What is 'The Montreal Screwjob' in WWE? Everything you need to know

‘The Montreal Screwjob’ is one of the biggest unscripted moments in the company’s history

Only a few classic events in professional wrestling history have remained as popular as “The Montreal Screwjob.”

Bret Hart’s final match in WWE before departing for WCW was long remembered as Vince McMahon concocted a plot to guarantee that “The Hitman” could not leave the organization with the WWE Championship on his waist.

The Montreal Screwjob is one of professional wrestling history’s most controversial and talked-about moments. It unfolded on November 9, 1997, at WWE’s Survivor Series event in Montreal, Canada. The match saw Bret “The Hitman” Hart defend his WWE Championship against Shawn Michaels in what would become a watershed moment for the industry.

Behind the scenes, Hart had recently signed a deal with WCW and was preparing to leave WWE. However, Vince McMahon faced a dilemma. He didn’t want Hart to take the WWE Championship to WCW, as it could tarnish the company’s image.

Hart, on the other hand, was unwilling to lose the title to Michaels in Canada, citing personal and professional disagreements with “The Heartbreak Kid.” This stalemate led to McMahon devising a secret plan to ensure the championship stayed in WWE.

The match itself seemed to proceed as expected until Michaels locked Hart in his signature submission hold, the Sharpshooter. Before Hart could even tap out or reverse the hold, referee Earl Hebner, under McMahon’s orders, signaled for the bell.

Michaels was declared the winner and Hart stood in stunned disbelief as the betrayal sank in. The incident left Hart visibly angry, and he famously spelled out “WCW” in the air to signal his departure from WWE.

The fallout was seismic. For Hart, it marked the end of his WWE career at the time and the beginning of his WCW stint. For McMahon, it solidified his reputation as a ruthless businessman, a persona he later leaned into as the villainous Mr. McMahon character. Michaels while initially despised by fans for his involvement, went on to become one of WWE’s most celebrated performers.

Today, the Montreal Screwjob remains a cornerstone of wrestling lore. It’s a stark reminder of the business’s cutthroat nature and an enduring “what if” story for fans and historians alike. What if Hart had stayed with WWE? What if McMahon had handled things differently? Those questions will forever linger, adding to the intrigue of this infamous moment.

Mending relationships

The Montreal Screwjob left a trail of bitterness and unresolved animosity that lingered for over a decade. While Bret Hart and Vince McMahon managed to mend their relationship enough to collaborate on projects like Hart’s 2005 DVD set and his 2006 WWE Hall of Fame induction, the divide between Hart and Shawn Michaels remained as wide as ever. Neither man spoke for over a decade since the infamous night in 1997, with each expressing lingering hard feelings in interviews and public appearances.

Michaels eventually came clean about his involvement, admitting that he had been in on McMahon’s plan from the start. Hart, for years, showed no interest in any reconciliation, but conversations with his nephew, Tyson Kidd, led him to reconsider. Hart offered his phone number to Michaels through Kidd, encouraging him to make contact if he wanted to address the past.

The turning point came in January 2010, ahead of an episode of Raw. Backstage, Michaels approached Hart, extended his hand, and asked if they could talk. Hart, ever the professional, suggested they take the conversation to the ring.

That night, in front of a live audience, Hart addressed the WWE Universe, acknowledging the painful history of the Screwjob. He then called out Michaels, inviting him to settle things once and for all.

Michaels joined Hart in the ring and offered a heartfelt apology, expressing regret for his role in the betrayal. The two men shook hands, marking a powerful moment of reconciliation.

As Michaels began to leave the ring, he abruptly turned back aggressively, briefly teasing an attack. Instead, he pulled Hart into a genuine embrace, solidifying their truce and signalling the end of over a decade of animosity.

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