1996 Bret "Hitman" Hart was the WWF champion and the WWF had planned to have him drop the belt to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 12. Bret Hart knew several months before WrestleMania that he was going to drop the belt to HBK, because HBK and his "Kliq" were always in Vince McMahon's ear and quite frankly, Bret was sick of it, but there was nothing he can do. The WWF made an Iron Man match as the main event for WrestleMania 12. It was a one-hour long match and who ever gets the most decisions within that hour walks out as WWF champion. Shawn Michaels was scripted to win and Bret couldn't say no about it. Bret had to put him over and he did. Here is what was planned and it happened exactly as planned. Less than a minute left in the match, HBK goes on the top rope and jumps, but Bret Hart catches him in the sharpshooter. After being in the sharpshooter for almost a minute, time runs out. WWF president at that time, the late great Gorilla Monsoon, ordered the match to continue under sudden death rules and less than two minutes, HBK did the super kick and got the win over Bret Hart (very clean win) and Bret Hart did his job by putting him over. This match was voted as the greatest WrestleMania match of all-time. After the loss, Bret Hart took six months off because his contract had expired and wanted to explore his options in a way, to see if he should stay, retired, etc...
During those six months, WCW contacted Bret Hart and offered him a 3-year, 9 million dollars contract. It was much more than what Hart was getting paid by the WWF. Vince McMahon went to Bret Hart's house and basically begged him to stay with the WWF and offered him a 20-year contract with the WWF, but with much less money. After puting lots of thoughts into it, Bret Hart said that loyalty is important and he declined WCW's offer and signed the 20-year deal with the WWF (Which later shows that Bret never sold out). Twenty-year contract, wow, now of course, Bret Hart would not be wrestling for 20 years, he would wrestle for a few years and then retire, but still stay a part of the WWF. Six months later, Bret Hart was back in the WWF. Bret Hart came back on RAW for an interview to tell the fans that he was back and to accept Steve Austin's challenge. Austin was challenging Bret during those six months that he took off (storyline) of course. This setup the return match for Bret Hart in Madison Square Garden against Steve Austin. Bret Hart defeated Austin. Speaking of Bret's return, Vince had the following to say: "When Bret The Hitman Hart entered Madison Square Garden for the 1996 Survivor Series, he was arguably the most celebrated superstar in WWF History." In other words, you can imagine the ovation he had.
Let's move on to the following year.
1997 Early 1997, the WWF had planned for Bret Hart to recapture his WWF title at WrestleMania 13, where he would beat Shawn Michaels. Where Michaels would return the favor to Bret Hart from last year's WrestleMania. But HBK's ego got the best of him. In February of 1997, Shawn Michaels goes out on a Thursday special edition of WWF RAW is WAR and forfeits the WWF title. He "claims" a knee injury and he said that he lost his smile. The real reason was the unwillingness to lose to Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13. Now HBK had a real knee injury, but it was minor and doctors told him he can wrestle with that knee for months and months. This angered the Hitman Bret Hart. Bret Hart was furious and Shawn Michaels received a lot of heat from wrestlers backstage and a lot of them lost respect for him. For the record, HBK forfeited more than half of the titles he won during his career. Reason? If you ask me, it's EGO! But even after all these forfeits, HBK still had Vince McMahon in his back pocket. Vince would still put the WWF title on him.
Anyway, WWF president, Gorilla Monsoon makes a final four match between Vader, Bret Hart, Undertaker and Steve Austin, where the winner would be crowned WWF champion, and Bret Hart won this at the 1997 February In Your House PPV. Bret would be asked to drop the WWF title the next night against Sid and he did do exactly what he was told.
Not even a couple of months later, Shawn Michaels was back. That's when it was the real proof that he was a coward, and he's little knee injury wasn't that serious at all. In the summer of 1997, Bret Hart and HBK had a real life confrontation backstage. Bret Hart confronted Shawn Michaels backstage and they got into a fight. Nothing serious happened in the fight, Bret had a piece of Shawn's hair and reportedly took him down and applied this submission hold from what I am hearing. WWF officials broke them up and both men were sent home that night because of their actions.
Shawn said that Bret was having an affair with WWF divas, Sunny. What happened was, Sunny somehow pitched in an idea of her managing Bret Hart at one point, and I am assuming Shawn Michaels took this a little too far and "affair" was the first thing that came to his mind. What angered Bret more was the fact that Shawn mention it in his interview by saying something like "Bret Hart has some Sunny days ahead of him" or something like that.
At that time, Bret Hart had been playing heel character, where he had the role of bashing the American fans. In mid 1997, the WWF was losing TV ratings to Ted Turner's WCW. Mostly because of the nWo angle. The WWF came up with the D-Generation X stable to try to regain the ratings, but that didn't work until the following year. There was a small feud between DX/Hart Foundation/Nation of Domination. One night on RAW, in the Nation's locker room, there were a lot of racist comments written on the wall, of course it was all scripted. Bret Hart did not like the idea of having to be racist and hate black people, he expressed himself and felt it was crossing the line even if it's sports entertainment, and he was right, so the angle faded away. Bret Hart did not like the direction of the WWF and said "it's not fit for kids".
