WWE RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch has made it clear that she wants to wrestle Stephanie McMahon and do it on a big stage.
Lynch has had a great 2019 with various accomplishments but there is still one goal that she wants and that’s to wrestle the daughter of WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon.
Lynch has been looking to get this match booked since July as she responded to McMahon’s comments about her being featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine’s “Blockbuster” issue.
This is when she stated that they should fight sometime.
Fast forward to last week when the news was made that Lynch is featured in an episode of the iconic “This is SportsCenter” commercial series.
After McMahon commented on Lynch’s appearance, Lynch asked if she had some time to think about fighting her in front of a lot of people.
McMahon has responded to this challenge and didn’t give an answer. Instead, she told her to focus on her next challenge.
Lynch is slated to make her next title defense against Sasha Banks at the Clash of Champions pay-per-view event on Sunday, September 15, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Spectrum Center.
Stephanie McMahon, Chief Brand Officer of WWE, spoke with Dan ‘Big Cat’ Katz of Barstool Sports and Alex Rodriguez on the latest episode of the Barstool Sports podcast, The Corp.
During the interview, she spoke about her father, WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, and his hatred of sneezing. This has been a widely popular story that many former wrestlers and writers have told over the years.
Big Cat: Have you ever sneezed around your father?
Stephanie: “Totally. Yes”
Big Cat: Does he hate you for it?
Stephanie: “He doesn’t hate me for it but it’s always with like a grrr, a grimace. But on the flip side, I’ve been around when he has sneezed.”
Big Cat: That’s got to be embarrassing for him.
Stephanie:“A little bit that he can’t control. Well, it’s just because he doesn’t like anything he can’t control the fact that he can’t control the sneeze is very, makes him upset.”
This is a story that has been told by many people who have worked with the boss of the company while in creative meetings. This is just one of many quirks that Vince is rumored to have.
In fact, Vince doesn’t even like to sneeze. Paul Heyman famously told a story about how he had been pitching ideas one time when he was in charge of the SmackDown show.
Once McMahon sneezed, he zoned out and told him that he thinks he should be able to control sneezing.
Stephanie McMahon recently did an interview with Fortune.com to promote WWE SummerSlam where she spoke about the company.
One interesting question was asked, which was WWE seeing more competition from rivals, including AEW.
“I think it will ultimately make us all better, I really do,” Stephanie responded regarding the competition.
McMahon was also asked about WWE’s television deal with FOX that will see SmackDown Live shift from airing on the USA Network to FOX later this year.
The question was how big of a potential game-changer it for the company considering they will be promoted alongside NASCAR, the MLB, and the NFL.
“Strictly from a company standpoint, it more than tripled the value of our content rights. I couldn’t be prouder of that. And we couldn’t be more proud to be a part of the Fox family.”
McMahon added that they are an entertainment franchise but they deliver like sports and it’s exactly where she thinks WWE should be.
SmackDown will be officially moving over to FOX on Friday, October 4th, 2019. FOX is paying WWE $1 billion over five years for the rights to SmackDown Live after inking the contract last year with the company.
McMahon was also asked about the state of the company. You can read the entire interview here.
WWE has officially announced that they will be teaming up with Quibi. The two will be creating a new ‘Fight Like A Girl’ series, featuring Stephanie McMahon.
The series of videos are intended to inspire young women to become stronger, healthier version of themselves.
In each episode, Stephanie McMahon will partner a WWE Superstar with a young woman who is struggling. The Superstar will then help the woman. They will draw from their own life experiences in order to help their trainee become a better person.
The show will be shot at the WWE Performance Center and will showcase the transformation that each woman undergoes before a “heart-pounding reveal.”
Stephanie McMahon addressed the recent partnership on her own Twitter account, writing:
“So proud to be part of the new series on Quibi, #FightLikeAGirl. Behind every woman is a story of hard work, failure & triumph. @WWE female Superstars draw from their experiences to help trainees overcome obstacles to become all around stronger & healthier versions of themselves!
