10 Absolutely Incredible WWE Backstage Vince McMahon Stories

9. The Jimmy Wang Yang Confusion

Vince Mcmahon
WWE.com

All verified accounts have it - as if it isn't painfully evident onscreen - that McMahon micromanages everything about his empire to an often cloying degree.

Nothing, apparently, is authorised without his approval. Nothing can just exist in its own natural state, as depressingly confirmed by the uniformly dire promotion of nigh-on every NXT talent. Finn Bálor's simple, effective 'Demon' nickname was saddled with an unwieldy 'King' suffix - and he's probably been spared the worst treatment. You like Kevin Owens? Well, if you didn't realise he was FAT, you're damn sure gonna get reminded every bloody week.

Jimmy Wang Yang revealed on the Creative Has Nothing For You HighSpots series a few years back that this auteur level of control is sometimes hampered by sweet, sweet oblivion. Wang Yang paid a visit to WWE a year or so removed from his 2005 release in order to impress a girl with free tickets - at which point McMahon, completely unaware that he was no longer employed, marched Jimmy to the ring to rehearse a spot with him ahead of a bout with Shawn Michaels. When it was brought to McMahon's attention that it probably wasn't good idea, legally, to use a non-contracted performer in such a spot, the man was nonplussed. He did not know that he had authorised his release.

McMahon at the time was performing the role of 'God'. Clearly, he wasn't all-knowing. Maybe he confused him for JBL.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!