10 Crazy Secrets From The WWE Writers Room
"My experience is in everything BUT WWE," said the writer to Vince McMahon.
With WWE Corporate currently advertising for a new lead writer, what better time to look at what exactly goes on within the confines of the WWE writers room.
Over the years, what started as a small collection of merely a few choice minds - the likes of Vince McMahon, Pat Patterson, Bruce Prichard, Jim Cornette, and Vince Russo - coming together to decide the best way to steer the WWE product, has changed into a completely different beast.
As of last year, WWE was reported to have a writing team comprised of 37 individuals. At the top of the food chain, of course, is Vince McMahon, and then there are seasoned industry veterans such as Prichard, Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, Road Dogg, and Michael Hayes involved in the process, yet the whole model of constructing WWE television is utterly unrecognisable from decades prior.
Crazy storyline pitches? The problems a lack of food can cause? No wrestling experience required? Based on hands-on experiences of former writers, here then are ten absolutely insane things that any new WWE writer can expect from the day-to-day creative process of Vince McMahon's sports entertainment juggernaut.
10. Vince McMahon Wanted To Destroy And Rebuild A Hospital
We've all heard about his penchant for ketchup with his steak, and we've all heard how sneezing is the devil, but have you heard about that time Vince McMahon wanted to completely destroy a hospital as part of a WWE angle?
This absolutely nuts story was served up by former WWE writer Jon Rineman during a Reddit AMA, with Rineman giving an insight into how the cogs of McMahon turn.
"As far as a crazy Vince story: we had an idea where someone was going to attack somebody in a hospital. And then I had an idea for it that Vince liked, then Heyman had a bunch of ideas Vince liked. So, Vince thinks about it and says: “We’re really gonna f**k up this hospital. How much would it cost to rebuild?” He stops, thinks a second, then says, matter-of-factly, “Hmm. I might have to donate a wing to a hospital. How much does that cost?” So, our writer’s assistant started looking up how much it cost to donate a wing to a hospital. Then later in the meeting, another idea came up that nixed the hospital idea, and Vince said, “Which one is the one without buying the hospital wing? Do that one.” Then he stopped and said, “I should donate a wing somewhere though…” and it got quiet while he thought. Then he took out his pencil and I saw him write 'Hospital.'"
Of course, what's most shocking is that this facility wasn't referred to as a local medical facility.