So proud to be part of the new series on Quibi, #FightLikeAGirl. Behind every woman is a story of hard work, failure & triumph. @WWE female Superstars draw from their experiences to help trainees overcome obstacles to become all around stronger & healthier versions of themselves! https://t.co/cqx0jaD276
Produced by WWE Studios and Critical Content. Executive Producers are Stephanie McMahon, Susan Levison, Ben Zierten and Richard Lowell for WWE Studios, and Tom Forman, Jenny Daly and Jon Beyer for Critical Content.
WWE will be in attendance at the 10th annual VidCon convention this week in Anaheim, California. This is the first time the promotion has ever attended the YouTube-centric convention.
It has been revealed that Triple H and Stephanie McMahon will both be present. Joining them will be a number of WWE Superstars and talent including Charlotte Flair, Cathy Kelley, and Xavier Woods.
Triple H, Woods, Kelley, and Flair will participate in a panel entitled “From The Top Rope: A Look Inside the WWE Content Innovation Lab.” The panel is scheduled for one hour. It takes place today at 1PM inside Ballroom A within the Anaheim Convention Center.
The official synopsis highlights how the WWE Content Innovation Lab can be thanked for helping WWE Superstars to grow their fan bases “faster than ever due to the unique content they’re creating.”
Additionally, they will “discuss how WWE is using the Content Innovation Lab to foster the next generation of Superstars and how it’s using content to expand into global markets.”
Stephanie McMahon will be participating in a Fireside Chat with Hollywood Reporter Digital Media Editor Natalie Jarvey. They will be discussing WWE’s growth and strategy for breaking into new markets while “while staying true to itself and its the existing fans that made the company so successful.”
From engaging with the WWE Universe to running shows specifically broadcast via Facebook, WWE has embraced social media wholeheartedly.
Whilst out in Orlando delivering a key note speech, Stephanie McMahon spoke about WWE’s initial social media strategy with SpaceCoastDaily.com.
WWE Universe
Reflecting on her time in WWE, Stephanie admitted that there have been numerous changes, particularly in how technology allows people to connect with one another.
“The two biggest changes have been technology and what technology provides to really connect us all. We are talking about sports, and we are talking about community. Digital and social media has really allowed us to engage and interact with our fanbase in a much more direct way.”
“It’s 100 percent of 100 percent”
WWE’s decision to embrace social media came from her father, Vince McMahon. She credits him with having the foresight to utilise these platforms to their advantage.
“It was my father [Vince McMahon] that really had the foresight in terms of social media. He said, ‘Social media is not 1 percent of 100 peoples jobs or 100 percent of 1 person’s job, it’s 100 percent of 100 percent.’ He looked at a time when he had to prove himself to his father, my father grew WWE from a regional company to a global entertainment media company currently valued at just over $6 billion. So that has been the biggest change to me.”
Whether it’s via a social media channel or a streaming service like YouTube, WWE has continued to adapt, using modern platforms to bring their product to as many people as possible.
Stephanie McMahon remains optimistic that WWE will make history by having female talent work a match in Saudi Arabia.
McMahon elaborated on her belief while talking at the Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon when asked about WWE’s deal with Saudi Arabia. This is where she stated that she thinks that WWE will hold a women’s match in the country in the near future.
“In terms of women, we’ve been promised that we will be at the forefront of change that’s coming in Saudi. I believe we will have a women’s match in the near future.”
.@WWE's @StephMcMahon is speaking at the Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon. @DespinaBarton asked about #WWE's dealings in Saudi Arabia and the correlation to women. McMahon believes there will be a women's match "in the near future." More from her tonight on @SpecSports360. pic.twitter.com/29C38r0WP6
WWE just held their Super ShowDown event last week in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. In the days leading up to the event, there was talk about WWE having Alexa Bliss and Natalya work a match at the show.
The pitched match was not approved by the Saudi Arabian government. The government had indicated to WWE they could have their first women’s match on this show, but then wavered on it.
WWE even had the women fly to the country. It should be noted that Renee Young was allowed to work the show as part of the commentary team.
On last week’s Raw, Brock Lesnar appeared and teased to cash in his Money in the Bank contract but decided against it later that night when he learned that he has a whole year to decide which champion he wants to face.
Stephanie McMahon, for some reason, called out Lesnar for, you know, playing by the rules and said that Lesnar and Paul Heyman have disrespected the WWE Universe and they are going to take action against them.
