Was the Montreal Screwjob with Brett Hart and Vince McMahon Actually a Top Secret Work?

The Montreal Screwjob, which occurred at the 1997 Survivor Series event, is widely regarded as one of the most controversial moments in professional wrestling history. In the storyline, Bret Hart was set to defend his WWF Championship against Shawn Michaels. However, Vince McMahon and others involved orchestrated a real-life situation where the match ended in a way that Hart did not agree to, leading to his title being handed to Michaels without Hart's consent.

Controversy and Insider Opinions

While some conspiracy theories suggest that the Screwjob was a work—a planned part of the storyline—most insiders and participants have confirmed that it was a genuine betrayal. Bret Hart was unaware of the plan, and the incident had significant real-world repercussions including Hart's departure from WWF to WCW and a long-standing animosity between him and McMahon.

Scott Hall, despite his chemical balance being questionable at times, had a consistent take on this incident. He believed that if everything was real, Bret Hart's outburst where he was destroying television equipment and spelling out "WCW" with his hands in front of the TV cameras would have never seen the light of day. According to Hall, the cameras would have instantly panned away, and either the show would have ended right there or a preview for the next event would have been shown.

Unintended Consequences

The Montreal Screwjob is not considered a top-secret work but rather a real event that blurred the lines between scripted entertainment and actual conflict in professional wrestling. The incident had immediate and far-reaching consequences, including Bret Hart's decision to leave WWF and the long-standing animosity between him and Vince McMahon.

Despite the widespread acknowledgment that the Screwjob was a genuine betrayal, there are still conspiracy theories suggesting that it was a carefully planned work. Some argue that the secret nature of the plan was essential to maintaining the shock and surprise for the audience, thereby adding to the shock value of the event. However, Bret Hart's own attitude towards this theory remains murky, as he has not publicly addressed whether he believes the Screwjob was a work or a genuine betrayal.

Conclusions and Takeaways

The Montreal Screwjob remains a pivotal moment in the history of professional wrestling. While opinions on whether it was a work or a genuine betrayal may vary, the impact and legacy of the event cannot be understated. The incident reshaped the landscape of the industry and continues to be a topic of discussion and debate among fans and professionals to this day.