A former WWE executive has offered a different perspective on Vince McMahon, describing the longtime WWE chairman as far quieter and more introverted than many people might expect.
Speaking on The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling podcast (quotes courtesy of wrestlinginc.com), George Barrios reflected on his 12 years working alongside Vince McMahon and admitted that his first impression of the WWE founder was very different from the image many fans had of him. Before joining WWE in 2008, Barrios expected McMahon to be outspoken and highly extroverted. Instead, he encountered someone he described as reserved and stoic.
“I met Vince, and I had my own perception that he was a loud, extroverted guy with strong opinions,” Barrios said. “In the 12 years I was with him, I saw it that very first day, a very quiet guy, more stoic, introverted.”
George Barrios Said Communicating With Vince McMahon Was Very Challenging
George Barrios went on to explain that communication was one of the more challenging aspects of working with Vince McMahon due to McMahon’s naturally reserved personality.
“Very different than me,” he said. “The hardest part of working with Vince, and it’s not what people expect, is the communication. He’s just a quiet, introverted guy.”
Barrios joined WWE in 2008 and served as both Chief Financial Officer and Co-President during a period of significant growth for the company. He remained with WWE until January 2020, then returned to the wrestling industry as a member of the TKO board in December 2022.
The former executive recently chronicled his career in a new memoir, Sometimes Wrong but Never in Doubt: How a Cuban Kid from Queens Transformed WWE, which details his experiences helping WWE evolve into a global entertainment powerhouse.