Stephanie said in the video, “They disrespected what the money in the bank contract represents. They disrespected both the Universal champion as well as the WWE Champion. I think they disrespected WWE and the entire WWE universe.
So on behalf of our organization, on behalf of all of our fans, I am going to take this matter up officially and we are going to take action.”
This move by the company which left many heads scratching, including announcer Corey Graves.
Graves tweeted out the following about WWE’s disregard for the previously set MITB rules:
So, he’s is cashing in because the boss was mad at him for not cashing in when he said he was, even though the point of the contract is to cash in at the holder’s discretion? ?
“So, he’s is cashing in because the boss was mad at him for not cashing in when he said he was, even though the point of the contract is to cash in at the holder’s discretion? ?
Where’s my new chair?”
Heyman has said that Lesnar would cash in his Money in the Bank contract on the upcoming June 3 episode of Raw, with the time and moment of his choosing, against WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins. This remains to be seen, along with what actions Stephanie is going to take against Lesnar.
Mr. Money In The Bank Brock Lesnar had been teasing to
reveal his choice of opponent from the past couple of weeks however he decided
against it on this week’s episode of Raw.
Lesnar learned that he has a whole year to decide which
champion he wants to fight and so the Beast backed off from announcing his
opponent and revealing a date for this bout.
And it appears that the Bosses of WWE didn’t like this move
from the former Universal Champion as they are promising to take action against
the Beast.
They released the following video from their YouTube account in which Stephanie McMahon claims that the duo of Lesnar and Paul Heyman have disrespected the WWE Universe and they are going to take action against them:
“They disrespected what the money in the bank contract represents. They disrespected both the Universal champion as well as the WWE Champion. I think they disrespected WWE and the entire WWE universe.
So on behalf of our organization, on behalf of all of our fans, I am going to take this matter up officially and we are going to take action.” (Transcription: SEScoops.com)
It’s worth mentioning here that in a recent interview Paul Heyman had hinted at Lesnar making more TV appearances than before. After this video, it appears that a feud with the Authority is what will keep Brock on the screen.
So it’d be interesting to see what action the Bosses of WWE take against Lesnar and his advocate and how the Beast Incarnate reacts to it on this week’s episode of Raw.
WrestleMania is often used as a creative reset by WWE. It allows the promotion a perfect opportunity to end feuds or begin new rivalries on the “Grandest Stage Of Them All.”
In an interview with Sports Business Journal, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon were asked about WWE’s scripting process. They were also asked about how far out they plan their storylines.
Stephanie explained that “We [WWE] try to have a basic plan a year out, but inevitably things happen and storylines change. Another beautiful thing about WWE is because we are live 52 weeks a year, we have no offseason, we have no reruns, and we essentially have a live focus group every single night at these Live Events telling us what’s working, what’s not working, and what they don’t care about so we can shift our plans as needed.”
Triple H would add to her comment. He stated that, although they may have plans in place, injuries can force them to change or pivot at a moment’s notice.
“You’re dealing with athletes, and you’re dealing with injuries, and the ability to shift and pivot on a moment’s notice to where you want to go,” he said. “The beautiful thing for us—I was told this early in my career—beauty comes out of chaos. Sometimes when you get into a situation where the worst possible thing can happen leading into a big event, somebody gets injured [for example], it leads you to come up with something even better.”
Of course, injuries aren’t the only thing that could see a storyline plan change.
Vince McMahon is well-known for changing his mind as stories progress—often making decisions on the day of an event. This was recently evidenced by Charlotte Flair’s SmackDown Women’s championship victory over Asuka a few weeks ago.
Stephanie McMahon mentioned during a recent interview that she would like to sign Rob Gronkowski and Conor McGregor someday. She said WWE wants the biggest personalities with the best athletic ability.
Stephanie made the comments to TMZ Sports.
“I’d love to have Gronk in the ring,” Stephanie said. “Conor McGregor – huge personality. There’s a number of different women that I’ve had my eye on as well. It’s really about bringing in the biggest personalities with the best athletic ability. Whoever can entertain and connect to our audience.”
When asked if any conversations had taken place between WWE & Rob Gronkowski or Conor McGregor, Stephanie was coy in her response.
