"I stuffed JR in the bathroom" - Hall of Famer reveals what went down backstage after Montreal Screwjob

The Montreal Screwjob is considered one of the most infamous incidents in pro wrestling history. Fans, to this day, debate the legitimacy of what is considered one of WWE's most controversial moments involving former CEO Vince McMahon and two of his biggest stars from the pre-Attitude Era, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels.

Back in 1997, Hart and Michaels collided for the WWE Championship in the main event of Survivor Series in Montreal, Québec, Canada. The closing moments of the match saw Michaels trap Hart in the Hitman's own sharpshooter submission. McMahon, who was at ringside, immediately called for the bell even though Hart didn't tap out, causing a controversial finish or the 'Montreal Screwjob' as the incident would be referred to in the years to come.

In a recent edition of What Were They Thinking? on Backstage Pass, WWE Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco recalled the tense backstage atmosphere in the aftermath of the screwjob with everyone, from talent to announcers, caught in a flurry of emotions.

"JR comes walking in, 'What's going on? I don't know! What's going on?' By that time, The Undertaker had already compunded on the door. 'Vince we need to talk to you.' Vince is in there [asking], 'What do I do?' I said, 'We gotta go talk to him.' So JR asked me, 'What do you want me to do here?' I told him, 'I want you to go in that bathroom and I want you to lock the door. Don't open the d*mn door until we come back... I stuffed JR in the bathroom, told him don't open the door for anybody... So he missed out on all the action. He's still pi*sed off at me for making him miss all the action [laughs]." [6:34 onwards]

WWE Hall of Famer JBL revealed he also missed out on the post-match occurrence because he and Barry Windham had to leave for Japan to work for Giant Baba and All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW).

"I missed the whole thing. This is crazy... Oh my god. One of the biggest moments in wrestling history, and I was there. Barry Windham and I were going to Japan a day later. So we were driving to Ottawa because they had to fly for Japan to work for Baba to compete in the tag team tournament with Doc [Steve Williams] and Stan [Hansen] and all the guys. So we had this long drive, then we had this long flight... to Tokyo coming up," stated JBL. [10:10 onwards]

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Did Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels reconcile in the aftermath of Montreal Screwjob?

Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels allegedly didn't speak to each other for years after the Montreal Screwjob. The Hitman would jump ship to rival WCW, where his career was cut short following a match against Goldberg. Michaels, on the other hand, would be forced to go on a four-year hiatus due to back problems. He'd make his full-time return to WWE in 2002. The rest, as they say, is history.

Hart and Michaels would reconcile in the aftermath of Hitman's return to WWE in 2010. The two superstars would share the ring for the first time since Montreal on an episode of WWE RAW, which saw both men shake hands and embrace each other to bury the hatchet.

Hart officially retired following his tag team match with John Cena against Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez in 2011.

Michaels retired in 2010 but would make a brief in-ring return in 2018 to team up with Triple H against The Brothers of Destruction in Saudi Arabia. He's the current Senior Vice President of Talent Development and Creative at WWE.

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