10 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE Raw From 1997

2. Rick Rude's Jump Was Messy

Shawn Michaels Rick Rude
WWE Network

The common narrative surrounding Rick Rude is that he was left disgusted by the WWF's treatment of Bret Hart at Survivor Series 1997. Eager to stick it to the company, he arranged a hasty exit and jumped to WCW. Once there, Rude became the first man to appear on both Raw and Nitro simultaneously (the WWF's show was pre-taped on 17 November).

Makes sense... or does it?

On 10 November, one night removed from the shock of the 'Montreal Screwjob', Rude fawned all over Shawn Michaels and said he never quit on the pay-per-view because he was the best. If Rick was so unhappy with things in the WWF, then why did he agree to show up on Raw 24 hours after Survivor Series to work this gloating segment?

It doesn't add up. Did it take him a week before he decided he was mad enough to rant at McMahon, Michaels and the WWF on WCW Nitro, or was Rude playing everyone?

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood.