Few moments in wrestling history have been as impactful as the “Montreal Screwjob,” an event that has become synonymous with controversy. Its widespread recognition has led WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash to draw a striking parallel to another shocking historical event.
On his “Kliq This” podcast, Nash stated, “The Montreal Screwjob is our JFK assassination.”
To clarify his statement, Nash was not suggesting that the Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels match constituted a tragedy on the level of a presidential assassination. Instead, he was responding to a fan’s comment proposing that if the Screwjob were staged, it would be the greatest work of all time, especially considering that the key figures involved have maintained kayfabe for nearly 30 years. Some fans even speculate that Bret Hart was complicit in the event, and Nash’s remark underscored the extraordinary effort required to uphold such a deception.
For those who subscribe to the conspiracy theory, no evidence will sway their beliefs, even in light of Netflix’s six-part docuseries “Mr. McMahon,” which provided new insights from those involved. One key revelation came from Triple H, who claimed the idea for the Screwjob originated with him. A staged event would also require Vince McMahon to endure significant injuries, including losing an eye due to Hart’s one-in-a-million loogie and subsequently his fist.
“I couldn’t have given a man more than what I gave Vince McMahon,” Hart said in the documentary. “None of that meant anything when Vince screwed me that day in Montreal.”
McMahon’s taped explanation of the incident, famously known as the “Bret Screwed Bret” speech, played a pivotal role in transforming him from a behind-the-scenes figure to a full-fledged heel.
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