Fans, members of the media and superstars, legends in the industry responded, reacted to the news that Vince McMahon has announced his retirement today.
The owner, president and CEO of the All Elite Wrestling, Tony Khan, had this to say.
Thanks to you wrestling fans and your great support of @AEW, I’m grateful to now be the longest-tenured CEO in pro wrestling.
Thank you very much to every single person who watches @AEWonTV!
See you for Friday Night #AEWRampage on @TNTdrama
@ 10pm ET/9pm CT/10pm PT
*TONIGHT*!— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) July 22, 2022
WWE, Smackdown commentator Pat McAfee wrote this:
Thank you 4 the decades of dedication to entertainment
Thank you 4 the miles you traveled
Thank you 4 the sacrifices
Thank you 4 the priceless business advice
Thank you 4 the opportunity to be a WWE SUPERSTAR @VinceMcMahon
You’re not perfect..but you’re forever a legend
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 22, 2022
Current and former WWE talent also weighed in:
Love Vince or hate Vince. Vince took the industry to levels others had tried to and failed. Vince McMahon and WWE allowed me an opportunity to support my family. I'm forever grateful. https://t.co/vdEcYiSjvk
— Brian Heffron aka The Blue Meanie (@BlueMeanieBWO) July 22, 2022
Today is a sad day in the sports entertainment and wrestling industry. @VinceMcMahon retired from @WWE at 77 years. Sir, thank you for believing in me and granting me the opportunity to change my life. Without you there wouldn’t be an Albert Del Río. Enjoy life! You deserve it. pic.twitter.com/Xg9UutYWN0
— Alberto El Patron (@PrideOfMexico) July 22, 2022
No Vince… No WWE…No Elijah Burke!
Never thought that such a thing was possible, but at the end of the day the man did what he’s always enforced others to do, and that’s to do what’s best for business. Enjoy your retirement.#VinceMcMahon #Vince #VinceRetires #ThankYou #WWE pic.twitter.com/n1d5EZhudV
— Elijah Burke (@DaBlackPope) July 22, 2022
Thank you for everything, Vince. You changed my life. https://t.co/XAmnqkmdDu
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) July 22, 2022
Fans had varied reactions:
Real change can now happen.
This is so exciting I can’t even put it into words.
Vince McMahon creatively gone from WWE has been something long overdue.
This is monumental. I am so excited to see what’s next
— JDfromNY (@JDfromNY206) July 22, 2022
VINCE MCMAHON HAS RETIRED FROM WWE, per the WWE Corporate site. A move that was long overdue, but honestly is no less shocking now that it's official. REAL CHANGE now becomes possible in WWE. Cannot overstate what a huge deal this is.
— Jason Solomon (@solomonster) July 22, 2022
I thought Vince McMahon would die before he retired. No bullshit.
— Big Boss (@LordBalvin) July 22, 2022
I've been a wrestling fan for almost 40 years, and all through that time Vince McMahon ran the WWF/E. Vince being out of creative could kickstart the company, Vince being out could be the beginning of the end. This isn't just uncharted waters, it's another universe.
— Joe Gagne (@joegagne) July 22, 2022
Vince McMahon has officially retired from WWE.
We all thought this would never come, but now was the perfect time to call it a day.
Thank you Vince for over half a century of contributions to the wrestling business.#ThankYouVince https://t.co/UM0mXg20Q4
— Gareth 🏴 (@WWEGareth) July 22, 2022
Wow. I just heard the news that Vince McMahon has retired. I just want to thank him for having this vision that is @WWE and for entertaining me and so many others for 30+ years. #Thankyouvince 👏🏾
— Ethan (@laylow_ethan) July 22, 2022
Please don’t go. @WWE will never be the same. Thank you for everything you’ve created , for the fun, the excitement and the experiences with WWE. YOU will never be forgotten. No one could ever fill your shoes. Long lives your legacy. @VinceMcMahon https://t.co/r3eQJSTiYF
— CeCe Guess (@cece_guess) July 22, 2022
WWE thanks Vince McMahon for his contributions to sports-entertainment and the WWE Universe and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.
— Th3SP1C (@Th3SP1C) July 22, 2022
Just got word a big debut coming to ALL OUT #AEW #VinceMcMahon #AllElite #WWE pic.twitter.com/E6kgjJumkY
— Bérwin|BeeWee 🇵🇷 (@BerWinning_) July 22, 2022
Some in the media spoke their minds too:
On the occasion of Vince McMahon’s retirement from the WWE, why not revisit our story about the man, the empire, and the fact he sometimes looks like a big bumpy hot dog? https://t.co/PeWFj2O8Le
— Last Week Tonight (@LastWeekTonight) July 22, 2022
This may not be the nicest thing to say, but all I can think about is: What horrible thing is The Wall Street Journal is preparing to report on Vince McMahon. There's gotta be something awful coming.
— Jim Valley (@JimValley) July 22, 2022
RELATED LINKS
- McMahon family story archive
- July 22, 2022: Vince McMahon retires
- July 22, 2022: Mat Matters editorial: Vince McMahon’s complicated legacy
