10 Biggest "What If" Scenarios In WWE History
1. What If Bret Hart Hadn't Gone To WCW?
The Montreal Screwjob endures as the most infamous moment in wrestling history for good reason. It wasn’t just pivotal for the careers of those involved, but WWE’s fortunes in the Monday Night Wars, and thus, the business’ long-term prosperity as a whole.
If Bret Hart hadn’t have opted to sign with WCW and Vince McMahon hadn’t made the call to screw him over in his own country, wrestling would look vastly different today. Starting with Bret, he’d have remained as a WWE main event player and would have never been made to suffer his disappointing WCW run. Goldberg would never have hit the big boot that effectively ended his career, and he’d have remained in the WWE spotlight until at least the turn of the decade.
The implications would’ve been less pronounced for Shawn, who was forced to “retire” four months later anyway, but the Montreal Screwjob effectively created “Mr. McMahon.” Vince’s “evil boss” persona was a vital presence through one of WWE’s most successful periods, and it kicked-off with the widescale revulsion aimed at him following Survivor Series 1997. Without it, Vince never becomes one of industry’s greatest heels, and WWE suffer for it.
Finally, and most importantly: without the Screwjob, the Attitude Era likely doesn’t happen. WWE had gradually started moving towards an edgier, more risqué product prior to Survivor Series, but Hart vs. Michaels sent it over the edge. This was the spark that lit the fire, and if the Attitude Era didn’t take-off, WWE would have never survived the Monday Night Wars.
As controversial as it was, there’s a strong argument to be made that the Montreal Screwjob saved WWE. It was Attitude’s success that helped them turn the corner in the wars, and run WCW out of existence. Without it, the roles are flipped: Ted Turner’s company likely put Vince out of business, and continue operating as the industry’s only major player today.