Montreal screwjob

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The Montreal screwjob refers to the real-life double-crossing of the defending WWF Champion Bret Hart by Vince McMahon, the owner of the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment) during the main event match of the professional wrestling pay-per-view event Survivor Series held on November 9, 1997 at the Molson Centre (now Bell Centre) in Montreal, Canada. A secretive change of the match's pre-determined finish (known as a "screwjob" in professional wrestling parlance) was devised by McMahon and Hart's match opponent, Shawn Michaels. The plan was executed when the match referee, Earl Hebner, under orders from McMahon, called for the bell to ring and ended the match as Michaels held Hart in the sharpshooter submission hold, even though Hart had not submitted. Michaels was declared the victor by submission and the new WWF Champion, even as Hart and the audience were outraged.

The screwjob was rooted in Hart's decision to leave the company for its chief competitor, World Championship Wrestling. Hart had offered to lose (referred to as "dropping the strap" in wrestling parlance) the WWF Championship at any event and to any wrestler save his slated opponent, Shawn Michaels, with whom he had an acrimonious relationship. Exercising "reasonable creative control" as granted in his WWF contract, Hart was particularly steadfast in his refusal to lose to Michaels in a match hosted in his home country, Canada. McMahon remained insistent that Hart lose to Michaels in Montreal, fearing that his company's business would suffer if WCW announced Hart as its latest entrant while he still held the WWF Championship. Although Hart and McMahon agreed to a compromise on the match ending that allowed Hart to retain the title, McMahon was determined to take the title off Hart without his consent.

The event's widespread impact led to its adoption in future matches and storylines of the WWF's Attitude Era and the creation of the widely popular character of the evil boss, "Mr. McMahon." Hart remained ostracized from WWF, while McMahon and Michaels continued to receive angry responses from audiences for many years. However, the relationship between Hart and McMahon healed to a great degree in recent years and culminated with Hart's induction on April 1, 2006 into the company's Hall of Fame.

Contents 1 Hart's departure from the WWF 2 Title transition 3 Setup and execution 4 Reactions 5 Legacy 6 Resolution 7 See also 8 References 9 Notes 10 External links

[edit] Hart's departure from the WWF

Bret Hart was a widely popular and well-respected veteran of the WWF for fourteen years. Beginning in the 1980s as one-half of the popular Hart Foundation tag team, Hart achieved tremendous success as a singles performer in the 1990s, winning the WWF Championship five times. However, Hart's prominence as a main event wrestler was increasingly challenged by The Kliq of Kevin Nash, Shawn Michaels, Scott Hall, Sean Waltman and Triple H, who had gained extensive booking influence in the company.^[1][2] Faced with less promotion, Hart took a seven-month leave of absence from the company after WrestleMania XII, during which he negotiated a new contract with the WWF and an offer from its rival, WCW. In October, 1996, Hart declined a $9 million offer from WCW, opting to sign an unprecedented 20-year deal offered by McMahon, which made him the highest-paid wrestler in the company and secured him a major role with the company management following his retirement. The new agreement was upheld by both Hart and the WWF as an expression of mutual loyalty.^[1][3]

By mid-1997, the WWF was facing financial difficulties owing to stiff competition from WCW, which had taken over as the largest promotion in the United States. At the same time, McMahon's plans to take the WWF public required him to minimize any long-term financial deals.^[2] Regretting his decision to offer Hart a large and expensive contract, McMahon began to defer payments to Hart while letting him know of the WWF's difficulty in honoring his contract. McMahon also began encouraging Hart to seek employment with WCW.^[1] Hesitating out of feelings of loyalty, Hart entered into negotiations with WCW after McMahon informed him that he would have to defer Hart's pay indefinitely. While Hart considered a $3 million contract offer from WCW's Eric Bischoff, McMahon reversed his position and informed Hart that the company wanted to honor their contract. However when Hart talked to McMahon about future plans and storylines he was disappointed by McMahon's mixed response and lackluster suggestions.^[1] In the final phase of negotiations, McMahon again expressed doubts about being able to honor his contract. Hart had also been unhappy at his heel character storyline and the WWF's move towards the Attitude brand. Convinced that McMahon's future plans did not include him, Hart gave notice to the WWF and signed an agreement with WCW on November 1, 1997. When Hart asked McMahon if he would be mocked after leaving for WCW (as had occurred with other wrestlers who had shifted to WCW from the WWF), McMahon assured him that nothing of the sort would happen. Furthermore, McMahon promised Hart access to all of his WWF-owned footage. Hart believed he was leaving on good terms, despite feeling that McMahon had been trying to push Hart out from the company.^[1]

