Growing Up McMahon
By Laura
Chants of "Slut! Slut!" reverberate throughout arenas whenever she enters the squared circle; World Wrestling Federation fans love to hate her. Yet this is exactly what makes Stephanie McMahon happy -- being a part of the family business is her passion, her love, her life. And here, Stephanie McMahon gets down and dirty about her passion in this exclusive RAW Magazine interview.
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RAW: What is your earliest memory of a World Wrestling Federation Event?
Stephanie McMahon: I was about three years old and backstage at an event with my father, when all of a sudden George "the Animal" Steele, fresh from the ring, came running around the corner, shaking his head, waving his arms, and sticking out his green tongue at anyone in close range. He looked like a big, scary, hairy monster. And when he turned and started grunting in my direction, I screamed at the top of my lungs! I ran straight for my father's arms -- the safest place I knew -- and he just laughed out loud. He thought it was the funniest thing.
RAW: When you were growing up, did people treat you differently because you're Vince McMahon's daughter? Stephanie: When I was a kid? Not really. Kids are kids, and they're not yet jaded by the political B.S. that affects us as adults. But one time, I did kick a boy in the shin for saying that wrestling was fake and making fun of my father. I later wound up going to high school and college with that boy, and to this day, we're friends. He just wears shin guards when we hang out. I've always been very productive of my family and our business.
RAW: What about highschool?
Stephanie: High school was a little different. At the time, my father was under federal investigation and there was a media smear campaign aimed at him. I remember one specific headline, "Vince McMahon is worse than Hannibal the Cannibal," and articles stating my parents were getting a divorce, things like that. I learned at a fairly young age just how manipulative the media can be. The articles were simply untrue, and it was so unfair. "But sometimes life is unfair," my father would say, "and as long as you, Shane, and your mother know who I am, that's whats most important in my life."
My peers never really treated me differently; it was their parents or certain teachers. They looked down at me because "wrestling" was definitely percieved as "low-brow" entertainment, and my father was the kingpin. But I am extremely proud of my father, my family's business and who I am, and I was never afraid to say so, even if it meant launching a completely inappropriate verbal assault on one of my friend's parents.
RAW: You weren't born in Greenwich, but moved there at the age of eight, and no matter what the reality may be, no one is going to believe that you weren't born with a silver spoon in your mouth. What do you have to say to people who have the perception that you're a spoiled brat?
Stephanie: In the real world, perception is reality. And people are going to think whatever they're going to think. But if you know me, I hope you know I'm not really like that.
RAW: Did you play any school sports?
Stephanie: In junior high, I used to dance -- jazz, tap, toe and ballet -- and played most of the school sports: field hockey, basketball, and softball. That's when I found out my knees weren't designed very well. I had one knee scoped [arthroscopic surgery], and it didn't really work. So the doctor told me I needed major reconstructive surgery to move around bones and muscle tissue. I said, "No thank you." After that, the doctor told me two things I shouldn't do were ski or play basketball.
That year I went skiing for the first -- and last -- time and went out for basketball. I hadn't played [on a team] since 8th grade, so I didn't have a lot of offense. But I played with a lot of heart and once I learned how not to foul, I was one hell of a defensive player. I was just so proud that I'd made the team and stuck it out for the season.
RAW: Do you have any hobbies?
Stephanie: I like to go to the movies and love to dance. I like all music, except classical. I really have an aversion to classical music; I don't know why. I love hip-hop -- that's what I love to dance to. I like everything from Dido to Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit to A Tribe Called Quest, R. Kelly and Lucy Pearl. And I like more hardcore stuff, like Primus and Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath. I also like 50's music; my mom and I used to dance to it in the kitchen when I was little.
Here's a CD I've been listening to lately that's kind of random: Guru's Jazzmatazz Street Soul -- I think it's the second one. But my very favorite is R&B: James Brown, Aretha Franklin, The Commodores, Otis Redding. I love music with soul.
RAW: Do you like to read?
