it was a worked shoot,
it ended up getting botched though because Mcmahon couldn't afford brets contract and WCW made him an offer so the whole plot got kind of sidelined for several years until bret came back
watch the match again. Michaels even signals to the ref with his head to call the match. he was in on it.
also for those who say bret can't "act" here is him worked seething before WM13
https://youtu.be/2KX7iuxyjHc?si=g7tfam9DXKPl_uTU 