Brian Solomon Strikes Again!

[Guest FeArHaVoC]

Montreal: Get over it!

by Brian Solomon

Oct. 15, 2002

 

Five years. It's been nearly five years since the 1997 Survivor Series, where Vince McMahon "screwed" Bret Hart out of the WWE Championship. Yet there I was, watching RAW on Monday night, and like it was just yesterday, there were chants of "You Screwed Bret!" and references made to the infamous "Montreal Screwjob" throughout the night.

 

People, I ask you -- can't we all just let this damn thing die?

 

I'll grant that the Hart/McMahon Montreal incident was very, very big news when it happened. Arguably, it was one of the most controversial news stories to ever hit the business. At the time, I had just begun to have access to the Web on a regular basis, and I can remember surfing all the wrestling news sites, searching for every last bit of dirt I could find on the whole thing. It was riveting. It was real. I had always been a fervent Bret Hart fan, and so was appropriately outraged at the whole thing (I've since grown up).

 

This was five years ago -- a lifetime in sports-entertainment terms. During that time, the Montreal story has been beaten deader than Chevy Chase's movie career. I mean, is there one shred of controversy or intrigue left to it? One of the reasons it was so gripping at the time was that the Internet was just beginning to become an influential force in the industry. An entire generation of wrestling fans was getting exposed to the down and dirty behind-the-scenes goings on of this business, some for the first time. Now, the whole concept has almost completely lost its impact. Case in point: Did the whole recent Stone Cold saga generate anywhere near the buzz created by Montreal? Yet if this was five years ago, it might have been even bigger. I for one would have been glued to my monitor 24/7.

 

But that ship has sailed. Montreal has become the biggest cliché in an industry where cliché is the stock in trade. Yet, we continue to be reminded of it.

 

Just a few weeks ago, during an editorial meeting here in the offices of the Publications department, someone brought up the idea of doing a story in RAW Magazine on the fifth anniversary of the Montreal Screwjob. The words had barely left the lips of the unfortunate soul who uttered them before the idea was whole-heartedly shot down by any and all rational-thinking people in the room. There was no way we were going to do another Montreal story.

 

Now don't get me wrong, there's plenty of blame to be spread around for all this. Canadian fans seem to have powers of memory that border on the uncanny. Not only did they temporarily resurrect Hulkamania this year with their 1980s nostalgia, but they refuse to drop the Bret Hart issue as well. Earl Hebner can barely poke his head through the curtains without being assailed by a chorus of boos and catcalls. And Vince himself? Forget about it. The last time WWE had TV in Montreal, the "You Screwed Bret!" chants were so overpowering that the WWE Chairman was forced to acknowledge them on the air.

 

But let's face it. Not only do nearly 100 percent of fans below the Great White North not give a damn about this anymore, but it's safe to say that there's a sizeable amount of fans watching now (or not watching, as the case may be), who weren't even there during that whole era. It's time to move on.

 

Certainly we're guilty as well. How many times has the incident been used, either directly or indirectly, to draw heat on a particular angle? In the beginning, Vince capitalized on it by characterizing himself as the evil Mr. McMahon, which was brilliant timing. Then, a year later, the "screwjob" finish reared its ugly head again at the Survivor Series, when The Rock beat Mick Foley for his first WWE Championship. The concept of people in authority "screwing" those who work for them has since become one of sports entertainment's most overused tropes. And has there even been a time WWE was anywhere in Canada and it wasn't brought up or referenced in some way?

 

Everyone talks about how Bret himself has never let the whole thing go. But at least the guy had a personal interest at stake -- he was directly involved in, and some would say harmed by, what happened. What good could it possibly serve for business to keep dredging it up, and why should fans and Internet writers continue to care? It boggles the imagination.

 

I would never say that the Montreal story isn't a very important event in sports-entertainment history. Clearly, it was a watershed occurrence. Clearly, it is worthy of attention. But the constant harping and rehashing that has gone on for the past half decade is obsessive and unhealthy. Forget about questions of who did what to whom. It doesn't even matter anymore. It's boring. Let's all just get on with our lives.

