Debate: Did Vince McMahon destroy Pro Wrestling?
From Wrestling With The 80’s: We hosted a live debate between two of the most prolific guests I have featured on this channel: Evan Ginzburg and Steve Gennarelli!
My most recent episode discussing WWF before the Hulkamania years brought back a lot of fond memories for many old school wrestling fans. But it also made some fans realize what they lost with the transition from classic wrestling pre-1984 to the onslaught of glitz and glamour post-1984.
Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon may have been the dream team with regards to pushing pro wrestling to the pinnacle of popularity, but did they push it too far? Did they turn a once loved sport into a sports entertainment money making machine, deft of all soul and integrity.
Evan Ginzburg, author and associate producer of The Wrestler and 350 Days has been a wrestling fan since the 1960’s, attending regular events at Madison Square Garden from 1974 to 1985. He has witnesssed the dominance of Bruno Sammartino, the flash of Superstar Billy Graham, the steadfast Bob Backlund and the meteoric rise of Hulk Hogan. He will be taking the side of ‘YES’ with regards to our question.
Steve Gennarelli, podcaster and wrestling fan since 1976, attended wrestling events on the East Coast of the United States, watched the climax of Bruno Sammartino’s epic run, lived through the Bob Backlund era, and got recharged with the arrival Hulkamania. Steve will taking the side of ‘NO’ with regards to our question.