Betrayal, rivalry, and the Montreal Screwjob that redefined pro wrestling’s reality

The air was thick with anticipation and unspoken tension. The stage had been set for two champions to collide—a clash of legacies, honour, and ambition. On one side stood Bret Hart, the purveyor of integrity and the heart and soul of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) in a post-Hulk Hogan era. On the other, his rival Shawn Michaels, a showman whose charisma was undeniable but whose methods were murkier.  

When this fight was over, the foundation of decades of tradition—and the sacrifices of many wrestling legends to create a long illusion—would be shattered, and the art of professional wrestling would never be the same.

A disclaimer

Before we go any further, let’s acknowledge that the very idea of a scripted sport or taking it this seriously elicits eye rolls in some.