[edit] Title transition

Hart's imminent move to WCW created a tense situation, as Bret Hart had won the WWF Championship at SummerSlam 1997 from The Undertaker. Hart's WCW contract would come into effect on December 5, after the WWF's annual Survivor Series event, to be held in Montreal.^[4] Shawn Michaels, the leader of the emerging stable D-Generation X had been booked into a main event title match with Hart. McMahon, anxious for Hart to drop the title, sought Hart's consent to job to Michaels. Hart refused to do so, citing his popular standing in Canada, where he felt he was widely regarded as a national hero.^[1] Hart, who had been leading an anti-U.S., patriotic Canadian Hart Foundation did not want to lose the title in Canada — also, for their rivalry storyline, Michaels had repeatedly performed acts insulting the Canadian flag and Canadian fans. Hart believed that a loss to his archrival in his home country would be humiliating to him and his fans and conceivably affect his career in WCW. Wrestling fans also knew of Hart's long-standing personal difficulty with Michaels — Hart had been angered at Michaels' forfeiture of the WWF Championship at the Royal Rumble 1997, nixing plans for a Hart-Michaels rematch at WrestleMania 13, where Michaels was expected to drop the title to Hart.^[4] Many suspected that Michaels had faked a knee injury to get out of the planned match.^[5][6] While Michaels denied rumors that he did not want to lose to Hart,^[7] Hart felt certain that Michaels, who had reputedly declared that he would not perform jobs for anyone, would not have offered a loss in return if he had been staying with the WWF.^[8] The two had been involved in a real fight after Michaels accused Hart of having an affair with WWF valet Sunny.^[2] The recent storyline rivalry had also seen Michaels make insulting remarks about Hart's father Stu Hart, which had left Bret and others in the Hart family upset.^[1] McMahon's offering of a $3 million contract to Hart in 1996 had also upset Michaels.^[9]

McMahon remained insistent about Hart dropping the title — McMahon was anxious over a possible reoccurrence of the reigning WWF Women's Champion Alundra Blayze's defection to WCW in 1995, which resulted in her dumping the WWF Women’s Championship belt in a trash can before a live audience on WCW Monday Nitro. Bret Hart continued to refuse to drop the title to Michaels, offering to lose the title anywhere in the U.S. prior to Survivor Series or to surrender the title to McMahon on the episode of Monday Night RAW the day after Survivor Series, in Ottawa.^[1][8] After several disagreements, McMahon, Michaels and Hart agreed to a proposal of senior WWF official of a disqualification finish, which would be the result of a brawl between Hart's allies Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith with Michaels' allies Triple H, Rick Rude and Chyna, who would intefere in the match to aid Michaels.^[10] Hart would then hand over the title to McMahon the next day on RAW or lose it to Ken Shamrock. Hart also asked for and obtained McMahon's permission for an opportunity to explain his actions, his heel character, praise McMahon and WWF and thus leave on good terms with the company and the fans.^[1][11]

[edit] Setup and execution

On the Wednesday before Survivor Series (to be held on Sunday), McMahon met with Michaels, Triple H and a close coterie of advisors in a hotel room in Montreal and planned the screwjob.^[1] It is unclear how many people knew of the impending screwjob, but McMahon's close aides Gerald Brisco and Sgt. Slaughter had been involved in the planning. McMahon and Michaels had contrived to keep Pat Patterson in the dark, owing to his close relationship with Hart.^[12] Hart and Michaels had met with Patterson to discuss the match setup and plan, during which Hart agreed to allow Michaels to put him into the sharpshooter hold while the referee would be unconscious.^[9] The rest of the match would proceed as thus: Hart would then reverse the hold, putting Michaels in the sharpshooter. Michaels would tap out, but the referee would still be unconscious. Hart would let go of the hold to try and revive the referee, but Michaels would hit him with his finisher, Sweet Chin Music, and make the cover. A second referee would then run to the ring, but Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith would follow close behind and break up the count. The original referee would then recover and start to make the count, but Hart would kick out, setting up about five more minutes of brawling that would result in a disqualification.^[1]

