5 WWE Superstars who surprisingly offered to lose matches

#1 Bret Hart offered to lose against Shawn Michaels (WWE Survivor Series 1997)

The infamous Montreal Screwjob incident occurred at WWE Survivor Series 1997 after Bret Hart refused to lose the WWE Championship to Shawn Michaels.

Interestingly, Hart revealed on Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions show in 2020 that he initially offered to lose against Michaels at the event. The Canadian star then changed his mind when The Heartbreak Kid said he would not do the same if the roles were reversed.

“‘I have no problem putting you over. I have no problem dropping the title to you or doing anything you want.’ And the big problem between me and Shawn started right there. And he said, ‘I appreciate that, but I just want you to know that I’m not willing to do the same thing for you,’” Hart said.

WCW-bound Hart thought his match against Michaels was going to end in disqualification, meaning he would retain his title. Without Hart knowing, Vince McMahon ordered referee Earl Hebner to award the win to Michaels when he locked his opponent in the sharpshooter.

Michaels controversially won the match, capturing the WWE Championship in the process. Hart reacted by spitting in McMahon’s face before drawing the letters “WCW” with his finger toward WWE’s camera. Later that night, Hart legitimately knocked the WWE Chairman out backstage.