Stephanie: I do like to read, but unfortunately don't have as much time to do it as I used to. I love Stephen King and I like mysteries, also non-fiction -- real stories about real people.
And I really love to write. That's something a lot of people don't know about me. I've written short stories, lots of poetry. I've attempted to write song lyrics, though I haven't been too successful with those. I think I'm a writer at heart.
RAW: There was a rumor a while back that you were dating a member of Limp Bizkit. Is that true?
Stephanie: (laughing) No, I don't know where that came from. Apparently at one time [it was rumored that] I was engaged to Fred Durst. But no, it's definitely not true. I've never even met him!
RAW: What about your dating life? Is it hard to meet someone?
Stephanie: Dating can be very difficult, especially because you never really know where someone's coming from. But I really am a hopeless romantic and believe that when its meant to be it will just be.
RAW: Who would you say has been your role model?
Stephanie: My mother. My mother has taught me how to be a woman, and what it means to be powerful woman in a man's world. My mom is truly amazing -- even though she's now in a mental ward! (laughs) She grew up in a small town in North Carolina that the majority of the population doesn't even know exists, and has gone on to become the CEO of a billion-dollar company that she and my father helped grow: World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. And most importantly, she is the most loving wife and mother a family has ever known. My mother and father have been through more together than I probably will ever know, and they're still together.
RAW: You work with your mother, but you work much more closely with your father. What is it like to work with Vince McMahon?
Stephanie: In business, Vince is always Vince, but he's also always my dad. It's a very fine line; our business is so intricately woven into our personal lives. But my father, as well as my mother, have always made it very clear to me that no matter what is going on -- they could be in the midst of a coporate merger -- if I need them on a personal level, they're there for me and Shane. And they always have been. But Dad is also always "Vince." Vince treats everybody the same way, but sometimes he's a little bit tougher on Shane and me because we're his kids, and he expects more from us.
RAW: What about your relationship with your brother Shane?
Stephanie: Shane is the best. I'm probably closer to Shane than anyone else, simply because we're brother and sister. My parents weren't around until later at night, so for the most part, Shane raised me. Shane and I communicated in a much more physical fashion. Suplexes and bodyslams were an everyday occurance -- not to forget my favrorite, submission holds. He had to relate to me like a boy, I guess; it was all he knew. Shane not only toughened me up, but he kept me thoroughly entertained -- most of the time doing impressions of our dad. He also taught me a lot about myself.
RAW: Like what?
Stephanie: Like the time Shane taught me how to tackle. When Shane told me to "start running" I knew something painful was about to happen. I was running for my life when I felt him gaining on me and then WHAM! I went down. Then it was my turn. After hanging around Shane's waist as he dragged me across the field for the umpteenth time, Shane taught me how to hit at the knees. No matter how big he was, he said he'd fall.
RAW: Did he?
Stephanie: He did, hard. I was so proud of myself! That story is a perfect example of Shane teaching me that I could do anything I wanted to do -- all I had to do was try. Even though we still "wrestle," Shane relates to me now as a woman. He's always there to listen to me blabber and lets me cry when I need to, but I have a feeling I will always be his tackling dummy.
RAW: Have you always wanted to be a part of the World Wrestling Federation?
Stephanie: Yes. But my parents never pressured Shane or I. They always encouraged us to do whatever we wanted to do. I always wanted to be a part of the business, though. I thought it was funny that in a recent interview my father gave, he said he didn't know I wanted to be in the business until my junior year of college. That struck me as being so odd because I thought he knew. How could he not? But he didn't know until he asked me.,p> RAW: When did you start working for the WWF?
Stephanie:When I was about 14, I worked the switchboard for reception. From there I interned in the human resources, marketing, media relations, pay-per-view and new media departments, and as a production assistant.
RAW: Your first full-time job after college with the Federation was in the New York Sales OFfice as an account executive and before that you interned with the CEO -- your mom Linda -- and the Chairman -- your father Vince. What has been your most challenging position so far?
