In August 1995, WWE CEO Vince McMahon conducted an AOL interview (yes, one of those) around his 50th birthday. See what McMahon had to say about hot topics in wrestling 20 years ago just before the start of the Monday Night Wars...

WWF Newswire Flashback
PWTorch Newsletter #352

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-On whether Monday Nitro will help the WWF: "That's a good question. I really don't have an answer. I question the motives of those at WCW who made this decision. It's obvious that those at WCW are attempting to hurt the WWF and its fans. They are not content on attempting to help themselves but rather hurt a competitor. A very poor marketing philosophy, in my view. However, we always welcome comparisons. We don't wish to be considered in the same category as the WCW in many respects."

-On Bill Watts: "Bill Watts has just joined our creative staff and his first task is to set up the wrestling ring in Madison Square Garden and to make sure the ring ropes are tight at all times."

-On whether the WWF would establish a working agreement with a Japanese group: "Since our marketing philosophy would include performing live events in all countries, including Japan, I would suggest that the Japanese promotions would not look forward to a working agreement for that reason. Nonetheless, I'm open for discussion."

-On taking "the popularity of wrestling" back to the level it was at in the '80s: "I'm not concerned with the popularity of wrestling, I'm only concerned with the popularity of the WWF. There is a huge philosophical difference in the standard of ethics and non-violent action on television as well as marketing philosophy between anything we do in the WWF and anything in the broad stroke category of what pro wrestling is."

-On Ultimate Warrior: "The Ultimate Warrior was last heard of baying at the moon at the desert at approximately 3:30 a.m. Rumor has it that he subsequently grew hair all over his face and became the Wolfman. As far as I know, the Warrior is still pumping iron in Arizona."

-On the boisterous crowd at the last Raw tapings: "I enjoyed the crowd at Worcester immensely. I especially enjoyed the chants that I heard loud and clear. Especially 'Kill the clown.' I always enjoy fan interaction at any level, but especially at a live WWF event."

-On WCW copying the WWF of the '80s: "I don't often have an opportunity to watch much of the WCW product. When I do, it does seem as though they are attempting to reinvent the wheel. The reason for the pause at this moment is that I have just nodded off. I turn 50 years old on Thursday. Senility is setting in."

He concluded by saying that since he is turning 50, perhaps if he became a pro wrestler he would be more suited for WCW than the WWF.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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