Hebner was informed shortly before the match. The number of people in on the plan was small. McMahon did not tell Pat Patterson, the agent in charge of the match, because Patterson was close to Hart. Jim Ross also claimed he did not know.
Multiple people have tried to take credit. Vince Russo has often claimed it was his idea. Jim Cornette may have been the first to voice the option. Triple H also voiced his opinion. But ultimately, it was McMahon’s decision. Other people can claim credit, but the blame falls on McMahon.
Was The Montreal Screwjob All a Work?
Some wrestlers believe it might have been a work. Jerry Lawler and George Steele have expressed doubts. Sean Waltman, who knew Hart, felt there was a high possibility it was a work. Tammy Sytch even suggested that McMahon had someone punch him in the eye to make it look like Hart did it.
Bruce Prichard, who was there, believes it was real. He witnessed the fight between Hart and McMahon afterward. He said if it was a work, they were working him too.
Hart punched McMahon in the locker room. McMahon capitalized on the controversy. He created the evil Mr. McMahon character, which drove the WWE’s recovery. Hart went to WCW with a $2.6 million per year deal. The incident launched the Attitude Era and changed wrestling forever.
It was not the first time McMahon had used a screwjob. In 1985, he did something similar to Wendi Richter. The Montreal Screwjob remains one of the most controversial moments in wrestling history.
What was the Immediate Aftermath?
Once he realized what had happened, Bret Hart was furious. Shane McMahon was in the production truck and immediately played Shawn Michaels’ music. Michaels sold anger in the ring, but Hart was far more enraged. Hart spat directly in McMahon’s face. He then tore apart the ring area, smashing tables and throwing TV monitors.
After the microphones were cut, Hart used hand gestures to spell out ‘W-C-W’ toward the camera. He mouthed, “I love you” to the fans. Then he went to the back.
On the way to the dressing room, McMahon and his entourage met the Undertaker. Taker cleared the room of everyone except Vince’s group and those involved in the match. Hart was in the shower. When he came out, he began to get dressed.
Vince said it was the first time he had ever lied to one of his talents. Hart responded by listing ten other lies McMahon had told him in the past week. Vince told Hart that what he did wouldn’t hurt him and that he would still get his money from WCW. Hart warned him that if he was still there after he got dressed, he would punch him out.
Hart claims he hit McMahon with an uppercut to the jaw. It lifted him off his feet and McMahon sprained an ankle when he fell. Footage from the documentary shows McMahon bruised and limping. Bruce Prichard says the shot hit McMahon in the eye, as seen by the swelling.
Bret Hart went to WCW, where he was criminally underused. He never seemed at home in the WCW environment. His in-ring career ended after a mule kick from Goldberg at Starrcade in 1999.
Meanwhile, the WWE took off. Stone Cold Steve Austin began his run against the heel Mr. McMahon character. The Attitude Era drew huge crowds and record-breaking money.
Hart and McMahon would eventually reconcile. In 2002, Hart suffered a stroke after a bicycle accident. McMahon called him during his recovery, and the two made amends. Michaels and Hart also publicly reconciled on WWE TV. Hart was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.
FAQs
Q. What was the Montreal Screwjob?
A. Bret Hart lost the WWE title without agreeing to the finish.
Q. Why did Vince McMahon do it?
A. Vince feared Bret Hart would leave WWE with the title.
Q. Did Bret Hart punch Vince McMahon?
A. Yes. Hart punched McMahon backstage after the match.
Q. Did Bret Hart join WCW after Survivor Series?
A. Yes. Hart left WWE and signed with WCW.
Q. Did Bret Hart and Vince McMahon make peace?
A. Yes. They reconciled several years after the incident.
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