Reasons Why Vince McMahon Isn't A Genius.
By Edtrader Oct. 8th, 2021
As a huge wrestling fan, it's saddening how the wrestling industry holds 'Vinnie Mac' up as the genius that made wrestling what it is today. I'm not going to say he is a complete novice. As he and the WWE did thrive. However, he is an example of an average-minded promoter who caught several lucky breaks. And then copied what was already successful.
As a huge wrestling fan, it's saddening how the wrestling industry holds 'Vinnie Mac' up as the genius that made wrestling what it is today. I'm not going to say he is a complete novice. As he and the WWE did thrive. However, he is an example of an average-minded promoter who caught several lucky breaks. And then copied what was already successful.
#6. Started at the top.
The only business that Vince K. McMahon has thrived in is the one that his father and grandfather built. Right off the bat, Vince caught a lucky break. His grandfather, Roderick James "Jess" McMahon Sr., began promoting boxing and wrestling in 1909. To go back even further, the McMahon generations before that owned hotels and banks. Along with some other investors, the wrestling company that resulted was named the Capitol Wrestling Corporation. This was during the National Wrestling Alliance days, and this company's territory was in the New York area. Vince's father, Vince J. McMahon, took over the business after the death of Jess. And continue to grow it from there.
The only business that Vince K. McMahon has thrived in is the one that his father and grandfather built. Right off the bat, Vince caught a lucky break. His grandfather, Roderick James "Jess" McMahon Sr., began promoting boxing and wrestling in 1909. To go back even further, the McMahon generations before that owned hotels and banks. Along with some other investors, the wrestling company that resulted was named the Capitol Wrestling Corporation. This was during the National Wrestling Alliance days, and this company's territory was in the New York area. Vince's father, Vince J. McMahon, took over the business after the death of Jess. And continue to grow it from there.
With Vince J. in control, he pulled this promotion from the NWA. Establishing it more as its own entity. Which by this point, had been renamed the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). Some of the biggest names in business at that time were wrestling there. When Vince K. bought his dad's company in 1982, it was as popular a territory as you could get. So, Vince came in with an established roaster as well as an established fan base.
Adding to the pot was the fact that national TV was already in place. Starting in March of 1976, Vince Sr. broadcast wrestling matches on the Madison Square Garden Sports Network. This cable channel morphed into the USA Network. Which they also did specials on the premium cable channel HBO. So as the USA Network grew to be a national cable channel in 1980, the WWWF was one of the programs that went national with it.
So, when our Vince bought the company, he had such a great starting point. If you look at other wrestling promoters, such as Jim Crocket Sr., they built their businesses starting with a restaurant table and a pocket full of notepaper. Vince's father and grandfather had already done all of the hard work. With Vince Jr. anything he touches that doesn't have a lineage with his forefathers fails.
Trying his hand first in the world of ice hockey. For only one season, he was the owner of the Cape Cod Buccaneers. Bankruptcy number one.
Adding to the pot was the fact that national TV was already in place. Starting in March of 1976, Vince Sr. broadcast wrestling matches on the Madison Square Garden Sports Network. This cable channel morphed into the USA Network. Which they also did specials on the premium cable channel HBO. So as the USA Network grew to be a national cable channel in 1980, the WWWF was one of the programs that went national with it.
So, when our Vince bought the company, he had such a great starting point. If you look at other wrestling promoters, such as Jim Crocket Sr., they built their businesses starting with a restaurant table and a pocket full of notepaper. Vince's father and grandfather had already done all of the hard work. With Vince Jr. anything he touches that doesn't have a lineage with his forefathers fails.
Trying his hand first in the world of ice hockey. For only one season, he was the owner of the Cape Cod Buccaneers. Bankruptcy number one.
The World Bodybuilding Federation died after a dismal pay-per-view buy rate. Giving us just two years of boring programming. Having weightlifters dressed up like wrestling cartoons from the 80s. His biggest slap in the face was the XFL. That ended up costing Vince a lot of money for his partners, like NBC.
WWF New York, a failed wrestling-themed restaurant that barely had any wrestling memorabilia or guests. Crappy food that was way too expensive to begin with.
WWF New York, a failed wrestling-themed restaurant that barely had any wrestling memorabilia or guests. Crappy food that was way too expensive to begin with.
#5. His wallet is bigger than his brain.
