Vince McMahon, the former WWE Chairman, is notorious for his unwavering approach to creating stars in the wrestling industry.
With a career spanning over 40 years, McMahon has been instrumental in shaping the careers of some of the biggest names in WWE history, including Hulk Hogan, John Cena, The Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
However, according to Vince Russo, one of McMahon’s former head writers, the 78-year-old’s approach to talent scouting was far from nurturing.
Russo, who worked closely with McMahon during the late 1990s when RAW was consistently drawing record-breaking ratings, revealed that McMahon would often rely on legendary commentator Jim Ross to recommend up-and-coming wrestlers.
Once these talents were signed to a contract, McMahon would observe them from a distance, making quick decisions on whether they had the potential to become megastars. If McMahon didn’t see it, Russo explained, “this guy is never going to get over.”
McMahon’s focus was solely on main-event talent, with little interest in mid-card performers. He wasn’t looking for “good little hands” but rather stars who could carry the company on their shoulders.
Russo believes that McMahon’s instincts were unmatched, and if he didn’t think someone had star power, they were unlikely to change his mind.
Russo drew parallels between his own approach to judging character and McMahon’s ruthless mindset. “I feel like I’m kinda the same thing,” Russo said. “I can look at somebody and say, ‘Bro, that dude’s gonna get over, and that guy’s never gonna go over,’ and that’s how Vince was.” This mentality has led to many wrestlers being overlooked or underutilized during their time in WWE.
The question remains: should McMahon have given wrestlers more time to prove themselves? While it’s impossible to know for certain, it’s clear that McMahon’s approach has yielded some incredible results.
The likes of John Cena and The Rock wouldn’t be where they are today without McMahon’s guidance and vision.
However, it’s also important to acknowledge that this approach may have led to talented wrestlers being overlooked or cast aside. As the wrestling terrain continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how future generations of promoters and bookers approach talent scouting and development.
Ultimately, Vince McMahon’s ruthless mindset has left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling. Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that McMahon knows
