Bret Hart. Image via: WWE
The conflict developed after Hart signed a contract with WCW in 1997. He feared the rival promotion could use the situation to undermine WWE, especially after the high-profile incident involving Alundra Blayze, who had appeared on WCW television with the WWF Women’s Championship in 1995. The match itself took place on November 9, 1997, at the Molson Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with the WWF Championship at stake.
Because it blurred the line between the scripted performances of professional wrestling and real personal conflict, and the disputed finish was not a planned twist in the storyline, but a change of the championship that Hart had not agreed to, the Montreal Screwjob remains a talking point. Because the title was central to WWE’s programming and business interests, the disagreement over his final championship appearance became a major issue. Their reported agreement was that Hart would retain the championship in Montreal and lose or relinquish it at a later date.
Bret “The Hitman” Hart’s final WWE championship match at Survivor Series on November 9, 1997, was expected to be another major moment in his celebrated career. Instead, the event at the Molson Centre in Montreal became one of wrestling’s most debated incidents. Hart was set to leave the company for rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW), but disagreements over how he would be losing the WWE Championship caused tension with Vince McMahon . The controversy deepened when Shawn Michaels applied Hart’s signature Sharpshooter during their main-event match. The referee, Earl Hebner, rang the bell when Hart didn’t submit and Michaels was declared the winner. The surprise ending, pulled off without Hart’s knowledge, became known as the Montreal Screwjob and forever changed the relationships between the three men. he did not want his final championship appearance to end with a defeat against Michaels in Montreal, particularly given their personal and professional tensions Although he was leaving WWE. Hart was also concerned about losing the title in front of his home-country audience. McMahon, meanwhile, was worried about the business consequences of Hart joining WCW while still holding the WWF Championship. Hart and McMahon discussed alternative finishes. However, McMahon ultimately decided that the title had to change hands at Survivor Series. The plan was arranged without Hart’s knowledge. Michaels was involved in the change, while referee Earl Hebner was expected to signal the finish by calling for the bell.