The WWWF was renamed the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). In 1984, when Vince really started his wrestling world takeover, he needed top-drawing wrestling stars to do this. All of the wrestlers that enabled Vince to grow the WWF to the number one wrestling company were paid for. Not created or developed by Vince.
Let's look at the biggest wrestling star of all time, Hulk Hogan. Vince and his dad had the soon-to-be superstar talent as a heel. The wrestling term for the bad guy. He was then fired in 1982 after accepting the role in Rocky III Thunderlips.
It was after his move to the AWA wrestling promotion that Hulk Hogan became a star. The shirt-ripping, superhero, cupping his hand to his ear, were all developed in the AWA. Taking on Bobby Heenan's main guy, Nick Bockwinkel. With the high-energy interviews with Mean Gene on the mic. These were all things that Vince simply paid to move over to the WWF. And Hogan's jump back only came about because he and AWA's Verne Gagne had a fallen out.
The WWWF was renamed the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). In 1984, when Vince really started his wrestling world takeover, he needed top-drawing wrestling stars to do this. All of the wrestlers that enabled Vince to grow the WWF to the number one wrestling company were paid for. Not created or developed by Vince.
Let's look at the biggest wrestling star of all time, Hulk Hogan. Vince and his dad had the soon-to-be superstar talent as a heel. The wrestling term for the bad guy. He was then fired in 1982 after accepting the role in Rocky III Thunderlips.
It was after his move to the AWA wrestling promotion that Hulk Hogan became a star. The shirt-ripping, superhero, cupping his hand to his ear, were all developed in the AWA. Taking on Bobby Heenan's main guy, Nick Bockwinkel. With the high-energy interviews with Mean Gene on the mic. These were all things that Vince simply paid to move over to the WWF. And Hogan's jump back only came about because he and AWA's Verne Gagne had a fallen out.
Roddy Piper, Junkyard Dog, Jesse Ventura, Macho Man, Jake The Snake, Bobby Heenan, Ultimate Warrior, and the list goes on. All these stars who helped push the WWF to the top brought their characters from other territories. The lone new character that became a legend came from the WWF's push to the top in the 1980s and early 1990s was the Undertaker. Former WWF writer and producer Bruce Pichard said that Mark's (Undertaker's real name) look was influenced by his bounty hunter role in Hulk Hogan's film, Suburban Commando. The 1980s track record for the WWF in creating new talent was almost zero.
Mid-to-late 1990s WWF's track record wasn't that much better. Stars like Stone Cold Steve Austin was The Million Dollar Man's puppet. The accidental creation of Mr. McMahon the character, matched with Steve Austin just being who he is, made that magic work. The Stone Cold name came from Steve's wife at the time. If it were up to Vince and the WWF, we would have Vang McFrost instead of Stone Cold Steve Austin.
The Rock was Rocky Maivia, the all American, baby-kissing, goody two-shoes. Which the people didn't buy and just booed him. Once again, the accidental response by the fans and The Rock, just being himself, made that magic work.
With Mick Foley, Vince wanted nothing to do with him.
Mid-to-late 1990s WWF's track record wasn't that much better. Stars like Stone Cold Steve Austin was The Million Dollar Man's puppet. The accidental creation of Mr. McMahon the character, matched with Steve Austin just being who he is, made that magic work. The Stone Cold name came from Steve's wife at the time. If it were up to Vince and the WWF, we would have Vang McFrost instead of Stone Cold Steve Austin.
The Rock was Rocky Maivia, the all American, baby-kissing, goody two-shoes. Which the people didn't buy and just booed him. Once again, the accidental response by the fans and The Rock, just being himself, made that magic work.
With Mick Foley, Vince wanted nothing to do with him.
The number one person that our Vince had on the payroll was Pat Patterson. He was the brains behind the majority of the great finishes (ending of the match). So, it all comes down to the fact that Vince had the wallet to make up for what he lacked.
#4. Economics.
It is true that Vince is a ruthless businessman. He did make some great moves, along with hiring the right people. Vince's status as the last promoter standing from the 2000s forward isn't so much because of his ingenious plans that beat his competition. Vince's family did all the hard work building his company. The competition did all of the hard work putting themselves out of business.
As the 1980s rolled on, there were four other main wrestling organizations. WCCW, AWA, Mid-South, and Jim Crockett Promotions. There were smaller ones, but these were the only ones that could stand against the WWF.