“We are always having conversations,” was all she would offer up during the interview.
Stephanie McMahon On Future WrestleMania Main Events
“I certainly believe our women can be headlining any PPV,” Stephanie said. “I think you are going to see a healthy mix because it’s not about women having this opportunity because of a movement, it’s about these 3 women, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and ‘Rowdy’ Ronda Rousey being the biggest stars in WWE right now with the best storyline and the best characters.”
“They are the main event because they’ve earned it and that’s what our audience is most interested in seeing. Certainly, they are not going to headline every WrestleMania but I think there’s always going to be a healthy mix and it’s not defined by gender, it’s really defined by who is the best.”
FOX recently released a new video on their YouTube channel previewing their future as a network. During the ad, SmackDown Live was featured. WWE and FOX agreed to a five-year broadcast deal worth $1 billion. It will kick into effect on October 4th, 2019.
The network reportedly has high hopes for the blue brand, which will include a few changes as well. Check out the new FOX ad here:
WWE Donates $1 Million To Children’s Hospital
Earlier today WWE Chief Branding Officer Stephanie McMahon and Executive Vice President Triple H took place in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the UPMC Children’s Hospital.
The ceremony was to celebrate a $1 million donation from WWE to help open up the MIBG Therapy Suite. It will be the only one of its kind in western Pennsylvania. The new suite is designed to provide care for patients without needing the patient to leave the room, even if the situation is critical.
Stephanie McMahon commented that, after meeting Connor “The Crusher” Michalek, she and her husband knew they had to do something to help the fight against children’s cancer:
“This all started when we met Connor Michalek. After Connor lost his fight, Paul and I knew we had to do something and it started right here at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.”
Despite showing off the success of last October’s WWE Evolution pay-per-view (PPV), Stephanie McMahon was somewhat coy regarding a follow-up.
The WWE’s Chief Brand Officer spoke with The National whilst in Abu Dhabi earlier this week. She was there for the beginning of the 2019 Special Olympic World Games.
When asked whether the women’s division could main event at WrestleMania 35. The question directly referenced the major feud between Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch over the RAW Women’s Championship. Stephanie admitted that it would “mean more to me than I could describe” if they were to get the opportunity.
“It would mean more to me then I could describe for our women to be the main event at WrestleMania,” Stephanie said. “Charlotte, Ronda, and Becky could do it this year. There is so much momentum behind the story. They are so incredibly talented. I know they would deliver. But what I will say is that I hope it is the first of many.”
She would praise Ronda, saying that she has “loved watching Ronda Rousey’s evolution. As a character and as a performer. She seems to have taken it a bit far lately,” she admits, “and I just have to say I feel a bit bad for Becky and Charlotte.”
It’s worth noting that Vince McMahon is still allegedly undecided over what matchup will close the show this April. The two options at this point in time seem to be the Women’s Championship match and the potential WWE Championship match between Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston.
Last year saw WWE host their first ever all women’s pay-per-view (PPV) event, Evolution. The show was filled with current and former WWE Superstars, including Hall Of Famers, Trish Stratus and Lita. The event would be headlined by the RAW Women’s Championship matchup between Ronda Rousey and Nikki Bella.
Trending At Number One
In a recent interview with The National, WWE Chief Brand Officer, Stephanie McMahon, spoke about the future of the Evolution PPV, and whether it would return.
Her response was coy, avoiding a straight confirmation or denial. Stephanie has been in Saudi Arabia for the start of the 2019 Special Olympics World Games.
“We haven’t announced any plans yet for Evolution but we have a lot of things in the works right now,” she said. “One thing that is important to note with Evolution that it was our first ever all-women’s streaming special pay per view is that it trended No 1 worldwide for two and a half hours during the last game of the World Series and during NFL Sunday Night Football. Both huge audiences in the United States but it was WWE Evolution that was trending No 1.”
At the time of writing, there has been no second Evolution announcement or date set. WWE has turned a number of recent events into annual outings, such as the Mixed Match Challenge and the Mae Young Classic, so it’s surprising that they have yet to confirm (or deny) another Evolution.
