We doubt if many fans and critics had a good feeling when it was announced that Vince McMahon appearing on WWE Smackdown on June 17 as Mr. McMahon.
We thought he was going to comment on the current investigation and allegations and try to play the usual “Vince vs. the World” type of angle.
Thankfully, he didn’t. At least, not as much as he has in the past when he’s been faced with a challenge.
Previously, he’s always portrayed himself and/or the WWE as the underdog striving to survive or being bullied by others. Sometimes he was right, sometimes he wasn’t.
To quote Dutch Mantell on Instagram: “Vince McMahon said absolutely nothing tonight on #SMACKDOWN but his appearance sent a message. His appearance stated that ‘he’s sticking his flag in the ground and he’s going to fight’. Odd response, but he’s not backing away. Gotta give him credit for that.”
Vince is known for standing his ground and fighting, and it appears he’s going to that with this challenge as well.
Backstage dissension
Vince came out to open the show and proceeded to talk about the privilege of being in front of the WWE Universe, especially in Minnesota and quoted the opening video with “Then. Now. Forever. And most importantly, together.”
He closed it up by welcoming us to Smackdown, tossed his mic and left the ring, but he was sure to high five a couple of fans at ringside as he left and the show started.
Wrestlinginc.com shared a report from Fightful Select on how backstage reactions to Vince’s opening ranged from confused to disappointed to enraged. Special thanks to wreslinginc.com for he quotes.
They claim a top talent said it was “tone-deaf and embarrassing” and “It was his way of putting himself on screen as a power move to lessen the impact of an investigation’s findings.”
A former WWE wrestler reportedly said: “I’m happy it didn’t last long, so I didn’t have to sit through whatever bullsh– he was going to say. But it shows that he has no accountability, especially when something is directly his fault.”
Another that currently works for Vince and was backstage was “enraged” and “incredulous” as it happened.
They also reported that the segment wasn’t what was planned that morning and wasn’t included on the show’s rundown that was released at 7:50 p.m.
What do you think about Vince’s segment? Let us know in the comments below.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get The Overtimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
