10 Secrets Behind WWE Magic Tricks

8. Vince McMahon Limo Explosion

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In the summer of 2007, the Mr. McMahon character was meant to be killed off. 

Former WWE writer Court Bauer claims that Vince’s real-life brother Roderick was meant to be installed as the onscreen owner of WWE in his absence. Roderick had no prior experience on TV, but even so, he was probably better equipped for the role than Linda McMahon. 

The angle was of course scrapped when Chris Benoit killed his wife Nancy and son Daniel before killing himself. The angle wasn’t just insensitive in retrospect; the pro wrestling world had been shattered and disgraced by a seemingly endless spree of premature death. Statistically, the McMahon limo explosion was bound to scan as tasteless at some point that year. 

McMahon had been acting strangely in the month leading up to it, which was meant to foreshadow his demise. Vince’s idea of becoming slowly unhinged was - of course - to adopt a southern twang. 

The explosion itself was pulled off by a simple use of pre-tape. McMahon stepped into the back of the limo, stepped back out, and then it was detonated in a controlled explosion. 

It looked seamless through an exceptional edit. Kevin Dunn presumably wasn’t tasked with that.

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!