Mr. McMahon Goes to Memphis | Wrestling With Wregret

Everyone knows that the evil Mr. McMahon character got its start in Montreal, right? ... WRONG! Find out what happened when Vince feuded with Jerry Lawler on the King's home turf, all the way back in 1993! It's the infamous "McMemphis" storyline!
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[@leviathan_is_me]

So basically Vince sent Mr. McMahon to "developmental" to work the kinks out before his main roster debut...damn he really DOESN'T ask anyone to do something he wouldn't do himself.

[@MrDaruis]

Would be funny if Mr.Mcmahon wanted to stay in development because he was afraid of what Vince Mcmahon would do to him in the main roster.

[@HipHop4lyfeallday]

@@MrDaruis hilarious

[@johntaylor6837]

I wonder if there's a DVD on the McMemphis saga?

[@jamief1263]

Xpac said that if Vince could he would do everything, from commentating, setting the ring up, working the camera and wrestling lol. Must be frustrating now he is too old.

[@SpiralPoliFemboy]

@@jamief1263 i don't think age will stop vince

[@LGBTPlayingGames]

"Death, Taxes & Randy Savage" will always remain absolutely godlike, and probably one of the top rarely-seen heel manager promos of all time.

[@oldmanfranks8191]

Brian: "I turn...to Chris Hero" Me: I'm sorry what. Christ Hero: *shows up* Me: WHAT.

[@elbalisong5672]

Chris Hero ain't nothing to mess with Talk about knowing all facets of the business

[@burnthetrolls5971]

@@elbalisong5672 he is truly a wrestling genius and also a Knock Out Artist

[@nextrevsonoma]

@@burnthetrolls5971 and also that young knockout kid

[@dbone3356]

@@burnthetrolls5971 Did you just say that? Oh no...

[@jonpitts1639]

My only minor complaint is Chris didn't have a cap and gown on

[@michaelbandada9887]

“When I’m done conquering that dump known as Memphis, I’ll conquer Philadelphia...and then, ATLANTA!” -Vince McMahon, before becoming Mr McMahon

[@kenterminateddq5311]

Ironically, Vince predicted the future since he did conquer Philly & Atlanta by owning ECW & WCW

[@justingochioco1121]

@@kenterminateddq5311 Someday he can conquer Jacksonville by owning AEW

[@firmanchristiansianturi4794]

@@justingochioco1121 The Khans are richer than him though

[@R8FXX]

@@firmanchristiansianturi4794 so was turner but look how that turned out

[@firmanchristiansianturi4794]

@@R8FXX The difference is, Turner never had absolute control of Warner

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

Holy shit. This is one of those "I thought I knew everything" moments. Learned a LOT during this one.

[@tonyslicer7399]

Same lol

[@BigHonchoNick]

Idk if it's still on youtube,but there was a playlist called McMemphis that had a lot of footage

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

@@BigHonchoNick it would appear I'll be going down that rabbit hole later today.

[@adamadkins1235]

Right? I'm legit blown away that I had never heard of or seen this

[@ryankeefe6222]

@@adamadkins1235 you really have to dig to find it I wasn’t even aware of McMemphis until about 9-10 years ago and then I went down the rabbit hole it completely blew my mind it’s almost like it was this big angle that almost happened in secret

[@jimllc]

"Death...taxes...and Randy Savage." Oh that was straight up Mr. McMahon circa 2006.

[@bergman864]

The Bret Hart- Jerry Lawler feud is one of the first things that hooked me in wrestling. Never knew I was only getting half the story.

[@ryankeefe6222]

It’s really one of those angles you have to dig to find unless you lived in Memphis the whole thing was almost done in secret

[@hulkhogan4203]

Jerry the Lawler*

[@walker1984]

Has the other half found its way on KZbin?

[@DanielDwightMusic]

Same

[@rlouie05]

Basically a role reversal in Memphis, with Hart working heel. If would've been nice if Jerry got a little WWF title run out of their feud vs. waiting until the 2010s to get his first crack at the title.

[@ECW5320]

Seeing Evil Vince pre-Montreal is mindblowing.

