Vince McMahon: The WWE Universe Shows True Feelings for Chairman

You can mask you true feelings as a member of the WWE universe, that is, until things get real.

Last night, things with Vince McMahon got real.

Clearly, not in real life. While there is likely some truth to the idea that Vince McMahon has a lesser role in the company as he gets older, to think that he’s still not the man behind the curtain would be crazy. But last night Mr. McMahon, the character, said goodbye to the WWE.

As unceremoniously as his character deserved he was “fired” on national television by his real life son-in-law, Triple H. Yes, that’s the only way McMahon could go out, in deep humiliation. It’s the fitting kind to. It wasn’t an act of haste or anger. It was a well thought out plot to shine light on McMahon’s incompetence as of late.

Yet, as the WWE universe watched the chairman be relieved of his duties, they did the only thing they could think to do.

They thanked him.

Real or not the WWE crowd couldn’t waste what could be a final opportunity to send Vince McMahon off with respect. While his character has not always been favorable, and while McMahon has never been the most liked guy off screen as well, Triple H was right: everything we are seeing is a product of the vision of Vince McMahon.

It always has been his vision. Sometimes for better or for worse, but none the less it’s been his vision. McMahon was right that there is nothing that is as big as the WWE. Not Cena, Hogan, or the Rock are bigger than the WWE.

So in the moment that WWE universe realized that we could be seeing the last of Vince McMahon for a very long time there was no choice but to make sure they thanked him. “Thank you, Vince” echoed from the corners of the arena.

This is what makes the WWE universe a special breed of fan. Wrestlers go out of their way to make us hate them. They are often off-screen a bit like what they are on-screen. Yet, when push comes to shove and we are faced with the realization that they could be gone forever, we acknowledge them for their service. We throw all fandom aside, all rooting interest and thank them.

This is why so many wrestlers are forced to turn face as they get on in their career. At some point your years of service cannot be ignored and no matter what you do you are shown deep appreciation by the WWE universe.

Vince McMahon felt it tonight and his son-in-law, Triple H, knows what that feels like as well.

There were few villains that were hated as much, or as hard, as Triple H. Yet, when he tore out his quad and it forced him onto the shelf he went from hero to villain. You can hate a guy like Triple H for a while, but in the end you end up having to admire and appreciate his commitment to the sport you love.

It’s why John Cena will eventually be universally cheered. His act is tired and fans have grown to detest him in so many ways, but at some point all of that gimmick will be stripped away and all that will be left is a man who really has given all he’s got to the WWE universe.

That was McMahon last night. He wasn’t the evil chairman. He wasn’t the guy that was just about to have John Cena fired. He was the man who created the empire we all know, love and love to criticize.

But hopefully McMahon’s pseudo firing has bigger meaning than just a way to advance one of the better storylines in recent memory. Hopefully the WWE is gearing up for a new era and last night was a way to pass the torch to a newer generation of storylines and a way to continue to involve social media.

McMahon will continue to serve as the face that keeps the shareholders happy, but in truth it’s time that those younger generation executives, like Triple H, take hold of the business and push it forward. All good things must come to an end and while we haven’t seen the last of Vince McMahon, we have likely see his best days come and go. All we can do is thank him.

That’s exactly what the Green Bay crowd did last night.