"The Controversial History of WWE in Montreal: From the Montreal Screwjob to Memorable Moments"

Montreal has been a crucial city for the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) since the promotion’s inception. The city has hosted some of the most historic moments in WWE history, including Bret Hart’s infamous departure from the company, the Montreal Screwjob.

The WWE first made its way to Montreal in 1984 for a live event at the Montreal Forum. This event was a major success and WWE began making Montreal a regular stop on their tours. Over the years, Montreal fans have witnessed some of the biggest names in wrestling perform in the city, including Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and John Cena.

One of the most significant events in the WWE’s history in Montreal took place on November 9, 1997, during the “Survivor Series” pay-per-view event. The event saw Bret Hart defend his WWE Championship against Shawn Michaels. However, unbeknownst to Hart, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon had orchestrated a plot to have Michaels win the title from Hart, regardless of the outcome of the match.

This plot resulted in one of the most controversial moments in wrestling history, known as the “Montreal Screwjob.” During the match, referee Earl Hebner signaled for the bell to be rung even though Hart had not submitted, effectively awarding the match and the title to Michaels. This move shocked both Hart and the Montreal crowd, who booed and chanted “Bullshit!” as Michaels was declared the winner.

Hart, who had signed a contract with the rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW), would later blame McMahon for the controversial ending to the match. This incident marked a significant turning point for the WWE and helped fuel the company’s attitude era, which was characterized by edgy storylines and a more adult-oriented product.

Despite the controversy of the Montreal Screwjob, the WWE has continued to hold events in Montreal. The city has since hosted some of the most memorable moments in WWE history, such as the 2003 “Backlash” pay-per-view event, where Goldberg defeated The Rock for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Montreal has also played host to some of WWE’s biggest annual events, including the Royal Rumble and SummerSlam. In fact, the 2023 Elimination Chamber is set to take place in Montreal, which will be main evented by Montreals own Sami Zayn who will face Roman Reigns for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship.

In conclusion, Montreal has played an essential role in the WWE’s history, and the Montreal Screwjob remains one of the most talked-about incidents in wrestling history. Despite the controversy surrounding the incident, the WWE continues to visit Montreal regularly, and the city remains a favorite among wrestling fans.