Analysis: A look At WWE Sans Vince McMahon

Despite what some might think, Vince McMahon is not going to live forever.

While the angle on Monday Night Raw was not exactly the truth, Triple H will be taking over many day-to-day operations from his father-in-law, the chairman and CEO of WWE, at some point in the near future. Sooner rather than later. What does this mean for all parties involved? Why don’t we take a look?

VINCE MCMAHON — The man who never sleeps will scale back his workload in the next few years, without a doubt. Then again, this is a guy that works about 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so his “scaled-back” job would probably make most normal human beings gasp. In the near future, he will be a great resource for WWE since he is the one man who has literally seen everything in both his own company and the industry over time. He has been at the helm at WWE’s greatest successes and its greatest failures. He will be a vital component to getting the deal done to launch the WWE Network, and when the time comes, to seal a deal for the physical WWE Hall of Fame. He will be important in dealing with familiar networks, sponsors and partners. Vince McMahon has a lifetime of experience in the wrestling industry, so it would be foolish (not to mention plausibly impossible) for WWE to just “move on.” Aside from all of this, he is simply never going to retire as long as he is healthy.

PAUL “TRIPLE H” LEVESQUE — Once Shane McMahon left WWE, it became apparent that Vince’s son-in-law would become the heir apparent. In my view, Triple H is a good person to take over the day-to-day operations of WWE. He is a longtime fan of the industry and has worked in the company since the mid-1990s. Since marrying Stephanie McMahon in 2003, Triple H has become more involved in all aspects of the company and is presently heading up the talent development department. As for immediate changes, I wouldn’t expect much drastic change, but with a different person at the helm comes a different philosophy. There could be a much different style in terms of talent recruitment and who gets pushed.


STEPHANIE MCMAHON LEVESQUE — Vince’s daughter and Triple H’s wife is said to have many of the traits of her “old man.” Stephanie has been working in WWE for a very long time and consistently since she got out of college. At times, Stephanie has been an excellent on-screen performer, although she sometimes gets criticized for her lack of experience in terms of actual wrestling. She seems more than willing to learn what she doesn’t know since she clearly has the McMahon work ethic.

SHANE MCMAHON — Is currently out of the pro wrestling business and is on the Board of Directors for International Sports Management, which represents pro golfers such as Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke. He is also the CEO and Chariman of YOU On Demand, an on-demand service of cable and broadband services for China. I find it unlikely that Shane would return to WWE if he does not have a big role and if he is not in a position of power.

LINDA MCMAHON — The former CEO — and wife of VInce McMahon — is also out of the wrestling business and is mulling over another Congressional run. Her role while she contemplates a political career will have to be advisory at best and non-existent at worst. I don’t fully know what the impact of Linda no longer being part of the company is, but when your husband is Vince McMahon, your daughter is Stephanie and your son-in-law is Triple H, I doubt that your ever that far out of the wrestling business.

OTHER EXECUTIVES — When Vincent Kennedy McMahon took over the company from his father, Vincent J. McMahon in 1982 after working for the company since 1971 as a promoter and announcer, he promised to give consistent and lifetime employment to the elder McMahon's top confidants: Freddie Blassie, as well as Gorilla Monsoon and Arnold Skaaland, the latter two who eached owned a piece of the company. I would think this would be the same type deal for McMahon and Triple H even if it is not implicitly stated. Vince’s top confidants in his time at WWE would appear to be longtime employees Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco and company vice president Kevin Dunn, as well as possibly legendary ring announcer Howard Finkel. As for every other aspect of the company, I’d think that creative honchos Brian Gewirtz and Michael Hayes would have every opportunity to stay in the company. John Laurinaitis, as Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, probably has the most thankless job in WWE, and many of his duties are now performed by Triple H.

source: poughkeepsiejournal.com