11 things to know about Vince McMahon

The Chairman steps down

(AP Photo/Richard Drew)

The Chairman of the Board at WWE and the most influential man in the history of professional wrestling/sports entertainment Vince McMahon announced his retirement on Friday. As he steps down, we’re looking back at his time inside and outside the ring, including these benchmarks in his life and career…

1. Pirates man

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Vince McMahon was born in North Carolina and graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in business in 1968.

2. His debut in the wrestling world came in the 1960s

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In 1969, McMahon made his debut as an in-ring announcer for the WWWF’s All-Star Wrestling. He later became the play-by-play commentator for television matches after replacing Ray Morgan in 1971.

3. He created a monumental event in 1985

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McMahon pushed all his chips to the center of the table in 1985 when he created WrestleMania. The first event took place at Madison Square Garden and has become a transcendent piece of the annual calendar of sports and entertainment.

4. He was man behind the now widely used genre

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McMahon was the person who lifted the curtain on whether professional wrestling was real or fake/scripted. In doing so, he created the term and genre of sports entertainment.

5. Out with the old, in with the new

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The World Wrestling Federation became World Wrestling Entertainment on May 5, 2002, after the company lost a bitter battle with the World Wildlife Fund.

6. He pushed boundaries beyond the wrestling ring

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McMahon and his juggernaut attempted to branch outside sports entertainment. He started a bodybuilding foundation, a record label, had books published on WWE talent, and opened a restaurant/entertainment venue in Times Square. He also launched a football league, the XFL, twice. The first version lasted a year before being scuttled. The second went five weeks before ending due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has also produced movies that featured WWE talent in starring roles.

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7. Family man

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He has been married to his wife Linda for many years and has children Shane and Stephanie. Everyone at one point or another had a role internally on the business end of the company, and in creative, shows that featured WWE programming.

8. He was on the losing end of the an infamous bet with Donald Trump

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McMahon famously had his head shaved by Donald Trump after a WrestleMania 23 match. The stipulation was that Trump or McMahon would lose their hair if the wrestler they were backing lost the match. Bobby Lashley defeated Umaga.

9. He could hold his own in the ring — as a competitor

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Overall, Mr. McMahon, his character/person, wrestled numerous times. He won 30 matches and lost 22. He was a two-time world champion, having won the WWF Championship and ECW World Championship. He was also the winner of the 1999 Royal Rumble.

10. His most famous rivalry was …

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McMahon had famous rivalries, the most heated and transcendent were his battles with Stone Cold Steve Austin. That time period sent the company to historic heights.

11. His legacy in wrestling is unmatched

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Whether you liked him or not, Vince McMahon changed the entire world of professional wrestling. He ended the time of territories in the business by buying up each one and turned the WWE into a national and international juggernaut.

From McMahon:

“As I approach 77 years old, I feel it’s time for me to retire as Chairman and CEO of WWE,” McMahon said in a statement. “Throughout the years, it’s been a privilege to help WWE bring you joy, inspire you, thrill you, surprise you, and always entertain you.

“I would like to thank my family for mightily contributing to our success, and I would also like to thank all of our past and present Superstars and employees for their dedication and passion for our brand.”

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