10 Real Life Events That Forced Wrestling World Title Changes

5. The Screwjobs

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WWE.com

Even though it's been discussed at length over the last 24 years, it would be remiss to do any such list and not make mention of the infamous Montreal Screwjob.

The Survivor Series 1997 saw a WCW-bound Bret Hart screwed out of the WWF Championship, as Vince McMahon decided to take the title off Hart in controversial fashion. With the Hitman facing Shawn Michaels at that event, the fix was in for the Heartbreak Kid to leave Montreal's Molson Centre as the new WWF Champ.

Montreal wasn't the first WWF screwjob, though, and what many deem the 'original' screwjob took place in 1985.

At that time, Wendi Richter was in the midst of her second reign as WWF Women's Champion. Richter was a huge part of the rock 'n' wrestling boom that led to the first WrestleMania, and she felt that her status with the company should be reflected in her pay.

When Wendi sought to renegotiate her existing WWF deal, McMahon's promotion baulked at this request - so much so, they screwed her out of her title.

As Richter took part in a supposed Madison Square Garden squash match in November '85, she was faced with a no-name masked opponent known as The Spider. Unbeknownst to Wendi, this masked foe was the Fabulous Moolah, who rolled Richter up and ended her title reign.

Infuriated, Wendi Richter, in her ring gear, headed straight out of the arena, took a cab to the airport and never wrestled for the company again.

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