Stephanie McMahon is in Abu Dhabi for the start of the Special Olympics World Games currently. She spoke to local media about the ongoing women’s evolution in WWE and the potential for an all-female WrestleMania main event this year.
McMahon was careful not to conclusively state the women will be in the main event this year, however.
“It would mean more to me then I could describe for our women to be the main event at WrestleMania,” McMahon said. “Charlotte, Ronda and Becky could do it this year. There is so much momentum behind the story. They are so incredibly talented. I know they would deliver. But what I will say is that I hope it is the first of many.”
Stephanie would continue to say, however, she feels Rousey has taken things too far recently.
“I have loved watching Ronda Rousey’s evolution. As a character and as a performer,” McMahon continued. “She seems to have taken it a bit far lately and I just have to say I feel a bit bad for Becky and Charlotte.”
McMahon would also weigh-in on how Roman Reigns’ recovery from Leukaemia has impacted the company.
“Roman talked about all the support that he got from the WWE Universe and how much it meant to him and now what he wants to do is use the WWE’s platform and use his celebrity to give back to others who are also fighting. It is an amazing story. It is a true story. And I think Roman is going to be able to do amazing things.”
Last night (Sun. February 17, 2019) Sasha Banks and Bayley won the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. Banks and Bayley outlasted other teams like Nia Jax & Tamina, Sarah Logan & Ruby Riott, Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose, Billie Kay & Peyton Royce, and Carmella & Naomi inside the Elimination Chamber. The victory also resulted in a fairly interesting bit of history.
Shortly after their victory, WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon took to Twitter to congratulate The Boss N Hug Connection. She also had some nice words for all the other women who competed in the historic bout:
Also at Elimination Chamber last night, Finn Balor captured the Intercontinental Championship by defeating Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush in a 2-on-1 Handicap match. This was Balor’s first singles title victory on the main roster since becoming the inaugural WWE Universal Champion back in 2016.
Unfortunately, Balor only held that title for one day before vacating it the following night on Monday Night RAW due to injury. During his interview for WWE’s YouTube channel after his win, Balor took a shot at Sam Roberts:
“Well, unlike Sam Roberts, I like to do my talking in the ring,” Balor said. “And, you know, I know Sam Roberts has a face for radio, so maybe he should stay on it.”
WWE recently announced that Becky Lynch had been ‘invited’ to WWE RAW this Monday by the McMahon family. Lynch was suspended by Stephanie McMahon on this past episode of RAW as she was unwilling to see a doctor for her knee injury sustained at the Royal Rumble.
Lynch attacked Stephanie on RAW and then confronted Triple H the very next night on Smackdown. After exchanging words with ‘The Game’ Lynch slapped Triple H before exiting the ring and leaving the arena. Becky has been on an incredible hot streak over the past few months, the self proclaimed ‘Man’ has become an anti hero ever since Summerslam last year. Lynch of course won the Women’s Royal Rumble back in January and chose to face Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania. The match will be contested for the RAW Women’s Championship. There are conflicting reports on Charlotte Flair’s involvement in the match, with the Smackdown Superstar being considered to make the bout a Triple Threat affair.
‘The Man’ has now responded to the McMahon’s offer. Lynch took to Twitter and wrote “The McMahon family have me all confused. For a bunch of people who keep telling me to go home, you sure invite me to your shows a lot. The Man will come around, I guess. See you Monday.”
With the Royal Rumble out the way and the women’s victor, Becky Lynch, established, it appears WWE is full steam ahead for WrestleMania 35. Despite the WWE Universe wanting “The Man” Becky Lynch to face off against “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey one-on-one, rumors still persist revolving around Charlotte Flair’s inclusion in the match.
This week on Monday Night Raw, Lynch was involved in a storyline featuring Stephanie McMahon. “The Man” would find herself suspended after refusing Stephanie’s demands to see a doctor regarding her knee. This prompted her to then attack WWE’s Chief Brand Officer on live television.
According to Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com, there could be plans of a feud between the two women on the way to WrestleMania:
“The idea very much is, when this gets going, that Stephanie is a heel and they are doing — it is the beginning of kind of a Stephanie in a heel thing trying to hold down Becky because they only know one way to do this.”
