50 Fascinating Facts About WWE in The 1980s
1. Jim Ross Overheard A Plot To Murder Vince McMahon
Speaking of staggering conversations!
Jim Ross tells the story of being in a nondescript bathroom stall in the mid-1980s when several NWA promoters walked in and started openly discussing having Vince McMahon killed. Knowing he had to stay quiet as a mouse, JR pulled his legs up so nobody could see his feet underneath the door. He didn't want to explain what he'd heard, or for anybody to even know he was there in the first place.
One of the unnamed promoters said he could 'get it done' for $700. Ross stayed put until everybody had left, and he wondered to himself if he should ever tell a living soul about what he'd just listened to. Nothing came of the conversation, clearly. This was surely just a bunch of disgruntled promoters angry that McMahon had muscled in on their territory and was presenting a glossier product to fans, but...wow. JR had to be sweating it out in that cubicle for a while.
He eventually told Vince all about the incident when he went to work for the WWF in the early-90s. McMahon had caused a lot of hurt and anger by stepping on toes without remorse. He systematically tore down established wrestling norms his father had followed, and he sought to monopolise the industry.
The sinister murder plot Jim overheard was presumably called off after one or two chats. A 1980s hitman could've received just $700 to change the face of the industry forever by taking out the WWF's leading man. That's scary. Imagine how JR felt?!
What other fascinating facts and stories do you know about WWE in the 1980s? For more wrestling, check out 10 WWE Jobbers Who Became World Champion and 10 Most ANNOYING Wrestlers Ever!