On this date in WWF history: The one and only 'Montreal Screwjob' (Video)
by Jesse Holland on Nov 9, 2011 10:00 AM EST
in History
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PrintThere's really very little that can be said about the "Montreal Screwjob" that hasn't already been said before, but on November 9, 1997, Bret Hart screwed Bret Hart at Survivor Series.
Well, that's according to Vince McMahon, who did what he does best: Use the misfortune of someone else to advance his own agenda.
And so "Mr. McMahon" was born, the authoritative mega-heel that served as a perfect foil for the rise of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (among others) during the "attitude era." Unfortunately Hart would not fare as well, heading south to WCW for a near-death experience at the foot of Bill Goldberg.
"I wish things had never changed and that I was still [in WWE]. I look back on that incident as a bad decision by Vince McMahon and WWE. I think we all can look back and know that there was a better way to do things. I don't forgive anybody involved in that -- from Gerald Brisco to Michaels to Triple H to Vince. But at the same time, I realize that life's too short to carry around hard feelings on an everyday basis. I take issue with anyone who ever suggests that there was no other choice. But, Vince was under a fair bit of pressure financially back then. I can feel for him a little. I think [McMahon] has told me himself -- and I believe him -- that he wishes things had been done differently and has regrets about it. It should've never happened, but it did happen ... and I have moved on."
Anyone care to speculate on how history might have been altered if "The Hitman" never left the company?
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Well, maybe WCW would have come up with a less stupid finish for the Sting-Hogan match at Starrcade ’97.
by Finian1 on Nov 9, 2011 10:19 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
“Mr. Bischoff, we can’t get Bret Hart’s contract for Starrcade.”
“Let’s have MIKE TYSON restart the match after a fastcount!”
I will never forgive those bastards for fucking up that match/finish/angle.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
I love Bret Hart and this is such an unfair situation. With that, it still holds up as some of the top pro wrestling lore. I think that if this hadn’t happen, he and Michaels would probably perform past their primes and the rivalry would’ve lost its luster after a while.
Signed, Pick'em Champs 2011-2012: Michael Jordanesque in our picking skills.
by mountaineers101 on Nov 9, 2011 11:30 AM EST reply actions
I don't know if Brett really would have been that good of a fit in the WWF in those days
When he left, Stone Cold was starting to get hot, and DX was just getting on it’s legs more or less. To me, anyway, Brett Hart always seemed to represent a kind of successor to Hulk Hogan’s ‘eating your vitamins and saying your prayers’ kind of “goody-goody” play-it-straight kind of persona. Even when he was a heel, he wasn’t a bad guy, per se- he was just disgusted at America’s lack of moral character. Assuming he stayed that straight-shooter kind of character- and, by all accounts, that was more or less how he was as a person- he would of kind of been the antithesis of what the fans were wanting more of back then, the anti-authority, badass.
It would’ve been nice to have had the Hart Foundation around for a longer period of time, though. And, if Brett was still in the WWF, maybe Owen wouldn’t have been booked in that match at Over The Edge…
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 458 posts (08/24/11)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Nov 9, 2011 12:31 PM EST reply actions
The WWF would've been a much better place for technical wrestling had the Hitman stayed.
Once Shawn Michaels left, and Austin and Foley were slowed down by injuries, Hart was the last WWF main eventer who could work a technical match without being too lazy to bother (i.e. Ministry Taker).
Though I can’t imagine how bad things would’ve been had Bret not been able to talk Owen out of that stupid Russo spot at Over the Edge. The fallout from that would put Montreal to shame.
You mean, no having to listen to Paul Bearer scream “MURRRRRDERRERRRRRRRRRR!!! HE’S A MURRRRRDERRERRRRRRRRRR!!!” during Undertaker’s matches? And no being expected to just accept that there would no law enforcement investigation when a celebrity was accused of murder on television? I’m in.
DIdn't you read Journey into Darkness?
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 458 posts (08/24/11)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Nov 9, 2011 7:01 PM EST up reply actions
One of the best things to ever happen to the WWE.
The screw job was one of the best things that ever happened to the WWE. It turned Vince McMahon into one of the best heels (if not the best) ever. In my opinion it was the start of the attitude era. It brought so much attention to the WWE.
It was great.
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