Vince McMahon Retires

For the first time in thirty plus years Vince McMahon will not be in charge of World Wrestling Entertainment. Vince would take control of the family business in 1983 when he brought the company from his father. In 1984, the national expansion would commence with Hulk Hogan earmarked as Vince's guy to build the promotion around. In January 1984, Hulkamania was born and with Vince McMahon at the helm the then WWF began see an enormous growth in popularity. 

Vince McMahon had the opportunity to construct a roster like you don't always get the chance to see, but the formula remained. Early on, the formula was a series of matches and each top heel would get the chance to go on a run with Bruno Sammartino. Hulk Hogan would then be fed monsters to slay like One Man Gang, King Kong Bundy, Andre The Giant, and others. Vince would allow the formula to take hold and the popularity would reach it's peak in 1987 with Wrestlemania 3 at the Silverdome in Michigan. 

From the Rock N Wrestling era to a "New Generation" to an era of Attitude one thing remained the same Vince was at the helm. Vince McMahon was able to guide the WWE through good times and bad with just a flick of the wrist. Vince guided the company out of the darkest periods and almost going bankrupt in the 1990's to becoming a juggernaut on the backs of Steve Austin, Undertaker, Mick Foley and The Rock. A lot can be said about the "Ruthless Aggression" era and the "PG Era" but even the best hit the wall. Vince wasn't planning ahead anymore and a lot of people said it had to do with the lack of competition well that isn't the only reason. Vince wouldn't abandon the thinking that had served so well for so many years in favor of the thinking that was poisonings his company.  

Vince didn't want to make a plan and stick to it and I do think the fact that WWE is a public company has a lot to do with that and the impatience of shareholders who have millions tied up in the a business they think they understand. Honestly, Vince is and will always be a workaholic, but even the most inhuman men need to tap out and say I need a break. Vince is almost seventy-seven years old and has been in charge of the largest company in pro-wrestling for over thirty years nobody would blame him to say it's time. Enjoy his life, spend time with family and be a grandfather finally get the chance to relax instead of just hustling. The recent actions of Vince McMahon with the hush money and random events that have come to light does damage his reputation. However, I can differentiate between that and his lifelong accomplishments. Vince has needed to step back for a bit and learn how to delegate his power to others and help take the pressure off him, but he never did. I think Vince should've stepped back a bit for the last few years and I'm glad he had the chance to walk away on his own. 

Thank you Vince for the memories and everything you've done to bring the wrestling business to the position it's in now. Right now though it's time for you to sit back and just live your life. Leave the world of dealing with shareholders and worrying about profits or the bottom line, because you've earned a break and to leave the company you built on your terms. Thank you for the legacy and everything you've done, but your time has come to walk away.