Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon interview from Australian Press Conference (as screened before WWF RAW in Australia)
Last Tuesday night before the airing of RAW in Australia, a special feature
was presented showing Vince McMahon, Stacy Keibler and Mark Henry in Australia.
Part of this special feature consisted of an interview with Vince McMahon. Below
are points from the interview:
Vince says that many employees would say there is not much difference between Vince the character and Vince the person. Both are aggressive and decisive. He states there is no formulaic way of working out how to do things in wrestling, and it is not the same as "old-school" wrestling.
- Through the many features of professional wrestling, Vince says the fans are kept off-guard for any and all occurrences.
- Vince states that he did have some idea of the business becoming as big as it is today. He says that his employees deserve the popularity that the WWF experiences. They work hard, there is nothing they won't do for the audiences, they take risks, they accept autographs, and there's a lot involved in being a WWF superstar. It's not all bright lights, fast cars and hot women (although there are hot women within the WWF). Vince says that when it comes right down to it, the World Wrestling Federation is like one big family, and is Vince's extended family.
He talks about the hard-core division, saying that wrestlers have to be careful with what they do in terms of limitations. He compares them to thoroughbred horse racing, saying that talent needs to be helped to experience their limitations. The talent must be nurtured because injuries are much more severe than in the past. Clips are shown of the nWo. He commented that there are very few comparisons between the "attitude" era of today and "old-school" wrestling. Things are done much differently today.
- He talks about Hulk Hogan. Vince didn't expect that Hulk Hogan would return to the WWF, and once he did, Vince didn't believe he would get such huge crowd support. Vince is happy that Hogan is back, and "this story will have a happy ending". Vince is amazed with Hogan's popularity. Hogan and Vince now have little problem with sitting down and talking.
- Vince talks about Shane and Stephanie. As a father, Vince says he is delighted at what Shane and Stephanie have been able to achieve. He is especially delighted that both of them wanted to become part of the business. Both of them have the same passion, and have paid their dues, as he does for wrestling. Shane has learned the talent side of the WWF, and is now learning the corporate side. Stephanie started out in the WWF with janitorial duties, however she "graduated" too different levels and is now high within the creative team.
- Vince says that there have been a number of times he's had to tell Shane to back off and ease up due to his high-flying, risk-taking style. Clips are shown of Shane flying off the Titantron at Backlash and hitting Big Show with an elbow. They have to be careful to avoid seriously injured.
- Vince is very proud to see his family within WWF storylines. He started off in a poor family, so it's good for the public to see what billionaires are like. Vince is least proud, professionally, of Owen Hart's death, when rigging failed during a stunt. The death will be the darkest moment in WWF history. Accidents happen in all walks of life, and that was very unfortunate.
- Vince cannot say that there's any person who will "never" be back in the WWF. Vince talks about Bret Hart being asked to appear at Wrestlemania X-8. Vince believes that the window for Hart returning to the WWF is probably closed, although he never says never. The McMahon/Hart relationship ended at Montreal in 1997, which Vince acknowledges. Vince says that the screwjob wasn't his fault or Bret's fault (contradicting his "Bret Hart screwed Bret Hart" statement).
- Vince calls Vince Russo a failure, talking about his ego getting the better of him and failing in WCW.
- Vince says he doesn't know Eric Bischoff, and doesn't appreciate what he said about the WWF during the wars between the WWF and WCW. Vince says that if you reach a certain point with him, that isn't good.
- Vince says that The Rock is an amazing human being. The Rock is a third generation superstar. He is a sensational young man, has his feet on the ground, extraordinary charisma and is a wonderful human being, his thoughts are that Shawn Michaels is a wonderful guy. He contributed much to the WWF as a performer. Hopefully Shawn will be back in some way.
He, was unhappy with the "Beyond The Mat" documentary, as he believes it definitely didn't promote professional wrestling in any sort of way, laughed about Mae Young being a change of pace. He says that she and Fabulous Moolah are two amazing human beings. There's nothing they won't try and they love the crowd, even at their age.
- Vince can't say that anyone on the indy scene is looking at being a WWF main eventer.
- Vince admits that the WWF has had talks with Sting and Goldberg. Unfortunately, Goldberg is content to receive money from Time Warner while not having to work.
- Vince's one unachieved goal is to be a grandfather. Stephanie isn't married yet, but Shane's been married for five and a half years. Vince jokes that he might have to write up a diagram for Shane, as the interview comes to a close.