10 Fascinating WWE Survivor Series 1997 Facts

4. Hart Coached Michaels On How To Apply The Sharpshooter While The Move Was Happening

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WWE.com

The spot was simple. With Hebner unconscious following a bump, Michaels was going to apply Hart's own Sharpshooter on him. Hebner was to remain down while Hart pulled Michaels' feet out, standing up with his own application of the hold. Per the plan, DX and Hart Foundation members would then hit the ring for a wild brawl, which Hebner would awaken to. He'd then throw the match out.

Hart didn't realize Hebner was jumping the gun, slowly getting to his feet behind his head, all the while Michaels was twisting his legs together. At first, Michaels crossed the legs incorrectly, to which Hart (calmly, while lying on his back) explained to Michaels that he needed to cross them the other way.

Imagine if Michaels had struggled even longer with the application - would Hebner have stalled during his premature 'get-up' from the ref bump? Would Bret have figured out the ruse if the timing had been off? Would he, as Cornette supposed, beaten Michaels senseless right then and there?

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Justin has been a wrestling fan since 1989, and has been writing about it since 2009. Since 2014, Justin has been a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine. Justin also writes for History of Wrestling, and is a contributing author to James Dixon's Titan series.