 

Brian Solomon's columns appear Tuesday on WWE.com. Check out his in-depth interview with Shawn Michaels in the November edition of RAW Magazine -- on sale this week!

 

E-Mail

[email protected]

 

http://www.wwe.com/news/commentary/brians/1181692

 

Credit: WWE.com

[Guest FeArHaVoC]

But let's face it. Not only do nearly 100 percent of fans below the Great White North not give a damn about this anymore, but it's safe to say that there's a sizeable amount of fans watching now (or not watching, as the case may be), who weren't even there during that whole era. It's time to move on.

What's wrong with the Fans just wanting to have some fun and Chant things at a WWE Event?

 

At this point, I would think it's more Fun then Anger when Canadians Chant "You Screw Bret!"

[Guest Brian]

You scewed Bret chant at WrestleMania XIX? It shall be done.

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

But the constant harping and rehashing that has gone on for the past half decade is obsessive and unhealthy.

From what I see it's WWE that constantly brings it up, as shown on Monday night. Anthology CD, anyone? But I guess that's justified in some weird way.

 

Plus, it seemed that for the most part, like in the ME, that fans chanted it out of boredom. That's the fault of the WWE camp there, if they couldn't get the crowd into HHH/RVD (even though pretty much everyone knew what would happen).

[Guest the pinjockey]

At this point they should be begging the fans to do anything I don't care if they are chanting "Woozle-Wazzle".

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Funny how this guy says 'lets move on', yet is talking about it today.

 

Vince and Earl deserve to burn in wrestling hell for what they did to Bret... Damn Judas's.

[Guest FeArHaVoC]

I just sent the Guy a Quick E-mail.

 

Subj: Montreal: Get Over It!

Date: 10/16/02 2:38:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: FeAr HaVoC

To: [email protected]

 

 

"What's Wrong with the Fans having some fun at a WWE Event and Chanting things?

 

The Fans WHO PAY for their tickets have the right to chant whatever they damn well please!

 

At this point, The Fans are chanting "You Screwed Bret" for Fun more then Anger. It has become almost like a Tradition for them.

 

You talk like their a bunch of Idiot, Angry, Fans. It's not like their chanting to Vince, "You Killed Owen!"

 

Maybe YOU need to get over it?

 

Oh, and maybe if the Show wasn't so Boring, they wouldn't be focusing on it so much. Raw was so bad this week, the Crowd Entertained themselves."

[Guest godthedog]

bleh. another hack from the heel writer stable at wwe.com cranks out a column that is only written to piss people off and has no bearing on anything whatsoever. next.

[Guest Ram]

Funny how this guy says 'lets move on', yet is talking about it today.

Well, you have to say it some time or nobody is going to move on.

 

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

First of all, I must be the only guy on this board that doesn't take Bret's side of this, and most of my friends can't stand the guy either. A friend in Toronto the other day was just mentioning how quickly X8 would have cleaned out into empty seats if they got Bret there and he started whining on the mic.

 

But honestly, the SD before this show in Montreal was great, and the crowd was very responsive. I'm not sure about giving five straight minutes of noise to Hogan of all people, but hey if they want to, let them.

 

This Raw was more boring than watching the Big Show run the 100/km. Of course they're going to get restless, especially if they're paying to see this.

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

So one friend in Toronto said this? ONE friend? *Gasp*, it must be true than.

 

I know about ten people who went who would have cheered louder than they did for Hogan, and unless you live in Canada, you don't realize how popular Bret Hart is among casual fans and probably most smart marks as well.

[Guest candie45]

Both parties are ridiculous for telling the other to stop referring to the incident. The fans tell Vince and co to stop making Bret references, but they are still chanting 'you screwed bret' every second they can. Yet, the WWE complain about the people not getting over the whole thing, when they are having Orton make reference to the screwjob to get heat in Montreal. Make up your minds people. I don't mind the fans chanting you screwed bret, because they can do whatever the hell they want as far as I'm concerned. It's all in good fun.

