During a recent episode of Busted Open After Dark, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray reflected on Vince McMahon’s unexpected appearance in the documentary TMZ Presents: The Real Hulk Hogan. Bully Ray suggested this could signal the beginning of McMahon re-entering the WWE spotlight, sparking speculation about a possible return to television.
Ray shared that seeing McMahon in his first major interview since stepping down was emotionally impactful. He recalled personal memories, explaining how Vince had always been supportive of him and his tag team partner D-Von. This emotional reaction highlights McMahon’s deep connections within the wrestling community, beyond his corporate role.
McMahon’s Role in WWE and Subtle Hints in Hulk Hogan Tribute
Bully Ray pointed out that the WWE’s tribute video to Hulk Hogan deliberately included footage of McMahon raising Hogan’s hand. Though seemingly a minor detail amid many images, Ray viewed it as a meaningful gesture indicating McMahon’s presence has not been entirely erased from WWE history. This inclusion has fueled rumors about whether WWE is preparing the audience for McMahon’s gradual reintegration.
Reflecting on McMahon’s legacy, Bully Ray recalled the iconic “Mr. McMahon” character, known for being a compelling villain. He likened McMahon’s persona to Emperor Palpatine, noting that McMahon’s on-screen heat was vital to storylines, especially during the era of Stone Cold Steve Austin. According to Ray, a potential return of this wrestling character could captivate fans once more.
Predicting a Possible Comeback at John Cena’s Farewell Event
Conversation during the show turned to the upcoming farewell match of John Cena scheduled for December. A caller proposed that Vince McMahon might make an appearance to honor Cena’s career, a suggestion Bully Ray strongly endorsed. Ray emphasized that Vince was the person who gave Cena his pivotal opportunity in WWE and that a joint moment of farewell could resonate positively with fans, temporarily setting aside any controversies surrounding McMahon outside the ring.
WWE and TKO’s Approach to McMahon’s Potential Return
Bully Ray concluded by stating that WWE and its parent company TKO likely plan to observe fan reactions carefully before making any decisions about McMahon’s on-screen role. He stressed that wrestling is a highly calculated business, and gauging audience response through social media will be a key factor in determining whether McMahon’s reappearance could successfully reintegrate him into WWE programming.
“For me, it was a little emotional to see Vince. Vince was always very good to me and D-Von.” —Bully Ray, WWE Hall of Famer
“Vince has this father figure… type of feel to some of us… seeing Vince kind of reminded me about those stories that Shane used to share with me, and it was a little emotional to see Vince. And I’m not trying to push all the stuff that’s going on with Vince to the side. That’s a completely separate issue. I’m just sharing my feelings of seeing Vince for the first time in a long time.” —Bully Ray, WWE Hall of Famer
“Some of you might be saying, ‘well, it’s just one image in a montage of hundreds of images,’ but it all starts somewhere, and we saw a lot of Vince tonight… Have we seen the last of Vince McMahon in the WWE? Do you think putting Vince out there tonight opens the door just a little bit?” —Bully Ray, WWE Hall of Famer
“Could you imagine if Vince ever came back as a character trying to take the place back over again?… I got Emperor Palpatine vibes off of him… there’s never been a bully heel like Vince McMahon. Vince generated so much heat… Austin needed McMahon.” —Bully Ray, WWE Hall of Famer
“I think it’s a really good idea… Vince is the guy that gave John his opportunity… If Vince were to come out in that moment to give John his final farewell, I think the people would like to see that, or would embrace it… maybe for that moment in time, forget about all of the things going on in real life with Vince.” —Bully Ray, WWE Hall of Famer
“The wrestling business is very calculated. I definitely think that the WWE and TKO will sit back and monitor social media tonight and tomorrow to see just what kind of response Vince McMahon got for being on this documentary.” —Bully Ray, WWE Hall of Famer