In September of 1997, Vince approached Bret Hart and told him that he wants to break his 20-year contract and asked him if he can call up WCW and try to get his old deal back from last year. This came as a shock to Bret and everyone around him. Bret didn't want to do that, he really wanted to stay with the WWF. This lead to November 1st, 1997 where Bret Hart had to make up his mind on what to do. On one hand, WCW really wanted Bret Hart, Vince McMahon wanted him to leave, and on the other hand, Bret really wanted to stay. Bret called up Vince and told him "talk to me into staying." Vince came up with ideas for Bret Hart, but it wasn't really ideas, it was storyline ideas to drive Bret out of the WWF. Bret would have to lose to Shawn like three or four times and then in early 1998, Bret Hart would come out on RAW and saw if he can't beat HBK that night he would retire and that's where Bret would beat him. Bret analyzed the storyline and saw it as four major losses, and Shawn told Bret Hart SEVERAL TIMES, that no matter what, he would never lose to Bret Hart. Bret also didn't like the direction of the WWF and Vince was basically pushing him out of the WWF, so Bret Hart signed the WCW deal on November 1st, 1997.
Now, just eight days later, it's Survivor Series, and it was promoted everywhere, Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels for the WWF title. Starting November 1st, Bret Hart had a month left in his contract with the WWF and had "reasonable creative control." Vince McMahon called up Bret and told him that he has to lose to Shawn Michaels in Montreal at the Survivor Series. Bret Hart objected to it and told Vince McMahon, losing to Shawn Michaels in perhaps his last match in the WWF would be like blowing his brains out. There was no way Bret Hart was going to stand for this anymore. Just a few months earlier, Shawn refused to put him over and forfeited the belt. After days of exchanging ideas and everything, just hours before the big match at the Survivor Series, they FINALLY agreed to a disqualification finish. The plan was, they would knock the referee out, Shawn puts Bret in the sharpshooter, then Bret Hart would reverse it and put it on HBK, and the other guys come out and cause it to be a disqualification. Bret Hart said that he would like to hand the belt the following night on RAW and do his farewell speech to the fans and leave. OR he can drop the belt later that week in the U.S. and the WWF can tape it/film it and play it over and over again, Bret could care less, but he just asked Vince to get through the weekend with his head up.
Bret Hart was warned by the British Bulldog, Vader and others about the match. They basically told him to kick out on the couint of one instead of two, in case the referee made a fast three count, and to avoid submission holds. Before the big match, Bret Hart went and talked to his close friend for years and years, WWF referee, Earl Hebner. Bret told Hebner about the match and Earl swore on his kids that he wouldn't let anything happen, and told Bret that he would quit his job before double crossing him.
Survivor Series Match They knock the referee out (as planned), Shawn goes for the sharpshooter and out of nowhere, Vince McMahon orders the time keeper to ring the bell and Earl Hebner calls for the bell too. This was done while Bret was still in the sharpshooter, and as soon as the bell rang, Bret had his hand on Michaels' ankle and was ready to follow the plans and reverse the sharpshooter, but then he realized he was screwed out of the WWF title. Now, most of the fans were confused, some thought Bret Hart gave up. Bret Hart stood in the ring in disbelief, but had realized what happened, he'd been screwed. He looked at Vince McMahon and spat in his face. Shawn Michaels acted like he was pissed off and unhappy. He just grabbed the belt and was cursing at Vince McMahon. He did that to make Bret Hart think that he had nothing to do with it. Now, as soon as the bell rang, Earl Hebner ran out of the ring and a cab was waiting for him outside so he can get the hell out of there.
After the PPV went off the air, Bret Hart destroyed some WWF equipment at ring side. He also wrote "WCW" in the air with his fingers to the crowd, which got a big pop. Owen Hart, Anvil, and Bulldog came out to calm him down.
BACKSTAGE
Vince McMahon locked himself in his office, with Gerald Brisco and his crew. Bret Hart asked Shawn if he was in on it and Shawn said he wasn't, which was pure bullshit. Bret Hart went to take a shower. In the meantime, the Undertaker went and got Vince McMahon out of his office and told him to go apologize to Bret Hart. Rick Rude told Bret Hart that Vince is in the dressing room. Bret Hart told Rick Rude to tell Vince McMahon that once Bret is done dressing up, if Vince is still in his locker room he will knock him out. Bret got out and Vince was still there. Vince was there with Gerald Brisco, Shanw McMahon, and SGT. Slaughter. Vince told Bret's boys to get out and that he wanted to talk to Bret. British Bulldog told everyone not to get out, he said they won't leave Bret alone in the locker room with Vince McMahon and 3 other guys. Remember what happened to Bruiser Brody? (that's a different story). Anyway, Bret Hart and Vince started arguing, Vince told Bret that it was the first time he lied to him. Bret Hart rattles off like twenty lies that Vince said in the past year. Bret told him to get out, and he didn't. They locked up and Bret swung a punch and knocked Vince McMahon down faster than a speed of light. Shane McMahon jumped on Bret's back, then the British Bulldog pulled him off. As a result of the punch, Vince had a black eye for a couple of weeks, and according to Vince, he also had a mild concussion and poor eye vision. Bret Hart on the other hand almost broke his wrist because of the punch.
