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Before Montreal, Hart described a father-like bond
In an archival interview excerpt reproduced in Radiolab’s transcript, Hart recalled: “You know, like, my relationship with Vince McMahon was always sort of like a father.” That describes Hart’s view of their earlier relationship; it is not an independent account of McMahon’s feelings.
The 1997 Montreal finish caused a severe rupture
At Survivor Series in Montreal on November 9, 1997, Hart defended the WWF Championship against Shawn Michaels. WWE’s retrospective account says the referee ended the match while Michaels had Hart in the Sharpshooter, even though Hart had not submitted, and that McMahon called for the bell. WWE also recounts that Hart confronted McMahon afterward. Because this account comes from WWE, it should be understood as the company’s retrospective version of a disputed event, not an independent investigation.
Hart later gave a blunt assessment in a WWE interview marking the incident’s tenth anniversary: “I look back on that incident as a bad decision by Vince McMahon and WWE. I think we all can look back and know that there was a better way to do things.” The comment captures Hart’s criticism of the decision while acknowledging that he believed it could have been handled differently.
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How they returned to public and professional contact
2005: Hart took part in a WWE project
WWE says Hart re-entered discussions with the company and participated in a career DVD project in 2005. This marked renewed professional contact after the break with WWE.
April 1, 2006: Hart entered the WWE Hall of Fame
Hart was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 1, 2006. WWE says he thanked McMahon during the ceremony. The induction and acknowledgment are evidence of a public rapprochement, but do not by themselves establish a private friendship.
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March 28, 2010: Their WrestleMania match was a storyline
At WrestleMania XXVI, Hart faced McMahon in a No Holds Barred match and won, according to WWE’s event recap. WWE framed the match as Hart’s revenge for Montreal. It was an on-screen wrestling storyline, not proof that a real-life dispute was settled in the ring.
What Hart has said about McMahon since
Hart’s official website says, “Vince and I have had major differences,” while also crediting McMahon with helping make wrestling mainstream. The statement reflects a mixed retrospective view, but does not specify whether the two were in contact or friends when it was published.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A useful first-person account
For Hart’s perspective on the wider history, his autobiography Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling is a relevant starting point. Hart’s official site presents the book as a testament to his major differences with McMahon, and publisher Hachette describes it as Hart’s account of his life in and out of the ring. It is Hart’s own account, not a neutral or complete statement of every participant’s perspective. Hachette’s book page provides publisher information.
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Sources for the key milestones
- WWE’s “Hart-felt Reunion” recounts the Montreal incident and Hart’s 2005–2006 return to public contact.
- WWE’s anniversary interview reports Hart’s retrospective criticism of the Montreal decision.
- WWE’s WrestleMania XXVI recap documents the 2010 match and its on-screen framing.
- Hart’s official website includes his retrospective statement about major differences with McMahon.
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