Vince McMahon was "unafraid to burn down the existing structures" in wrestling. He took a big risk, he said this world as it exists is not one that I can profit maximally from; so let's just bring about the end of the world. Vince really got lucky with Saturday Night Live host Steve Landesburg being replaced by Hulk Hogan and Mr. T at WrestleMania 1.
If you hate Vince McMahon, then maybe you’ll buy a tee-shirt for his rival. And that’s a great outcome for the WWE.
Abraham Josephine Riesman is the author of “Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America.” Ricky Mulvey caught up with Riesman to discuss:
- Vince McMahon’s early life as a “pretty nice kid”, and the parts of his story he doesn’t want wrestling fans to know. - WWE’s potential deal with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. - The Montreal Screwjob, and the groundwork for the modern WWE. - A story about Saddam Hussein’s side job as a wrestling promoter, Andre the Giant, and a golden gun.
Company discussed: WWE
Host: Ricky Mulvey Guest: Abraham Josephine Riesman Engineer: Dan Boyd
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