"Let him hit me one time, after that, break it up" - What Vince McMahon told Shane before backstage fight with WWE legend (Exclusive)

Vince McMahon is no longer 'in the weeds' creatively in WWE, but he will always be known as a great wrestling promoter despite the controversies. Vince Russo recently recalled one such incident that shook the wrestling world to its core, The Montreal Screwjob, and what happened in its aftermath.

Survivor Series 1997 changed the course of professional wrestling forever as Vince McMahon screwed Bret Hart over in the world title match against Shawn Michaels. This was no storyline, as history suggests, as Vince McMahon actually wanted to stop Bret from walking out of WWE with the world title.

Vince Russo, who was a pivotal member of the creative team at the time, recalled the locker room being very upset over what Vince McMahon had done to The Hitman. Russo recalled on Sportskeeda Wrestling's Legion of RAW, as you can view below:

"First of all, like, the boys were very, very upset. You know, old school, you don't screw one of the boys. Bret had all the respect in the world," said the former WWE writer. "They didn't know the backstory, bro; they didn't really understand. And then, bro, Vince walked into Bret's locker room for Bret to take a shot at him for what he did. I mean, that was not shocking or anything; that's why Vince went in there." [19:00 - 19:25]

Vince McMahon decided to visit Bret Hart's locker room immediately after the incident at Survivor Series and infamously got punched in the face by the former world champion.

Vince Russo revealed that Vince McMahon went to talk to Hart, knowing very well that he would get attacked. Russo stated that McMahon had specifically instructed Shane O'Mac to step in after Bret landed a strike.

Russo continued:

"Vince didn't want to do what he had to do, and when he did it, he owed Bret one, and he even said to Shane, he even told Shane, 'Let him hit me one time; after that, you get in there and break it up.' He walked into that locker room to take a punch from Bret Hart, man." [19:26 - 19:45]

Vince Russo on the reactions of Shawn Michaels and other top WWE stars after the Montreal Screwjob

The outcome of the main event of Survivor Series 1997 might have had far-reaching effects on wrestling, but it also ruffled quite a few feathers backstage when it happened.

One of the most shocking things was Shawn Michaels apparently lying to everyone, including Bret Hart, about his alleged role in Vince McMahon's devious plan. Vince Russo speculated that HBK was probably scared of Bret Hart and decided not to be truthful about the most controversial match in wrestling history.

Vince Russo also admitted that The Undertaker and Mick Foley were amongst the popular WWE names who just weren't happy about Bret Hart getting screwed over.

"Because he was probably afraid of what Bret would do to him. Very hot (on if the Undertaker was angry about the situation). 'Taker and Mick were really, really hot." [19:46 - 20:00]

Could RAW changing days mark the return of the war between AEW vs. WWE? Vince Russo had his say, and you can read more here.

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