Vince McMahon

Trivia

• McMahon was hired by his father, Vince McMahon Sr., owner of the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, as a WWWF announcer (replacing the retiring Ray Morgan).
• In June 1982, McMahon purchased the World Wrestling Federation from his father, who decided to retire from the wrestling business.
• The at one time World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) was a regionally based promotion in the northeast. McMahon taped his wrestling shows and distributed them nationwide.
• The new owner of the WWF moved beyond his "territory." The WWF received national recognition, leading to Wrestlemania in March 1985. Celebrities such as Mohammed Ali, Liberace, and baseball's Billy Martin turned the extravaganza into a media spectacle.
• The crowning of the WWF as a national powerhouse came in March 1987 at Wrestlemania III. Over 78,000 fans jammed the Pontiac Silverdome (just outside of Detroit), to witness Hulk Hogan defeat the legendary Andre the Giant.
• McMahon continued his commenting duties, serving as the lead announcer for pay
• views, Saturday Night's Main Event specials, and on weekly WWF television.
• In November 1993, McMahon was charged with steroid distribution. McMahon stood trial in 1994, but was ultimately acquitted.
• With his WWF struggling in the cable ratings to Ted Turner's WCW, McMahon made the decision to change the direction of the product from a G-rated cartoon to a more risqué style in the fall of 1997.
• On November 9, 1997, at the Survivor Series in Montreal, McMahon perpetuated the infamous "double cross." Bret Hart, then WWF champion, squared off against hated rival Shawn Michaels. When Michaels put Hart in his own sharpshooter, referee Earl Hebner (on McMahon's cue) called for the bell, and a new champion was announced.