Stephanie: I would have to say that my internship with my father was the most challenging. Besides trying to learn everything at once and keeping a notepad on me at all times to jot down any fleeting thought that he said, I was even living with him at home so I literally kept his schedule. The man does not sleep much. At the time, my father was training to compete in the Royal Rumble. You might remember my brother -- the coach -- and I were training right along with him. My father is unbelieveable -- the way he challenges himself is just unlike anybody else. He's tough to keep up with. And I'm putting it mildly.
RAW: And now, you're a full-time part of the creative team?
Stephanie: Yes. I'm much more suited for the creative side than the sales side. But it's important I learn as many facets of the company as I can.
RAW: Did you ever think you would have an on-camera role?
Stephanie: I've always loved to perform -- it's in my heart. But I never like to assume anything about this business and never knew what would happen.
RAW: Your role of late is much more physical. Do you have to train?
Stephanie: I train in the ring as often as I can. But our Superstars have years and years of training. They literally give their bodies to this business. I train as much as possible, but what I do doesn't compare to them at all.
RAW: How do you feel when you're in the ring and everyone is chanting, "Slut! Slut! Slut!"?
Stephanie: I think that fan participation is one of the greatest things about our show. Our fans are proud and vocal, and they're not afraid to let you know what they think. As far as how I feel personally about being called a "slut"? To be able to elicit a reaction from all those people is pretty cool, not matter what they're calling me.
RAW: Do you find it odd that Trish, whose character uses her sexuality to get what she wants, doesn't get that kind of reaction?
Stephanie: I think it's because I've been more of a heel than Trish. I use my power to manipulate Superstars who I find threatening. By me messing with the fan favorites, they're just messing with me back. Trish might start getting some chants, I don't know, but unless she does something to Austin, The Rock, or the Undertaker, they've got no reason not to like her.
RAW: WWF Superstars have devoted their bodies to this business for years, and many had to struggle to get into the business. You, on the other hand, were born into it, not to take away from the fact that you have worked hard. Regardless, is there any tension between you and the talent -- or the the outside world?
Stephanie: I was very lucky to have been born with an opportunity to be a part of the World Wrestling Federation, but it's up to me to prove I belong here.
RAW: You started out on TV as "Daddy's Little Girl" only to turn into a "Dirty Little Girl."
Stephanie: Well, I'm still "Daddy's Little Girl," only Daddy changed! (laughing)
RAW: But you are a total heel. I know, for example, that Triple H thrives on the negative attention and energy issued forth from the fans. Do you experience the same kind of rush?
Stephanie: I love it. It's so much more fun being a heel.
RAW: Do you ever get nervous?
Stephanie: I always get nervous. [The first time] I walked out into the arena was probably the worst -- well, my first real match with Lita and having Austin rip my shirt off came close. One of our agents, Jack Lanza, saw the look he's probably seen a million times and asked if I was nervous. I just nodded my head. I didn't even have any lines and I felt like my heart was going to pound out of my chest. "That's good," he told me. "I hope you never lose that, because if you're nervous it means you care." That stuck with me. But I can't describe what it feels like to perform in front of 20,000 people and hear and feel them react. That energy is a rush like you've never felt. Nothing compares to it.
RAW: Do you ever get sick of your family? Most people have time away from them via work, extra-curricular activities. You, on the other hand, work in the family business. Do you ever get "Stephanie-time"?
Stephanie: I'd go crazy without "Steph-time." I'm an independent person and sometimes I just need to be alone. But as far as being "sick of my family," I wouldn't say I'm ever "sick" of them. It's not easy to work with your family. We don't always get along and sometimes we take each other for granted -- or just slap the hell out of each other! (laughingly referencing episodes of Raw Is War and SmackDown!) But being able to contribute to the family business makes me feel like I'm giving something back to the people who have loved and supported me all my life. The World Wrestling Federation has been in my family for four generations and it's an honor to be a part of the McMahon legacy.