4 – Bret Hart Vs. Shawn Michaels – Survivor Series 1997
The hotly anticipated rematch for the WWE Championship between bitter rivals Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels at Survivor Series 1997 was iconic. Just like their 1992 encounter for the industry’s biggest prize, it was a champion-versus-champion match. The Heartbreak Kid entered as the WWE European Champion and the first Grand Slam Champion in WWE history; the European Championship was not on the line. The Excellence of Execution had the hometown advantage with the crowd in Montreal, Quebec, Canada backing him every step of the way.
They had a mini-match before the bell officially sounded as they brawled outside of the ring. Hart and Michaels’ encounter was intriguing, with some back-and-forth exchanges. This was the only rematch in Survivor Series history, which is a remarkable feat considering how many rematches take place at the same PLE.
Nevertheless, Michaels put Hart into Hart’s Sharpshooter, and referee Earl Hebner called for the bell with Hart never submitting. This incident was known as the Montreal Screwjob, in which the Heartbreak Kid clinched his third WWE Championship reign, and Hart departed WWE to join WCW, leaving a sour taste in his mouth.
