TNA: Earl Hebner Did Not Screw Bret Hart, So Let It Go

I have been reading reports from TNA house shows in recent months and I always see one constant thing, Earl Hebner receives chants of "You screwed Bret!" every time.

I know what happened in Montreal, and I think that it is unfair for people to boo and chant at a ref who has done nothing but give his life to a sport which gives him no credit for being the best in the business.

The art of being a wrestling ref is something that not everyone can grasp.  It takes a lot more skill than people realize, and Earl is the best there is.

For years, he was the go-to guy for WWE's main events, whether it was on TV or PPV. 

After Survivor Series 1997, Earl became the scapegoat of a situation he had no control over.

Earl was told, not asked, told, to "screw" Bret that night in Montreal by Vince McMahon.  His decision to go along with the plan hinged on one thing, Earl's need to keep his job.

No one in Earl's position would turn down Vince McMahon, he is expendable more so than any other on screen talent in the eyes of the corporate office, so he had two choices, get fired or go along with the plan.

No one knows for sure that Earl would have been fired, but it was a likely outcome, had he refused to take part in the events of that night.

Earl has gone on record saying he hates what happened that night and if he could change what happened he would. Bret has even said in interviews that he does not blame Hebner as much as Vince.

Earl Hebner is 61 years old and is still considered the best ref in TNA today. However, he opens up shows, is serenaded with boos, and people yell "You screwed Bret!" 

How would it make you feel if a decision you were forced to make 12 years ago still haunted you to this day? Especially if that decision was the deciding factor of your continued employment.

I have been watching wrestling a long time and Earl Hebner has outlasted everyone. He is reliable, skillful and makes sure he is out of the way of the action, but right there to count.

Maybe someday he can go to work and not be greeted by fans with boos and jeers.