WWE.com debates the Hart-Michaels rivalry

Perhaps the most provocative and personal WWE DVD to ever be released, “Shawn vs. Bret: WWE's Greatest Rivalries” closely dissects the dispute between two of the squared circle’s greatest names and retrospectively piece together the series of events that led to the infamous “Montreal Screwjob.”

Divided, just like much of the WWE Universe, WWE.com examines the rivalry from both legends’ perspectives. Read the controversial (and contentious) arguments of two WWE.com editors – one pro-“Hit Man” and one pro-HBK – then take a stand for yourself on Facebook and Twitter.

Whose side are you on? Choose your path:

Read: Taking Shawn Michaels’ side Read: Taking Bret Hart’s side

Taking Shawn’s Side:

When someone is the victim of a notorious act, it can actually provide them with a unique advantage. They will always have the sympathy of the people in their corner. WWE’s greatest example of this comes from the infamous “Montreal Screwjob” at Survivor Series 1997. The WWE Universe will always side with Bret Hart for being “screwed.”

In reality, though, that is not the case. The actions against the WWE Hall of Famer – although admittedly underhanded – were completely justified. In spite of all the fences that have been mended in recent years, the fact remains: “Bret screwed Bret.”

Bret Hart always said he had the best intentions in mind during the tumultuous events that led up to the fateful moment at Montreal. But, which intention is he talking about? At various times throughout the newly released DVD/Blu-ray Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart: WWE’s Greatest Rivalries (WWEShop link), he said he was trying to be “the voice in the locker room,” trying “to make Shawn better,” trying to “make money,” trying to “get Shawn to respect [him]” and trying “to save the company.”

Yet, whether The "Hit Man" realized it or not, the facts suggest that his ultimate goal was actually to do whatever he could to keep himself above water in the face of an industry that had simply outgrown him.

The Kliq and The Canuckosaurus
In WWEGRs, Bret referred to established Superstars from early in his career – names like Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior – as “dinosaurs,” largely because they were standing in the way of change, and threatened by the new, innovative style of young up-and-comers like him.

Years later, however, this self-proclaimed leader in the locker room seemed to be threatened by “The Kliq” – an “isolated” group of Superstars comprised of Michaels, Triple H, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, who would eventually go on to form both D-Generation X and the nWo. These factions symbolized the future of the entire squared circle.

By opposing these Superstars, Bret was now the one standing in the face of change, one of the very “dinosaurs” he had once rooted against. This “Canuckosaurus” came down on the side of a dying way of doing things, and the death rattle would come in the cold, hard reality of Survivor Series 1997.

The Insult that led to disaster
In WWEGRs, “Hit Man” claimed that he refused to lose to HBK at Survivor Series because when he told Michaels he would be happy to “put him over,” Shawn said he would not be willing to do the same. This comment by HBK was clearly intended to insult his fellow Superstar.

Did Shawn mean it? Was it the ultimate act of disrespect? Who cares?! Bret and Shawn had been throwing extremely personal insults at each other – both in front of and behind the camera – for quite some time. They now both acknowledge that things had “spun out of control.” Why was this any different? Regardless, because Hart felt disrespected, it seemed that he was going to take his bat and ball, and go home.

Bret Hart, The Joker and A-Rod
Above all, Bret deserved to get screwed in Montreal because he let personal feelings prevent him from doing what he was asked to do for the good of WWE. Above all else, WWE is entertainment at its most professional level – not unlike a major motion picture or professional baseball game. People pay money and expect to be entertained. What better story could there be, then, to have the Canadian hero lose the title in his home country to his most-hated rival?

For a Superstar who dedicated his life to the WWE Universe, where’s the problem? In the film The Dark Knight, could Heath Ledger have decided that he didn’t want the Joker to lose to Batman in their final scene because of personal problems they might be having with their trailers? Can Alex Rodriguez refuse to hit in the order his manager laid out if he feels disrespected by Derek Jeter? Of course not! When it’s time to play, it’s time to play. A professional has to get the job done, no matter what.

What would have come of Hulkamania if nearly three decades ago, The Iron Sheik had acted the same way Hart did? The Iranian Superstar had been offered major money by another promoter to break Hogan’s leg in their WWE Championship Match. If not for him choosing to do the right thing, Hulk Hogan might never have kicked off the incredible legacy that he did – and, in turn, WrestleMania might not have become the global phenomenon it is today.

Bret screwed Shawn
Without a doubt, Shawn Michaels was the true victim of the Montreal incident. Because Bret would not be the bigger man, HBK was put into an impossible situation, one where he knew he would pay a huge price. Already at odds with many, he would suffer indescribable scorn by the WWE Universe and many of his peers. In WWEGRs, he called it the lowest point of his career. And it was all because he chose to do what was asked of him.

Bret Hart is, without question, one of the greatest Superstars ever to step through the ropes. However, when it comes to Survivor Series 1997, Bret “screwed” HBK.

