WWE In 1997 | Wrestling Timelines

6. October 12 | No Job

Backstage at a TV taping, Bret Hart, who knows he’s en route to WCW and just wants to put this bullsh*t behind him and leave the door open in an amicable and professional way, tells Shawn Michaels that he’d happily do a job for him. Incredibly, Shawn changes pro wrestling as everybody knows it by saying that he’d never return that favour.

What’s so incredible is that Shawn would never be expected to do this in October 1997. Bret is on the way out. Shawn is the top guy. He has everything he ever wanted, and he can’t even pretend to play nice in what would remain a hypothetical scenario.

This infuriates Bret and sets into motion the events of the Montreal Screwjob.

Authored by Michael Sidgwick

Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!

Posted On: 16th Apr 2026

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Stone Cold Steve Austin WWE 1997