The screwjob happened when Hart 's opponent , Shawn Michaels , applied Hart 's own finishing move , the Sharp Shooter and then WWF Referee Earl Hebner called for the bell under Vince McMahon 's order even though Hart had not submitted ( or tapped-out ) . A secret change of the match 's pre-determined finish ( known as a `` shoot screwjob '' in professional wrestling parlance ) was devised by McMahon and discussed with Hart 's match opponent , Shawn Michaels . The plan was executed when the match referee , Earl Hebner , under orders from McMahon , called for the bell to ring and ended the match as Michaels held Hart in the Sharpshooter submission hold ( which was Hart 's signature finishing move ) , even though Hart himself had not agreed to this finish .