10 Secret Conversations That Changed Wrestling History Forever

2. The Plan To Screw Bret Hart

Bret Hart Montreal Screwjob
WWE.com

This one wouldn't have happened had Bret bolted to WCW back in 1992.

He didn't though, and instead went on to become a linchpin of the WWF's main event mix. Hart's influence would grow to the extent that he was one of Vince McMahon's most trusted lieutenants. Then, Vince reneged on a bumper new deal with Bret, said he couldn't afford it, and that p*ssed Hart off to the point that he decided WCW's money should be his.

At that point, things turned ugly. Bret, who had a fractured relationship with Shawn Michaels, told Vince he wouldn't drop the WWF Title to him in Canada. That worried McMahon, because it meant Hart could theoretically appear on WCW TV with his top title. He couldn't let that happen, so he called a meeting.

Vince, Michaels, Triple H and possibly a few others conspired to screw Hart out of the belt at Survivor Series 1997. Yes, the 'Screwjob' has been chronicled endlessly, but it deserves a spot on this list. The secret conversations Vince had with HBK and others pushed Hart out, birthed the Mr. McMahon character and had a huge knock on effect generally.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.