World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) went out of business as all the tragedies left the fans with too much heartbreak. Three of the Von Erich brothers committed suicide. While an older brother died in Japan after a match. Gino Hernandez was either murdered or died of a drug overdose, depending on who you asked. Also, the owner, Fritz Von Erich, didn't expand his company when he had a chance to. It merged with another company and survived into the 1990s in various forms. But never grew as big as it could have. Then just dropped out, if you ain't growing you're dying.
Verne Gagne and the AWA had a dip in business as Vince raided his talent more than any of the other companies. Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Bobby Heenan, etc. His mid-to-late 80s stars, like Curt Henning and Shawn Michaels, helped to raise it up a bit. But they all saw more money at the WWF. As Vern admitted, he just couldn't make new stars quick enough. If you were to ask Hulk Hogan and Jesse Ventura, they would tell you he just wouldn't pay fairly. Jesse would tell the story that instead of the guys getting a proper payoff, the Gagne family would instead use that money to go on vacation.
But Verne was able to keep things going for a while. In large part due to the fact that he could always borrow against property he owned. As it was covered on the WWE documentary about the AWA. The local government, on the other hand, decided to invoke the Eminent Domain clause. Taking the land and paying him a fraction of its real worth. That left the AWA out in the cold.
Cowboy Bill Watts' Mid-South is a somewhat different story. His company died in the wake of the 1980's Oil Bust. Bill operated in areas like Oklahoma and Louisiana, so this was a blow. As people didn't have money to eat. Let alone buy wrestling tickets. Other larger companies in his territory were also going out of business. Bill saw what the future held, so he was genius enough to sell it to Jim Crockett Promotions. Making his money while there was dough to be made. As Mid-South was dying, Vince was able to buy stars like Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Junkyard Dog, and Ted Debase.
It is true that Vince is a ruthless businessman. He did make some great moves, along with hiring the right people. Vince's status as the last promoter standing from the 2000s forward isn't so much because of his ingenious plans that beat his competition. Vince's family did all the hard work building his company. The competition did all of the hard work putting themselves out of business.
As the 1980s rolled on, there were four other main wrestling organizations. WCCW, AWA, Mid-South, and Jim Crockett Promotions. There were smaller ones, but these were the only ones that could stand against the WWF.
World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) went out of business as all the tragedies left the fans with too much heartbreak. Three of the Von Erich brothers committed suicide. While an older brother died in Japan after a match. Gino Hernandez was either murdered or died of a drug overdose, depending on who you asked. Also, the owner, Fritz Von Erich, didn't expand his company when he had a chance to. It merged with another company and survived into the 1990s in various forms. But never grew as big as it could have. Then just dropped out, if you ain't growing you're dying.
Verne Gagne and the AWA had a dip in business as Vince raided his talent more than any of the other companies. Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Bobby Heenan, etc. His mid-to-late 80s stars, like Curt Henning and Shawn Michaels, helped to raise it up a bit. But they all saw more money at the WWF. As Vern admitted, he just couldn't make new stars quick enough. If you were to ask Hulk Hogan and Jesse Ventura, they would tell you he just wouldn't pay fairly. Jesse would tell the story that instead of the guys getting a proper payoff, the Gagne family would instead use that money to go on vacation.
But Verne was able to keep things going for a while. In large part due to the fact that he could always borrow against property he owned. As it was covered on the WWE documentary about the AWA. The local government, on the other hand, decided to invoke the Eminent Domain clause. Taking the land and paying him a fraction of its real worth. That left the AWA out in the cold.
Cowboy Bill Watts' Mid-South is a somewhat different story. His company died in the wake of the 1980's Oil Bust. Bill operated in areas like Oklahoma and Louisiana, so this was a blow. As people didn't have money to eat. Let alone buy wrestling tickets. Other larger companies in his territory were also going out of business. Bill saw what the future held, so he was genius enough to sell it to Jim Crockett Promotions. Making his money while there was dough to be made. As Mid-South was dying, Vince was able to buy stars like Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Junkyard Dog, and Ted Debase.
This left Jim Crockett Promotions and the WWF as the big two. Jim Crockett Jr. was now in charge, and his purchase of the Mid-South territory was a large part of his undoing. That area was not a good market for ticket sales. That's why Watts had to sell it to begin with. Their top drawing starts were now in the WWF. There was just nothing to buy, really.
