Only Vince McMahon (and probably some bookers) could create such awesome schemes as the ones below. Except the Higher Power thing. Come on, Vince, we're better than that.
Within a month before Survivor Series, where Bret Hart would defend his WWF Championhip against Shawn Michaels, Vince decided that the WWF needed some cutbacks. One included Bret. His recently signed 20 year contract with the WWF was a struggle just to keep. So, for the benefit of Bret & the WWF, Vince helped work a deal that would give Bret a contract in WCW. The problem was, Bret may leave as champion. And that's not a good time for a champion to jump ship (see Alundra Blayze, 1995).
During Bret's last 30 days, he had control over his character. With Survivor Series being in Montreal, Bret desperately didn't want to lose the belt, especially to a real-life rival such as Michaels. So Bret & Vince agreed to a DQ finish, where Bret would retain the belt & give it up the next night on RAW. But instead of taking the chance that Bret would not honor his claim, the Montreal Incident occured. As Shawn hooked Bret's own move on him, the Sharpshooter, Vince McMahon, who was ringside, told referee Earl Hebner to call for the bell. It appeared that Bret had submitted, but he in fact did not.
Shocked, Bret spit at Vince from the ring as Michaels escaped with his DX friends & the title. Backstage, Bret punched Vince in the face before he left. It was evident something was wrong even the next night on RAW. Signs about the punch & screwjob were throughout the arena, & some wrestlers even boycotted the show.
But the incident was not merely a screwjob. It wasn't even a storyline; it was real. But from that incident, the WWF started to gain its new Attitude, & Vince began to earn a character as a ruthless businessman, who picks his own champions & runs the league the way he wants.
During the 1998 Royal Rumble, Mike Tyson was shown pretending to know something about wrestling as he sat with Vince McMahon watching the annual January PPV. Weeks later, on a big RAW, it was announced that Tyson would play the role of "Enforcer" at WrestleMania XIV (that's 14 for the dumb-heads), which featured Steve Austin challenging Shawn Michaels for the WWF World title.
During the announcement, McMahon called Tyson "the baddest man on the planet", which Austin took offense to. He entered the ring & after some words, flicked off Tyson & started a brawl flashed all over every news station in America.
A few more weeks later, it appeared that Shawn Michaels would start a brawl of his own with Tyson. As Shawn faced down Tyson, HBK ripped Tyson's shirt, revealing a DX shirt underneath. And it wasn't pretty seeing Tyson try to do the DX chop. (shudder)
Then about a week before WrestleMania itself, Kevin Kelly, in his only moment of fame, interviewed the WWF Owner, asking about WrestleMania. When Kelly asked McMahon if he wanted to see Austin as the WWF Champ, Mr. McMahon replied, "Not just no, but OH HELL NO!" This act started Vince's TV heel turn.
Finally, WrestleMania rolled around. Tyson stood outside the ring, while an actual ref officiated the match. As the ref got KO'd (who didn't see that coming?), Austin blocked Sweet Chin Music & hit the Stunner. Tyson ran in the ring & counted the pin, giving Austin his first WWF World title. Shawn got up, confronted Tyson & got KO'd. For all of McMahon's scheming, Tyson claimed to be with Austin the whole time.
At Survivor Series 98, McMahon created a tournament for the vacant WWF title, pitting who he wanted against whomever he wanted. It seemed as if he favored Mankind, who reprised his role as the "Corporate Champion". He easily beat Duane Gill in the first round, then Al Snow. Pitted against Austin, the ref got knocked out & Shane McMahon steps in. Seeming to be Austin's bud, he started to count Austin's pin on Mankind, but stopped at 2 & flicked off the Rattlesnake! Mankind got the win & advanced to the finals.
On the other side of the tourney, The Rock advanced to the finals after beating Big Bossman (subbing for injured Triple H), Ken Shamrock & the Undertaker. Mankind & The Rock brawl at the beginning of their match & fought the first of several great fights which are shown over the next 4 PPV's. In the end, Deja Vu: The Rock hooked the Sharpshooter on Mankind & Vince McMahon calls for the bell, even though Mankind did not submit.
After the match, Mankind asked his "Dad" what the deal is. McMahon responded harshly, as The Rock laid the Smack down on Mankind & turned heel, becoming Vince's new "Corporate Champion".
Damn right. Since the day after St. Valentine's Day Massacre, the Undertaker prophecized about a Higher Power which he answered to, which would eventually give him control of the WWF. Get prepared, because this scheme has more plot twists than a porno. Really, since there's no plot in pornos anyway.
The Undertaker's first act was burning a teddy bear after his Inferno match vs Kane, which got Mr. McMahon down on his knees in agony. So we knew it was something symbolic to Vince & not some anti-animal cruelty thing. Vince retaliated by starting a Corporation vs Ministry of Darkness war.
The day after WrestleMania, Stephanie McMahon was shown backstage protected by security guards & the McMen, Vince & Shane. In the ring, after a 4 way Women's match, the Undertaker & the Ministry held Sable hostage (how many of us wish he would have snapped her neck NOW?!?). Vince went into the arena to confront the Undertaker, but noticed that the Acolytes were missing from the ring. Vince ran backstage but found Stephanie missing. Vince sent Ken Shamrock to find Stephanie. A bloodbath & ankle lock later, Shamrock found out she was in the basement & rescued her.
Two weeks later in Detroit (hell yeah I was there. They pull out all the stops for Michigan!), Shane McMahon took control of the Corporation & slapped Vince in the face in mid-ring, asking, "Where's the balls the size of grapefruits?" Front page, Shane.
Fast forward to WWF Backlash April 26. Vince helps Austin regain his Rattlesnake belt from The Rock & Shane, who stole it the day after WrestleMania. Vince begins his face turn & an alliance with Austin.
Over the next month, Shane merges the Corporation & the Ministry of Darkness, cutting out wrestlers such as The Rock, Test & Ken Shamrock. The Union forms & allies themselves with Vince, Austin & The Rock, to feud with the new Corporate Ministry. A match between Austin & the Undertaker is signed for Over the Edge May 23, with Shane & Vince as guest referees. The Undertaker eventually wins the belt in a screwjob via fast count from Shane.
Two weeks later, with the World title in his hands, the Undertaker announces that the Higher Power will be revealed. Well, only to Austin (see pic). All week, the question asked was, "Who is the Higher Power?" Jake Roberts? Brother Love? Shane? Vince? Linda McMahon? Gillberg? From the look on Austin face, it seemed that it was someone close to him.
FINALLY, the next week, the Higher Power is revealed to be Vince himself. It's pretty hard to swallow, since it involves believing that Vince orchestrated the above for about 5 whole months. But a high spot occurs moments after McMahon reveals his secret. Stephanie & Linda McMahon give their 50% of the company to Austin & name him the new CEO.
