10 Best Stolen Wrestling Finishers In WWE History
2. The Sharpshooter Screwjob (Survivor Series 1997)
The Montreal Screwjob remains the single most infamous moment in professional wrestling history, even 20 years on.
Not only did it shatter kayfabe into a million pieces and send Bret Hart packing to WCW in the most humiliating way imaginable, but it effectively kickstarted the Attitude Era. Vince McMahon was immediately cast as the villain, but instead of trying to rewrite this narrative (as he's prone to doing), the Chairman leaned into it. His iconic 'Mr. McMahon' persona was born, thus setting WWE off on their most successful business period, helping them score victory in the Monday Night Wars, and eventually drive WCW out of business.
The Screwjob was, of course, born primarily of Bret's decision to leave WWE, and subsequent refusal to drop his WWE Title in Montreal, but it manifested through finisher theft. 'The Hitman' was trapped in his own Sharpshooter when McMahon ordered Earl Hebner to call for the bell, and the shot of Hart stuck in the hold, but not tapping out, remains a defining image.
A miserable night for Hart, who wouldn't return to WWE until 2010, but the scene has become as iconic as it is notorious.