The thought was that ad revenue from the TV markets in the Mid-South area would pay for its costs plus a profit. But that revenue takes up to a year to materialize. While waiting on this ad revenue, Crockett was also spending too much money on his failed expansion. There were many other financial mistakes. Altogether, they were so far in the hole that the Crocket family sold everything in order not to go completely broke.
So, the Crocketts sold to their television partner, Ted Turner. Now we have the real wrestling match of the 1990s: WCW vs. WWF.
When Ted Turner bought it, there were people under him who didn't like wrestling. But Ted was the man in charge, and he loved having wrestling on his stations. So, it was a situation where those who didn't like it had to swallow it. But the producers of WCW, Eric Bicshoff, Vince Russo, and Kevin Sullivan, all say the same thing. When AOL and Time Warner took over from Ted Turner (Ted merged with these companies, but he was later pushed out), they had a clear message. They hated wrestling, as it was below their taste.
Apparently, making money wasn't in their taste either. But now these people don't have Ted Turner to tell them to stuff it. When they seized full power, WCW was canceled and sold. Vince didn't outsmart WCW. The people from AOL did a great job killing it for him. When you look back, when Bischoff and Turner were in charge, it kicked the hell out of the WWF. Even the WWE admits that WCW won the ratings war for nearly two years straight. Come AOL's ownership, Sure, WCW was down some from its 1996–1998 dominance. But their numbers were so outrageously high that, at its worst, WCW was the highest rated regularly airing programs on TNT and TBS. Only special programs like the NBA did better. The demise of WCW is a book in of itself.
The thought was that ad revenue from the TV markets in the Mid-South area would pay for its costs plus a profit. But that revenue takes up to a year to materialize. While waiting on this ad revenue, Crockett was also spending too much money on his failed expansion. There were many other financial mistakes. Altogether, they were so far in the hole that the Crocket family sold everything in order not to go completely broke.
So, the Crocketts sold to their television partner, Ted Turner. Now we have the real wrestling match of the 1990s: WCW vs. WWF.
When Ted Turner bought it, there were people under him who didn't like wrestling. But Ted was the man in charge, and he loved having wrestling on his stations. So, it was a situation where those who didn't like it had to swallow it. But the producers of WCW, Eric Bicshoff, Vince Russo, and Kevin Sullivan, all say the same thing. When AOL and Time Warner took over from Ted Turner (Ted merged with these companies, but he was later pushed out), they had a clear message. They hated wrestling, as it was below their taste.
Apparently, making money wasn't in their taste either. But now these people don't have Ted Turner to tell them to stuff it. When they seized full power, WCW was canceled and sold. Vince didn't outsmart WCW. The people from AOL did a great job killing it for him. When you look back, when Bischoff and Turner were in charge, it kicked the hell out of the WWF. Even the WWE admits that WCW won the ratings war for nearly two years straight. Come AOL's ownership, Sure, WCW was down some from its 1996–1998 dominance. But their numbers were so outrageously high that, at its worst, WCW was the highest rated regularly airing programs on TNT and TBS. Only special programs like the NBA did better. The demise of WCW is a book in of itself.
#3. Celebrities and TV.
If you watch WWE documentaries, they portray Vince's genius as the reason that outside talent was used to put wrestling on the map. Although the use of TV and celebrities can be effective, it is not a sign of Vince's genius. As these things had been going on for years.
At WrestleMania I, the WWF used Muhammad Ali as the special referee. Well, the great Ali had been in the ring years before. On June 26th, 1976, Ali was involved in a Japanese boxer vs. wrestler match against Antonio Inoki.
Verne Gagne was such a huge star that he used to do TV commercials. Also, Verne was the first promoter to do a wrestling movie. As he and Ed Asner stared in the film The Wrestler. That also featured Dusty Rhodes and superstar Billy Graham. Furthermore, Hulk Hogan was on Johnny Carson in 1982 while in the AWA. Plus, you can't forget Andy Kaufman's program in Memphis. That gained such national attention that he and Jerry Lawyer appeared on David Letterman.
If you watch WWE documentaries, they portray Vince's genius as the reason that outside talent was used to put wrestling on the map. Although the use of TV and celebrities can be effective, it is not a sign of Vince's genius. As these things had been going on for years.
At WrestleMania I, the WWF used Muhammad Ali as the special referee. Well, the great Ali had been in the ring years before. On June 26th, 1976, Ali was involved in a Japanese boxer vs. wrestler match against Antonio Inoki.
