Paul Heyman knows exactly what it was like working under Vince McMahon, and he isn’t pretending it was easy. In fact, Heyman says McMahon’s relentless work ethic came at a serious cost to the people around him, especially when he realized just how much he could get out of someone.
While speaking with Graham Bensinger, Heyman was asked about the best and worst parts of working with the former WWE chairman. He didn’t hesitate to point toward McMahon’s impossible expectations, explaining that keeping up with his schedule was something nobody could realistically accomplish.
“Well, the worst part is is is is just he expects you to keep up with his work ethic and that’s impossible.”
Heyman explained that McMahon essentially lived for his business. Holidays, weddings, funerals, and family events were all things he was willing to sacrifice, and the people working alongside him were expected to demonstrate that same level of commitment.
“24/7/365, he didn’t take holidays. He He did what everybody in this business will talk about. He missed weddings, he missed funerals, he missed ball games. Is he He missed a lot. He sacrificed. And his work ethic is unparalleled. I’ve never been any Never have I met anyone that works as hard as Vince McMahon and it’s in It is both inspiring and and and and it is paralyzing because it will trying to keep up with him is absolutely impossible.”
That wasn’t even the most concerning part of Heyman’s explanation. He said McMahon had a habit of pushing employees harder whenever they demonstrated additional talent or ability. Instead of rewarding someone for meeting expectations, McMahon would raise those expectations even further. Heyman described it as a situation where employees were pouring everything they had into a company that ultimately benefited McMahon more than anyone else.
“It It is being a slave to the cause uh to which he benefits more than anyone. And and you just sit there and say, ‘How can I keep up with these expectations?’ Because his expectations change the the further you grow and the more ability you show, the more then he’s Oh, I can get more out of this person. And and and it’s the exploitation of your gifts and and and your knowledge and your ability and your talent that drives [snorts] him and makes him as successful as as he had become.”
Heyman then delivered one of the strongest descriptions of what working for McMahon actually felt like. He compared employees to vehicles that McMahon would continue driving until they could no longer function.
“And it’s at the same time it’s it’s He’s riding He’s riding that He’s riding that vehicle until the wheels fall off. You’re the vehicle and it’s your wheels that are falling off.”
What made the entire conversation even more interesting was Bensinger’s follow-up question. After listening to Heyman explain how exhausting and demanding McMahon could be, he asked what the best part of working with him was. Heyman’s answer was short, but it said everything about their complicated relationship.
“Everything I just said.”
That response made it clear Heyman wasn’t simply criticizing his former boss. He also admired the same obsessive drive that made McMahon so difficult to work for. In Heyman’s eyes, those qualities helped turn WWE into a massive success, even if the people helping build it were sometimes pushed beyond their limits.
Heyman’s comments offer another look at the demanding culture that existed under McMahon’s leadership. For someone who spent years working closely with him, the distinction between being inspired by McMahon and being completely exhausted by him apparently wasn’t much of a distinction at all. The same qualities that made McMahon successful also made him one of the toughest bosses in wrestling.
Do you think Vince McMahon’s demanding work ethic was necessary to build WWE into what it became, or did he push the people working for him too far? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
