No one ever expected the real-life owner of WWE to become the company's all-time most effective heel. Up until the late 1990s, Vince McMahon was never acknowledged onscreen as the man in charge, instead just playing the role of a mere announcer. The Montreal Screwjob and Bret Hart's departure was the impetus for the transition, and it was one of the best things that ever happened to WWE. Would Stone Cold Steve Austin have risen to the same astronomical heights of popularity were it not for the benefit of having his evil boss as direct opposition? Vince was a participant in the living embodiment of every blue collar working man's fantasy: to beat the sh*t out of a boss who deserves it. And he was so absurdly perfect in the role. The thing that makes McMahon stand out as a heel was his willingness to do anything the story called for to garner the desired reaction from his own captive audience. He would allow himself to be embarrassed, beaten, and bloodied for their amusement, and he was so great at it that they ignored the fact that those acts should have earned begrudging respect and continued to despise him. There were no lows he wouldn't sink to - from attacking his own family, to forcibly seducing the divas while his comatose wife watched, to mocking his own employees' medical conditions - to draw the most intense heat possible. No performer in the history of the industry has thrived on hatred as much as Vince McMahon, the ultimate in irony considering he made his millions from people who loved his product.
Brad Hamilton is a writer, musician and marketer/social media manager from Atlanta, Georgia. He's an undefeated freestyle rap battle champion, spends too little time being productive and defines himself as the literary version of Brock Lesnar.
