WWE Creative Was Initially Going To Ignore Montreal Screwjob

WWE is full of some amazing pieces of history, and Vince Russo was around for a lot of the most iconic moments. Vince McMahon getting laid out by Bret Hart was a moment frozen in time, and the shiner that it left McMahon on his eye was something that Russo wanted to capitalize on.

The Wrestling With Shadows documentary opened up WWE’s backstage creative process during the Montreal Screwjob. We didn’t see Bret Hart punch Vince McMahon on camera, but it certainly happened.

During a recent appearance on the Ariel Helwani Show, Vince Russo was around to talk about his history in the business. Then he was asked about the famous Bret Screwed Bret promo that Vince McMahon gave 28 years ago.

“After our regular meeting that day before RAW, everyone left except for a few select people, Prichard, Shane, Jim Ross, Shane McMahon, Briscoe, Kevin Dunn, there was maybe 8 people in there. They’re all trying to sweep this under the rug like it never happened, and I’m sitting back, and I’m listening to this, and I finally said, ‘Guys, Vince McMahon is walking around with a back eye. Do you understand the volume of this? Something like this will probably never, ever, ever happen again in the history of wrestling.”

Advertising

Advertising

“I always remember, when you’ve got Vince’s attention, you know that look. You know that look. As I was saying, ‘No! This is the story!’ I could see his look, and I knew, ‘He’s right.'”

“To his credit, Vince went to the TV studio when we got back. Vince laid out the interview. Vince’s line was ‘I didn’t screw Bret Hart, Bret Hart screwed Brew Hart.’ But yes, they were waiting to go on with business as usual, and I was like, ‘Guys, there will never ever, ever, ever be another time like this in the business.”

Vince McMahon delivered the “Bret screwed Bret” promo on RAW after the 1997 Montreal Screwjob. He said Bret Hart caused the outcome by refusing to lose the WWF Championship as planned. The promo was meant to explain the controversy and shift blame away from the company.

Vince had a black eye because Bret punched him backstage after the match.
The punch happened in Bret’s locker room during an argument about the finish.
The promo and the black eye were both direct results of the events in Montreal. Of course, that image of Vince McMahon will live forever, and Russo may have a lot of credit due to him because of it.

What’s your take on this iconic pro wrestling promo? Do you believe that the Bret Screwed Bret promo ranks in the top 10 promos in WWE history? Let us know what you think in the comments section!

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.