HBK's role in the Montreal Screwjob....?

Question

"Loyal Employee" who did as he was told to do, by Vince McMahon, or "Jealous Backstabber", who hated Bret all along, and not only was following orders, but helped to create the orders himself. What's your opinion on this?

Answer 1

He was the "Loyal Employee" and the "Jealous Backstabber",he sucks but now he rules.

Answer 2

He didnt like it, but was convinced by HHH to do what needed to be done for the betterment of the company.  HBK didnt like Bret, but didnt like the idea of s******g over a fellow competitor because he knew it could one day be him.  He also didnt want to lose any respect from other wrestlers.

Answer 3

Wow, that was so long ago... I don't even concern myself with it really. The thing worked out the way it did, and that is how I see it. This was an era, when I was less interested in Shawn Michaels or Bret Hart. But, in the interest of brand loyalty, I don't really think it's such a great idea to leave the company with the title. This may have been a big mistake on Hart's part. Though he was leaving the company, I think he should have went out as a top contender and then earned the title where he was headed, and then came back later down the road, (they often do) and then carved his niche.

EDIT: I think anyone in Michaels' position might have been expected to do this, regardless of the actual circumstances. I have no opinion on what kind of person this would make the Showstopper.

Answer 4

A little bit of both, but not necessarily either.  First off, Triple H was actually the one who verbalized the idea.  I'm sure all three men were thinking it, but didn't want to ask the other to burden such responsibility.  Vince asked Michaels to do it, and Michaels did what he was told.  In the same right, though, I'm convinced that it didn't take too much convincing or threatening to get Shawn to do it.  Without flinching, I can easily feel sorry for Hebner's involvement, because he was expendable...but not Michaels.  Either way, he was going to go over on Bret.  Michaels job wasn't in jeopardy.  If he had said "I'm not going to do that" I'm fully convinced that Vince would've botched the idea.  So yes, Michaels was being 'company loyal', but it was a very convenient way to be that way.

Now, was Michaels jealous or a backstabber?  No.  Michaels was very full of himself, and knew that he was the successor to Bret's throne, it was inevitable.  Shawn was just as over, more talented, and even more charismatic than Hart, so I really don't see what Shawn would have to be jealous about, especially since Shawn knew these things.  In that sense, I don't think he was so much "jealous" as he was "impatient."  

Did he stab Bret in the back?  Well, in order to do something like that, someone has to like you and trust you enough to turn their back on you.  In '97, I guarantee you Bret Hart wouldn't take his eye off of Shawn Michaels if he had so much as a nail file in his hand.  They hated one another, and it was both men's fault that they never got along.  Shawn thought he was the best, and he was full of himself.  Bret thought he was the best, and was spitefull of Shawn thinking otherwise and treating him with so little respect.  There was no backstabbing here.  Bret knew what happened when it happened, Shawn Michaels looked him in the eye when he lunged the final stinging blow into "the Hitman's" time with the WWE.

I'm not saying I agree with either side.  Shawn and Vince were in the wrong, but during those crucial years I can't blame Vince for being paranoid.  Bret Hart was right to be spiteful, but in the same right, it was over ten years ago, he needs to get over it.  Both Shawn and Bret need to reconcile and be the better man.  Shawn's ready, Bret needs to grow up.

Answer 5

HBK was a d***, no doubt about it. He can't have been jealous or a backstabber, considering that he was already a star and Bret and Shawn didn't like each other. Imo, HBK did what he did to make sure Bret didn't disgrace the WWF title before leaving. End of story.

"hbk did what he had to do to keep his job."

Lol. HBK and HHH were the ones who suggested doing it in the first place.

Answer 6

loyal employee

Answer 7

hbk did what he had to do to keep his job.  

Answer 8

shawn michaels is both; but more of a "jealous backstabber".. this is the link for the complete & indepth story of the montreal screwjob as recounted by dave meltzer of the wrestling observer..

http://themontrealscrewjobstory.blogspot...