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? Shane 101
take it from my experience
Half not all but Hlaf the people on here have got itty bitty short attention spans to go with itty bitty brains
Now before i get ripped on NOT the good contributors they will listen to what you have to say long as you aint a mark or a troll you are obviously neither. I agree the WWF/WWE screwed Bret over REAL GOOD but I have always thought Vince was a poor substitute for a human being for LOTS of Reasons of which the Montreal Screw Job is just one tiny fraction.
So Basically I agree with you 110%
easy 10 points huh?
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? This was a clear case of crappy communication. Vince was paranoid and took immediate action without thinking and Bret Hart suffered greatly for it. Report It
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? even in Bret's DVD, I think both he and Vince agree that there was a lack of communication b/w them going into Survivor Series, but both still stand by their actions. Report It
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? can it be any longer
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? Hbk was good heel or face
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? why becasue of the montreal screwjob? im not reading all of that.
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? WOOOOO I AINT GOING TO READ ALL THAT IT WILL TAKE TOO LONG
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? you hate shawn michaels because of the montreal screwjob?
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? holy crap... ur writing a friking essay..
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? Thanks for ahring the truth about this guy. He's a fat liar!
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? As Ron Simmons would say DAMN!
Could you write any longer!
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? thats called the montreal screwjob, shawn didn't call the match.
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? couldn't you just say you hate him cuz of the montreal screwjob? that's way too long. shut up!
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? That's nice seems like your still someone that hates HBK from that incident
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? Bret was double-crossed by the people he trusted.
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? That was long
DAMN!
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? Aka 'I hate HBK because of the Montreal Screwjob'
It was Vince's decision anyways!
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? I still like HBK despite the essay.
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? Did you Copy %26amp; Paste that?
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? It looks like you should hate Vince rather than Shawn Michaels. I know Shawn Michaels had a lot of clout, but remember he was also a part of the kliq, and he didn't even benefit until the group was broken up. It was mostly Vince and the Creative Team's doing and Shawn Michaels was doing his job.
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? First of all, you're basing your opinion on a lot of conjectures and rumors. A lot of information that you listed isn't fact, just some rumors that floated around. As a fan, how could you possibly know what actually happened backstage except through second hand information?
First of all in 1997 when Shawn Michaels forfeited the title it was for a legitimate back injury, not because of his ego or refusal to give up the title to Bret Hart. Are you aware that he woke up earlier during that week as was in so much pain that he couldn't even move the lower parts of his body? He literally had to crawl to the phone to call the ambulance, and this is fact because hospital and ambulance records confirm it.
Secondly, in 2000 Bret Hart didn't break his contract, it expired, which allowed him to pursue other options. In the end he chose WCW.
I've always felt that Bret was the one at fault for the supposed "Montreal Screwjob". Think about it. Bret, on his last day in the WWF, refused to lose his title to Shawn Michaels because he didn't like him, and his idea was that he wanted to win, and then show up on RAW the next day and relinquish the title before going to WCW. (this was confirmed on the "Wrestling with Shadows" documentary) I mean really, how would that look for the WWF? Their champion, going undefeated, and then going on to another company? It was only a few months ago when their women's champ showed up on Nitro and threw the belt in the garbage. How would it have looked if they did the same thing with the world title, which actually meant something during that time?
They say that Vince screwed Bret, that Vince should have shown some loyalty for the years of service that Bret gave the WWF. Well, my feeling is that if Bret was truly loyal to the business that made him a star, he should have lost that title before he left regardless of who his opponent is. I mean, it's Shawn Michales, one of the WWF's top stars. It's not like Vince asked him to job his title to Bastion Booger or Gillberg or something.
Quite frankly, considering how vicious the Monday night ratings war was going during that time, I don't blame Vince for doing what he did. He had a business to tend to, and quite frankly that took precedence over one man's feelings.
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? SHAWN STILL IS ONE OF THE BEST..... HE DIDN'T CALL THAT MATCH SO QUIT WHINING....
The Truth About Shawn Michaels (Long but now you know why I dont like the guy)? It's interesting...
...BUT you're forgetting the part (you antagonized Vince) where Bret didn't want to do the favor of jobbing on the way out, which is what YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. And yes, all of which you said is "fact" is simply rumors.
