Shane Gets the Book

WWF: The New Generation

The McMahon Home
Greenwich, CT
Early Summer 1994

"Pops, have you seen this?” I gestured to an article in PWI. There was a large write-up and photos detailing a barbwire match between Terry and Dory Funk and The Public Enemy. 

Vince looked down at the article and his face contorted like someone just farted. “I heard about this shit Shane. It’s garbage wrestling they do in Japan because they don’t have any other way to put asses in the seats.” 

 “Dad, that’s not Japan. It’s in Philly. It’s in our backyard.” 

 Vince looked down at the article again. “The Funks?” he said questioningly. “I’m surprised to see those guys doing that shit. But Eastern Championship Wrestling is low rent indy promotion. Nothing more. What’s giving you such a hard on about this?” 

 “Well, it’s no secret our business is down. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. We can’t keep relying on Europe for business. We need to reinvent ourselves here, in the States.” 

 “Goddamit Shane, we are reinventing ourselves! What do you think this whole “New Generation” concept is all about?” 

 “Dad, would you rather watch Terry and Dory funk wrestling in barb wired--” I flipped the pages of the PWI. “or this?” I asked while pointing to a picture of Bastion Booger. 

 Vince immediately started chortling at the picture of Booger. “Are you kidding Shane? This guy is great!” He continued to chuckle at the photo. 

 “Is it as great as our 2nd quarter?” 

That immediately brought Vince’s laughter to stop. “Damnit Shane, we’re not a rasslin’ company like Ted Turner’s running! We’re sport’s entertainment. We make characters and market the hell out of them. That’s how I built this company! I know what I’m doing!”

“I know how the company works Dad. I’ve understood the business my whole life. It’s why I’m saying what I’m about to say...give me the book. I’m ready.”

He eyed me straight faced, without saying anything for a moment. Then he exploded. "You hand me a dirtsheet with Terry Funk covered in blood and tell me you have a marketing strategy!  In the same conversation, you tell me you know what's best for business! Damn it Shane, you know we can't put out a product like that!"

 “You're right Pops. We can't have barbed wired matches, but we can do a hell of a lot better than Bastion Booger!"


Vince said nothing.

"I got some ideas Dad. Hear me out…” 

Vince leaned forward and the two of us rebooked the path to SummerSlam together.