[@mattm7798]

Haha right. It's a little eerie how close it was to the Mr. McMahon character we'd see in 1998

[@comixproviderftw_02]

"You will be exposed for the kind of King you are... A BURGER King." Vinny Mac wit dat fire insult. Where do you come up with this fire? Where were you on MTV's Yo Mama Season 2?

[@jonathanbohm6489]

Ironic since lawlers burger chain failed

[@ThatTransMuffinOfficial]

The Burger King chant was real in that '93-94 era. If you watch some of those Raws involving Lawler, you'll see fans wearing Burger King crowns. Seriously.

[@ThatTransMuffinOfficial]

Also there was a segment of the King's Court with Tiny Tim where Tiny Tim called Lawler the Dairy Queen which caused Lawler to smash Tim's Ukelele.

[@OptimusSatanas]

You dont have historical context, at all.

[@mychaeljones7526]

The Rock; Broke Ass Burger King on crack.

[@willkayl8793]

When Vince said “slivet”, I literally thought it was some word I’ve never heard until Zane explained...

[@brun0caesar391]

I paused the video and went straight to google

[@MrBeardsley]

Not sure which is funnier, Tatanka saying “Jerry King, Jerry the Lawler” or Vince saying “slevit.”

[@delv213]

Vince by far.

[@roadwarriorhawk692]

Vince's teeth

[@enigmaskull3495]

Both 9:18 and 9:52 are wonderful.

[@OniRokaku]

Savage: YOU GOT NO CHANCE IN HELL! Vince: I like it. I LIKE THAT LINE! I'M TAKING IT!

[@larryjester]

What if that's what the story is behind those two being at odds? Nothing to do with Stephanie, but over the fact Vince took that one and made it his own. Macho Man might have wrote a rap called No Chance in Hell. 🤔

[@frankbonini9128]

@@larryjester It Was a Trifecta of Taking "No Chance In Hell", Not Letting Him Have a Lengthy Program with Shawn Michaels & the Slim Jim Deal

[@Tormund_Giantsbrain]

Vince was digging deep to open the forbidden door of Mr McMahon.

[@Thund3rDrag0n12]

I hear he's also an emotional decision maker. And a shark.

[@leonkwashie5748]

He could have filed an injunction, but decided not to

[@bigbully1277]

I’m surprised he didn’t start saying HURT and HEAL.

[@rjskum688]

@@bigbully1277 cringe

[@bigbully1277]

@@rjskum688 👍

[@funkyweapon1981]

The Christmas Creature? THAT'S...THAT'S GOTTA BE KANE!

[@maxptah]

And you'd be right lol

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

*THAT’S GOTTA BE KANE!!!!*

[@saricku42]

7:01 A “Death, taxes and Randy Savage” t-shirt would be pretty awesome

[@yoshaable]

Just imagine if after Austin won KOR, Vince came out and gave him the Burger King line

[@rickyrosay33977]

Thank goodness that didn’t happen because I assure you It would not be a happy meal

[@venomousnate7263]

Those fast food references were... interesting to say the least.

[@jliller]

Yeah, Hardee stuff from two guys who think they're playing chess, but really it's Checkers. I'm just disappointed there's no video footage of Vince saying Lawler he's "looking rather...Blimpie." Good ol' Vince, always Dunkin on the competition.

[@riotd.r.8363]

Personally, I'm craving a Whopper right now...

[@RealGateGuardian]

I think it's brilliant marketing

[@matthewlane518]

Lol it was kinda funny

[@edvdylanfan]

That was good shit pal

[@YomTube]

Chris Hero throwing in the “Jerry The Lawler” line made me proper lol

[@BraverSoul]

"Jerry The Lawler" 🤣

[@alzoraig]

Randy The Savage

[@aaronhurst4379]

Jerry "The Lawler" King, Randy "The Savage" Machoman, Gonzalez The Giant

[@alzoraig]

@@aaronhurst4379 Jerry King.. He Got a BI-THYCLE!

[@MNT1416]

Hunter “The Hearst” Helmsley

[@mopanda81]

@@MNT1416 hunter “the hearst-helmsley” Game-of-Kings

[@dbone3356]

11:22 Mr. McMahon character: "That's some good shit, pal. Write that down."