 

And yes, Bret is a whining bitch.

[Guest godthedog]

i never understood the basis of the whole "the fans won't care about bret" argument.

 

first, it always gets a big reaction when his name is even mentioned.

 

second, even the people in this hypothetical situation who WEREN'T fans of bret would get caught up in the general crowd reaction & nostalgia of the moment, and they'd cheer anyway. if somebody like me could do it with hulk freaking hogan, the bitchier smarks could definitely do it with bret.

 

third, the man's an institution. regardless of the crap vince has said about his post-survivor series bitterness, he's still officially recognized by the fed as one of their greatest champions. he's recognizable by almost every wrestling fan out there, he's always got a prominent place in the 'desire' montages they do. by sheer way that vince has trained even the casual fans, they'd all be on their feet.

 

even if he did whine, it wouldn't matter. hogan has cut some pretty boring promos, & the fans ate it up anyway.

[Guest Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye]

succinctly: As long as the WWE continues to make reference to the hitman for the purpose of adding to their shows/stories, I will continue to make reference to him as a fan and for entertainment.

 

They say the fans are a big part of the show, but like wrestlers, the fans do things that are deemed 'bad' or whatever. But, no matter how hard they want to sometimes, they cant depush the fans. It ain't gonna change.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

The reason they chanted during the main event is because Hebner reffed that match.

 

It's not an indictment on the match.

 

Benoit and Eddy could go put on a ***** match...but if its in Montreal and Hebner reffed it...the fans would chant anyway.

[Guest projectwonderboy]

Plus they remined all the fans about Bret Hart with that commerciall and the referance by Orton. I know I would have chanted after they brang him up

[Guest Banky]

Never ever should this two bit writer insult a god like Chevy Chase. By his logic, the Bret Hart angle is still ruling the school because Chevy is and forever will rule the world.

[Guest Zero_Cool]

I personally don't care. Sure, I'd mark like a schoolboy (no pun intended) if that "whine" hit on the PA and Bret came down to ringside, while ringside fans bowed down to him, probably moreso if they were in Canada at the time.

 

Until then, I say take everything like a grain of salt and realize that Bret even being able to fit to walk into a WWE ring is still a long time away.

[Guest Jack Tunney]

They could've been chanting "you screwed Bret" at HHH as well.Some say he was in on it.......

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Well, you have to say it some time or nobody is going to move on.

 

Actually, in time, almost everything moves on if you let it be. The second you say 'bret hart' and the second after that you say 'montreal' in that third second you will be getting a dozen opinions on it. He is just trying to be a shit disturber.

[Guest NoCalMike]

Maybe if the WWE was doing something even remotely entertaining on Raw, then no one would bother with the "you screwed Bret" chants. Then again, when something big happens in your city, you remeber it. Just like Philly is still full of ECW fans who will always take the chance to chant ECW chants whenever the oppurtunity arises.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

*stuff*

That's pretty much what I think.

 

And I figured I'd get somebody's panties in a twist, so to that one guy above, I wouldn't know how over he is "unless I lived in Canada?" What? Everybody is over at their "home."

 

Sure, the Hart family had talent, and Bret was clearly the one most destined for star-dom, but really...

 

And yeah, I think it's stupid they're STILL talking about it on today's Raw. I mean, I've watched enough WWF TV that I'm starting to wish I could get back some of that time I've wasted my life, and I've spent a small college education on WWF shows and crap. But I only started watching in goddamn 99 and never saw this shit. I don't understand why they dwell on this except to put the internet in a tizzy.

[Guest The Mighty Damaramu]

People still dwell on it b/c it was huge. You just had to live through it. It's kinda like turning on the news and hearing of an old event and saying "Who cares!? That was 50 years ago!" and your dad says "You just had to live through it"

Well this is like that. You had to be a big fan at the time. And if you were a *HUGE* Bret Hart fan like me it pissed you off royally. I still haven't accepted the fact that I will NEVER get to see Bret Hart put on a 5-star match again. It's just kinda sad. It's like Benoit or Angle retiring tomorrow and never having another match. You feel cheated. I never watched WCW and they never used Bret anyways from what I understand. So yes...I feel cheated by Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Vince McMahon, and every other person in that situation.

