The Quick Talkdown 6.16.07: Life After Vince and Batista Gets Mag Coverage

Posted by Phill Feltham on 06.16.2007

What would the WWE be like without Vince McMahon?

Vince's shocking death angle has me asking, "What will the WWE be like without Vince McMahon?' But before I answer that question, here is my major announcement.

Former WWE World Champion Batista will be featured in the summer issue of Maximum Fitness magazine. If you're a gym rat or a Batista fan, you'll definitely want to pick up this issue. Batista has a custom-made workout that is ideal for the average guy. If you want more information, simply click on maxfitmag.com for more details or you can email [e-mail].

Now the stage is set. WWE.com has this huge investigation happening regarding the presumed death of Mr. McMahon. Of course, articles have been published revealing that Vince is indeed not dead. The explosion was just a well-prepared stunt. Heck, do dead mean meet up with Jesse "The Body" Ventura to talk business? I don't think so. But where do we go from here? What will happen to the WWE?

I bet Vince wanted to answer this question while he was still around. Thus the ten seconds of silence on ECW and SmackDown! And obviously the upcoming angle of ‘Who will take over the WWE?'

Will there be a power struggle? But of course! That's what makes conflict such a great story. Let's set the stage (if it hasn't been set already). You have two power-hungry siblings named Shane and Stephanie McMahon who are going to want full control over the McMahon family business not that daddy is out of the way.

Of course, Mommy McMahon is in a state of grief right now so she can't really do much of anything. She of course will make the announcement of who Vince's successor will be. Now how should this angle play out?

If the WWE does it correctly, they could easily have one of the best angles they've had in years. If the power struggle between the siblings happen, Linda will be the moderator who will make the final decision. Based on a series of matches or stipulations, the winner will get to choose which brand he/ she controls. Naturally, Shane McMahon will get SmackDown! and ECW because Triple H and Stephanie are RAW mainstays.

Then the real war begins. Shane does his best to up Stephanie in booking and in talent. Stephanie will use her leverage of being a live show to boost the flagship show.

Shane, angry for getting the ‘lesser shows' becomes determined to surpass RAW. What happens is Shane starts to sign old talent and increase the productivity of SmackDown and ECW to surpass RAW.

RAW will begin to suffer (not in ratings because only the fans can deterimine that) by losing two of its top names to SmackDown. Shane then becomes so involved with SmackDown that he tries closing ECW. Of course, Stephanie won't allow it but she doesn't want to run ECW either.

Then according to storyline ECW is sold back to Paul Heyman. Then ECW will be in the prime position of becoming a rebel promotion again with Heyman back at the helm. Rebel in the sense that ECW was like the red-headed step child that nobody wanted.

The heat picks up between RAW, SmackDown! and ECW. It comes to the point where hostile takeovers begin. RAW tries to invade SmackDown and vice versa. ECW will try to invade anyone anyway.

Linda tries everything to regain or even just maintain a sense of control of the company. When all else fails she brings back the man who once controlled it all—Vince McMahon. The McMahon children will be enraged and not happy to see daddy—and why should they be?

Daddy planned his own death to see what his children would do with the company. Vince then said that his children failed and he tries to take the brands back from the children. Shane and Steph won't have it and they try to get lawyers involved t maintain their power. Vince fails as when he was declared dead, he forfeited all his worldly possessions.

After some fancy footing, he's able to get SmackDown back and get on the good graces of his son, Shane. Vince tries to battle Heyman for ECW but eventually gives up for RAW.

Stephanie has become corrupt with power. Steph denounces her entire family and becomes more entrenched in RAW's business. Eventually, she's able to take over the entire business leaving the rest of the McMahons without jobs. This of course doesn't last long and Vince gets full control again.

What are your ideas? What angles should happen now that Vince is gone? Send your ideas to [e-mail]. The best will be published in next week's column.

Phill Feltham is Senior Editor of the men's fitness magazine, Maximum Fitness and Publisher for the premiere travel website, The Weekly Wanderer Dot Com. If you want to yell at Phill, send your rants to [e-mail].