A veteran professional wrestler recently brought back one of the most memorable moments in wrestling history to the independent scene.
The Montreal Screwjob stands among the most debated and discussed events in professional wrestling. It occurred at Survivor Series 1997, when Bret Hart defended the WWF Championship against Shawn Michaels in the Canadian capital. Hart was preparing to depart for WCW and did not wish to forfeit the title at home. He had reportedly offered to surrender the championship the following night as an alternative. However, Vince McMahon was determined to prevent any possibility of Hart walking away with the title.
As the match unfolded, with Hart trapped in Michaels’ Sharpshooter, McMahon instructed referee Earl Hebner to ring the bell without allowing Hart to submit. This decision sparked one of wrestling’s most enduring controversies and played a significant role in the development of McMahon’s “Mr. McMahon” persona. It also kept Hart away from WWE until 2010.
Over three decades later, a former AEW competitor decided to put their own comedic twist on this famous incident.
Joey Janela, who spent two years with All Elite Wrestling from 2019 to 2022, remains a well-known figure in the independent wrestling world. He faced Cecil Nyx in a 12-minute Iron Man Match during a recent Mystery Wrestling event in Montreal.
Seizing the moment, Janela mimicked the Montreal Screwjob by trapping Nyx in the Sharpshooter and signaling the referee to ring the bell, echoing the infamous finish from 1997.
The two pushed the parody even further. Nyx spat in Janela’s face, replicating Bret Hart’s infamous reaction toward McMahon after the Screwjob, and spelled out “WCW” in the air as a final nod to the promotion.
Mystery Wrestling had their own Montreal Screwjob, with Joey Janela screwing over Cecil Nyx.
Janela was already five falls ahead when he carried out the screwjob.
Evil Uno and co. are doing a lot of fun stuff with Mystery Wrestling.
— Cultaholic Wrestling (@Cultaholic) August 6, 2026
