WWE and Its Lack of Central Authority: Where Is The Man in Charge?

Jack Tunney, Gorilla Monsoon, Sgt. Slaughter, Roddy Piper, would-be Senator Linda McMahon, Shawn Michaels, Mick Foley, Steve Austin, William  Regal, Eric Bischoff, Paul Heyman, Mike Adamle, Shane McMahon, Ric Flair and even supposedly, Donald Trump.

Wrestling has always had a central figure of authority. But perhaps none more successful than Vincent Kennedy McMahon.

Whereas the vast majority of those named were faces and simply made matches and resolved conflicts, McMahon played a character that helped shape the Attitude Era. Playing opposite Steve Austin, much of what was successful in this era, was as a result of how McMahon and Stone Cold interacted, thus selling the angle.

The role of Commissioner, President or General Manager gives an element of continuity to a wrestling programme. At any point in the show, they can announce a match or introduce a stipulation and the fans will largely accept the decision. They are the man or woman in charge.

However wrestling seems to be lacking in these figures at present. With the absence of the McMahons and JR, from commentary, there is no one left to offer an informed opinion or represent the authority of power.

Its almost as if no-one is actually in charge.

Even before he became the 'evil boss', Vince McMahon was the man in charge. He remains so today. However the lack of presence in wrestling and in particular the lack of a really good heel, means that the future role of General Manager is important.

On Smackdown, Teddy Long represents the traditional GM, but its often Vickie Guerrero who steals the show with her Excuse Me Promos. Leaving her wrestling ability and that 'frog splash' to one side, her ability to energise a crowd is impressive. Her links with Eddie means that she will always have respect from the WWE universe though this might ultimately limit her heel ability.

And so as the identity of the Raw General Manager is closer to being revealed, the need for an acceptable heel leader is required. Maybe utilising the forces of the Nexus or a heel John Cena, the Manager should be there to lead the programme and bring a sense of direction to the programme.

The GM should have the supposed role of making matches but more importantly the actual role of selling angles and creating new characters. The return of Vince McMahon is unlikely but that example shows just how effective the GM can be.

In TNA Bischoff and Hogan are playing the role badly. Doing little for their money and eating up valuable airtime. Being neither controversial nor innovative. With their experience and with the talent in the organisation, they could have made that role, one of the best in wrestling today. And yet each promo sounds like those given in WCW with Hogan still in the 1980s with around 5-10 'brothers', and 'dudes' in each sentence.

The GM story in the WWE was not planned. The problems with Bret's insurance meant that the WWE has had to adapt. And whereas it has done so well at times, as with Undertaker's injury, with the GM angle, there is a sense that it does not know what to do. The fact that it has taken so long to reveal the person, has annoyed rather than fascinated.

Everyone from Goldberg to JR to the Rock has been mentioned and yet, its likely that its none of these. Whether the WWE even knows yet who it is, is uncertain. But it needs someone to be there and excite the crowd, whether as a face or heel, the wrestlers need someone to control Raw.

If someone is in charge, even as a character it gives each show flow and continuity and if the person is chosen properly, it can bring a range of new angles.

The question remains, whether the General Manager as a concept is still applicable to modern wrestling. When Vader attacked Gorilla Monsoon, it helped create him as a heel. When Austin stunned McMahon, it sold him as a face.

Surely someone can step up and help sell today's superstars.