Regarding Lynch’s hotly debated WrestleMania 35 matchup in April, Meltzer said that the “original [plan was] Becky Lynch beating Ronda Rousey. I assume Becky Lynch is still beating Ronda Rousey in the match. Perhaps they do something where she beats Charlotte Flair and they could come back with Becky Lynch vs Ronda Rousey in a singles [match] and Ronda will stay for an extra month. That’s certainly possible, that’s maybe even the way to do it.”
Stephanie McMahon was present as a guest speaker at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. The event is an annual trade show that takes place in Las Vegas. Stephanie was there to deliver a talk regarding “WWE’s Women’s Evolution.”
Whilst there, she was interviewed by Variety. It was during this interview that she shared what her personal WrestleMania 35 dream match would be.
“My dream matchup is the main event at WrestleMania, regardless of who’s in it,” said Stephanie. “I think it’s gonna happen, but I also think it’s not easy.”
When asked whether her response was related to current market or expectation, she rebuffed the suggestion, stating that “What’s great about [WWE’s current product] is that our women and men are truly competing for the spotlight right now. It’s a great conversation and it’s about who belongs there, not because of their gender but about who’s the bigger star.
Who’s delivering? It’s this great atmosphere right now. It’s always a family but, of course, there’s competition. It’s exciting. It’s fun and that’s the way it should be.”
“It Was Never Believed That They Could Be The Main Event”
Stephanie then spoke about the rise of women’s wrestling within WWE. She admitted that “The way we portrayed our women was in a secondary-type role. It was never believed that they could be the main event or the draw.”
She went on to explain that “What happened was, in our developmental system, [Triple H] started recruiting athletes vs. models – both men and women. He started training the women the same way the men were being trained and giving them the same match time, the same reps, the same opportunities on television.
As a result, our women started to truly rise and they started to steal the show to the point that our fan base started chanting, “This is wrestling” and “Women’s wrestling.”
Stephanie McMahon has embarked on a media blitz this week, as WWE’s CBO has penned an article titled “In defense of being evil” for media and marketing brand Ad Age, and taken the stage at a Variety event held at the CES in Las Vegas.
McMahon’s article is certain to grab attention if only for the headline. She compares her role as a villain on television with her real-life position with WWE.
“If you watch WWE, you probably don’t like me very much,” McMahon writes. “I’m the character you love to hate. I’m maniacal, I intimidate everyone around me by threatening their job security, and every now and then I have to remind my employees exactly who I am by slapping them across the face.”
“…It’s amazing how performing in front of a live crowd for nearly 20 years can reinforce the traits that work best when it comes to management skills and leadership,” says McMahon.
The piece goes on to hit on three key strategies that McMahon says she has taken from being a performer into her other job. McMahon’s three keys are to know your audience, show you care and be vulnerable.
Stephanie McMahon At CES
On stage with Variety at CES, McMahon emphasized WWE’s commitment to their women’s revolution. McMahon points to the “This is hope” chants in Abu Dhabi during a Sasha Banks vs. Alexa Bliss match last year as a milestone.
She goes on to say that the company’s commitment to focus on women’s wrestling pre-dates Ronda Rousey’s signing.
Stephanie McMahon made an interesting comment while speaking with Elizabeth Schulze at Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal earlier this week about WWE’s ability to build a global brand.
During this appearance, the daughter of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon was asked about various topics including how she had a big goal that she wanted to achieve for the company going forward. That is to make the WWE as big or bigger than Disney, which is quite the goal to have.
It should be noted that WWE’s current market cap is $5.8 billion compared to Disney’s $172.7 billion, according to The Big Lead. Thus, WWE will have to bring in some major money in order to get that goal achieved.
The company is on the right track as they announced this summer that SmackDown Live would move to FOX starting next October that will see the 5-year deal be reportedly worth over $1 billion. Also, USA Network signed WWE to a new deal to air Monday Night RAW. “10-20-30 years from now, there’s no reason we can’t be as big [as] or bigger than Disney,” McMahon said. “Now that’s a tall order, especially given recent transactions. However, there’s no reason why we can’t get there. You have to dream big, have big, bold goals, and go after them.”
