10 Shocking Quotes WWE Superstars Want You To Forget

8. "I'll Allow You To Put A Hammerlock On Me."

Vince McMahon was so supremely confident that WWE would double their TV rights deal in 2014, that he told an investor on a conference call "I'll allow you to put a hammerlock on me" if the rights weren't doubled. So off WWE went in early 2014, shopping the rights around various television executives. In theory, the live Raw show was a valuable brand, with nearly 90% viewers watching live. That made it DVR proof, which should have made it prime value for advertisers. But the TV people didn't bite. The problem is, advertisers don't want to be associated with pro wrestling, due to the grubby perceptions and studies showing that fans don't really have much income to spend. As such, WWE only slightly increased their TV deal and stayed on the USA Network. They didn't come anywhere near doubling their deal. In all seriousness, some investors were so angry that they explored legal action over McMahon misleading them.