Welcome to a rather unusual edition of Infospherica! Today, we're venturing outside our typical tech territory to delve into a peculiar event from the world of wrestling - The Montreal Screwjob. While it might seem like an unexpected topic for a tech blog, sometimes it's worth exploring the unconventional to reveal hidden insights and draw connections that could surprise us all. So, strap in and let's dive into this unexpected, yet fascinating story from the wrestling arena!
On November 9, 1997, the WWE (then known as the WWF) held its annual Survivor Series pay-per-view event in Montreal, Canada. Little did anyone know that this event would go down in history as one of the most controversial and infamous incidents in wrestling history: The Montreal Screwjob.
The Setup
The story of the Montreal Screwjob began months earlier, when WWE Superstar Bret "The Hitman" Hart signed a contract with the rival promotion, WCW. However, Bret was still the WWE Champion at the time, and the company was reluctant to let him leave with the title. To make matters worse, Bret had creative control over his character and was unwilling to lose the title in his home country of Canada, where he was a beloved figure.
The Screwjob
Despite the concerns of Bret and other wrestlers, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon made the decision to have Bret lose the title to Shawn Michaels at the Survivor Series event. However, Bret had not agreed to lose the title in Canada, and refused to go along with the plan.
During the match, Michaels put Bret in his own finishing move, the Sharpshooter, and Bret was supposed to escape the hold before the time limit expired. However, Vince McMahon gave a signal to the referee to ring the bell prematurely, effectively ending the match and awarding the title to Michaels. Bret was furious and shocked by this sudden turn of events, and proceeded to spit on McMahon and punch him in the face.
Aftermath
The Montreal Screwjob had a profound impact on the wrestling industry, with many fans and wrestlers feeling that Bret had been wronged by the company. The incident also marked the beginning of the "Attitude Era" in the WWE, which saw the company embrace a more edgy and controversial style of wrestling.
Bret went on to join WCW, where he continued to be a major player in the wrestling world. Vince McMahon and the WWE were heavily criticized for their handling of the situation, and the Montreal Screwjob remains a controversial and divisive topic among wrestling fans to this day.
Final Thoughts
The Montreal Screwjob was a shocking and unforgettable incident that changed the course of wrestling history. From the behind-the-scenes drama to Bret Hart hitting Vince McMahon, the events of the Survivor Series 1997 will forever be etched in the minds of wrestling fans around the world.