[@aaronhurst4379]

Ok Vince saying "Whoopee" at 6:44 got a laugh from me, the delivery was spot on haha

[@DarthPerkins]

"This Burger King, is gonna give you a Whopper. And you were how old when the defendant said this to you?"

[@guillermosierracuellar9812]

11:49 Ohno It’s Chris Hero

[@uainjansun]

Ah yes the legend from iwa

[@MrGared22]

No sh¡t Kassius... uh, I mean, Sherlock

[@luso2kx]

Oh nooooo. Oh no. OH NO!

[@jamesgentry13]

@@luso2kx OH YEAH !!!!!!

[@tinotica]

Wrestling With Wregret episodes are one of the greatest things ever on KZbin. As I currently rewatch the ruthless aggression era, Litas second run in 2004 until her retirement in 2006 needs an episode. All types of messed up

[@onigames7309]

It's interesting seeing what basically is a prototype to the Mr. McMahon character.

[@ratsofftoya6775]

Im from Memphis and i’m utterly heartbroken that i was too young to know this was going on in my hometown 😢. I wouldve been at every single event.

[@davidjackson241]

I grew up about an hour and a half away and also grew up on Memphis wrestling. My dad has told me one of his biggest regrets was never taking me to a Coliseum show. We went to one when they would come around our area, but we never went to the big shows.

[@jurgenstrang6366]

that damn delivery at 7:04 is perfect and quite chilling. Vince was born to be a heel

[@christopherwall2121]

It seems like Jerry had an eye for collaborations with guys who'd get the Memphis crowds eating out the palm of his hand.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Andy Kaufman

[@DarkPuIse]

Brian Zane: "His promos were eloquent, yet totally condescending." 1993 Vinny Mac: "Slevit"

[@KnightBoat]

After this, the USWA had another interpromotional feud with Smoky Mountain Wrestling. Odd how Memphis in the 90s was simultaneously a relic, yet ahead of its time.

[@frankbonini9128]

There Was the WWF & Smoky Mountain Relationship ... Which Pretty Much Led to Jim Cornette Working for the WWF/WWE from the Mid 90s to Mid 2000s

[@SuperNitroZ64]

The USWA also feuded with ECW, and if I'm not mistaken, there's a video out there where we see both sides of the story.

[@wilfred8326]

@@SuperNitroZ64 I know I saw still pics of Tommy Dreamer attacking Lawyer at the Memphis Studio in an Apter-Mag

[@kevinpayton2664]

I loved the SMW/USWA feud. All those former Memphis wrestlers coming in as heels saying "Smoky Mountain's hot, USWA's not."

[@iamthurnis745]

dude this is so fascinating, please cover more obscure angles like this...man he was a natural heel even back in ‘93

[@jeremyhegg9367]

Randy Savage even said "No Chance in Hell" lol

[@KittyKatMan93]

"oh yeah? Which trail, huh guys? Which trail are you referring to exactly?" this got me good lmao

[@thefaulkness]

What never gets mentioned is how much of a great actor Vince is. Hes so expressive

[@IntrovertedOreo]

I wish we had an Audible of Randy Savage reading a book 😂

[@MikeyMUnited]

Wonder if Jay Lethal could keep the voice up for three or four hours?

[@jknight1984]

@@MikeyMUnited or Dan Soder

[@markymark2216]

I see Chris Hero, I like video now

[@brentthereshiram7236]

I read the title and thought of the devil went down to Georgia

[@Vesperitis]

You read it correctly

[@Phyrre56]

Actual reference is a classic film called Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

[@napalmblaziken]

But Memphis is in Tennessee.

[@kaijudirector5336]

That suits Black Saturday better.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Charlie Daniels

[@planetschlock]

I had absolutely no idea that this angle was ever a thing. And here I thought Bret was the first rival to ever call Jerry Lawler "the Burger King" but now that I think about it, that's probably the most Vince McMahon diss I've ever heard.

[@lindyxmjh4589]

It's funny because Bret says it in WWF the crowd laughs and cheers, but in Memphis Vince says it the crowd boos.

