It’s been 28 years since one of wrestling’s most infamous moments — the Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series 1997. Bret “The Hitman” Hart, one of the biggest stars in wrestling, was defending his WWF Championship against Shawn Michaels in front of a packed crowd in Montreal. But what happened inside that ring changed the wrestling world forever.
Backstage, tensions were running high. Bret was leaving WWF for WCW and didn’t want to lose the title in his home country. He had a plan — and an expectation that the match would go on his terms. But Vince McMahon had other ideas. During the match, Shawn Michaels locked Bret in the Sharpshooter — Bret hadn’t submitted — and the bell rang. Suddenly, Shawn Michaels was the champion. Shock. Betrayal. Chaos.
The Montreal Screwjob didn’t just alter a single match — it blurred the line between scripted storylines and real-life drama, forever changing how fans viewed professional wrestling. It’s a story of tension, loyalty, and legacy that still resonates with fans today.
For wrestling fans, this moment is more than just history — it’s a reminder of why we watch, why we cheer, and why wrestling can be as unpredictable as the games we love.