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“He Was Done”: WWE Legend Reveals How Vince McMahon Risked It All for the Success of the First-Ever WrestleMania

Published December 13, 2023, 6:30 AM EST

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WrestleMania is the biggest event in WWE and the largely seen as the pinnacle of sports entertainment. It takes place every year between mid-March and mid-April, garnering a gigantic viewership because of its grandeur. With an attendance of 19,121, the first ever WrestleMania took place on March 31, 1985, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. With that being said, do you know McMahon risked everything to make it a success story?

Scroll down below to find out what ‘The Genetic Jackhammer’ put on the line to make WrestleMania a reality.

Vince McMahon mortgaged his house for WrestleMania

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Back in the 80s, WWE was still spreading its roots on the pro wrestling ground and had other competitors in the market as well. When McMahon thought about implementing the idea of the first WrestleMania, he did not have enough budget to pull through, which is why he risked everything, even his house.

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Chavo Guerrero revealed this in an interview with Chris Van Vliet. He said, “He financed Wrestlemania by mortgaging his house and mortgaging everything and he told me he goes if this wasn’t a hit… if Wrestlemania 1 wasn’t a hit, he was done and, of course, look what it turned into.” 

The risk that ‘Vinnie Mac’ took was worth it, as today the annual event has propelled the Stamford-based promotion to astonishing heights. Guerrero also revealed that McMahon’s not afraid to crash and burn” attitude inspires him a lot.

Chavo Guerrero is all praise for McMahon

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From buying the company from his father to turning it into a billion-dollar promotion, it was not easy to take for McMahon. And it certainly didn’t happen overnight. He had a big dream and to accomplish it; he took several risks in his life. Some paid off, and some didn’t, but he never stopped.

Guerrero said in the interview that the biggest thing he learned from working with Vince McMahon was not to be afraid to fail. He says those who follow this motto never lose in life as failures are equally important as success. Both are complementary.

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Watch this story – Five Best Stage Arrangements Ever for WrestleMania

He added that only by following this mindset did he become a successful star and reach where he is right now. What do you think about McMahon risking everything for WrestleMania I? Let us know in your comments below. We would love to hear from you.

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Written by:

Monika Thapa

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Edited by:

Sherjeel Malik