What Are the Consequences If the Montreal Screw Job Never Took Place?

Alternative realities and hypothetical scenarios are common storytelling tools in films and TV shows, and WWE similarly uses them to explore intriguing "what if" moments from its history. Nearly three decades later, the Montreal Screw Job remains one of the most compelling stories in wrestling history.

Bret Hart refused to comply with the contract clause requiring him to lose to Shawn Michaels, which led Vince McMahon to orchestrate a surprise double-cross. Following this, Hart left for WCW, while Michaels continued wrestling until an injury sidelined him for four years. Fans often debate the Montreal Screw Job, but it’s interesting to consider what might have happened if it never occurred.

Bret Hart Stays with WWE

The biggest change in this alternate scenario is Bret Hart never leaving WWE. Vince McMahon once claimed that Hart’s contract was too expensive to maintain, but WWE’s growth over time proved otherwise. Many fans regard Hart’s heel persona in WWE as one of the best phases of his career, where he became a villain who deeply antagonized American fans and wrestlers alike. This heel turn might have been a vital addition to the Attitude Era, and Hart’s matches with rising stars like Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, and Kurt Angle could have been memorable TV moments. Hart reportedly only left WWE because McMahon pushed him to WCW, where he was poorly utilized, squandering his momentum. Staying in WWE could have solidified Hart’s legacy further, allowing him to build new legendary rivalries.

No "Mr. McMahon" Character Emerges

Originally, Vince McMahon preferred to remain a fair commentator rather than an on-screen character. However, the Montreal Screw Job pushed him into the spotlight, both reflecting changes in the industry and sparking a narrative shift where McMahon assumed a villainous authority figure role. This angle led to the creation of the iconic "Mr. McMahon" persona, which became central to WWE storylines, especially in counterbalancing popular babyfaces like Stone Cold Steve Austin. Had the screw job never happened, the character and storyline dynamics might have been drastically different, possibly allowing rival promotions like WCW to maintain more influence.

DX and Triple H’s Rise Is Limited

D-Generation X became hugely popular near the end of Bret Hart’s WWE run. The faction gained momentum partly due to the Montreal Screw Job controversy, which they capitalized on by mocking Hart and fueling their rebellious image. Shawn Michaels, frustrated with his bland face character, embraced a more aggressive persona that complemented DX’s success. Without the screw job, DX might not have reached the same heights, and Triple H’s rise would have been stunted, missing out on the platform the faction provided.

Steve Austin Ultimately Beats Bret Hart

One of the more overlooked aspects of the Montreal Screw Job is that the feud between Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin never concluded properly. A double turn early in 1996 made Hart a heel and Austin a beloved anti-hero babyface. After several encounters, Austin shifted to a rivalry with Owen Hart when Bret was injured, and WWE never resumed the original feud. In reality, Austin was slated to defeat Shawn Michaels for the WWE Championship, but had Bret remained in WWE, Austin might have had the chance to conquer Hart as his ultimate adversary, offering fans a memorable conclusion to their rivalry.

Fan Take: This alternate history reveals how pivotal moments like the Montreal Screw Job shaped WWE’s trajectory, from character developments to major rivalries. For fans, imagining these "what if" scenarios highlights just how much the sport’s landscape could have shifted, underscoring the importance of key events in wrestling lore and storytelling.