[@louthegiantcookie]

I always preferred this heel version of McMahon to how over the top he became after 2001 or so. He cut some amazing promos during this whole period.

[@ComaLies225]

Gonna have to say, I really dig soft spoken heel Vince. It’sa bit unnerving and menacing as opposed to an over the top wrestling villain

[@belhariry]

Tatanka vs. Lawler "The End of the Trail" Me: Oh snaaaaaap

[@Eidenhoek]

...of Tears? That wouldn't end in Mephis, though.

[@jb888888888]

Too bad they couldn't sneak Dusty Rhodes in there somehow.

[@BigNoobEnteraintment]

That’s a money match

[@antonmasters8626]

I laughed out loud with Lawler's promo on Tatanka, just sooooooooo wrong

[@-EJ-]

Anyone else think young Jerry Lawler kinda looks like JonTron

[@tempestfennac9687]

He does look a bit like him.

[@djpegao]

*JerryTron*

[@lewisaino]

Jerry Lawler playing BootLeg games.

[@Beatnu3000]

Memphis is so rich in wrestling history and lore. Always learning something new about the place and it’s impact on the business.

[@abrahamkline8812]

I'm guessing, based on Mcmahan's failure to pronounce the word belt, it makes sense he would ban the word

[@lutherheggs451]

OR its because belt literally sounds cheap and stupid....Title or Championship sound a hell of alot more appealing than belt, I keep my fucking pants up with a belt. I would rather win a title or a championship

[@marlonmontelhiggins8570]

@@lutherheggs451 - But, there's an item that you get to wear around your waist as you win a championship/title. I think that it's called...a *_belt._* You seem to love using those abstract nouns as synonyms for a concrete noun. You'd probably feel right at home in WWE.

[@lewisaino]

@@lutherheggs451 Also all the Sports use the word Title or Championship.

[@ryankeefe6222]

I didn’t discover the whole McMemphis until about 10 years ago ago so imagine my surprise when I saw pre Mr McMahon Vince cutting heel promos wearing what was basically the old AWA championship belt

[@robfinlay8058]

It wasn't the former AWA belt at that point, the Snowman stole that one in 1990.

[@ryankeefe6222]

@@robfinlay8058 it’s not the actual AWA belt?

[@iSynthetic-]

Mcmahon’s neckbrace always gets me

[@andrejg4136]

I dunno who best exemplifies "Smarmy douchebag in a neck brace" more, Vince McMahon or former Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino (google "Bobby Petrino neck brace" if you don't know).

[@GizmoMcs]

And here we are in 2021 with Tony Khan just showing as a heel character on Impact.

[@victorolosaurus]

trivia: Z-Man Brian Zane is unbeaten * * on national television ** ** I assume

[@heyyoitsmebrian]

the only time Zane lost was at crown jewel and those arent cannon of course

[@victorolosaurus]

@@heyyoitsmebrian it's a joke, but I have some doubts they would let him perform

[@frankf684]

I’m undefeated on national tv.

[@stingrey1571]

vince the commentator:"WHAT A MANUVER!!!"

[@adamcahn9315]

I’m sure Vince’s other reason for going to Memphis was to see how Jerry Jarrett ran things there. He along with J.J Dillon were the ones chosen to run The WWF if McMahon was sent to the crossbar Hilton.

[@PhenomResurrections08]

Chris Hero is one of the kindest, coolest and most humble wrestlers I've ever met in person. Genuinely took the time to try and have a conversation with me in Reseda once, he's not a "just take the picture" type of guy.

[@paulcarpenter7844]

I was pissed when he was released

[@PhenomResurrections08]

@@paulcarpenter7844 I was more pissed when he re-signed with them the second time lol

[@paulcarpenter7844]

A serious man he has potential like Curt Hawkins to do big things I hope one day I know they said he was retiring but I hope one day he showed up on impact think he's better aew aew is a freaking hot mess I could see him forming a group with Bryan Meyers and some if the guys who were let go

[@Rhlgull1331]

6:05 Fun fact: Jerry Lawler worked a GCW show in 2019, defeating Mance Warner.

