10 Most Wildly Unpopular WWE Title Changes

5. Shawn Michaels Defeats Bret Hart - Survivor Series 1997

The Montreal Screwjob is the most parodied, referenced, discussed and debated moment in WWE history. Overall, there is literally nothing that could be said about it that hasn't already been said. Everyone knows the story. For the purposes of this article, the Screwjob curtailed into Michaels (and McMahon) becoming the most hated and reviled men in professional wrestling at the time. Whilst Vince attempted to take all the heat for the incident, Michaels, in being the accomplice, was never going to be spared and the fallout for his compliance defined his career for years. It was not until 2010, when Bret Hart finally returned to WWE to officially bury the hatchet that Michaels was truly absolved for his involvement. In retrospect, Shawn did the absolute best he could with the situation at the time. He rode the wave of nuclear heat to the top and used it to fuel D-Generation X, which, in turn, made Triple H. One might argue, were it not for the Montreal Screwjob, Triple H's career would never have been the same. In reality, people soon came to see that DX of 1998 were not only charismatic but very entertaining. By the time Summerslam came around, DX were the second hottest thing going during WWE's biggest boom period, behind only Austin. However, it is worth noting that it wasn't until Michaels left the group the day after Wrestlemania 14 when he retired from a severe back injury that the crowd began to turn in their favour. They loved Hunter, Chyna and the Outlaws but they hated Michaels. With Shawn gone, they were free to rally behind DX. Ironic, really. Seeing as the Montreal Screwjob was Triple H's idea.