In the year 2013, Donald Trump addressed a gathering in Madison Square Garden. This was not a political rally, neither was it the set of a reality show. The future President of the United States spoke to the assembled crowd to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame. The world’s largest sports entertainment promotion recognised his contribution with regard to hosting Wrestlemania IV and V and being part of Battle of the Billionaires.
He was inducted by none other than Vince McMahon, the majority owner of WWE. Vince McMahon is the other billionaire who was a part of the infamous ‘Battle of the Billionaires’ saga. For the uninitiated, let’s take a journey back in time and relive this record-breaking segment.
The Battle of The Billionaires
This infamous segment took place at Wrestlemania 23, which had a live attendance of 80,103 hardcore wrestling fanatics. It was also the most purchased pay-per-view at the time, at 1.2 million buys. Moreover, WWE earned a whopping $5.3 million in ticket sales, as per figures released at the time.
Why did so many people pack the arenas and tune in from across the world? It was because of ‘The Battle of the Billionaires’, an event that had become the talk of the sports entertainment fraternity and beyond. One of two billionaires, WWE’s head honcho Vince McMahon or real estate mogul Donald Trump, would be shaved bald by the end of the night. Such was the buzz that those even outside the wrestling bubble were invested in the proceedings.
Of course, you couldn’t have Donald Trump competing in the ring at such a high level. Instead, he appointed ‘The Dominator’, Bobby Lashley, as his representative. Vince McMahon would appoint his own powerhouse, a Samoan savage named Umaga. The match would be refereed by the most popular WWE performer of all time- Stone Cold Steve Austin.
The events of the match have to be seen to be believed. Suffice to say, Lashley defeated Umaga comprehensively, and Donald Trump took the utmost pleasure in shaving Vince McMahon bald before the packed arena, as they cheered him on vociferously. And then Donald Trump suffered the fate Vince McMahon has suffered countless times in the past, a Stone Cold Stunner!
The audience got its money’s worth and a WrestleMania moment was created that is talked about, to this very day. The events were in good fun and Donald Trump proved that he could be an entertainer, at par with the best in the wrestling business. Is it any wonder then, that was inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame?
Wrestlemania IV & V
And that’s not where Donald Trump’s association with wrestling ends. He was also a part of Wrestlemania IV and V, hosting the historic events in 1988 and 1989. Moreover, he also purchased RAW in 2009, becoming the owner of the flagship WWE brand for a spell (if only in storyline). He even made that edition of RAW commercial free.
While McMahon and Trump may have been rivals on screen, they are the best of friends in real life. The two men even have a great deal of respect for one another, and Trump said the following words upon his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame- ‘Vince McMahon is an amazing man. We kid and we have fun, but everybody knows, he is an amazing guy. And nobody’s done a job like he has’.
President of The United States
Donald Trump has accomplished much in his lifetime. Whether you like him or hate him, it is impossible to dispute that his accomplishments in the sphere of business, entertainment, politics and wrestling can certainly be called commendable. When we see him on the podium, being outrageous as only he can, one wonders if he isn’t repeating a few tricks that he learned from the world of wrestling.
Trump’s larger than life persona and the fact that he isn’t afraid to speak his mind often brings to mind a ‘heel’ character, or a bad guy from WWE. Some have even alleged that the ‘you’re fired’ phrase that he made famous in The Apprentice was first used by Vince McMahon during his promos.
McMahon played a heel character for most of his life. As the evil, conniving, manipulative man in charge of the WWE empire, he would often fire crowd favourites, much to the dismay of the WWE Universe. And the good guys or babyfaces would have their revenge and retribution in due time, making for some entertaining television moments.
Current Relationship
Linda McMahon, Vince McMahon’s wife, presently serves as the Administrator for the Small Business Administration in the current Trump administration. Not long ago, the McMahon family was pictured in the White House, with the President of the United States. The relationship between Trump and WWE seems stronger than ever!
(Riju Dasgupta is a professional wrestling aficionado and analyst, as well as a heavy metal musician for the bands Albatross and Primitiv. You can reach him atrdore2000@gmail.com)
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