10 Incredible Wrestling FIRSTS You Didn't Know About

8. The First Heel Authority Figure

First ladder match
WWE

Eric Bischoff was the first to play the crooked authority figure on major cable, and while the Ted DiBiase financier gimmick was so perfectly inspired, Bischoff was such a smug tosser that his "real brains behind the nWo" role worked. The man was excellent at being loathsome.

What's that maxim about the best wrestlers dialling up their real-life qualities?

Vince McMahon was inspired by Bischoff, but - in another paradox befitting of the man - actually got there first. As part of the agreement to bring in Jerry Lawler in 1992, Vince a year later played a heel in Memphis, as part of which he "sent" various WWF wrestlers to thwart Lawler in storylines and juice up the territory in reality. Vince - who despite everything was a phenomenal TV performer - was great in a role more quietly menacing than his hammed-up 1998 reboot.

Vince McMahon first played the heel authority figure in Memphis, but he wasn't the first to play a heel authority figure in Memphis.

Tom Renesto was a crooked promoter working against the beloved Lawler in 1985 in a bid to get the Mongolian Stomper into the title picture. Renesto accused Lawler of intimidation tactics and played insincere in an understated way.

Playing dumb, a profoundly obnoxious trait, Renesto obscured his hatred of Lawler with a very effective, under-the-skin faux-neutrality that Vince himself adopted before unleashing the panto aspect of the character. Renesto only wanted "what was best for the promotion" and had an issue with the way his top star conducted himself.

Familiar, no?

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!