[@frankbonini9128]

Cool

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Awesome

[@Mr.Memphis10]

I'm from Memphis and this story was accurate! Good memories watching this as a youngling.

[@Bucky749]

Chris hero that was a cameo I didn’t see coming . Awesome.

[@dbone3356]

9:15 I watched it 3 times now but my brain still can't wrap itself around... ...did he call him "Jerry King" and "Jerry the Lawler"?

[@mox19380]

very cool history lesson here. it is a throwback to a time in history that the biggest promotion could effectively "invade" a small territory and this Philadelphia kid wouldn't hear a whisper about it

[@thedrewdog]

I still can't believe a Juggalo Championshit Wrestling DVD was my introduction to Chris Hero. God I'd love to see you cover those first 3 JCW DVDs.

[@thedrewdog]

@@g-man8031 That's when MDogg20 nearly died after trying to do a plancha off the second rope -- only to have the rope suddenly break.

[@Samladdy]

You can definitely tell Tony Khan got a lot of inspiration from this with the recent Impact AEW ads

[@gst013]

Damn...Vince's promos in Memphis were amazing. Better than his WWF stuff as Mr. McMahon imo. Condescending, cutting and far less cartoony than the stuff he'd say towards Austin and others 👍

[@fitness65]

I remember seeing this in a wrestling magazine in 1993 it was so surreal to watch. But it was a test run to see how a heel vince mcmahon would work and I say it passed with flying colors

[@speedwaynutt]

I tore both my quads watching this video.

[@zstew55]

Not gonna lie, the segway to Chris Hero was fantastic!

[@numa2k147]

The fast foods metaphores was something.

[@coryshannon3815]

6:10 when you invision Micheal Cole getting slammed through multiple stacks of light tubes.😁

[@cameronmowat6638]

Vince once again proving it’s possible to absolutely love and hate someone at the same time. What a maneuver indeed

[@fpshooterful]

Thank you for this.... i never knew this part of wrestling history existed. Kinda scary to see the early stages of Evil Vinny MAC prior to the Montreal incident.

[@Pensfan5919]

10:28 Sighting of Jerry Lawler in a Browns t-shirt, making the 96 Summerslam where he wore a Ravens jersey all the more insane.

[@iamthurnis745]

King is a big Browns mark haha I’m from Cleveland and King is basically like our adopted hometown hero, he’s at all the Browns and Indians games

[@lewislast2142]

Not that insane a the ravens were created from the ashes of the old browns

[@iamthurnis745]

@@lewislast2142 fuck ART MODELL

[@lindyxmjh4589]

Lawler always wrestled heel in Pittsburgh for that reason.

[@TJSpyke]

@@lewislast2142 for all intents and purposes, the Ravens ARE the Browns. The Browns owner brought all the players and staff with him to Baltimore. But the people of Cleveland were so butthurt about him moving the team (which he only did because the city refused to upgrade the decaying stadium) that they sued. Modell could have won because he had the right to move the team, but he didn't want to deal with the hassle

[@channinghainan8282]

I grew up in Memphis watching USWA on saturday mornings and even going to their events sometimes on Monday nights. Thank you for posting this!

[@SteelyDanzig]

Vince McMahon appearing in another company (Nitro finale notwithstanding) is just mind blowing to me. I had absolutely no idea this ever happened.

[@MU80k]

'...and if I'm lying, I'm dying' - 11:22 What great delivery by Macho Man. That's how you do a promo. RIP

[@jjrevab1118]

What a remarkable piece of history. Thank you for posting! Not many people are aware of this unique time in wrestling.

[@Ripplin]

The thumbnail is really giving me You Can't Do That On Television vibes! :)

[@Pauldjreadman]

Randy Savage said “No Chance in Hell” remind you of a certain entrance theme?

[@kevinpayton2664]

It would've been nice to have seen Vince inside the Memphis TV studio. Great memories watching the USWA/WWF feud.

[@taylor8821]

Jesus, Conrad Thompson is invading the rest of my life with podcast commercials...

