Nearly three decades after one of the most controversial nights in wrestling history, Shawn Michaels revisited the tense moments that followed the 1997 Survivor Series.
Speaking with Inside The Ropes in 2020, Shawn Michaels reflected on the WWE Raw taping immediately after the Montreal screwjob, when Bret Hart lost the WWF Championship under circumstances that continue to divide fans. According to Michaels, one of his first priorities backstage was finding The Undertaker.
“I went in and I said, ‘Where’s Taker, where’s Mark.’ And they said, ‘He’s in there with Vince.’”
At the time, The Undertaker was meeting with Vince McMahon in the aftermath of the fallout. Michaels explained that by that stage in their careers, he and The Undertaker were two of the company’s central figures, despite their vastly different personalities.
“You have to understand we’ve been there for the longest time, two very different guys, two different personalities,” Michaels said. “But by this time we knew that there were two pillars in the WWE that everything was built around.”
Michaels recognised that any lingering tension between them could have long-term consequences for the locker room and the company. He felt it was essential to understand where The Undertaker stood before moving forward.
“And I just needed to know where he’s at on this because if there’s somebody you’re gonna have a chat with it’s gonna be him. For all of this to move forward he and I are going to have to find a way to get simpatico on this.”
What Did The Undertaker Say To Shawn Michaels After The Montreal Screwjob?
Eventually, The Undertaker emerged from his meeting with Vince McMahon and approached Shawn Michaels. The exchange was brief but significant.
“And to this day I remember waiting on him, he came out and he goes, ‘We’re cool.’ And off he went.”
For Michaels, that moment marked a turning point, signalling that whatever personal feelings existed in the immediate aftermath of Montreal, both men were prepared to move forward for the sake of the business.
