WWE Chairman Vince McMahon appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday, his first sit-down interview in nearly 10 years. Here is what he had to say.
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon rarely does sit-down interviews, with his last being a guest on “The Stone Cold Podcast” with Steve Austin in 2014. It came as a shock to many when it was announced on the Feb. 25 edition of SmackDown that McMahon would be appearing on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday, March 3, and that he would be speaking to the sports media star in-person.
Given McMahon’s sparse amount of sit-down interviews of the year and reports of him having a match at WrestleMania 38 at the age of 76, this was an anticipated occasion. Here is everything noteworthy that McMahon said during his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
Vince McMahon on evolution of WWE and WrestleMania
WrestleMania 38 is nearly a month away, set to take place in AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, on Apr. 2-3. McAfee asked McMahon if he ever envisioned WWE becoming the company that it is.
Vince McMahon on perception
Given that McMahon is the Chairman of WWE, he is the subject of praise and scrutiny among the media and the wrestling fanbase. When asked if he listens to the news, McMahon said that he does not, and that no matter what he says, it’s likely not going to change a person’s opinion of him.
Vince McMahon announces he will be inducting The Undertaker in WWE Hall of Fame
In the past month, WWE announced that they will be inducting The Undertaker into their Hall of Fame during WrestleMania weekend. Many were wondering who would induct him.
McAfee teased huge news, and McMahon revealed that he would be the one to induct The Undertaker at the Hall of Fame Ceremony on Friday, Apr. 1.
Vince McMahon on competition
McAfee asked McMahon about competition, specifically bringing up All Elite Wrestling and how they announced the purchase of Ring of Honor on Wednesday. McMahon said that he enjoys confrontation and that he relishes it.
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Vince McMahon on WWE releases and pushes of certain talent
McAfee asked McMahon about how difficult it is to make some decisions, like determining which superstars get the big push and which ones are ultimately released from their contracts.
Since 2020, there were over 100 talents released from their deals, nearly 80 alone in 2021.
McMahon said that those decisions are not made out of ego, but for what is best for the business. He also says that the choices to cut talent is not done personally, and he understands that the vitriol has to head somewhere.
Vince McMahon on daily routine
McMahon was asked by McAfee if he has a set daily routine, to which he said he does not. But he did say that he starts training at 1:30 a.m. and finishes around 3:00 a.m. McMahon says he works out more for his head than his body.
Vince McMahon offers Pat McAfee a WrestleMania 38 match
Just when the interview was about to wrap, McMahon made an offer to McAfee. That very offer was if the sports media star wanted to compete in a match at WrestleMania 38, to which McAfee accepted.
McMahon said that he will find an opponent for McAfee.
McAfee does have two matches under his belt with WWE’s NXT brand. McAfee competed against Adam Cole at TakeOver 30 in 2020, and led Team McAfee (McAfee, Pete Dunne, Danny Burch, Oney Lorcan) against the Undisputed Era (Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Bobby Fish, Roderick Strong) in a WarGames match later that year.
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