Friday, March 29, 2024
EditorialWho Could Replace Vince Mcmahon As Head Of WWE?

Who Could Replace Vince Mcmahon As Head Of WWE?

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8 Real Contenders To Replace Vince Mcmahon As Head Of WWE


Vince McMahon and the WWE are almost one of the same thing. The
chairman of the sports entertainment empire has overseen four decades in
which he transformed the WWF from regional territory into the global
sensation we now know as WWE. More than any wrestler ever contributed to
pro wrestling, it has been Vince McMahon’s force of personality and
business bravery which has really escalated the industry into being the
success story it stands as.
The man’s cult of personality bears similarities to that of Rupert
Murdoch at News Corp, a guiding force over a company who you can’t
really imagine not heading up the brand. Murdoch at 83 shows no signs of
slowing down his leadership of News Corp and 21st Century Fox, so might
we expect 69 year old Vince McMahon to be around for a couple of
decades yet as chairman and CEO of WWE?
In reality, the question of what happens to the WWE when Vince
McMahon retires is far more pressing. He has looked much older in the
last couple of years and will turn 70 years old this august.. Whether it’s on his
mind to leave or not, it’s certainly on the mind of the wider world. The
Wrestling Observer in fact reported it as “concern” over what will
happen to WWE if something happens to Vince. If this question is being
asked, then perhaps the boss finishing up is closer than many realise.
Here are the current 8 contenders most tipped by the industry to take
over…

#8 Linda Mcmahon

Before we get into the main list of
contenders, let’s imagine if it wasn’t a case of replacing Vince in the
near future, but a case of replacing Vince immediately.
When that previously happened, in 1993 when Vince became embroiled in
the steroid trial, it was Linda McMahon who stepped in as president of
the WWF. Having developed the WWF as a brand from 1980, she was more
than capable of managing the company, having proved herself multiple
times as a savvy corporate businesswoman. She was the key executive to
push product merchandising, and a key negotiator in WWF’s 2000 deal with
Viacom.
Would she be able to step in again at short notice? Linda is away
from the WWE right now, recovering from her failed senate bid. She would
be unlikely to resume a heavy duty corporate role aged 66, but if she
was up to the challenges of being a senator, she could certainly be game
to come back to the WWE if husband Vince needed to instantly leave the
company. She is arguably the safest transition of power the WWE could
make.

#7 George Barrios

George Barrios is one of the most vital cogs in WWE, operating in the
role of Chief Strategy And Financial Officer. He is essentially Vince
McMahon’s numbers guy, a full on corporate player concerned with
strategy and finance. He joined the WWE in 2008 and has consistently
emerged as one of the most important men in the company — he was front
and centre of the Network launch.
The Wrestling Observer lists Barrios as one of the potential
candidates to replace Vince as the top business guy, however, it’s an
outside bet. Barrios has questions over his understanding of the modern
media landscape, and even more questions over his actual knowledge of
pro wrestling. He in fact probably knows very little about wrestling, in
fairness his job is as a businessman not a promoter. It should also be
pointed out, his knowledge of the modern media landscape can’t be any
worse than Vince’s.
It is one of the lesser likely Vince replacements, but the fact that
the Observer includes Barrios in the discussion of McMahon’s successor,
it at least means there’s a chance of the WWE CFO progressing to the top
spot. The biggest detriment to Barrios progressing could end up hinging
on the success of the Network, he seems a possible fall guy should the
Network be deemed a failure.

#6 Michelle Wilson

As chief revenue and marketing officer, Michelle Wilson is hugely
important to WWE. We witnessed her value to WWE during the launch of the
Network when she stood forefront to talk through the product from a
business industry perspective. Much like Barrios, her neck is considered
to be on the line if the Network fails. She is also a potential
scapegoat if WWE fail to double domestic TV rights revenues.
However, achieve success in these areas and Wilson will be adding to
an already great personal development within WWE. She is seen internally
as the person who has driven the WWE’s development of WrestleMania and
Summerslam in the last few years. It was Wilson who made these events a
multi day extravaganza that worked with host cities to create a revenue
boosting series of days. It was also Wilson who has been the chief
developer of sponsor and brand relations, the WWE has became far more of
a corporate dealer on her watch.
The Wrestling Observer mentions her in their discussion of who could
replace Vince, so from an insider industry perspective, she has a
chance. The big question mark would be her actual wrestling knowledge.
She’s a businesswoman, not a wrestling promoter. In that respect she
could never fully replicate Vince McMahon’s leadership.

