10 Lamest Swerves In WWE History

7. The Montreal Screwjob

Steve Austin WCW WWE Champion 2001 Invasion
WWE.com

The Montreal Screwjob might be the most infamous incident in wrestling history. At Survivor Series 1997, Vince McMahon decided to make an example of the WCW-bound Bret Hart, who didn’t want to drop the WWE Championship in his native Canada. Vince conspired to have him lose to a false submission despite not tapping out, Shawn Michaels inherited the belt, and Hart was sent packing in the most humiliating way imaginable.

The Screwjob birthed Vince’s villainous Mr. McMahon character, and effectively kicked-off the Attitude Era. It was essentially a catalyst for one of the most successful periods in WWE history, but it was a terrible way to end a pay-per-view. The Montreal crowd weren’t shy in hiding their vitriol as a frustrated Bret stomped around the ring in the aftermath, enraged by what had happened.

Hart was never the same afterwards. His WCW career didn't come close to matching what he’d left behind in WWE, and he was eventually forced to retire after suffering a severe concussion following a botched thrust kick from Bill Goldberg. WWE found a way to spin the situation on its head, but the screwjob was absolutely shocking at the time, and the initial reaction was almost entirely negative.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.