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This August, WWE chairman Vince McMahon turns 70 years old. But don’t let this opening sentence be the basis of the argument stated within the title; rather, it is a statement designed to emphasise that despite hitting an age that most would have long since retired by, Vince remains in total control of WWE, as much as he has since taking the reins of what was the WWF way back in 1982. But is it time for a change?
Let’s begin by acknowledging the incredible success of McMahon’s stint in charge of WWE. This is not just about Vince being a successful promoter of this one organisation; this is a man who revolutionised and forever changed the professional wrestling industry. Pre-1982, pro wrestling in America was territorial and was popular outside of the United States as well (particularly here in the UK), but no one US organisation was a truly national operation (the NWA World Champion roamed many territories, but the NWA itself essentially did not), never mind international, and wrestling was considered to be a “sport”, even if most sports did not see the main star covered in blood after being rammed into a steel cage. Wrestling attracted older audiences, mainly, in smoke-filled and dimly-lit arenas. In short, wrestling was popular – and could attract huge crowds, depending on the match and the area – but in hindsight, it could easily have fallen apart had it not modernised and offered something more than what it had done, essentially since the early 20th century.
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