Vince McMahon

Vince McMahon: biography

Vincent "Vince" McMahon who was born on August 24, 1945 is an American businessman, wrestling promoter and former wrestler. After serving as the chairman and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (better known as WWE) for the past 40 years, McMahon announced his retirement from the company in July 2022. He decided to return to WWE as a board member in January 2023.

Childhood and youth

The wrestling legend hails from the village of Pinehurst, North Carolina. His father, Vincent, lived separately and started spending time with his son only when he was in his early teens. McMahon was raised by his mother and several stepfathers. One of them was an abusive man, and little Vince had to learn how to defend himself pretty early in life. He earned a degree in business.

Business career

In the 70s, McMahon began working for Capitol Wrestling Corporation. The company was founded by his grandfather and run by his father. Vince eventually convinced him to rename it World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He became chairman of WWF in 1980. During the next decade, McMahon, who bought the company in 1982, transformed the regionally-run venture into a nationally known business. He incorporated rock music and celebrities, and made wrestlers family-friendly stars. WWF was renamed WWE in 2002.

Wrestling career

From 1971 until 1997 Vince was a wrestling commentator. He made his debut as a professional wrestler in January 1999. One of his first matches was against a wrestler known as Stone Cold, who would become McMahon's long-time critic and rival. Vince became a champion by the end of the year. During his career as a wrestler, he defeated such top names as Ken Shamrock, The Undertaker and John Cena.

Personal life

The star and his wife, Linda, met as teenagers and married in 1966. The couple has two kids. Shane McMahon is a wrestler and producer. His sister, Stephanie, is a retired professional wrestler and a businesswoman who held various roles in WWE. In July 2022, news media reported that Vince and Linda McMahon separated after 56 years of marriage.

Vince was close friends with fellow wrestler Andre the Giant, and was deeply affected by his death in 1993. He is also friends with Bret Hart, with whom he previously had a years-long feud, but eventually reconciled.

Actor Adam Ray portrayed young McMahon in the 2021 TV series Young Rock, which tells about the rise of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.

In 2017, it was announced that a biopic about Vince's life titled Pandemonium is currently in production. As of January 2023, the film is still not finished.

In July 2022, it became known that the WWE legend is currently shopping for a book deal for his memoir.

Filmography

• Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery (2014)
• The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown! (2015)

As a voice actor:

• Camp WWE (2016)
• Scooby-Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon (2016)
• Surf's Up 2: WaveMania (2017)
• The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania! (2017)

Championships and accomplishments

The retired wrestler is a one-time WWF and ECW World champion. Vince also holds many Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards, including Best Booker and Feud of the Year.