Michael Perry on November 22, 2021
Vince McMahon returned to WWE television on last night’s Survivor Series. With him was a $100 million dollar gold egg. As confused fans wondered what was going on via social media, it was lost on many how big a deal it was to see Mr. McMahon back on camera.
The egg was product placement for The Rock‘s Netflix movie, Red Notice. Fans who noticed the literal easter egg were buzzing that it might foretell an appearance by The Great One. Instead, according to Dave Meltzer on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, it was all about the ratings.
“Tomorrow it’s Indiana Jones … let’s find out, you know it’s like sometimes these things flop and sometimes these things work. It’s a gimmick to get a rating and do product placement for Rock’s movie also. It’s to get a rating, it’s to get Vince.
We’ll see what Vince means on television. He hadn’t been on TV a lot lately. He hasn’t been on TV in a long time. Now he’s back and, you know, and they made a big deal. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh Vince is there.'”
McMahon was a huge TV draw starting with his feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin in the late 1990’s. His larger-than-life on-screen character resonated with fans who were frustrated with their own bosses, and Stone Cold spoke for them in a way few wrestlers could ever hope for. Now, Vince McMahon is back on WWE television.
The product placement for Red Notice wasn’t the only in-kayfabe advertising on the show. The battle royal was very clearly sponsored by Pizza Hut. In an era where wrestlers are being fired at a rapid pace, WWE answers only to the shareholders.
Do you think Vince McMahon will draw more viewers to WWE? Share your take in the comments!
Transcription by Ringside News
November 22, 2021 8:31 am
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