Why 1997 Was The Greatest Year In Wrestling History
2. Controversy Creates Cash In Montreal
Love it or hate it, the Montreal Screwjob created a whole lot of controversy that got the whole wrestling world and beyond talking about it.
Some may rightly label the incident a black eye on the wrestling business, but other will point to how the events of November 9, 1997 ultimately ended up being a great thing for the industry. If it wasn't for the very real events of the 1997 Survivor Series, who knows if we would've ever got the Mr. McMahon character. And if he we had never got the Mr. McMahon character, would 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin had gotten over to the level that he did? Maybe Austin would've, but nobody knows for sure.
For Bret Hart fans, the Survivor Series '97 still sticks in the throat, yet the greater significance of that night cannot be overlooked.
Not only did the Screwjob start Mr. McMahon on the path to becoming the industry's best heel, it also gave uber-prick Shawn Michaels more material to work with in the aftermath of that November PPV. The Heartbreak Kid embraced the hate that was directed towards him after Montreal, with him using this very real situation to get himself some truly nuclear heat - which then played a part in fans wanting to pay to see someone like Steve Austin kick the crap out of the Showstopper.