|
How
was the WWF formed?
|
As
NWA champion, Buddy Rogers' bookings were controlled by Toots
Mondt, promoter in the Northeast. The other NWA promoters were
dissatisfied because Mondt rarely let Rogers defend the belt outside
the Northeast. Mondt and Vince McMahon Sr. wanted to keep Rogers
and the NWA title, but Rogers didn't want to lose his $25,000
deposit on the belt. So Rogers lost the NWA title to Lou Thesz
in Toronto on January 24, 1963. Rogers was not recognized as the
first WWWF champion right after losing to Thesz. Instead, Rogers
was awarded the WWWF title in mid April 1963, with the explanation
that he has won a (fictitious) tournament in Rio de Janeiro. He
lost the title to Bruno Sammartino a month later on May 17, 1963.
Rogers would have likely had a longer reign as champion, but,
he suffered a heart attack shortly before the match with Bruno.
This explains both the brevity of the match (47 seconds) with
Bruno and the subsequent disappearance of Rogers from the ring.
Some reports have Rogers almost had to be wheeled into the ring,
due to his weakened condition. Rogers retired after this match,
although he did return to the ring in 1967. |
|
When
did the WWWF become the WWF?
|
The
name change took place in mid 1979. The change was purely a cosmetic
one. Ownership and front office personnel remained unaffected.
About this same time, the WWF phased out their North American
title and replaced it with what is today known as the Intercontinental
title. |
| |
Who
currently owns and runs the WWF?
|
| Linda
McMahon (Vince's wife) is President of Titan Sports (the WWF's parent
company) while Vince McMahon Jr. remains CEO and Chairman of the
Board of Titan Sports. Vince Jr. was given control of the WWF by
his father, Vince Sr. Although Vince McMahon Sr. died in May 1984,
he had turned over control of the business to his son sometime around
late 1982 or early 1983. The most widely believed story is that
McMahon Sr. divested his Capitol Wrestling Corporation (under which
he promoted the W[W]WF) in late 1982/early 1983. McMahon Sr. then
incorporated. Titan Sports as the WWF's new parent company and gave
half of Titan's stock to his son. Vince Sr. also gave 1/6 stock
each to Arnold Skaaland, Phil Zacko (who was the promoter in Philadelphia
and surrounding regions) and Robert Marella (aka Gorilla Monsoon).
Upon receiving their shares of Titan stock, Skaaland, Zacko, and
Marella promptly sold them to McMahon Jr. for $100,000 each, primarily
out of their uncertainty of Vince Jr's business skills. In return,
Vince Jr. gave Skaaland and Marella guaranteed 10-year jobs with
Titan. In May 1994, it was confirmed that Vince McMahon owned 100%
of Titan. |
|
All
information contained within this site is solely for the use of our
viewers & The Ring General and is not intended for any commercial
reproduction, redistribution, or retransmission. The Ring General is
not affiliated in any way with any wrestling organization or production.
All pictures, descriptions, and accounts of non-previously © information
is property of The Ring General and Philip John Basile |
