10/29/05

By Larry Matysik

What better time to conclude a comparison of Sam Muchnick and Vince McMahon than the week of McMahon’s tasteless, disgusting parody about his own announcer, Jim Ross.

For those who haven’t heard, Ross recently underwent colon surgery and was deeply concerned obviously over the threat of cancer. First, Vince concocted an angle to get JR off television by having him fired and kicked in the groin by Vince’s wife. Then, Oct. 24 on the WWE program "Raw," Vince produced a sickening satire about Ross’ surgery. It’s beyond description ….

Especially to those who knew Sam Muchnick and St. Louis wrestling. While wrestling has its kinks under the best circumstances, Sam put those moments into the best light possible and used showmanship to build a dynasty that had respect. How can anyone respect, truly respect, Vince anymore? It’s not all about money.

The differences between Sam Muchnick and Vince McMahon are ambition and arrogance. Sam was willing to split the pie in many ways and he truly did want each of the many territorial promotions to thrive. He had no need to steal anyone else’s town. Sam’s goal with the National Wrestling Alliance was to allow these small businesses – which is what they were – to work together, to discuss problems, to develop talent and ideas, and to have a champion kept above the fray and super respectable.

That did require ambition, for while Sam was a wise negotiator and manipulator he had the ambition to see something (the NWA) he had essentially started thrive.

Vince’s ambition was to have it all…every little bit and piece, every little parcel, every dinky dime. He would eat the WHOLE pie and belch in the face of those who would stop him. It isn’t necessary to negotiate when you write the check to EVERYONE in the industry.

Granted, amazing advances in the technology of television have changed the game. Maybe Sam’s vision would struggle in today’s climate. Territories would die or, more likely, shrink. But the pie would probably still be chopped up, just in maybe four or five pieces rather than thirty.

There is, however, no escaping the fact that Vince’s ambition far exceeds any ambition Sam had. Is that good? Is that bad? Does it help or hurt the business of professional wrestling? What do you think?

And while Sam was quietly and calmly confident of his abilities and his plans, Vince broadcasts his confidence and dominance for all to see. Do you think Sam would ever do a skit on television having different pieces of his own talent – people from whom he wanted loyalty!! – crawl on the canvas and kiss his hind end? Do you think that Sam would ever approve off a so-called entertainment piece degrading anyone who had been loyal to his operation as JR was/is to Vince?

The arrogance of Vince McMahon is that he can get away with it. He’s all powerful in his own mind. He figures the media will look the other way, because "it’s just rassling" and he is Vince McMahon. It’s the same way WWE escapes criticism for blatant use of steroids.

The sad part is, to date, Vince’s arrogance is not misplaced. He HAS gotten away with it.

But to those who know, to those who understand, to those who study this crazy and addicting business…in certain areas there will NEVER be a comparison of Vince McMahon to Sam Muchnick.

And that, my friends, stands to the credit of the greatest legitimate promoter in wrestling history, Sam Muchnick.

Not the greatest con man, because that’s Vince McMahon. But the greatest promoter, because that’s Sam Muchnick.

And that’s enough of Muchnick versus McMahon. Next time, we’ll find another subject on which to get excited.

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