WWE Legend The Undertaker Expresses His Pity for Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 5, 2024, 02.43 PM IST
Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels are undeniably legends in the world of professional wrestling, each boasting remarkable and storied careers. However, for many fans, their legacies are overshadowed by a single controversial event: the infamous "Montreal Screwjob." This moment from Survivor Series 1997 remains a dark spot in wrestling history, and even now, it’s a subject of much discussion and debate.
On the podcast "Six Feet Under," The Undertaker opened up about his feelings regarding this incident. Having witnessed the events unfold firsthand, he shared his sense of regret and disappointment over how the situation played out. "It's just one of those really unfortunate situations," The Undertaker remarked. "Both Shawn and Bret had incredible, stellar careers. They achieved so much, and yet this one political maneuver is what people often remember. It's great for fans to debate and discuss, but I genuinely feel bad for Shawn and Bret."
Significance of The Montreal Screwjob in WWE
The Montreal Screwjob was a pivotal moment where Bret Hart was deceitfully stripped of the WWE Championship by Shawn Michaels, under the orchestration of Vince McMahon. This betrayal left Hart deeply embittered for many years. McMahon later made efforts to reconcile with Hart, starting with a phone call after Hart suffered a stroke and followed by Hart’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006. Eventually, Hart and Michaels reconciled when Hart returned to WWE in 2010, setting the stage for a WrestleMania storyline. Hart even managed to make peace with Earl Hebner, the referee who had been involved in the controversial match and aware of the plan.
Reflecting on his relationships with both Hart and Michaels, The Undertaker expressed his admiration and affection for the two. "I'm friends with both Shawn and Bret. I think the world of those guys," he said. "I'm really glad that everyone has moved on to a better place now. But it really sucked that it had to happen in the first place."
Co-host Matt Lyda noted how the "Montreal Screwjob" affected Hart’s subsequent tenure in WCW, observing a noticeable lack of enthusiasm in Hart’s performances. The Undertaker concurred, acknowledging the challenges of staying motivated in such circumstances. "If he doesn’t get hurt, you never know what could have happened," The Undertaker mused. "But when your heart's not in it, it’s tough. It’s really tough, man."
In the end, while the Montreal Screwjob remains a heavily debated topic among wrestling fans, it’s clear that for those involved, it’s a painful memory of what could have been. The Undertaker’s reflections underscore the emotional toll such events can take on the wrestlers, despite their many achievements and contributions to the sport.
On the podcast "Six Feet Under," The Undertaker opened up about his feelings regarding this incident. Having witnessed the events unfold firsthand, he shared his sense of regret and disappointment over how the situation played out. "It's just one of those really unfortunate situations," The Undertaker remarked. "Both Shawn and Bret had incredible, stellar careers. They achieved so much, and yet this one political maneuver is what people often remember. It's great for fans to debate and discuss, but I genuinely feel bad for Shawn and Bret."
Significance of The Montreal Screwjob in WWE
The Montreal Screwjob was a pivotal moment where Bret Hart was deceitfully stripped of the WWE Championship by Shawn Michaels, under the orchestration of Vince McMahon. This betrayal left Hart deeply embittered for many years. McMahon later made efforts to reconcile with Hart, starting with a phone call after Hart suffered a stroke and followed by Hart’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006. Eventually, Hart and Michaels reconciled when Hart returned to WWE in 2010, setting the stage for a WrestleMania storyline. Hart even managed to make peace with Earl Hebner, the referee who had been involved in the controversial match and aware of the plan.
Reflecting on his relationships with both Hart and Michaels, The Undertaker expressed his admiration and affection for the two. "I'm friends with both Shawn and Bret. I think the world of those guys," he said. "I'm really glad that everyone has moved on to a better place now. But it really sucked that it had to happen in the first place."
Co-host Matt Lyda noted how the "Montreal Screwjob" affected Hart’s subsequent tenure in WCW, observing a noticeable lack of enthusiasm in Hart’s performances. The Undertaker concurred, acknowledging the challenges of staying motivated in such circumstances. "If he doesn’t get hurt, you never know what could have happened," The Undertaker mused. "But when your heart's not in it, it’s tough. It’s really tough, man."
In the end, while the Montreal Screwjob remains a heavily debated topic among wrestling fans, it’s clear that for those involved, it’s a painful memory of what could have been. The Undertaker’s reflections underscore the emotional toll such events can take on the wrestlers, despite their many achievements and contributions to the sport.