WWE Payback 2016: 10 Things We Learned
3. WWE Will Never Move On From Montreal Screwjob
The infamous events that became known as the 'Montreal Screwjob' happened at the 1997 Survivor Series. That was almost 19 years ago, yet WWE still can't bring themselves to let the concept go. Payback featured a loose homage to the night which would come to define Bret Hart's entire pro wrestling career.
On the show, Charlotte was booked to defend her WWE Women's Title against Natalya. In order to remedy the idea that Ric Flair would interfere, Bret was brought into the equation. Evening the odds, Hart was said to have Flair's number should things get physical. Sadly, WWE used his presence as an excuse to dig up the past.
When Charlotte had Natalya locked in the Sharpshooter, referee Charles Robinson called for the bell. For those who know Robinson's history, the ref was once nicknamed 'Little Naitch', and is a lifelong Ric Flair fan. In WCW, he even used that as a gimmick.
It's tiresome that WWE felt the need to churn out the 'Screwjob' idea again, especially right at the beginning of a new dawn for female athletes in the company.