When Bret Hart Decided To Make Peace With Shawn Michaels

Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels ushered in a new era of professional wrestling for WWE following the departure of larger-than-life characters such as Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage to rival WCW.

Hart and Michaels had mutual respect for each other until The Heartbreak Kid’s involvement in harmful escapades like drugs negatively influenced their relationship.

The camaraderie hit rock bottom at Survivor Series 1997, when Vince McMahon ordered Earl Hebner to end the WWE Championship match between two of his biggest stars at the time in controversial fashion, effectively creating what would be known as the “Montreal Screwjob.”

Hart and Michaels were profiled by The Ringer on the 25th anniversary of the screwjob. The Hitman revealed when he decided to patch things up with his bitter rival, noting that he had a change of heart after seeing Michaels’ incredible WrestleMania match with The Undertaker.

“We had our issues over the years. But I watched Undertaker and Shawn Michaels wrestle at one of the WrestleManias. Even then, I had such a bitterness towards Shawn, but I had to admit it was one of the greatest matches I ever watched. That’s where I ended up deciding to make friends with Shawn and bury the hatchet and all that. It was very truthful, that little storyline with me and Vince and Shawn.”

Hart and Michaels would end up appearing together during an episode of Raw from 2010, publicly burying their hatchet to the relief of many fans and wrestlers who grew up idolizing the WWE Hall of Famers.

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