The Connecticut Post recently conducted a very lengthy interview with WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon. Vince began by addressing his wife's senate run by saying two things, "Very proud of my wife (and) I'm going to vote for her." Her campaign details were then detailed along with criticism of how WWE portrayed women in 2001 - 2003 during the 'attitude' era. Once instance of Vince McMahon getting Trish Stratus on her hands and knees to act like a dog, bark, and disrobe is mentioned.
While Vince's wife Linda considers him to be shy in crowds and a private person (as well as very family oriented), his adultery (which he admitted to in a 2001 interview with Playboy) is mentioned. Vince and Linda have been married for 43 years marrying when he was 20 and she was just 17.
Criticism of McMahon and the use of steroids inside WWE is mentioned. Since he considers professional wrestling entertainment he compares steroid testing to testing everyone on Broadway or even the circus. Vince also takes heat for not providing talent healthcare but he tells the publication the average pro wrestler can afford their own health insurance, with a company spokesperson claiming the average worker makes around $550,000 per year.
WWE discontinued drug testing in 1996 and did not bring it back until after the death of Eddie Guerrero in 2005. McMahon claimed that they simply could not afford the testing while battling financially with WCW. Vince told the publication, "I was really concerned about going out of business competing with Turner and we came close to it," McMahon said. "So better we be in business and have our performers being able to have a livelihood than being out of business."
Vince calls the Benoit tragedy a "tremendous shock" and considers it to be "the biggest black eye obviously we've ever had and difficult to overcome both psychologically as well as from a business point." Towards the end of the interview McMahon says that he is preparing to put an end to his performances in the ring.
You can read the full interview at this link.
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