- Stephanie McMahon was interviewed by Danny Flexen of Powerslam
Magazine at the Mayweather vs. Marquez fight last month. Here are some
of the highlights:
STEPHANIE, TO BEGIN, can you tell us what all of your WWE job titles are?
I head up Creative Writing, Talent Relations, Talent Brand Management, Live Event Marketing and Live Event Management.
That's some list. What's WWE's main focus in the near future?
We are poised to take off like never before: becoming a truly global
brand is the focus right now. Our television programmes are already in
over 150 countries and translated into, I think, 30 languages. We have
over 15 million viewers and over 15 million page-views per month on
wwe.com
For WWE to grow into a "truly global brand", I assume the company
will have to stage more live arena events and television tapings
outside the United States and Canada. But how about pay-per-views: do
you envisage WWE promoting any from overseas markets?
There will definitely be more live events. The problem with
pay-per-view overseas is finding the right times and dates to
accommodate the time difference. It also helps if we have big stars
from those areas of the world: that helps us make inroads into their
countries; a lower-level wrestler does not make much difference. Look
at The Great Khali for example: he's revered in India because he's been
the (WWE World) champion.
Does WWE need more headline stars in general to facilitate this expansion?
We have to be cognisant of not spreading ourselves too thin. It can be
borderline. We're constantly building new stars, and now we have a
five-star training facility in Tampa that should help with that. Steve
Keirn is heading that up, and we have Dusty Rhodes helping with
character development and mike skills.
I understand that you work long hours in the office and have to go
on the road each week for WWE television tapings. Is it difficult to
balance this work and travel schedule with being a parent to two young
children? That you work for the family business alongside your husband
Triple H helps, I imagine.
I take my kids with me on the road, as they are the most important
things in my life: I don't like to be away from my kids, and that's
part of the reason why you don't see me on-screen as much as before . .
. You know, I was always forbidden to marry someone in the business by
my dad. But, yes, it's helpful, given we both understand the rigours of
our lifestyle.
Do you find it hard to leave your work at work? After all, you are technically your husband's boss.
We actually don't (argue) much at all, except in the business.
Sometimes, you can take your work home with you and sometimes you
don't. But we always work things out.
What about the schedule for the talent: are they working too many, too few or just the right number of live events?
I think we worked it out . . . I don't have the figures in front of
me, but the averages days worked per year was actually a lot lower than
you'd except. We always try to keep the balance right, and I know
that's something John Laurinaitis always thinking about. The brand
extension means it's worse than it was, but it also means there are
more opportunities available for the guys who want to work.
You've taken a lot of flak over the years for the role you play on the WWE writing team. Does it bother you?
It used to . . . But I decided that people are going to think whatever
they want to think. I try to do the best I can do. I don't read the
dirt sheets at all anymore: they used to really bother me. But the
numbers - live event attendances, TV ratings -- they tell me what I'm
doing right and wrong. We're lucky in that way: we have a focus group
in every town we go to every night, so if something's not working, we
find out quickly and we can change it. We could be heading in the wrong
direction and then completely change it.
Would you care to predict who WWE's next big stars will be?
You know, my dad always says he won't answer that question because he
doesn't want to get into trouble, so I think I should say the same. I
know who I've got my eyes on, though . . . There's a lot.
Your older brother Shane is WWE's Executive Vice President,
Global Media. As driven people in positions of authority in the same
company, is there any sibling rivalry between you?
Our roles don't exactly cross over that much. But I can't deny that
we are, and always have been, competitive. Even now, as grown adults,
after meetings we still play 'touched you last' - you know, like tag.
We'll come out all serious, and then he'll tag me and shout, 'touched
you last!' and then run away. (Shane's) the head of the International
operation, so our paths cross when we do international live events -
but we tend to work well together. I think our type of competition is a
good kind: it drives us both on and makes the business better. But I
cannot forsee a day when my dad (Vince McMahon) hands over the reins to
either of us. He's still very much in charge -- and, trust me, everyone
knows it.
