Vince McMahon hasn’t always been the iconic WWE villain.
Prior to becoming the evil on-screen owner of the company, McMahon would most likely be seen behind the commentary table. The former WWE Champion would share the booth with some of the most famous voices in wrestling, such as Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon.
Vince McMahon Provided Commentary On WWE Raw Until 1997
Following the events of The Montreal Screwjob in 1997, Vince McMahon would depart from the commentary table shortly afterwards. The owner of WWE would eventually transition into the Mr. McMahon authority figure that was determined to prevent “Stone Cold” Steve Austin from becoming champion by any means necessary.
Former WWE announcer Jim Ross, who has also named McMahon as one of the greatest heels of The Attitude Era, was one of the many names to sit beside the former WWE CEO behind the announce desk. The WWE Hall of Famer has credited Vince McMahon’s departure as having a positive impact on his own career.
Speaking on the Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross explained how the team of himself, Michael Cole and Kevin Kelly did not have the greatest chemistry while commentating on the action:
It’s a 3 man team of play by play guys. So you’re dancing, your rhythm is already off kilter. So for me to lay out more than normal on that first hour with two other play by play guys sitting beside me, who both are young and trying to get, move their way up the ladder and prove their announcing life. You know, it was the thing to do. I thought, give this guy some space and let him, let them do their thing. And I’d jump in here and there, because I never thought that was a long term solution. I don’t really know why we did it. But you know, that was assignment.
JR would go on to say that he had nothing against his previous commentary team, the departure of McMahon from behind the desk to along with the arrival of Jerry “The King” Lawler took the announcing on WWE to the next level:
So you would do what you’re booked. I’ve got booked to be with those two guys, and that’s fine with me. I filled my booking. But there’s no doubt business picked up when Lawler came out. That was a whole different chemistry, a whole different field. Different sound, different energy. So yeah, that’s it was it was unique to say the least. But Mr. McMahon becoming a heel had positive effects on my career, right.
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