Michaels later suggested to McMahon that the screwjob be executed when he was holding Hart in the sharpshooter, with the referee getting up and calling for the bell, making it appear as if Hart had submitted to the hold. According to Michaels' account of the events in his 2005 autobiography Heartbreak and Triumph: The Shawn Michaels Story, match referee Earl Hebner had been informed (by Michaels) of the plans only on Sunday evening, just as Survivor Series was about to commence.^[9]

Tensions and excitement were high as the wrestlers and officials congregated for Survivor Series. Hart was anxious over the match finish and had been warned of the prospect of a screwjob by Jim Neidhart and Vader, who had experienced similar situations in his career. Neidhart and Vader advised Hart to be alert, to not lie on his back for too long and kick out from pinfall counts immediately, so as to avoid a fast count. In his 1998 documentary Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows, Hart claimed his fears were largely assuaged when he obtained his close friend, Earl Hebner's assurance that he would never be party to an attempt to double-cross Hart. Asked by Hart, Hebner reportedly swore by his children that he would rather quit his job than double-cross Hart.^[1][13]

The Molson Centre in Montreal had been sold out, with more than 17,000 fans in attendance. Rumors of Hart's imminent departure from the WWF had leaked and consequently heightened the fan interest in the match. The mixed signals and a war of words between Hart, McMahon, Michaels and WCW would only serve to heighten anticipation.^[1] Emotions were also running high due to the Hart-Michaels rivalry and the "U.S. vs. Canada" storyline. WWF officials ordered the deployment of a large number of agents around the ring. Highly unusual for any wrestling match, the deployment was explained on television as a necessary precuation in wake of the intense animosity between Hart and Michaels, which was incorrect as both men had been cordial with each other backstage.^[1] There was also some legitimate concern that Michaels, owing to his actions of demeaning the Canadian flag could actually be attacked by angered fans. Michaels' entrance was greeted by loud booing and upon entering the ring, he proceeded to rub the Canadian flag against his crotch, picked his nose with it and later humped it — Michaels maintains that this flag desecration was actually suggested by Hart as an effective way to draw heat and emotion.^[9] The palpable outrage of the fans was converted into rancorous cheering as Hart entered the ring carrying the Canadian flag and wearing the championship belt. However, Hart was visibly disturbed when segments of the crowd that were aware of his move to WCW, taunted him with "You Sold Out!" cries as the match progressed.^[1]

As the match began, Hart and Michaels fought outside the ring and into the crowd sections, while being followed by McMahon and WWF officials. As the climax of the match approached, the two wrestlers returned to the ring while WWF officials continued to order more personnel to the ringside. Michaels pushed Hebner in front of him as Hart jumped from the top turnbuckle, sending all three men to the floor. Michaels and Hart both got up, but Michaels raked Hart's eye, sending Hart back to the ground. Michaels then proceeded to grab Hart's legs to put on the sharpshooter. At this point, the match director was heard shouting instructions to Hebner to get up, but Hart did not notice anything amiss. Mike Chioda, the referee that was supposed to run in after Hebner was unconscious, began yelling back that Hebner wasn't supposed to be up yet. Pat Patterson reacted in a similar way, and Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith, who were waiting for their cues to run in, remained backstage in a state of confusion. Michaels was then seen by many viewers as having glanced at Hebner as he locked in the sharpshooter, which some saw as proof that he was in on the scheme.^[1] Contrary to their agreed plan, Michaels tightened the hold and refused to offer his own leg to Hart for the latter to break out of the hold.^[14] At that moment, Hebner shouted "ring the bell!" to the bell-keeper, which was followed by McMahon shouting "ring the fucking bell!" The bell was rung even as Hart was able to reach forward and grab Michael's leg, breaking out of the hold and causing Michaels to fall.^[13][1] Michaels' theme music came on and the announcer declared him the winner and the new WWF Champion. Hebner had already exited the ring and the arena for the hotel, from where he left for the airport to fly home. Despite initial shock, Hart immediately turned and spit directly onto McMahon's face, while Michaels feigned anger.^[14][13] Michaels was ordered by McMahon to "pick up the fuckin' belt and get the fuck out of here!" Acting as if he were angered, Michaels left the arena with Brisco and Triple H. McMahon and most other WWF officials also quickly made their way backstage as an angry Hart ransacked cameras, monitors and ringside equipment.^[15] Attending fans already vented their fury on McMahon and WWF officials; a few had even heaped garbage and accosted Michaels as he had hurried backstage. Jim Neidhart and Davey Boy Smith came out to the ring and had a conversation with Hart after calming him down. Hart proceeded to sign "W-C-W" and "I love you" to the cheering fans before returning backstage.^[1]

