Vincent McMahon

Vincent James McMahon, better known as Vince McMahon, Sr. (July 6, 1914–May 24, 1984) was a U.S. professional wrestling promoter. He is best known for founding the American promotion, World Wrestling Entertainment, of which his son, Vincent K. McMahon, is now the Chairman of the Board of directors.

Early life

Vincent James McMahon was born on July 6, 1914 in Harlem, New York. His father Roderick James "Jess" McMahon, an Irish-American, was a successful boxing and concert promoter who had worked with legendary Madison Square Garden promoter Tex Rickard and his mother Rose, was a New Yorker of Irish descent. He had an older brother, Roderick Jr., and a younger sister, Dorothy.

Professional wrestling

He saw the tremendous potential for growth that the pro-wrestling industry had in the era following World War II, especially with the development of television and its insatiable need for new programming. Similar to boxing, wrestling took place primarily within a small ring and could be covered adequately by one or two cameras, and venues for it could readily be assembled in television studios, lessening production costs.
McMahon's group, the Capitol Wrestling Corporation (later the World Wide Wrestling Federation, World Wrestling Federation, then World Wrestling Entertainment) came to dominate professional wrestling in the 1950s and 1960s in the nation's most populous area—the Northeast. His control was primarily in Baltimore, New York, and New Jersey. (Despite its name, the WWF was, like all pro wrestling promotions of its time, mostly a regional operation. It was, however, the one that came to dominate the most lucrative region). He had an eye for talent and for "booking" the matches that would lead to the most drama and excitement for the fans. In 1955, McMahon was the first person to put professional wrestling on television; it aired on Wednesday nights in Washington D. C. and was filmed from an old barn. He was also one of the first promoters to split gate proceeds with his wrestlers.
McMahon later sold the parent company of the WWF to his son Vincent Kennedy McMahon and his company Titan Sports, Inc. Vince Jr., much to his father's initial concern, set out to make it truly national and even truly worldwide in scope. The younger McMahon was largely successful, and the WWF quickly became one of the most prominent exponents of "Sports Entertainment". Today, it is now known as WWE, short for World Wrestling Entertainment. Vince Sr.'s, grandchildren Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon also work for the company.

Personal life

McMahon was married to Juanita, and the duo lived in Fort Lauderdale in the mid-1950s.
On May 24, 1984, he died from pancreatic cancer.