10 Phrases Guaranteed To Anger Most Wrestling Fans

The lore surrounding Bret Hart's exit from the WWF in 1997 has remained shrouded in mystery for two decades. There have been plenty of differing theories as to what actually transpired at that year's Survivor Series, but to this day, no one not directly involved in the situation seems to know for sure*.

Whatever the specifics, it's clear that The Hitman was given the shaft in Montreal. The match's finish was fixed, with the WWF Championship "stolen" from him. And, even worse, Vince McMahon compounded the fans' anger - especially those residing in Canada - by going on Raw the very next week and repeatedly asserting that he was faultless in the whole ordeal, and that the blame fell squarely on Bret Hart.

"The referee did not screw Bret Hart. Shawn Michaels certainly did not screw Bret Hart. Nor did Vince McMahon screw Bret Hart. I truly believe that Bret Hart screwed Bret Hart."

That interview officially turned McMahon into an on-air villain, but it also solidified the fact that the the WWF's CEO was, in real life, a pretty terrible human being. That he would so flagrantly throw Hart (who had pretty much carried the company on his shoulders through the rough New Generation years) under the bus infuriated plenty of fans south of the Canadian border, as well.

*WhatCulture's James Dixon might disagree with that - ed.