[edit] Reactions

While most of the audience in attendance in Montreal immediately understood what had happened and responded angrily, television viewers had been left largely confused as Survivor Series went off the air four minutes ahead of schedule with the parting image of Michaels holding the belt aloft as he disappeared backstage. Rumors and expressions of surprise and shock pervaded the internet almost immediately after the match ended. Many fans and observers considered it a creative and all-time great "worked" match finish.^[1] Subsequent WWF shows would witness a large segment of fans loudly chanting "We Want Bret," holding up pro-Hart signs and booing Michaels, McMahon and others believed to be responsible for the screwjob. Observers of professional wrestling speculated whether the entire episode would result in WCW becoming the dominant brand in Canada, where a large majority of fans had remained loyal to the WWF, especially as the Hart family was working with the company.^[1]

Seen on Hart's documentary, Hart proceeded to the dressing rooms and confronted Shawn Michaels, who pleaded that he knew nothing about what had taken place and was equally outraged.^[15] As recounted in Michaels' autobiography, he offered his assurance that he would not carry the title out the next day on RAW and would refuse to say anything derogatory about Hart.^[14] Hart proceeded to the dressing room to shower and change after discovering that McMahon, Brisco and Sgt. Slaughter had locked themselves in his office. Other wrestlers watching the match had been shocked at what had happened; Mark "The Undertaker" Calaway proceeded to confront McMahon and demanded that he go and personally apologize to Hart. The confrontation between Hart and McMahon in the dressing room has been recounted in numerous accounts. Hart responded angrily to McMahon's attempts to explain himself. Hart warned McMahon to leave immediately or risk a punch.^[1][16] A physical altercation ensued, with Hart punching McMahon in his face and dropping him to the floor. Although Shane McMahon and Brisco struggled with Hart and Davey Boy Smith, Hart warned them to take McMahon and leave or risk similar consequences.^[16] Hart angrily asked McMahon if he was going to screw him on the pay he was still owed, to which a groggy McMahon replied no.^[1] In the hallway outside the dressing-rooms, Bret Hart's wife confronted Triple H and others angrily.^[9] McMahon would be seen the next few days with a black eye and a broken wrist, which had resulted when one of the men had accidentally stepped on his wrist during the scuffle.^[1] Shawn Michaels and Triple H were confronted and assailed by angry fans outside the Molson Center Arena and at the lobby in the hotel.^[9]

While Jim Neidhart, Davey Boy Smith and Owen Hart had flown out of Montreal with Bret Hart, McMahon faced a major revolt in the WWF locker room. Most wrestlers were outraged at him and threatened to boycott RAW or leave the company altogether.^[17] McMahon addressed a meeting in an effort to calm the wrestlers down and soothe their anger. The wrestlers had been outraged that a WWF veteran had been double-crossed by McMahon — many feared for their own future and were suspicious of McMahon.^[1] McMahon sought to explain that Hart was disregarding the company's interest. By refusing to drop the title in Montreal, McMahon claimed Hart was jeopardizing the company's future by creating a potentially embarrassing situation that could affect the company's fortunes. The revolt was also quelled by Bret Hart's counsel to wrestlers who asked him about boycotting RAW or leaving the company altogether. Hart advised them to fulfill their contractual obligations and not risk their own future over the episode.^[1] Of the Hart family, only Owen Hart would continue to work with the company, being unable to terminate his contract.^[18]

