On a recent edition of “The Ten Count” podcast, Earl Hebner revealed that he and Bret Hart have settled their differences over the Montreal Screwjob in 1997.
Hebner was the referee for that match, which saw the WWF Championship legitimately stolen from Hart before he left the company for WCW.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On if he thought anything would go wrong at Survivor Series: “Not really. Truthfully, I thought everything had been worked out and settled and was okay. Time to go to the ring.”
On recently talking to Bret about it: “I have a merch shirt that says ‘Damn right I did.’ And a lot of people want me to say, Can you write on it ‘I screwed Bret?’ I go, ‘No. I can’t do that.’ A while back, maybe three or four years ago, I would do it but Bret and I made up. And before my brother passed, we were at a house show, or indie show and he was there and he called us into the ring and he put us over like big time. So now Bret calls me now and then and I’ll call him and we got a good relationship back and I’m not gonna screw it up by writing something over a dumb ass shirt. It’s gonna destroy our friendship.”
On if he was worried about running into Bret before that: “For a long time it honestly it bothered me. It was bad for me, you know, cuz I carried it with me for a lot of years. We met one time an airport, and I wanted to talk to him and he said, ‘I don’t want to talk to you.’ … I said, ‘can I talk to you for a minute?” He goes, ‘I don’t want to talk.’ I said okay, so I let it go and that was it. And as time went on, you know, it finally worked out well. We got to see each other [and] communicate…”
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The Montreal Screwjob is one of the most infamous incidents in the history of professional wrestling. It occurred on November 9, 1997, during the main event of the WWF (now WWE) pay-per-view event, Survivor Series. The match was between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels for the WWF Championship.
Earl Hebner, the referee for the match, recently revealed on “The Ten Count” podcast that he and Bret Hart have settled their differences over the Montreal Screwjob. This revelation comes after years of tension and animosity between the two parties involved.
For those unfamiliar with the Montreal Screwjob, it involved a controversial finish to the match. Bret Hart was leaving the WWF to join its rival promotion, WCW. However, he was still the WWF Champion at the time. The plan was for Hart to retain the title in his home country of Canada and then drop it to Michaels at a later date. But things did not go as planned.
During the match, Hebner called for the bell to ring even though Hart had not submitted or been pinned. This decision was made without Hart’s knowledge or consent. It was a shocking betrayal that left Hart and the audience stunned. The incident sparked outrage and controversy within the wrestling industry and among fans.
In the aftermath of the Montreal Screwjob, tensions ran high between Hart and Hebner. Hart felt betrayed by Hebner’s actions, and their relationship became strained. However, in recent years, they have managed to reconcile and mend their friendship.
Hebner mentioned on the podcast that he and Hart have spoken about the incident and have made amends. They have developed a good relationship again, and Hebner does not want to jeopardize it by writing something controversial on a merchandise shirt related to the Screwjob.
The Montreal Screwjob had a lasting impact on both Hart and Hebner. For years, Hebner carried the guilt and burden of his involvement in the incident. He revealed that it bothered him for a long time, and he even attempted to talk to Hart at an airport once, but Hart refused to engage in a conversation. However, as time went on, they were able to communicate and rebuild their friendship.
The Montreal Screwjob remains a significant moment in wrestling history. It highlighted the blurred lines between fiction and reality in professional wrestling and showcased the power dynamics within the industry. While it caused a rift between Hart and Hebner for many years, their reconciliation demonstrates the ability to move past past conflicts and rebuild relationships.
In conclusion, the Montreal Screwjob was a controversial incident that occurred during a WWF Championship match between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels in 1997. Earl Hebner, the referee for the match, recently revealed that he and Hart have settled their differences and have rebuilt their friendship. The incident continues to be a significant moment in wrestling history, highlighting the complexities of the industry and the power dynamics at play.