5 Reasons Kayfabe is dead in pro wrestling, and 5 reasons it isn't

Kayfabe is not dead: The Montreal Screwjob may have been a work.

Despite the 'facts' in the case, there is a lot of evidence the Montreal Screwjob may have been a work.

One of the most glaring reasons the Screwjob may have been faked--and therefore, thoroughly entrenched in kayfabe--is Bret's actions after the match. He allegedly went backstage and punched Vince McMahon several times, giving him a black eye and a minor concussion.

Imagine what would happen if you assaulted your boss physically. Would you just be allowed to report for your new job the next day, or would you be much more likely to end up in a jail cell on assault charges?

There are numerous other signs the Screwjob may have been the biggest kayfabe moment of all time. Bret Hart and McMahon were quite close for many years, with Bret even referring to Vince as his 'second father.' Then there was the fact that the whole thing was caught on camera. If Vince had really wanted to get the belt off of Bret, he could have done it at a house show with no live feed or even a recording. But the whole thing happened in front of a live audience of millions.

Finally, Vince McMahon easily became the top heel of the Attitude Era because of this very moment. He'd been wanting to transition from the announce desk to a more performative role for some time, and had even engaged in a rigorous training regime to get into ring shape. If the Screwjob was a work, then that means not only is kayfabe not dead, it's thriving.