What if the Montreal Screwjob Never Happened?

Alternative realities and different scenarios remain a popular topic due to the use of this storytelling device in movies or television shows. WWE is no different in terms of providing an interesting “what if” scenario for major moments. The Montreal Screwjob remains an all-time controversial story almost three decades later.

Bret Hart using his contract clause to refuse to lose to Shawn Michaels led to Vince McMahon booking a double cross. Hart left for WCW, and Michaels only wrestled a couple more months before an injury took him off television for four years. Fans constantly talk about the Montreal Screwjob, but it is worth exploring the likely results if it never happened.

Bret Hart Never Leaves WWE For WCW

The biggest change to the Montreal Screwjob would be Bret Hart never leaving WWE. Vince McMahon claimed that Hart’s contract was too big for him to continue paying, but time would tell that WWE’s success turned around. Bret was doing the best work of his career to many fans as a hated heel ripping apart United States fans and wrestlers.

The heel run extending could have been a tremendous addition to the Attitude Era. Matches against new talents like Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, and Kurt Angle could have been must-watch television down the line. Hart talked about how much he never wanted to leave WWE for WCW until Vince pushed him to do it.

WCW used Hart poorly and ruined the last chapters of his in-ring career. Poor booking wasted Bret’s red-hot momentum coming into the promotion. Hart staying in WWE could have added more moments to his legendary career. The legacy of Bret would be even stronger since WWE was his home and he missed out on many great rivals.

The Mr. McMahon Character Never Happens

Vince McMahon had a rule that he didn’t want to become an on-air character outside of an unbiased commentator. The Montreal Screwjob put McMahon into the forefront as both the industry changes and this specific story created a shift. Vince standing ringside during the controversial moment saw him taking ownership of the decision.

WWE decided to use reality by having McMahon discuss the situation on Raw and blaming Bret Hart for the entire thing. Even though Hart played a hated heel at the end of his run, he was the longest-tenured “face of the company” after Hulk Hogan. Fans losing such an important performer upset them.

McMahon feeling the heat led to him deciding to become an on-screen heel authority figure. Eric Bischoff finding success in WCW leading the New World Order likely influenced McMahon to become the hated boss as a perfect rival to the “every man” babyface Steve Austin.

DX & Triple H’s Popularity Doesn’t Take Off

D-Generation X became a red-hot act later at the end of Bret Hart’s tenure. A strange dynamic saw both Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels both leading heel factions, as they feuded. Michaels got frustrated with his generic face act flopping in 1996 and requested to start showing more of his natural brash personality.

The Montreal Screwjob actually helped DX more since controversy became their calling card. Michaels and Triple H mocking Bret got them more heat and made their segments feel truly unpredictable. Owen Hart trying to avenge his brother helped Triple H more as he won their feud over the European Championship.

Michaels left WWE for four years after dropping the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 14 due to a terrible back injury. The Montreal Screwjob never happening likely prevents DX from blowing up, and Triple H suffers most for not getting the opportunity to benefit from the group.

Steve Austin Gets To Win The Feud With Bret Hart

One of the most underrated stories about the Montreal Screwjob is that fans never got a proper ending to Bret Hart and Steve Austin’s feud. The double turn earlier in the year made Hart a hated heel to United States fans and Austin became the dream anti-hero babyface character.

Both men interacted a few more times, but Stone Cold moved to a feud against Owen Hart after Bret suffered an injury. WWE never went back to the story since Bret moved into a world title program involving Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker upon his return. Austin beating Shawn Michaels for his first WWE Championship was always the plan.

However, Hart sticking around in WWE could have given Austin a chance to finally beat his biggest rival while defending the title. Bret winning the WrestleMania 13 double turn match meant he won the overall feud. Austin getting his win back as a full-fledged babyface against Hart is a major moment WWE missed out on.