4. Using The 'Montreal Screwjob' To Their Own Gain
Like it or not, the 'Montreal Screwjob' will continue to be talked about until the end of time. Simply put, it was one of the most earth-shattering moments in pro wrestling history. Pretty much every grappling fan knows the story, Vince McMahon, Shawn Michaels and others conspired to remove the WWF Heavyweight Title from Bret Hart's possession before he left to join WCW. From there, McMahon launched one of his most successful character creations of all time. Redubbing himself 'Mr. McMahon', the boss became one of wrestling's top heels and provided perfect bad guy foil for the anti-hero babyface known as 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin. Even so, it was pretty arrogant of the company to capitalise on something so unsavoury. The actual success of the idea cannot be argued with, but that's not the point here. The point is that McMahon and company brazenly went ahead and created a character out of the ashes of someone else's misery. Over in WCW, Bret's career toiled and he was never the same again. Meanwhile, the WWF went from strength-to-strength and regained top spot in North American wrestling.
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.
