In the wake of the recent lawsuit against Vince McMahon and his subsequent resignation as chairman of the TKON Group, there’s speculation about the future of McMahon’s legacy within WWE. As the company navigates this turbulent period, questions arise about how McMahon’s role will be portrayed in future narratives and whether his influence will be scrubbed from the annals of wrestling history.
The possibility of distancing WWE from McMahon, its most influential figure, looms large. This could entail omitting references to him in television shows, documentaries, top 10 countdowns, and even video game modes like WWE 2K. The looming question is: Could McMahon receive the “Chris Benoit treatment” if found guilty of the allegations against him?
Let’s explore 10 pivotal moments in WWE history that could potentially be affected if McMahon’s legacy is erased:
1. **The Austin-McMahon Rivalry:** This feud defined the Attitude Era and propelled Stone Cold Steve Austin to superstardom. Omitting McMahon from this narrative would be erasing a cornerstone of WWE’s most iconic period.
2. **The Montreal Screwjob:** McMahon’s involvement in this infamous incident is integral to understanding its impact on wrestling history.
3. **CM Punk’s Pipe Bomb:** McMahon was a central target in CM Punk’s scathing promo, a moment that reshaped WWE’s landscape in 2011.
4. **The Expansion of WWE:** McMahon’s ambitious vision and ruthless tactics in expanding WWE’s reach are inseparable from its history.
5. **WrestleMania:** McMahon’s brainchild, WrestleMania, is one of wrestling’s greatest creations, but recent events hint at a revisionist approach to its origins.
6. **The Acquisition of WCW:** McMahon’s purchase of his rival changed the industry forever, but his role in subsequent storylines may be reevaluated.
7. **The Corporation:** McMahon’s leadership of this stable in the late ’90s was pivotal, but its significance may be downplayed in future retellings.
8. **Drew McIntyre’s Rise:** McMahon dubbed McIntyre the “chosen one,” a chapter that may be rewritten in light of recent events.
9. **Austin Theory’s Development:** McMahon’s mentorship of Theory could be forgotten if his legacy is tarnished.
10. **The Authority:** McMahon’s involvement in storylines featuring The Authority, including Roman Reigns’ struggles and the Undertaker vs. Shane McMahon feud, may be reconsidered.
As WWE grapples with the fallout of McMahon’s legal troubles, the extent to which his legacy will be preserved remains uncertain. Wrestling fans are left wondering how the company will navigate its history without its most prominent figure at the forefront.