In the ever-evolving spectacle of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), few names have been as synonymous with the sport’s highs and lows as Vince McMahon. The former Chairman and CEO’s influence on professional wrestling is unparalleled, but not without its controversies. Dutch Mantell, a seasoned veteran of the WWE and former on-screen manager, recently shed light on a less glamorous aspect of McMahon’s legacy: his tumultuous relationship with the creative team.
The Strain Behind the Spectacle
Mantell, who graced WWE’s ringside as Zeb Colter from 2013 to 2016, managing icons like Jack Swagger and Alberto Del Rio, delved into his experiences on “Story Time with Dutch Mantell”. One of the more jarring revelations was McMahon’s propensity for demanding last-minute rewrites from his creative team, often laced with harsh criticism and threats of termination.
“See, it’s hard for me to believe that Vince McMahon, major owner of WWE, yet at the same time when creative would give him their ideas, he would say just say rewrite the thing,” Mantell recounted. The pressure to overhaul entire shows mere hours before broadcast put immense strain on the writers, sapping their morale and creativity. “Vince just cussed them all out in a meeting, told them they were stupid. He wasn’t beyond that. He’d call them stupid, ignorant and he should fire all of them.”
A Renaissance Post-McMahon?
Despite the fraught environment McMahon fostered, his recent step back has led to a noticeable improvement in WWE’s programming, particularly on SmackDown. Under new leadership, the blue brand has experienced what Mantell describes as a renaissance, transforming from “hard to watch” to a showcase of wrestling talent that fans eagerly anticipate each week.
Still saying setup to fool Roman Reigns and take everything away from him. No more Vince McMahon there to protect Reigns. End of an era? https://t.co/VINyLcV4yr
— Virtue (@NoDQ_Virtue) March 26, 2024
“It was hard to watch. But now since they moved Vince, both shows have got better. If nothing else, that proves how much creative can do,” Mantell observed. The shift away from McMahon’s direct oversight has not only revitalized WWE’s content but has also highlighted the creative team’s potential when allowed to operate without fear of capricious critique.
The Legacy of Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon‘s role in transforming WWE into a global phenomenon is indisputable. However, stories like Mantell’s offer a nuanced view of his leadership, marked by moments of brilliance as well as episodes of contention. As WWE marches into a new era, the reflections on McMahon’s tenure serve as a reminder of the complexities behind the curtain of professional wrestling.
In the world of WWE, where the lines between performance and reality blur, the drama behind the scenes can be as compelling as the stories unfolding in the ring. As the company continues to evolve, the legacy of Vince McMahon’s reign will undoubtedly remain a topic of discussion among fans and insiders alike, a testament to his indelible impact on the sport of professional wrestling.