Verne Gagne was such a huge star that he used to do TV commercials. Also, Verne was the first promoter to do a wrestling movie. As he and Ed Asner stared in the film The Wrestler. That also featured Dusty Rhodes and superstar Billy Graham. Furthermore, Hulk Hogan was on Johnny Carson in 1982 while in the AWA. Plus, you can't forget Andy Kaufman's program in Memphis. That gained such national attention that he and Jerry Lawyer appeared on David Letterman.
#2. Stage productions.
WWE produced documentaries about their history that claim Vince revolutionized the overall wrestling stage production. But Vince was simply following other promotions. Looking at WWF video ring entrances from the 80s and early 90s, there was very little spectral. But the NWA was sure doing it! There were no fireworks or explosive kicks as their top draw, Hulk Hogan came out. But the Nature Boy Ric Flair got his.
WWE produced documentaries about their history that claim Vince revolutionized the overall wrestling stage production. But Vince was simply following other promotions. Looking at WWF video ring entrances from the 80s and early 90s, there was very little spectral. But the NWA was sure doing it! There were no fireworks or explosive kicks as their top draw, Hulk Hogan came out. But the Nature Boy Ric Flair got his.
#1. Where's our match.
On the AWA DVD, Vince says that Verne Gagne wasn't smart enough to reinvest what was needed to keep his company growing. Dummy Vince wasn't smart enough either. In 2001, after Vince bought WCW, instead of spending the money to get the best programming ever with the real stars of WCW vs. WWF, he thought to do other things. And since then, ratings have dropped year after year.
When Vince bought WCW, it was a given that there would be a WCW invasion. But this invasion fell flat on its face. That's because the main stars were not involved. Goldberg, Sting, Hogan, and all the others had to sit out for a year. As they were still under contract with AOL/Time Warner. And Vince didn't want to put up the cash to buy their contracts. The buyout deal was that the WWF would buy a wrestler's contract to come to work. But said wrestler would have to reimburse the WWF for half of that contract. As Kevin Nash said in a shoot interview, it was sit home and make all their money. Or go to work for half of it. Booker T and DDP gave up half of their money. But the others stayed home and cashed the rest of those checks.
Vince hasn't been smart enough over the years to give fans what they want. In 1992, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan were finally in the same company. After the debate of who's the best, the NWA or WWF. It seemed like a sure deal that they would headline WrestleMania. But for unknown reasons, that didn't happen. Instead, WCW would have that match.
The thought has been passed around that the WWF didn't think it would draw. That is a pot full of bullspit. Also, it has been said that either one wanted to lose to the other, which is more bullspit. Hogan had let Ultimate Warrior beat him in 1990. And in 2002, he let The Rock beat him. Flair had let all the up-and-coming guys beat him. So, neither one was afraid of losing.
On the AWA DVD, Vince says that Verne Gagne wasn't smart enough to reinvest what was needed to keep his company growing. Dummy Vince wasn't smart enough either. In 2001, after Vince bought WCW, instead of spending the money to get the best programming ever with the real stars of WCW vs. WWF, he thought to do other things. And since then, ratings have dropped year after year.
When Vince bought WCW, it was a given that there would be a WCW invasion. But this invasion fell flat on its face. That's because the main stars were not involved. Goldberg, Sting, Hogan, and all the others had to sit out for a year. As they were still under contract with AOL/Time Warner. And Vince didn't want to put up the cash to buy their contracts. The buyout deal was that the WWF would buy a wrestler's contract to come to work. But said wrestler would have to reimburse the WWF for half of that contract. As Kevin Nash said in a shoot interview, it was sit home and make all their money. Or go to work for half of it. Booker T and DDP gave up half of their money. But the others stayed home and cashed the rest of those checks.
Vince hasn't been smart enough over the years to give fans what they want. In 1992, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan were finally in the same company. After the debate of who's the best, the NWA or WWF. It seemed like a sure deal that they would headline WrestleMania. But for unknown reasons, that didn't happen. Instead, WCW would have that match.
The thought has been passed around that the WWF didn't think it would draw. That is a pot full of bullspit. Also, it has been said that either one wanted to lose to the other, which is more bullspit. Hogan had let Ultimate Warrior beat him in 1990. And in 2002, he let The Rock beat him. Flair had let all the up-and-coming guys beat him. So, neither one was afraid of losing.