Vince McMahon Credited for Saving WWE During COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill and professional wrestling was heavily affected by it. WWE still kept on running shows despite no audience involved and it appears Vince McMahon has been given credit for saving WWE during the pandemic.

While speaking on the Something To Wrestle With podcast, WWE Hall of Famer JBL shared how WWE handled the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and how Vince McMahon’s decisions helped the company stay strong during a tough time.

McMahon asked Layfield to return as a commentator to bring a familiar voice to fans during such an uncertain time. Layfield remembered how scary things were, with empty airports and everyone worried about getting sick.

“‘During COVID, Vince called me and he said, ‘I need an old voice on television. Are you coming?’ ‘You know I am.’ I said, ‘Where are you?’ He goes, ‘We’re in Orlando. We got no audience. I need an old voice, the old commentary, somebody that people recognize.’

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There was nobody in the airport… Everybody was sitting up front, first class. I said, ‘I think I’m gonna sit in the back’, like 15 seats on both sides of you because you didn’t know what was going to happen back then. You didn’t know if the whole world is going to die or you’re going to get it and die. Everybody thinks they’re going to die?”

Despite strong opposition from within WWE and criticism from the media, Vince McMahon decided to continue running shows during the pandemic. Many in the company and the press thought it was a bad idea and questioned his decision. However, McMahon focused on the long-term impact, recognizing that stopping live events could result in losing important TV contracts.

By continuing to produce shows, WWE kept its deals with TV networks, which later led to billion-dollar contracts. This move not only kept WWE financially secure during the pandemic but also set the company up for future success as JBL credited McMahon for saving WWE during the pandemic.

“I can tell you, almost everybody in the company was against Vince running. Everybody was against it. All the press was against it. Everything, it was, ‘This is horrible. How dare he do this?’” JBL stated. However, McMahon saw a bigger picture. “He said,’ If I don’t, I will lose all my TV contracts.’ Those TV contracts of live events became worth exponentially more.

You thought they’re gonna be worth exponentially less, is what you thought during COVID, because we didn’t know if the world was ending or not. Everybody wanted out of those TV contracts.” JBL emphasized, “but because he did that, he got these billion dollar TV contracts out of it. He saved the freaking company with that.”

Layfield praised McMahon for staying focused and making bold decisions when many doubted him. McMahon’s ability to think ahead and adapt ensured WWE remained a leader in the wrestling world, even during one of the hardest times.

“It was unbelievable what he did by doing all that, Vince, his entire life, has constantly been one step ahead of everything and everybody else in wrestling.”

While Vince McMahon is dealing with a sexual trafficking lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant, JBL acknowledges McMahon’s determination to ultimately save WWE during a time of uncertainty and he wouldn’t change a single thing about it.

What do you think about Vince McMahon’s decision to keep WWE running during the pandemic? Do you agree that it was the right move, or do you believe the risks outweighed the rewards? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.