5 shocking backstage stories from WWE's Attitude Era

#5 Bret Hart punched The Boss after Survivor Series 1997

Years later, Bret recreated that, as part of a storyline

Everyone knew what happened at Survivor Series 1997. What most people don’t know are the events that transpired backstage after Bret Hart had been screwed over at the behest of Vincent Kennedy McMahon.

Soon after the show, as Hart was changing to leave the arena, Vince stopped by and decided to confront the disgruntled superstar. Hart was in no mood for Vince’s pep talk and ordered him to get out.

However, Vinnie Mac being Vinnie Mac decided to put up a strong face in front of the entire locker room. It was at that precise moment that the Canadian lost it and decided to have a swing at McMahon, landing a strong punch that knocked Vince out cold!

Years later, in an interview, Hart said that his only regret was “not mopping the floor with Michaels and Triple H” right after the incident.

Hart went on to describe what happened in the locker room afterwards. As Hart was changing to leave, Vince came in to confront him (or, according to some, at least let Hart air his grievances). Hart instructed Vince to leave and, as he sees it, Vince being Vince wanted to look strong in front of his talent roster. “He’s a very macho kind of guy — he wanted to back me down in front of everybody in the dressing room and show that he was the boss and save face,” Hart said.

“But he put himself in that situation and I knocked him out.”

Hart said of the punch itself that while it was only a punch, it was the most beautiful thing in the world and that just thinking about it brings a smile to his face. Hart’s only regret? “I just maybe wish that I’d mopped the floor with Triple H and Shawn Michaels both at the same time right after. That would have been ideal.”

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