Professional wrestling, sports entertainment (whatever you want to call it) has played a big part in my life since I was 11. It began while watching these two colorful, larger-than-life supermen named Hulk Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage explode on screen in a heated rivalry over a woman, the lovely Miss Elizabeth. This feud was retelling the ageless story of a woman unintentionally destroying the friendship between two men. One was driven by jealousy, the other was driven by honor. The feud ultimately resulted in a showdown at Wrestlemania V. During the match, Macho Man forced Miss Elizabeth, who was in a neutral corner, to leave the arena allowing him and Hogan to settle matters once and for all. Macho Man realized the pain and turmoil the woman has caused and knew he needed to remove her from his life so that he may rediscover peace. Hogan won the match but didn’t win the girl. After Wrestlemania, the three went their separate ways, but Macho Man and Elizabeth would eventually find their way back together.
I never knew Vince McMahon was the founder of WWF until the 90s' Attitude era. Before then I thought he was just a commentator as well as an occasional ring announcer for the company. It surprised me greatly that this enthusiastic, fan-like commentator created Wrestlemania and made professional wrestling mainstream.
Vince McMahon’s global giant, which eventually changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), extended my love of the sport to other wrestling promotions, such as the once-rival company World Championship Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and Impact Wrestling. But these companies have never reached the unimaginable heights made by WWE. They came close.
Most will say these companies would not have been created if it were not for Vince McMahon's daring vision and his genius influence on the entertainment aspect of wrestling.
Introverted Behaviors Which Led to His Success
Vince McMahon’s path to forming WWE into what it is today reveals common introverted behaviors:
utilizing unorthodox business tactics
trusting his instincts
carrying a unique vision
and dedication to his work
In an interview on Pat MacAfee’s podcast, Mr. McMahon mentions he was never good in school and had to take summer school classes to graduate. In college he was on the verge of failing until he visited the homes of two of his professors to ask if they would raise his grade high enough to help him graduate. Although this approach is wrong by certain standards, it worked, and he was able to achieve his business degree by displaying bravery and determination. This was the beginning of Mr. McMahon’s journey of using unorthodox business tactics to transform a small, territorial wrestling company into the largest wrestling/sports entertainment corporation in the world.
In addition, he also created the XFL when no one believed extreme football would be successful, trusting his instincts. And he created a wrestling streaming service, the WWE Network, just when streaming services were in their infancy, and of course, people didn’t believe his concept would be successful.
His unorthodox business tactics also helped catapult the careers of ordinary professional wrestlers into Hollywood stardom. Names such as Hulk Hogan, John Cena, The Bella Twins, Dave Bautista, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson may have never been household names if it weren’t for Vince McMahon’s company.
And I didn’t forget the Undertaker, the greatest wrestling superstar in the world. When Mark Calaway and Vince McMahon came together, the most unimaginable concept in wrestling was created and has kept strong for over 30 years. From his goth-outlaw and biker gang outfits to his spectacle intros, the Undertaker has kept fans enthralled like no other wrestler before. Although it was the man behind the makeup and outfits who brought life to the Undertaker, it was Vince McMahon’s idea that gave it birth. No other wrestling promoter would have "thunk up" a crazy idea like that at the time.
Throughout his long career, his unique vision proved to be a vital tool in his success.
Like all businessmen, Mr. McMahon had his share of obstacles threatening to hurt his company, such as the steroid and hush money scandals. He has received numerous criticism from fans over his character and storyline ideas and the bookings on the company’s weekly television shows as well. I mean, who over the age of eight finds it funny to make fun of a grown man by calling him, tiny balls?
There have been many times when the shows have been so bad I thought about never watching the show again, or at least taking a break until they got their stuff together. But I’ve never abandoned WWE.
Every Monday night I am watching Monday Night Raw, and whether it is on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday, I am watching Smackdown. I am a loyal, dedicated fan just as Mr. McMahon is to his business.
No matter the amount of criticism, he is dedicated to his company and enjoys staying involved in all WWE endeavors. Although he clearly has not learned from his booking mistakes, he continues to trust in himself and keep pushing on.
Despite struggles in learning the traditional way, one of the challenges introverts face, Mr. McMahon was able to successfully utilize his gift of thinking outside the box to start his business ventures and expand them beyond anyone’s expectations.
His Legacy
On July 22, 2022, Mr. McMahon announced on his Twitter page that he has retired from World Wrestling Entertainment. Some will describe this act as the same old movie they've seen numerous times where the male billionaire who is accused of sexual misconduct escapes further public scrutiny by retiring. But whether you see him as a dirty, old man or a crooked businessman, no one can overlook the fact that he built a wrestling empire that not only entertained millions but also assisted poverty-stricken communities and uplifted the spirits of young people with special needs.
In Conclusion,
Mr. McMahon’s journey is an example of how being authentic and trusting in yourself and not being distracted by the opinions of others will get you far. For me, wrestling has not only served as an escape, it has given me inspiration and motivation for my journey in life.
I don’t care what Mr. McMahon has been accused of. I care about the product he has created and its positive effect on my life.
It would be awesome to one day be in his presence just for me to say, thank you, even though he does not like to be thanked.
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