Vince McMahon Interview

Vince McMahon was interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter today to promote Wrestlemania XXV.

Some interesting highlights of the interview:

WHETHER WWE IS CONCERNED WITH TNA AS COMPETITION

"My concern with TNA is not in terms of competition. My concern with TNA is that they are TV-14, and we are PG. They have to change with the times. I think some of the things they do on television are reprehensible, but it is a TV-14 rating. That's the only bone I have to pick with them. Their TV ratings are a fraction of ours."

MMA AND UFC'S IMPACT ON WWE

"Most people thought at one point that we would be competitors. But it turns out they are not competition to us at all, or hardly at all. They are sport, we are entertainment; it's a huge difference. The revenue they have cut into is that of boxing."

TRIPLE H SLEDGEHAMMER DURING HOME INVASION OF RANDY ORTON

"Right. What we try to do in situations like that is use things that you can't find around the house. You will never see us use a baseball bat. You don't find folding metal chairs around the house. We are very selective. You can go up to the line. It's storytelling; that's how our business thrives. If you have well-defined characters and put them in the right story line against other characters, people care about their welfare."

Vince McMahon also discusses the use of celebrities at Wrestlemania, the idea of building regional stars for specific markets, the best international markets for the company, Wrestlemania XXV and more.

You can read the complete interview by clicking here.

McMahon Rejects Flair

It's official - Vince has said no


BACKGROUND STORY

Steve Austin wanted Ric Flair to induct him into the Hall of Fame. Ric Flair said that he was willing to do it. The fans wanted whatever Steve Austin wanted.

Unfortunately, though, it's not what Vince McMahon wants.

The Chairman of WWE has officially rejected a request from Steve Austin to allow Ric Flair to induct him at Wrestlemania 25.


RATTLESNAKE BITE

When Steve Austin first made the request, management was a bit hesitant to do it. There were some hard feelings towards Ric Flair for leaving the company. Plus, management didn't want to give him free exposure in case he decided to sign with TNA once his 1 year clause expired.

As somewhat of a consolation prize, Vince McMahon has invited Ric Flair to be at Wrestlemania 25 weekend.

Right now, the prime candidate to induct Steve Austin into the Hall of Fame is Vince McMahon himself.


FINAL THOUGHT

Given their history, Vince McMahon makes a better candidate to induct Steve Austin, rather than have Ric Flair, whom retired last year, re-enter the Hall of Fame arena and induct Austin.

Ninemsn's "Economic SmackDown"

You know you've made it big when Ninemsn Australia has featured an article on you.


McMAHON MSN

ninemsn.com.au has posted an article entitled "WWE cuts staff in Economic Smackdown', with some quotes from Linda McMahon (pictured above).

The article writes:

"...The company said it was slashing 10 per cent of its staff across all global operations to save an estimated $US8 million ($A11.22 million) annually."

"These efficiencies will help position the company for the long-term, by placing it in a stronger, more flexible position," said Linda McMahon, chief executive at WWE.

The company said it would take an estimated $US3 million ($A4.21 million) restructuring charge in the first quarter of 2009, part of efforts to cut its cost base by $US20 million ($A28.04 million) in 2009..."

To read the full article, Click here.