News, Notes As Vince Will Induct The Undertaker

Vince McMahon appeared as a guest on the “Pat McAfee Show” Thursday morning.

McAfee announced McMahon as a guest last Friday on SmackDown. The appearance marked the WWE Chairman’s first live non-WWE interview in 15 years. The elusive interview with the oft-combative Vince McMahon is arguably McAfee’s biggest “get” for his wildly successful—and lucrative—podcast.

McAfee, who landed another elusive interview with the mercurial Brock Lesnar last month, recently inked one of the biggest deals in podcasting history in the form of a $120 million pact with FanDuel.

McMahon’s appearance led to immediate speculation that the two would be running an angle for WrestleMania 38, where they are rumored to have a match. At 76 years of age Vince McMahon will not be expected to have a full-blown match, and a would-be McAfee-McMahon tilt would reportedly come with a lot of smoke and mirrors. There has also been speculation that McMahon’s pupil Austin Theory will have a role in the rumored match. Theory referenced McMahon’s rare interview in the pair’s most recent backstage segment on WWE Raw.

Pat McAfee-Vince McMahon Interview Highlights

After a delay, Vince McMahon checked into the podcast at around 11:23 a.m. PST. McAfee kicked off the interview by saying “I can’t [expletive] believe your here.”

McAfee asked McMahon about starting WWE Network and the backlash WWE took for moving away from pay-per-view. McMahon said everything WWE does is calculated and he has “really smart people around [him]” that he listens to. McMahon admitted he never liked the feeling of having his hands tied and having somebody own him. Starting WWE Network was all about “creative control.”

McMahon on ignoring criticism and focusing on the positive: “If people think you’re an ass—le, you can’t change that.” If people think I’m an [expletive], then congratulations, I guess I am.”

McMahon noted he didn’t even know the World Wildlife Fund existed amid WWF’s infamous name change to WWE in 2002.

McMahon praised his great team of executives. In terms of creative, he noted he likes to listen to a lot of ideas because “you can’t learn when you’re talking.”

Vince McMahon revealed he will be inducting The Undertaker into the 2022 WWE Hall of Fame. McAfee asked about The Undertaker’s loyalty throughout the Monday Night Wars, prompting a question about the current wrestling wars. When asked about AEW’s purchase of ROH, McMahon said he enjoys confrontation. “I learned a long time ago as a kid, if I live through that beating, I win. In terms of confrontation, I relish it.”

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Pat McAfee asked Vince McMahon about WWE’s mass releases. McMahon said he considers what’s best for the audience. McMahon mostly dodged the question and talked about bringing back Hulk Hogan in 2002 after Hogan left to join WCW, and why it’s important to give the people what they want.

McMahon admitted he doesn’t watch Young Rock. When asked if he’ll ever watch the show—namely the actor who portrays him—McMahon said “I doubt it.”

McMahon shared a story he heard from Jim Ross about Bill Watts meeting with NWA promoters. Ross overheard four promoters talk about how they were going to “off Vince McMahon.” Ross was hiding in a bathroom stall and waited until they left to do his business.

McMahon commented on WWE’s polarizing deal with Saudi Arabia, noting “culture is culture” and that Americans often feel that other cultures should mimic that of the western world.

McMahon said all his decisions come down to “common sense.” In terms of decisions he regrets, he said he has no regrets.

McMahon on using “stupendous” to market WrestleMania: “It’s not everyday speak, so that’s why you want to do something to get everybody’s attention.”

When asked about WWE’s budding foray into the Metaverse, McMahon said he feels WWE could fit in almost anywhere.

McAfee asked Vince McMahon if he’d live forever: McMahon commented that his mother lived until she was 101 and said before he passes he wants one second to say thank you.

McAfee asked Vince McMahon about WWE’s succession plan, comparing the McMahon family scenario to the popular HBO show Succession. McMahon said, in terms of a transition plan, he’d do what’s best for everybody and would be objective while evaluating family members and executives.

Before leaving, Vince McMahon offered Pat McAfee a spot on the WrestleMania card, but didn’t name who his opponent would be.

On creating new stars and cultivating characters, Vince said it was a team effort. He then shared a story about trying to break The Undertaker, who never broke character, with a “Vince-A-Rooni,” and failing. McMahon said the key to a character’s success is doing something people can relate to.

McMahon called Brock Lesnar “an extraordinary human being” who’s “really [expletive] intelligent.” McMahon also jokingly referred to Michael Cole as a “horrible human being.” McMahon said that, much like Cole, he gets excited for every show despite how long he’s been in the wrestling business.