[@TheGreatDevlin]

Just looking at that picture of Randy Savage and Lanny... Wow. The Genius was jacked. Dye his hair blonde and Vince would've loved him.

[@Videogamestwin]

"When Paul Heyman bailed on ECW..." ouch...

[@billiamsandals175]

quick note: shoutout to my boy Ta-Gar, Lord of the Volcano

[@twilliamspro]

Heel Memphis Vince is subtle compared to the mr mcmahon we got later

[@frankbonini9128]

A. Love the Colt Cabana (" ... Which Trail ... ") Impression There, BZ B. The "Face in One Place & Heel Elsewhere" Scenario Had Been Done in the Territories for Decades

[@ryanrogers7452]

I consider myself pretty well versed in wrestling history and was unaware of this angle. Good stuff Zane

[@TheNaturalPatHarris]

“Memphis? Goddamn Pal...”

[@dekacj3]

Thank you so much for doing a video on Memphis wrestling! I am from there and that is where my love affair with wrestling began.

[@smu77bucket17]

This video was on point Zayne, I can tell you had a blast making this one. 10/10 would watch again

[@NotsoseriousNick]

Damn, Chris Hero in a W3 vid? On the main topic, that this isn't the craziest thing that happened there is...well, crazy

[@mikecabral2420]

Holy shit. Where the hell did you find Chris Hero. I was literally looking him up to see if he signed anywhere yet just a few hours ago.

[@roddy2561]

@@Biggie2829 lol

[@billblaski9523]

Chris Hero has had an excellent career! I believe he should just hang up the boots and become a coach or agent for a promotion, i believe he could be valuable backstage

[@mikecabral2420]

@@billblaski9523 I disagree. He still has some gas in the tank. Yeah, people give him shit for the weight gain but he still wrestles with the same speed and impact as he did before the loss. If anything he seems to hit even harder now. Man still has some years in him. Edit: I agree that he should be working backstage due to his great mind for the business but there's no need for him to hang up the boots to do it.

[@malcolmmayes6594]

"End of the trail" got me good!

[@markthompson2106]

Macho man: "You have no chance in hell of beating the macho man randy savage" Vince McMahon: "...wait... Say the part about hell again..."

[@SmokeEater_]

This is one of the best pieces I've ever seen you do Z'Man

[@TheCheat420]

Such a great video! People mention Vince going to Memphis but this is the first video I've seen in all my years on youtube that actually breaks the entire angle down with footage and everything. Awesome work Brian!

[@Lzarndt67]

This is very cool how similar these Memphis promos are to what Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone are doing every week on Impact

[@DasNordlicht91]

I’d like to think TK watched the McMemphis promos and decided “yeah, I could do that my way”.

[@Madallen2002]

If only Vince was either a horror villain in a movie. Or even became a host of the twilight zone.

[@slanderman3296]

"Slivet" hahaahhaha omg, once again making me laugh my arse off

[@MrCubFan415]

Timestamp?

[@jonathonbartos3061]

Brian, I love all your work, but this is my favorite video you have ever done. This was wildly educational and entertaining!

[@queensgaelsmenshockey]

I see where Tony Khan got his inspiration from cutting promos on iMpact. Vince did it first on Memphis TV. But Vince dissent sound as cringe as Tony Khan

[@deejayjoseph9873]

I gotta admit bro...you put this together brilliantly...this will help teach alot of young wwe and aew fans who didnt know and are excited with all the talks of companies doing business together now...good job

[@AndreNDP]

Shoutout to popculturestu here on youtube for keeping this footage around! He's put up a few Memphis angles in their entirety, definitely a channel worth checking out.

[@jamessteel9016]

Mr McMahon was born in Memphis not Raw is War 1997 😀

[@kelvinwilliams4651]

I've been waiting for this video ever since I first discovered this channel. I watched this unfold every Saturday morning on WMC Channel 5. Thank you so much for this.

[@brandonthompson5796]

This video was full of hilarious moments and surprises but nothing made me pause and go WHAT more than you getting Chris Hero to drop some knowledge. Your videos are so amazing

[@Onlyputjalen]

Great video, I’ve learned more info that I didn’t know 💯