6 Times pro wrestling matches turned into real-life fights backstage

#1 Montreal Screwjob

Bret Hart backstage after the Montreal Screwjob

The most controversial and well-known match that turned into a backstage real-life fight is the Montreal Screwjob, which happened back in 1997. Bret Hart, who was one of the biggest stars in WWE then, was set to leave the company, as WWE and Vince McMahon could not pay off his big contract.

Hart agreed to drop the world title to Shawn Michaels - despite the two having a real-life rivalry and hatred towards each other - but said that he wouldn't do it in Canada at Survivor Series.

But, Vince McMahon had other plans as he called for the bell during the match between Hart and Michaels when Hart was put in his own submission move by Michaels. Hart hadn't tapped and he felt cheated.

After the match, Hart and those in his group were incensed by what had happened. Vince McMahon came to see Hart to possibly calm things down. Hart had warned Vince to leave his dressing room as he said that he would punch him if he saw him.

Vince stayed, and Hart delivered a nasty punch that knocked the WWE Chairman out cold. There was chaos in the locker room with Superstars demanding clarity to the backstabbing that Vince McMahon had committed.

Hart left for WCW, and the Montreal Screwjob resulted in the evil Mr. McMahon character taking shape on WWE television. Fans got a glimpse of what happened backstage before and after the match as a film camera was following Hart for the Wrestling with Shadows movie.

WWE have had interviews with Hart and Michaels, where both legends have spoken about what happened back in 1997.