The roar of the crowd. The adrenaline pumping through your veins. An epic wrestling match. It’s all part of the spectacle that is professional wrestling, a world where larger-than-life characters battle it out for championship glory. But beneath the spectacle, there’s a dark side. A side where betrayal, manipulation, and cold calculation can destroy careers and redefine the very fabric of the sport. And one event stands as a chilling testament to this reality: The Montreal Screwjob.
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On November 9, 1997, at the Survivor Series, the wrestling world was shaken to its core. In the main event, Bret Hart, a Canadian wrestling icon, was scheduled to lose the WWF World Heavyweight Championship to Shawn Michaels. However, what transpired that night became a wrestling “legend,” an event infamous even among those unfamiliar with the sport. It was a betrayal of trust, a calculated move that exposed the harsh realities of power and politics within the wrestling industry.
The Story Behind the Screwjob
A Legacy of Tension and Broken Promises
The story behind the Montreal Screwjob is a masterpiece of drama, intrigue, and betrayal. It begins with Bret Hart, wrestling’s “Hitman,” a revered champion with a strong Canadian identity. Hart was leaving the WWF for rival promotion WCW, where his brother Owen Hart was already wrestling. This meant that Hart had to drop the championship to Michaels, but he wanted to do it on his own terms. He preferred to lose the title in Canada, allowing him to bid farewell to his home country fans.
A Deal Gone Wrong
As the story goes, Hart and Vince McMahon, head of the WWE (then WWF), had agreed on a plan for Hart to lose the title in a clean match, losing to Michaels in Montreal. The plan was for Hart to lose “cleanly”, meaning Michaels didn’t use any outside help to win. However, backstage, things were collapsing. McMahon had different plans. He feared that Hart, as he transitioned to WCW, might not drop the title in their planned manner. Moreover, he was determined to “do business” with Michaels, his favored wrestler, who wanted to win the title in Montreal.
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The Night of Betrayal
The stage was set. The Survivor Series, packed with a throng of Canadian fans, was electrifying. The main event arrived, with Hart, his championship belt gleaming, facing off against Michaels. As the match progressed, the crowd sensed the intensity; this was not just another wrestling match. The action heated up, culminating in a moment where Michaels had Hart locked in his signature “Sharpshooter” submission hold. As Hart tapped out, seemingly submitting to Michaels, the bell rang. The crowd erupted, stunned and bewildered.
But something was amiss. The crowd’s cheers quickly turned into jeers. It wasn’t Michaels who had won; it was a deliberate referee’s decision that had ended the match. The referee had been instructed to ring the bell, creating an official title change despite Hart not actually surrendering. It was a blatant “screwjob,” a term synonymous with this event, one that shattered the illusion of wrestling for millions watching.
The Fallout and Legacy
The Montreal Screwjob sent shockwaves across the world. Fans were left in disbelief, and the wrestling industry was in turmoil. Hart was furious, feeling betrayed by McMahon and the WWF. Michaels, caught in the crossfire, was ridiculed and blamed for the incident. While neither was deliberately seeking to betray Hart, the act ended up being one of the greatest betrayals in wrestling history. Michaels, who had not been aware of the plans, found himself being blamed for a scheme he was not aware of, turning into a subject of hatred from the public.
This event became a watershed moment in wrestling history. It exposed the behind-the-scenes realities of the business, where personal vendettas, power struggles, and business interests could override the sanctity of sportsmanship. While many fans felt cheated and disappointed, the incident also generated immense media attention, propelling the WWF into the limelight and elevating it to new heights. This incident, although a moment of betrayal, proved to be one of the most impactful in wrestling history.
Understanding the Impact of the Montreal Screwjob
The Montreal Screwjob continues to be a topic of intense debate among wrestling fans even today. The incident represents a turning point in pro wrestling, marking a shift from a perceived reality of fairness and competition toward a more scripted, entertainment-driven industry.
For those who saw the Montreal Screwjob, the event served as a wake-up call. It exposed the industry’s dark side, demonstrating that anything, including betrayal, can happen for the sake of entertainment and business. But, for some, the event strengthened their appreciation for the craft – the planning, the skill, and the dedication that goes into making wrestling a believable and captivating performance. This event served as a stark reminder that the wrestling industry was no ordinary game; it was a business, where the bottom line always mattered.
FAQ
Q: Why did Bret Hart feel betrayed?
A: Bret Hart felt betrayed because he had verbally agreed with Vince McMahon to lose the WWF Championship to Shawn Michaels in a clean match. However, McMahon did not honor this agreement and orchestrated the “screwjob” which resulted in Hart losing the title in a humiliating manner. He also felt disrespected by not being informed of the change in plans. He felt that McMahon was making him a victim of business dealings instead of a professional wrestler.
Q: Was the Montreal Screwjob planned?
A: Yes, the Montreal Screwjob was meticulously planned, though not with Bret Hart’s consent. McMahon, fearful of Hart leaving with the championship, had secretly orchestrated the event with Michaels and the referee, ensuring Michaels would “win” the title. Hart, however, was kept in the dark, and it was only during the match that he realized the scheme behind the decision.
Q: What are the long-term implications of the Montreal Screwjob?
A: The Montreal Screwjob had lasting consequences. It solidified the WWF’s narrative of the “Attitude Era,” a period marked by more adult-oriented programming and increased cynicism in the wrestling industry. The incident also opened a debate on the nature of professional wrestling and the ethical boundaries of the business. It helped highlight the often-hidden, manipulative elements behind wrestling storylines, demonstrating its true nature as a carefully choreographed and scripted form of entertainment.
Montreal Screwjob Dark Side Of The Ring
Conclusion
The Montreal Screwjob remains a controversial and unforgettable event in the history of professional wrestling. It taught us that the wrestling industry is not just about entertainment; it’s about business. The dark side of the ring is a reality, and this event served as a stark reminder of that. It also highlighted the power of entertainment, the importance of the story, and the emotional investment audiences have with the characters. Are you a fan of professional wrestling? Do you think that the Montreal Screwjob affected the future of wrestling? Let us know in the comments below.
