Earl Hebner was the referee involved in the controversial Montreal Screwjob at WWF Survivor Series 1997.
The incident occurred on November 9, 1997, at the Molson Centre in Montreal. Bret Hart defended the WWF Championship against Shawn Michaels, with Hebner serving as the referee. Michaels applied the Sharpshooter, and Hebner signaled for the bell even though Hart had not submitted.
WWF chairman Vince McMahon had instructed Hebner to call for the bell, while Hart had not agreed to lose the match that way. The finish made Michaels the champion and Hart left WWF soon afterward for WCW.
The event became one of professional wrestling’s most discussed backstage controversies. Its details have been debated by participants, but the central public fact is consistent: Hebner called for the stoppage, and WWF announced Michaels as the winner. The episode later influenced wrestling storylines and documentaries.