Bret Hart was the WWE's top star when WCW offered him ridiculous money to join them. He accepted the offer but was still the WWF Champion, how would he drop the title? He has been accused of being both selfish and selective in his behaviour during the build up to Survivor Series 1997. An unwillingness to drop the title in his own backyard of Canada and numerous personal differences with Shawn Michaels meant the decision of where his last night as champion would be was proving to be difficult. Vince, rightly, was worried Hart would do the same to him as Ric Flair had done to Jim Herd and WCW eight years prior. What transpired is still the most shocking moment in WWE history. Even though Bret had allegedly agreed to drop the belt on a subsequent Raw, Vince went against what had been previously agreed before the show. Match referee Earl Hebner, on direct order from McMahon, ended the match as Michaels held Hart in the Sharpshooter even though Hart had not submitted. Michaels was declared the victor and was crowned the new WWF Champion. Once the bell had sounded Hart would spit in McMahon's face, signal 'WCW' to the crowd and allegedly floored Vince backstage. The next night on Raw, McMahon gave a televised interview to Jim Ross, explaining his version of events and making the now-infamous statement "Vince McMahon didn't screw Bret Hart. Bret screwed Bret." It has been suggested by some that the entire incident may have been a work created by McMahon and Hart as the film, Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows, was being filmed at the event. Hart and McMahon later reconciled as Hart was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006. Hart made his first appearance on live WWE television since the Screwjob in 2010, having a lengthy discussion with Michaels about what transpired and declaring a truce. This brought closure to the event more than 12 years later. Both men also sat side-by-side to discuss the Screwjob in detail on, Greatest Rivalries: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart in 2011.