At the RAW taping in Ottawa, Michaels would appear carrying the WWF title and performing a segment where he boasted before the audience of how he beat Hart with his own trademark move in his own country. McMahon would give a televised interview to commentator Jim Ross, explaining his version of events and making the now-famous statement: "Vince McMahon didn't screw Bret. Bret screwed Bret."^[1] On another RAW show, Michaels performed a skit badgering a midget dressed up as Hart. On WCW Nitro, Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels were criticized by commentators Mike Tenay and Tony Schiavone. Eric Bischoff announced on the show that Hart had signed with the New World Order stable while Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall stood with Canadian flags and sang the Canadian national anthem.^[1] Appearing on WCW Nitro, former Michaels ally Rick Rude also criticized Michaels by name. Despite the television shows and considerable antagonism from the fans, both Michaels and Triple H would continue to deny any knowledge or involvement in the screwjob for several years when discussing the episode in real-life interviews.

[edit] Legacy

The "Montreal screwjob" would gain considerable infamy in professional wrestling circles and amongst fans, touted by some as one of the most shocking moments in professional wrestling history. It remains one of the most high-profile double-crosses in the history of the business and the first heavily publicized professional wrestling double-cross since Wendi Richter lost the WWF Women's Championship to a masked Fabulous Moolah following a contract dispute on November 25, 1985. Hart was ostracized from McMahon and refused offers of induction to the WWE Hall of Fame. The Hart family expressed outrage with McMahon and WWF for neglect and lack of safety precautions that could have prevented Owen Hart's accident.^[19] The documentary Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows included footage of McMahon's conversations with Hart in which he affirmed the planned disqualification finish and expressed determination for Hart to exit "the right way" and as amicably as possible — McMahon did not know that the conversation was being filmed. Hart was also recorded as refusing to drop the title to Michaels as he was a hero to Canadian fans.^[2]

The Montreal screwjob's popular impact would serve to define storylines and rivalries. Fan outrage at Vince McMahon was successfully tapped to create the persona of "Mr. McMahon" — an authoritarian, arrogant boss who imposed his own will and authority on rebellious characters such as Stone Cold Steve Austin by forming a stable of allied wrestlers called the "Corporation."^[20] McMahon would proceed to "screw" Austin and other rebellious characters in order to hand the title to the wrestler of his choice. The "Bret screwed Bret" line would inspire promos that Vince McMahon cut during his feud with Austin. At Survivor Series 1998 — the first anniversary of the screwjob — McMahon would screw Austin when his son Shane, a match referee, would abandon his on-screen rebellion against his father and refuse to count Austin's pinfall against Mankind. The McMahons would proceed to double-cross their favorite, Mankind, in the main event for the WWF title against The Rock. Just as The Rock put on the sharpshooter hold on Mankind, Vince McMahon called for the bell to be rung. The Rock was declared the winner by submission and the new WWF Champion, fully re-enacting the double-crossing of Hart.^[21]

At No Way Out 2003 in Montreal, a similar setup involving The Rock, Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon was labelled on WWE.com as the "Montreal Screwjob II." In a 2006 feud between Michaels and the McMahons, the sharpshooter was used against Michaels at Saturday Night's Main Event when Vince knocked out referee Mike Chioda as Shane McMahon trapped Michaels in the Sharpshooter. McMahon screamed at the timekeeper to ring the bell and awarded the match "by submission" to Shane. From initial critical reactions and condemnations of McMahon and WWE, the memory of the screwjob was invoked by WCW when at StarrCade 1997, Hart prevented Hollywood Hogan from leaving with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. He claimed that the referee Nick Patrick gave a fast count and that he wouldn't allow Sting to be screwed.^[22] At StarrCade 1999, the finish of the match between Bill Goldberg and Bret Hart was for guest referee Roddy Piper to "ring the bell" once Hart placed Goldberg in the Sharpshooter despite Goldberg not submitting.^[23]

