Led By: Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon Prominent Members: Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, Gerry Brisco, Pat Patterson, Sergeant Slaughter, Big Boss Man, The Rock, Ken Shamrock Date(s): 1998-1999 We have to end with the best of the best. No stable was more hated in the WWE than The Corporation. After the Montreal Screwjob, Vinces popularity was at an all-time low. But rather than continually try to defend himself, Vince went in the other direction. He created an exaggerated version of himself, Mr. McMahon, and portrayed himself as a corrupt, greedy, 1-percenter. It wasnt the first time that Vince devised a gimmick like this. Back in the 80s and early 90s, the Million Dollar Man gimmick was essentially the Mr. McMahon character under a different name. The Corporation was Vince McMahon, backed up by a gang of corporate stooges and enforcers, and they elevated the careers of any wrestler who opposed them. Stone Colds and DXs run-ins with The Corporation were numerous and always spectacular; people would tune in every week to see what happened next, and it wasnt long before WWE overtook WCW in the ratings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bho-JXNHL9g Today, The Corporation lives on through The Authority, led by Stephanie McMahon and husband Triple H, who always do whats best for business. The McMahons have a knack for getting under peoples skin, and they tap into that working class rage everyone wants to teach his or her boss a lesson, but few people get such a literal opportunity.
Kevin is an AP English Language teacher and freelance writer from Queens, NY. His focus is on American pop culture and American issues. He wrote a weekly column for Complex called "Throwback Thursdays," which spotlighted video games and trends from previous console generations. Kevin has also been published in VIBE, Salon, PopMatters, Joystiq, and Racialicious. Follow him on Twitter to learn more.
