Vince McMahon

Vince McMahon (born Vincent Kennedy McMahon) qualifies as the most famous wrestling promoter of the late-20th century, and -- in certain circles -- something of an American pop-culture icon. The son of World Wrestling Federation founder Vincent J. McMahon, Vince bucked his father's wishes that he avoid the wrestling business, and broke into a career as an announcer for the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) from 1971-1982, not long after receiving his B.S. in business administration from East Carolina State University. In 1982, McMahon signed on as the chairman the World Wrestling Federation. He also became the chairman of Titan Sports.

From his throne at WWF, McMahon made a conscious attempt to alter the public image of professional wrestling, graduating it from a tongue-in-cheek farce to a venerable (and outrageously lucrative) form of ringside and at-home entertainment. He did much to promote the concept of over-the-top "characters" in the ring and staged the multi-billion-dollar franchise of WrestleMania events, launched on an annual basis from 1985 onward and later parlayed into an unholy amount of pay-per-view business. Beginning in the early '90s, however, McMahon also courted a great deal of controversy and drew legal charges, both for the alleged use and distribution of steroids and for the alleged anti-homosexual discrimination of Titan Sports.

As for film work, it goes without saying that McMahon (particularly in the early years) received the majority of his screen credits on filmed wrestling events. He branched out into features with the Hulk Hogan vehicle No Holds Barred (1989), but (perhaps discouraged by the lukewarm public and critical reception to that vehicle) waited another 13 years to move back into fictional narratives, forming a collaborative partnership with wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson on a series of action-filled Hollywood blockbusters, which McMahon executive produced and The Rock headlined. These included The Scorpion King (2002) and Walking Tall (2004). McMahon launched additional action vehicles (sans Johnson) with such icons as John Cena (The Marine, 2006) and wrestler Steve Austin (The Condemned, 2007). The majority grossed dollar one and suggested a new career path for the wrestling guru.

~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide