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Vince McMahon had everything to gain. Inheriting his fathers company was the start of a long lasting career. You can say Vince was fed a silver spoon, but you cannot deny the way he transformed the business into just that: a million dollar industry. He had an incredible roster to work with, wrestlers from NWA who already had a following. What really defines Vince as a visionary is the attitude era. The mid to late 90s in wrestling was such a crucial time. Wrestling was being used by the teenagers of America as a way to rebel against the system. Wrestling was our rock and roll. It was a form of expression and art. It was a subculture, the antithesis to the mainstream culture being shoved down our throats.
Now, Vince doesn't deserve all the credit. He would be nowhere without pioneers and mic masters like the Undertaker, Mankind, and Stone Cold. These wrestlers weren't known for being the best technical wrestlers but their ability to connect with the audience to build a story and fan base was incredible. Something Vince couldn't compete with, so he ran with it. Vince didn't want to make himself look bad in the story line, unless it ultimately made him more money and earned more grandeur reviews. So he let Stone cold make him the evil corporate heel. It was genius, but Vince also thought he could make this last forever. He started losing an audience after the attitude era faded out, and after he made wrestling more of a pg sport entertainment entity, and less of a rock and roll entertainment spectacle. Wrestling isn't relatable anymore.
The definition of masculinity has shifted in society. Vince is over doing it with the muscle heads. He needs to have wrestlers who are good actors on the mic who can win over fans, and can create real controversies. Stop casting Brock Lesnar wannabes. Bring back the Mankinds and the X-Pac's. And Vince needs to let the wrestlers be themselves. Blocking the wrestlers from showing personality hinders the wrestlers visions from becoming realities. Don't say you can't repeat trends in a similar way, because that's all the music business ever does. And they make billions. ~Mark Fuhrer (Marijuana and wrestling enthusiast, professional songwriter)
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