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COVID has been a challenging time for everyone, including the wrestling industry. Dealing with the difficulties caused by the arrival of a dangerous virus was not easy. However, the WWE leaders, just like the leaders of other sports organizations, knew that it was necessary to adapt.
A well-known name in the wrestling scene, John Bradshaw Layfield reflected on the challenges WWE faced during the pandemic, with an emphasis on the decisions of Vince McMahon, former boss.
The Something To Wrestle With podcast was an opportunity for JBL to reveal the details of their conversation. The WWE boss wanted a person with experience and a person with a recognizable voice. He knew Layfield was the right person for that.
“‘During COVID, Vince called me and he said, ‘I need an old voice on television. Are you coming?’ ‘You know I am.’ I said, ‘Where are you?’ He goes, ‘We’re in Orlando. We got no audience. I need an old voice, the old commentary, somebody that people recognize," he said, as quoted by Pwmania.
As a man with enormous experience and a person who has made controversial and interesting decisions for years, Vince had no problems adapting to the new conditions. Although his events were without a crowds, Vince analyzed things and wanted to get the most out of what was available to him. Did he succeed in that? Looking at the successes that the company recorded at that time, it is clear that the 79-year-old knew what he was doing.
His collaborators are also responsible for this, as they wanted their audience to still have the excitement factor, even though it was extremely difficult to create it in those conditions.
JBL reflected on the travels during that period. Most of the people were in great fear, aware of the danger that could follow. The popular wrestler points out that in that period the airports were empty and that he always wanted to sit in the back. The atmosphere was creepy, to say the least, but the 58-year-old didn't let that bother him.
‘I think I’m gonna sit in the back’, like 15 seats on both sides of you because you didn’t know what was going to happen back then. You didn’t know if the whole world is going to die or you’re going to get it and die. The atmosphere was one of fear and apprehension, as JBL describes, “Everybody thinks they’re going to die?”- he continued.
A lot of that didn't go in McMahon's favor, who was probably also worried about what might happen. The TV contracts he had could be lost, which would certainly be a disastrous thing for a company of such renown. Former boss thought for a long time about the right moves.
The experience factor was crucial in this case, although Vince had not faced such things before.
JBL revealed what was going on behind the scenes in WWE during that period, admitting that most were against Vince's running decisions, just as the press. However, when you've been doing this kind of work for years, you won't be able to get rid of everything easily.
McMahon seems to have done the right thing from this perspective; do you agree? After that, the king of the wrestling empire faced even bigger problems in his life, but regarding COVID, he showed that no situation can make him unprepared.
The 58-year-old wrestler expected that the value of company TV deals would drop, but the opposite happened. JBL believes that Vince saved the company, stressing that despite COVID they were ready to do great things and maintain the entertainment factor. Judging by the statements of this great wrestler, McMahon got billion-dollar TV contracts out of it. His premise that Vince saved the company makes a lot of sense.
What will the future of WWE look like?
Hopefully, the world will not face the same challenges in the future, because we have realized how difficult it is to function under such conditions. It was a period full of fear, uncertainty, but also sadness. Many lives were lost during that period, things were chaotic for everyone, and adapting was the only thing left.
Triple H became the new WWE boss, and a man who has not yet encountered similar challenges. We can say that Triple H is doing fantastic things so far, wanting to continue in the same steps as his predecessor.
Do you think Triple H also has the same capacity to deal with unforeseen situations in the future, or will he fail to do so?
First of all, we hope that there will be no unforeseen situations at all, and that this company will grow just as it has so far.
English (US)