#5 Shane Mcmahon

Much like mother Linda, Shane McMahon is currently operating outside
of the WWE, and is not one of the names mentioned in the Wrestling
Observer report. However, he shouldn’t be completely ruled out as a
contender to replace father Vince, in fact it was the position he was
being groomed for during the late 90’s / early 2000’s.
Leaving the WWE in 2009 he has arguably strengthened his position to
act as a future WWE CEO. He gained invaluable external perspective in
his time away from the company, acting as CEO for China Broadband Inc
and sitting on the board of International Sports Management. He
currently acts as chairman for YOU on demand, a role that would seem to
qualify him for a future position such as chairman and CEO of WWE.
His CV makes him more than qualified. Within WWE he was a key deal
maker for international television and brand development, in addition to
having wrestling in his blood. He knows the industry as well as anyone.
On paper he looks a great candidate to return to the WWE as leader, but
right now, he remains an outsider. Maybe the fan favourite

#4 Stephanie Mcmahon

Stephanie McMahon would have been higher on this list a few years
ago, she was long seen as Vince’s natural successor, the sister  who
outed brother Shane as the future of the WWE. At this point in time
however, Stephanie is reportedly taking a step back. The Wrestling
Observer confirms this, as does the fact she took a step down in 2013 to
become chief brand officer. This was a withdraw from her previous
positions as executive vice president for creative. Instead she now
focuses on her work promoting the WWE and acting as a character on Raw.
The other big thing she focuses on is being a mother. Stephanie has
three kids and is enjoying her family life.
Judging from the way things are right now, Stephanie is right there
in the mix to succeed Vince, but is also contented in her current
status. The ball is really in her court to if she really wants to
elevate herself further in the company.

#3 An Outsider

The WWE is big business, when Vince goes, the replacement may not
even come from within WWE. It isn’t so much about prerequisites of the
wrestling world, it is the necessitates of the corporate world which
will be most valued. That means the WWE may look to the outside for its
next great leader, looking to the big players within other huge empires
such as Disney. The ultimate successor to Vince may be brought in to the
company within the next few years before taking the reigns off Vince
further down the line. It’s vital that whoever manages a company the
size of WWE has the solid character and experience, right now when you
look within WWE you just don’t see that corporate candidate emerging.
The other way an outsider could take over is if an external company
bought WWE. There isn’t much of a belief that Vince would sell his
controlling ownership, but it shouldn’t be ruled out. If the McMahon
family don’t feel like they can extend their efforts, they might be
willing to cash in their chips and enjoy the bountiful fruits of their
billion dollar empire. The recent AMC merger / buyout rumours came to
nothing, but for the first time in a long time, it got people talking
about the idea of a WWE without a McMahon.

#2 Paul Levesque (HHH)

Paul Levesque is just about finished his run as pro wrestler Triple
H. The thirteen time world champion turns 46 this year and has already
became heavily involved in the business side of WWE. As Executive vice
president for talent / live events, Levesque is one of the most key WWE
operatives there is. He has been getting personally developed by Vince
for years now for a major business role, so it looks like he will
advance further still. In saying that, the industry does not see
Levesque as someone who could be a future CEO of the public company.
He lacks experience in management and has never faced the level of
responsibility required at Vince’s status. His real attributes are in
wrestling knowledge, which are beneficial, but also a negative to the
skills desired at the management level. Vince can train Levesque up all
he likes, but when it comes down to it, he very possibly just won’t have
what it takes to get the job done as a business person.

#1 Vince Mcmahon

Despite reported concerns over his successor and the mixed positives /
negatives of these contenders, there’s a chance it won’t become an
issue for another decade at least. You can’t help but get the feeling
that Vince McMahon is just that kind of guy, obsessive about his
business, living his life through his job. Retirement may never be on
Vince’s mind, his current role as Chairman and CEO could continue until
his last day on earth.
Yes, he will turn 70 this year, but as a billionaire he can afford
everything he needs to stay healthy. He very well could be another
Rupert Murdoch, working a full day well into his 80’s as the cult like
figurehead of his brand. McMahon’s pride and work ethic will surely
carry him further yet. CM Punk noted in last year that Vince is usually up
around 4am working. He has more vitality than most men in their primes.
There have been some health concerns in the past, as well as a history
of muscle surgeries and physical wear, but Vince looks healthier than
most people his age.
Personally, I wouldn’t be totally shocked to see Vince around for
years to come. Assuming he enjoys good health, why not? He has billions
of dollars, but nothing can buy him the thrill he gets from his work.
One thing McMahon may choose to do is stop travelling the road, instead
opting to run WWE from the base of company headquarters in Connecticut
with Paul Levesque (Triple H) assuming his backstage roles.
Don’t be completely surprised if ten years from now we are still talking about Vince McMahon as the boss of the WWE.

What do you guys think? Please leave your thoughts/opinions below.

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