Taking Bret's Side:

I’ve always been the first (and loudest) to proclaim my allegiance to Bret Hart in his renowned rivalry with Shawn Michaels. And I’m not even Canadian.

As a youth witnessing WWE’s attitudinal evolution in 1997, I thought I was the only American left who still wanted to see The “Hit Man” not just prevail but also thoroughly pummel Shawn Michaels’ face at Survivor Series in Montreal. Roughly 14 years and a full screening of “Shawn vs. Bret: WWE’s Greatest Rivalries” later, I still look at the sports-entertainment world through electric pink tinted sunglasses.

Of course, like everyone else in the late 1990s, I found entertainment in HBK and D-Generation X’s irreverent treatment of Sgt. Slaughter, their oversized deli meat gag and the rest of their uncouth rebellious acts. I even (shamefully) acquired a liking for the DX entrance music.

Despite all this, I was with Bret. To me, he was a pink and black beacon of virtue. He reinforced the values of “right versus wrong” with a functioning moral compass and I agreed with his crusade. I simply couldn’t fathom how anyone watching Monday Night Raw could’ve ignored the fact that Hart was, for lack of a better term, shafted at every turn while Michaels – lawless and smug – gained the support of millions. It was as if the entire world had suddenly turned on the guy who’d proudly championed them for so many years all because it became cool to crotch-chop.

I’ve had the rare and incredible opportunity to shadow both ring legends in 2010 and 2011 in WWE.com’s WrestleMania Diary. Firsthand, I’ve witnessed Hart and HBK interact as men who’ve moved past their much chronicled dispute, now more than a decade after the most personal ring rivalry culminated in sports-entertainment’s most infamous betrayal: the “Montreal Screwjob.”

But as the blemish of one cold night up north begins to at least fade in comparison to two laudable careers, looking back, I’m still a staunch Hit Man supporter – especially at Survivor Series ’97 – for a few good reasons.

Alternative paths could’ve been taken
With The Excellence of Execution bound south for WCW, WWE’s Chairman was faced with the dilemma of needing an individual to take the WWE Title off the departing Hit Man. As he cites in the “Greatest Rivalries” DVD, Hart was open and amenable to alternative options or other successors who weren’t named Shawn Michaels.

There was a litany of routes to take with a countless different outcomes, several of which, according to Bret, were considered yet abandoned at Survivor Series in lieu of the controversial climax. It could’ve been Hart against “Stone Cold” in a rematch from the previous year’s Survivor Series. Maybe Bret’s final match took place the next night on Raw. Frankly, it could’ve been anyone but Michaels, anywhere but on pay-per-view, any place but Canada. Alter any of these factors and it’s likely the Montreal incident would never have happened, thus leaving the legacies of Hart and HBK untarnished.

It was a matter of respect
At the time, the source of Bret’s frustration in WWE happened to be the same individual with whom Hart shared heated contention for the company’s mountaintop. There was something innately wrong, something amiss with Shawn Michaels’ behavior and Bret recognized it. That something was rooted in respect… or a lack of it.

As he admits today, The Showstopper knowingly pressed the limits of Hart’s signature composure and arrogantly dismissed the few olive branches extended by his adversary. It was as if while gleefully accepting his rise and laud in WWE, Michaels wouldn’t reciprocate even the minimum display of professional respect. This truth behind the curtain and the fiery rivalry on worldwide television made it understandably impossible for Bret to swallow, departure or not. Hart’s resistance was on principle.

A Superstar’s core concern is to entertain, sure. It just happened that Bret Hart recognized his role as a globally respected figure. The Hit Man who performed in the ring was the same real life person with the same strong convictions. In this case, doing what was right was not letting Michaels just skate on by.

Championing the locker room
The WWE Championship is a symbolic key to the WWE kingdom, including all those who perform in it. Bret’s refusal to simply allow HBK to take the WWE Title in Hart’s final WWE match was in defense of not just himself but also a full locker room of Superstars.

Michaels’ ascent was historically at the expense of other competitors, even his own best friend, Triple H. Following the infamous“Curtain Call,” The Game was penalized for his public display of kinship with a departing Scott Hall and Kevin Nash (WATCH) – and it was alongside HBK, who not only emerged from the situation unscathed but also managed to soar to even greater heights.

Given his history, someone had to stand in Michaels’ way. The Hit Man was in the position to do so before leaving and he tried his damndest to serve Shawn a healthy, much needed dose of humility.

After watching the “Shawn vs. Bret” DVD, an appreciation of the two-sided story makes way to empathy for each competitor and their viewpoint. As the fan who witnessed a tainted end to Bret Hart’s in-ring career in WWE in ‘97, there comes acceptance, closure and, most importantly from my perspective, justification of my support of "The Best There Is, Best There Was and Best There Ever Will Be."