[Guest MixxMaster]

that constantly brings it up, as shown on Monday night. Anthology CD, anyone? But I guess that's justified in some weird way.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but WHY are so many smarks getting their panties in a bunch over a commercial using Bret Harts image(Owned by WWE), and his music(Owned by WWE)?

Would they sell more copies to the canucks by having the Brooklyn Brawlers' theme???

I mean, damn, to get that worked up in a BAD way over a commercial, which shows a guy in a POSITIVE way, who is regarded by most of the canadians as an ICON, is the epitome of Asinine...

Now, I could understand if they didn't even acknowledged his existence(by not mentioning him on the show, or using his image and theme on the ad), or even worse, dissed on him and his "legacy"(Whiny guy who can't move on), but they DIDN'T...

[Guest FeArHaVoC]

Brian E-Mailed me back. At least he admits Wrong.

 

 

 

Subj: RE: Montreal: Get Over It!

Date: 10/16/02 4:31:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Sent from the Internet (Details)

 

 

Thanks for your comments! I agree that the chants this week were probably done to alleviate the boredom. Definitely not one of our best shows! However, I still think there's more to the chants than fun, I think there's still some sore feelings there on the part of fans. And like I said in my column, its a two-way street. It certainly isn't just Canadian fans who are to blame. We at WWE keep bringing the thing up when we should just be moving on already. It's a dead horse.

[Guest eirejmcmahon]

That's a nice, reasoned reply.

[Guest notJames]

Plus they remined all the fans about Bret Hart with that commerciall and the referance by Orton. I know I would have chanted after they brang him up

Did you just say "brang"?

 

Back on topic... three days removed from the incident, it's actually kind of funny the different ways everyone is reacting. From what I hear, they'll be doing a bunch of little teasers like this before the Anthology is released. Nice way to set the precedent with the one guy least likely to return. Expect Austin's teaser to be in there eventually.

 

The best part is, you know that one of the PTB is itching to use this as a way to really bring someone back, totally swerving everyone. I wouldn't be surprised if Austin was the one they "brang" back.

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but WHY are so many smarks getting their panties in a bunch over a commercial using Bret Harts image(Owned by WWE), and his music(Owned by WWE)?

Would they sell more copies to the canucks by having the Brooklyn Brawlers' theme???

I mean, damn, to get that worked up in a BAD way over a commercial, which shows a guy in a POSITIVE way, who is regarded by most of the canadians as an ICON, is the epitome of Asinine...

Now, I could understand if they didn't even acknowledged his existence(by not mentioning him on the show, or using his image and theme on the ad), or even worse, dissed on him and his "legacy"(Whiny guy who can't move on), but they DIDN'T...

Um, did you not read the posts from people that were there? I doubt the majority of the Montreal crowd were smarks, thus I am comfortable inferring that marks were not happy too. It's possible for them to not like what Vince puts out, you know! I'm getting a bit tired of "only smarks can possibly dislike ANYTHING put out by WWE" generalization.

 

And that's only half the issue here. The reason this is being brought up yet again is because this WWE columnist is demanding that all the Canadian fans get over it and move on when WWE constantly brings it back up again! If they never reference to it again and the chants continue, then yes, I agree with Solomon here.

 

At least Solomon recognized in his response that 1) the show seemed to be a bore and 2) WWE needs to be blamed for bringing it up in the first place.

[Guest the 1inch punch]

They could've been chanting "you screwed Bret" at HHH as well.Some say he was in on it.......

He was, watch Wrestling with Shadows, from the entrance way view camera you can see him and Brisco running down as Shawn puts on the sharpshooter

[Guest FeArHaVoC]

Shawn Michaels said it on Confidential. He said Him, Hunter & Chyna were in the Hotal room that night after the "Screw job" and were in Shock they pulled it off. But, felt they did the right thing.