Vince Mcmahon:wrestling Genius?

Ok this article is to discuss if Vince is really the wrestling genius he and others make himself out to be or just a clever businessman and marketing expert.

First off let's look at what made Vince the most successful promoter in history:Hulk Hogan.

The build up to their mania 19 match focused on the question,who really created Hulkamania,was it Vince or Hulk?I'll solve this for you now,it was Hogan.He had already been the biggest draw in the US for a year with the AWA.Watch the footage of when he returned to the WWF(to help Bob Backlund when he was being double teamed by the wild Samoans) he was completely over already.Vince saw this and pushed Hogan in a way no one has been pushed before or since.Smart business sure.But he didn't create the Phenomenon that was Hulkamania he merely capitalised on it.

Then when WCW was kicking WWE's arse Stone cold Steve Austin(the man who had been told my Eric Bishoff "well Steve you come down in your black boots and black trunks and I can't sell that")came and opened up a can of whoop ass and saved the WWE.Well done to Vince for creating such a great character,right.Well no.Steve came in as "the ringmaster" a character that would never move above mid card. Austin himself came up with the "stone cold character based upon a serial killer(Steve didn't condone what the man did but liked the idea of an emotionless character).He called this idea into creative and got names back like "frosty mcfang" etc.In fact it was by pure chance his then wife came up with the name telling him to drink his tea before it got "stone cold","that's the name" she said "stone cold" again Vince was clever enough to capitalize on the amazing fan reaction he got and pushed him hard,but once again he didn't create the character.

DX?Another important factor in the "monday night wars"?Vince actually fined Shawn for sticking gauze down his trunks,again once he saw the reaction of the fans and that this was what they wanted to see,he ran with it he didn't create it.

Rocky Mavia anyone?The guy who was pushed as a "white meat" babyface.So unpopular fans held up signs proclaiming "die Rocky die".He came up with both the name and the character of the legend that became "the rock".

John Cena?It was PS Hayes who recognised there was potential in utilising Cenas rapping skills(which he exhibited backstage) to get him over.And when he did get over all his personality was slowly stripped away to make him,guess what,a "white meat" face.

So Vince is a clever marketer and business man,of that there is no doubt.He knows how to make money,he can recognise what an audience wants.But he can't create a star.So is he a wrestling genius?Or just a guy who knows if you throw enough shit against a wall some of it's bound to stick?In my mind the Jury is still out.