Vincent J. McMahon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vincent J.McMahon
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| Born |
Vincent James McMahon
July 6, 1914 |
| Died | May 24, 1984 (aged 69) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
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| Occupation | Professional wrestling promoter |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 2; including Vince |
| Parent(s) | Jess McMahon Rose Davis |
| Family | McMahon |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Coast Guard |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Vincent James McMahon (born July 6, 1914 – died May 24, 1984), also known as Vince McMahon Sr., was an American professional wrestling promoter. He is famous for running his wrestling company from 1953 to 1982. This company was first called Capitol Wrestling Corporation. Later, it became the WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation) and WWF (World Wrestling Federation). Today, it is known as WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). Vincent J. McMahon was also the father of Vincent K. McMahon, who took over the business after him.
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Early Life of Vincent McMahon
Vincent James McMahon was born on July 6, 1914. His birthplace was Harlem, New York. His parents were Rose (née Davis) and Roderick James "Jess" McMahon. His father, Jess, was also a successful promoter. He organized boxing, wrestling, and music shows. Jess McMahon even worked with the famous Madison Square Garden promoter Tex Rickard. Vincent's parents were both from Irish families. He had an older brother named Roderick James Jr. He also had a younger sister named Dorothy.
Vincent McMahon's Wrestling Career
Vincent McMahon saw a huge chance for wrestling to grow. This was after World War II. He realized that television needed new shows. Wrestling was perfect for TV. It happened in a small ring. This meant only one or two cameras were needed. Also, wrestling shows could be set up easily in TV studios. This helped keep costs low.
Building the Capitol Wrestling Corporation
McMahon's company was the Capitol Wrestling Corporation. It later changed its name to World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) and then World Wrestling Federation (WWF). This company became very strong in the 1950s and 1960s. It was especially powerful in the Northeast. This area had many people. His main control was in Baltimore, New York, and New Jersey.
Even with "World Wide" in its name, the WWWF was mostly a regional company. Most wrestling companies at that time were regional. But McMahon's company controlled the most profitable region. In 1956, McMahon started showing his matches on TV. They aired on Wednesday nights on the DuMont Network. The shows came from an old barn in Washington, D.C. This was one of the last live sports shows for the DuMont Network. It closed down the next year. However, WABD, a New York TV station, kept the show. It aired wrestling on Saturday nights until 1971.
McMahon's Promoter Style
The wrestler The Fabulous Moolah wrote a book about her life. She said that McMahon was one of the first promoters to share ticket money with his wrestlers. Unlike his son, McMahon believed a promoter should stay behind the scenes. He thought they should not interfere with the wrestling in the ring. Because of this, McMahon almost never went to the ring.
However, he can be seen at ringside during a famous "Alley Fight" match. This match was between Sgt. Slaughter and Pat Patterson. It happened at Madison Square Garden. McMahon also appeared in the movie The Wrestler (1974). This movie had many wrestlers from that time. But McMahon believed wrestlers should only be wrestlers. He did not think they should act in movies or do other media.
For example, he did not like Hulk Hogan appearing in Rocky III in 1982. This led to Hogan leaving the WWF for a short time. Hogan went to Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association. When McMahon's son bought the WWF, he had different ideas. He hired Hogan back as his main star. He also strongly supported wrestlers doing other things. This included working with musicians, actors, and other famous people outside of wrestling.
Selling the Company to His Son
In 1982, McMahon sold the World Wrestling Federation. He sold it to his son Vince McMahon and his company Titan Sports, Inc.. His son wanted to make the WWF a national and then a worldwide company. This worried his father at first.
"Had my father known what I was going to do," the younger McMahon told Sports Illustrated in 1991, "he never would have sold his stock to me." The younger McMahon's plans worked well. The WWF quickly became the most famous "sports entertainment" company. His son Vince continued to run his father's promotion. Since 2002, it has been called World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). McMahon's grandchildren Shane and Stephanie also work for the WWF/E. McMahon was honored after his death. He was put into the WWF Hall of Fame Class of 1996. His grandson, Shane, inducted him.
Personal Life and Death
McMahon had two sons with his first wife, Victoria "Vicky" H. Askew. Their names were Roderick James "Rod" McMahon III (born 1943 – died 2021) and Vince McMahon (born 1945). McMahon later married his second wife, Juanita Wynne Johnston. The couple moved to Fort Lauderdale to retire.
McMahon did not live to see his company become a worldwide organization. On May 24, 1984, McMahon died at 69 years old. He passed away from pancreatic cancer. McMahon and his wife Juanita are buried at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Awards and Honors
- Madison Square Garden
- Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame (Class of 1984)
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- World Wrestling Federation
- WWF Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
See also
In Spanish: Vincent J. McMahon para niños
