The Montreal Screwjob will certainly never be forgotten by Bret Hart but perhaps there is some forgiveness for those involved.
WWE senior official at the time, Earl Hebner, officiated the infamous match between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels and also played a large part in the belt being awarded to Shawn Michaels as per Vince McMahon’s wishes at the time as Bret Hart was leaving WWE for WCW and was the WWF Champion.
Hebner had promised Hart that he would not pull any shenanigans during the match but he did as McMahon instructed signaling that Hart submitted to Shawn Michaels when he did not.
Speaking with Wrestlingnews.com, Hebner said the ill-feelings are all under the bridge now. He did say in the past he tried to make amends with Hart but was rebuffed. He respected Hart’s decision not to want to ever speak to him again.
“For a long time it honestly it bothered me. It was bad for me because I carried it with me for a lot of years,” said Hebner.
Things changed a little while ago when Hart extended an olive branch to him.
“Before my brother passed we were at a house show (or indie show) and he was there and he called us into the ring and he put us over like big time,” said Hebner. (Dave Hebner died on June 17, 2023.)
Hebner says that ever since then, they are on good terms.
“So now Bret calls me now and then and I’ll call him and we got a good relationship back,” said Hebner.
Hebner is making the rounds to promote his autobiography, Earl Hebner: The Official Story, written with Kenny Casanova.
TOP PHOTO: Bret Hart and Earl Hebner at the Legends of the Ring fan fest at the Apa Hotel, Iselin, NJ. Photo by George Tahinos, https://georgetahinos.smugmug.com
https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2017/11/09/the-montreal-screw-job-20-years-later/
https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1997/11/10/survivor-series-screws-the-fans-2/
