10 Terrible WWE Ultimatums From Vince McMahon

Vince McMahon’s “take it or leave it” calls that left the wrestlers rethinking their life choices

By Kebin Edwin Antony /

Vincent Kennedy McMahon's name has always been at the centre of controversy over the years, be it from being the bullish businessman destroying decades of territorial wrestling to the steroid scandal in the early 1990s and now most recent sexual misconduct allegations against himself, John Laurinaitis and WWE - the company he founded before resigning in disgrace. 

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He had a clear vision when he took over the company from his father and was prepared to make any decision necessary to transform WWE into a global phenomenon. Pro wrestling isn't like any normal industry, and he was willing to park anything personal while running his business. While he was open to dialogue with his wrestlers, he gained enough power to put his foot down on most occasions and make it explicitly clear just how big the gap was between the promoter and the performer. 

As evidenced countless times, it didn't matter who was at the other end - Vince McMahon did business as he deemed fit and gave ultimatums to anyone who veered from his vision to do things his way or risk facing the consequences.

10. Enzo Amore

Enzo Amore took pride in calling himself the "Realest Guy In The Room," and when Vince McMahon realised that he was also the loudest guy in the room, it dawned upon him that a guy with a mouth like that had no business being a good guy on WWE television.

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The heel turn happened after Amore defeated Neville to win the Cruiserweight Championship at No Mercy 2017. However, Vince McMahon wanted to give the fans a preview of what was coming when he handcrafted a promo for Amore. On the 11 September 2017 episode of SmackDown, Amore interrupted The Miz & Maryse while they were about to announce they were expecting their first child.

The segment saw The Miz hit Amore with a monologue, leading to a match between the two superstars. The contest had a unique touch, with both wrestlers cutting promos mid-way, talking smack about each other. It was here that Amore had to deliver the Vince McMahon hand-written line that read, "The question you shouldn't be asking is how you doin, question you need to be asking that little baby is who's your daddy."

Amore discussed the moment during a Q&A session with Monopoly Events and revealed that he didn't want to turn heel at the time but had no choice due to Vince McMahon's ultimatum. McMahon ordered Amore to stick to the lines and take the verbal bashing from The Miz in the segment before the match, or else he would be let go.

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