WWE: Vince McMahon Once Again Makes Compelling Television

Vince McMahon cried on Monday night.

Let me say that again.

Vince McMahon cried on Monday night. As I sat there and watched it, I couldn’t believe it. As I sit here now, it’s still hard to believe.

Vince McMahon, the devious, conniving, egomaniacal character that he has been since the infamous Montreal screw job of 1997, broke down and finally, finally looked all too human.

Before we talk about what’s really went down here, one fact needs to be stated right now, and for the whole world to hear.

This is good television. There is a reason why WWE is the pro-wrestling juggernaut who towers above everyone else in the world, and last night is yet another example that confirms it.

Despite all of the silly moments, like male cheerleaders dancing around, Donald Trump versus Rosie O’Donnell, The Great Khali kissing female fans in the ring, and countless other ridiculous spots over the years, WWE is very good at what it does. Last night, the company provided a moment in time that will never be forgotten, and whose impact will surely be felt for years to come.

It was compelling, surreal, it was everything that we have come to expect from Vince McMahon when WWE is firing on all cylinders. And since CM Punk’s ground breaking “shoot” on Monday Night RAW, this company is doing just that.

The only thing I can say is, well done.

Now, what really happened on RAW?

Seeing a tearful Triple H in a suit and not in character, was unexpected as well, and when he told Vince that he had essentially been “fired” as the result of the WWE’s Board of Directors decision, it was shocking. Of course, we know that did not happen.

Since the day that Triple H married the boss’s daughter, speculation began among fans as to what the company would look like, and how it would change, when Hunter eventually took over.

Some would argue that he’s been running the show for years.

I don’t know that I necessarily agree with that notion, but no one can deny his influence backstage, and especially when it comes to talent. Despite any criticism that is leveled in his direction, Triple H knows how to do business. Whether or not he can make this knowledge a reality is anyone’s guess.

Sin Cara was supposedly Hunter’s guy, He brought him in, and WWE gave him everything he needed to be a star. The problem is, he never really got there. His style in the ring, while dynamic, and exciting to watch, was also clumsy and a little nerve wracking, as most of the time fans waited for him to botch a spot as he had been known to do.

Now that Sin Cara is gone due to a wellness policy violation, the usual accusatory finger is being pointed in Hunter’s direction.

As if it’s Hunter’s fault that the guy could not adapt to the style of WWE wrestling, or that he was somehow forced to take anabolic steroids that were reportedly in his system. Regardless of how it happened, Sin Cara appears to be a wash out, and for a lot of fans, the blame is squarely on Triple H.

But the fact is, every company eventually goes through a transition, an evolution process, in order to remain competitive, adapt to the changing times, and grow, into the future. WWE is no different.

Now, apparently, the guy that was one of the driving forces behind WWE becoming an edgy, hard hitting, over the top action movie, will be calling the shots. He’s a very familiar face, as everyone knows who he is and is very aware of his history in the business. He is not someone who has been brought in from the outside, to “fix” the company, like Vince Russo or Eric Bischoff.

This is Triple H, and like it or not, he is a voice in the company and one of the men who will help guide them into tomorrow.

It’s still very early. Not much is known about what really went down on RAW, and eventually it will all come out. Right now, early word is that the move is legit, inasmuch as Vince is stepping back and allowing Hunter to step forward.

But I have a hard time believing that he will disappear altogether. After all, this is Vince McMahon, the guy who has done it all, and taken his company from a regional promotion to a worldwide phenomenon. It’s hard to imagine that he will just walk away and not have his hands in the company on some level.

The past month in WWE has been a whirlwind of events, from CM Punk’s promo, to him winning the WWE Title, to Vince McMahon crying on national television. Is it suspicious, and perhaps a little melodramatic? Yes. But, it’s also very good television. This is WWE at its best. This is what fans expect. And this is what we want.

And, it’s about time.