One big thing: Vince McMahon’s strategy for hometown losses
Matt Hardy sheds light on Vince McMahon’s controversial tradition of having WWE stars lose in their hometowns.
• Hardy believes McMahon saw it as a heat-generating tactic
• The former WWE chairman thought it would build stars into something bigger
• McMahon reportedly enjoyed seeing stars embarrassed in their hometowns
Why it matters
This insight offers a glimpse into McMahon’s creative process and decision-making, which has shaped WWE programming for decades. It highlights the sometimes counterintuitive nature of wrestling booking and the tension between fan expectations and surprise outcomes.
By the numbers
• WrestleMania 2000: Hardy Boyz lost to Edge and Christian
• SummerSlam: Original plan for Hardy Boyz to win in their hometown
• Unforgiven in Philadelphia: Where the Hardy Boyz eventually won in a cage match
The big picture
Hardy’s revelations underscore the complex relationship between wrestling promoters and their audience. While McMahon’s strategy aimed to create unexpected moments, it often left hometown fans disappointed and questioning the logic behind these decisions.
Hardy’s perspective
“I think sometimes people overthink pro wrestling, and I think that was one of the scenarios where they were overthinking pro wrestling.”
The bottom line
McMahon’s hometown loss tradition, while intended to generate heat and build stars, often backfired by frustrating fans and potentially damaging a wrestler’s connection with their local audience.
What do you think about Vince McMahon’s hometown loss strategy? Was it effective or did it do more harm than good? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