Bruce Prichard reveaed the origin of the term “worked himself into a shoot” on the latest episode of his Something To Wrestle podcast. On Episode 125, titled “When Hunter Met Stephanie,” delved into the on and off screen relationship between Stephanie McMahon and Paul “Triple H” Levesque.
During the 2+ hour deep-dive discussion, Bruce’s co-host Conrad Thompson asked when Stephanie and Hunter became a real-life item. While the actual timeline remains fuzzy, Bruce tells all of what he knew and when.
While answering Conrad, Bruce tells the story of when he first heard the term “worked himself into a shoot”, a phrase that has become part of the wrestling lexicon. Whether it be the legendary Bret Hart/Shawn Michaels feud, or a bizarre tweet from Hulk Hogan, wrestling fans are familiar with the term. But where did it start?
According to Prichard, the term was coined by none other than WWE CEO Vince McMahon.
“Gerry Brisco and I have this thing… We used to see two people hanging out together, and catch them on the road sometimes hanging out together, and you’d go, ‘Oh, boy, that’s going to turn into a couple right there,'” Prichard said.
“We used to have a term for it. Well, actually, it’s Vince’s term. The first time I heard Vince use it was when Hunter and Chyna had gotten together. And Vince said ‘I think he’s worked himself into a shoot’. So we used the same term here. They had to kiss and be husband and wife on screen, and we said ‘If he’s not careful, he’s going to work himself into a shoot here,'” Prichard said.
And there you have it.
For a detailed snapshot of one of the more infamous angles from the Attitude Era, you can check out the full episode below.
When referencing this transcript, please credit SEScoops.com. This transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity.
When did you first hear the phrase, “Worked himself into a shoot”?
While WWE’s first ever All Women’s PPV Evolution did not have much hype and people had low hopes for the show, it turned out to be one of the best events of the year.
Evolution had some great matches like the Last Women Standing match between Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair and some even called it the best WWE PPV of 2018.
During a recent interview with Newsweek, Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon talked about the show and said that it can become an annual event:
“In terms of the Women’s Evolution in the WWE, if it’s a success like we know it will be, this can absolutely become an annual event. We can do anything we want to do. I hope for Evolution 2, Mae Young Classic 3, women’s programming on the network, main eventing Wrestlemania, and true gender parity and equality in our roster.””
Continuing on the topic, Stephanie said that they need to grow their roster more and reach out to all these women who are an unsung hero over the world.
Though as we noted before, while Evolution ended up being a critically acclaimed show, it didn’t actually sell out as claimed by the company so it’s hard to say if the Officials actually considered it a success as McMahon claims.
Stephanie McMahon is a fan of Tennis star, Serena Williams. So much so, she’s told media outlets she wants to bring Williams into WWE.
McMahon spoke with the Sun in the UK recently and indicated the 37-year-old Williams would make a good addition to the women’s evolution in the company.
McMahon continued to talk about the changes her and her husband have brought to women’s wrestling in recent years.
“We started training our woman the same as the men and hired our first-ever female coach.”
The coach Stephanie is referring to is Sara Del Rey. Real name Sara Ann Amato, she has been coaching at the PC since 2012.
“They started given our woman the same match time and opportunity at live events, which like anything else, the more reps you do the better you become.”
“So everyone had an even playing field and it made all the difference.”
WWE released a statement last week announcing that the upcoming Crown Jewel PPV will be held in Saudi Arabia as originally planned, dividing fans’ opinion all over the world.
As we noted before, Vince McMahon decided not to comment on the matter and he said that all their thoughts are included in the released statement. However now Stephanie McMahon has talked about the decision in a little more detail.
Stephanie was recently interviewed by Sky News, and while talking about the upcoming show, the Raw Commissioner called it an incredibly tough but business decision:
“Moving forward with Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia was an incredibly tough decision, given that heinous act, But, at the end of the day, it is a business decision and, like a lot of other American companies, we decided that we’re going to move forward with the event and deliver Crown Jewel for all of our fans in Saudi Arabia and around the world.”
Though this doesn’t mean fans will stay quiet on the matter and as we noted before, the Crown Jewel promo during the Evolution PPV last night was met with boos from the people in attendance.
Now it would be interesting to see how much the event is mentioned on WWE Programming in the upcoming times and how the company deals with the negative crowd reaction.