[edit] Resolution

Under its Attitude Era programming and the popularity of its wrestlers such as Austin, The Rock and Triple H, the WWF surpassed its archrival. With its business steadily declining, WCW was purchased by McMahon in 2001, making the WWF the single-largest wrestling company in North America. Bret Hart's entry into WCW had been hailed at the time as a major coup for the company, but it subsequently failed to utilize his popular appeal.^[24] Hart's active wrestling career ended in 2000 after he suffered a serious concussion injury during a match with Bill Goldberg. After dropping the WWF title to Austin at WrestleMania XIV in 1998, Michaels was forced into virtual retirement for four years owing to serious neck and back injuries. After a long period of rehabilitation, Michaels would return to the ring in 2002.^[2]

Many fans and wrestling observers believed WWE was making overtures to Hart since 2004. Canadian wrestler and long-time Hart family friend Chris Benoit's victory over Triple H and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XX that won him the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and again at Backlash 2004 in Edmonton, Canada were considered by several wrestling observers and fans as a symbolic apology to Hart and Canadian fans. In the later match in Edmonton, Shawn Michaels was forced to submit to Benoit's application of the sharpshooter hold.^[25] After weeks of rife speculation, WWE.com announced in late August, 2005 that Hart and WWE had agreed to collaborate on a DVD project chronicling Hart's wrestling career. In subsequent inteviews, Hart attributed his decision to his desire to be remembered for his storied career that spanned over two decades.^[26] The project, which had been given the working title of Screwed: The Bret Hart Story, was renamed Bret "The Hitman" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was And The Best There Ever Will Be.^[2] In the 2006 DVD chronicling his career, both Hart and Bischoff denied that his holding the WWF title was a factor in WCW's desire to sign him. While McMahon claimed that there was mutual regret, Hart defended his actions and asserted that he stood by what he did.

Bret Hart's refusal to lose to Michaels in Montreal has been criticized by others such as Ric Flair, who asserted that it was Hart's responsibility to drop the title belt of a company he was leaving.^[27] However, Hart maintains that he was prepared to lose the title anywhere and to anyone, except to Michaels in Canada. As his contract with WWF did not expire for four more weeks, Hart asserts that there was a lot of time and several other opportunities for him to drop the title.^[6] Although Shawn Michaels expressed happiness at Hart's induction, the Hart-Michaels relationship remains laced with antagonism.^[2] Michaels criticized Hart's behavior and conduct during his days in WWF in his 2005 autobiography, comparing the screwjob to a "mafia hit."^[12] In interviews prior to the induction ceremony, Hart asserted that he would walk out from the ceremony if he saw Shawn Michaels anywhere on the WrestleMania 22 weekend. Michaels decided to leave the Hall of Fame ceremony early to avoid a possible scene. Hart did not appear at the WrestleMania show in a mini-ceremony with the other inductees, explaining in an interview that he had never intended to attend or appear at the show.^[6]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

• Shawn Michaels & Aaron Feigenbaum (2005). Heartbreak and Triumph: The Shawn Michaels Story. World Wrestling Entertainment. ISBN 978-0743493802. 
• Shaun Assael & Mike Mooneyham (2004). Sex, Lies and Headlocks: The Real Story of Vince McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment. Three Rivers Press. ISBN 978-1400051434. 
• Adam Kleinberg and Adam Nudelman (2005). Mysteries of Wrestling: Solved. ECW Press. ISBN 978-1550226850. 
• Brian Fritz & Christopher Murray (2006). Between the Ropes: Wrestling's Greatest Triumphs and Failures. ECW Press. ISBN 978-1550227260. 
• Mick Foley (2000). Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks. Regan Books. ISBN 978-0061031014. 
• Ric Flair (2005). To Be The Man. World Wrestling Entertainment, 239. ISBN 978-0743491815. 
• R. D. Reynolds, Brian Alvarez (2004). The Death of WCW. ECW Press. ISBN 978-1550226614. 

[edit] Notes

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[edit] External links

• Dave Meltzer's account of the incident
• Montreal Screwjob Website
• Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart
• An interview with Bret Hart
• Bret Hart interview at IGN.com