The Rock Vs. Steve Austin | Wrestling Timelines

November 9, 1997 - Montreal

Montreal Screwjob Bret Hart Shawn Michaels
WWE.com

A very brief stop on the timeline, since everybody knows about and is tired of the story, but the context is important.

At Survivor Series, Austin regains the Intercontinental title against Owen Hart in a short brawl necessitated by the state of Austin’s neck. The Rock is part of a losing effort in a long and forgettable traditional elimination tag.

It’s not a highlight reel for either man, but it doesn’t matter: the night is remembered only for the Montreal Screwjob.

Vince screws Bret, calling the bell for real when Shawn locks him in his own Sharpshooter, putting an end to the tense, all-consuming rivalry - and the idea that the WWF is in any way a place for a top guy with a moral, child-friendly code. That lineage - from Bruno Sammartino to Hulk Hogan to Bret Hart - is over for now.

Bret leaves.

The pathway to the main event gets a lot shorter.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!