It has almost been sixteen years since Dallas Mavericks owner and tech billionaire, Mark Cuban first appeared on WWE Television. It was November 16, 2003, WWE in Dallas, Texas at American Airlines Center. The segment began with former ESPN’s news anchor Jonathan Coachman comes down to the ring with a neck brace on after suffering an injury at the hands of the Dudley Boyz 3D, which resulted in putting him through a table three weeks before the pay per view.
After Coachman was done telling the Dallas crowd his doctors informed him that he would recover in a few short days. He spots Mark Cuban in the first row and requests a brief interview with the Mavericks owner. Coached asked Cuban what he was looking forward to watching the most during the show. Cuban responded by saying ” I’m looking forward to seeing Stone Cold Steve Austin kicking Eric Bischoff A**,” said Cuban.
Coachman responded by saying, Mark, I hate to tell you, but that is just not going to happen. So, why don’t we try a second question? Something you know more about.
Would you prefer WWE referees or NBA referees?
“All I can say is all referees suck. There is no such thing as a good referee,” said Cuban.
Eric Bischoff would then come over and told Coachman to let him handle the rest of the interview if he didn’t mind.
It would later lead to Cuban and Bischoff in the center of the ring and face to face. Where Cuban push Bischoff out of the ring and when he turned around Evolutions’ Randy Orton gave Cuban an RKO.
Six years later Mark Cuban was a guest host of Monday Night Raw in Dallas on December 7, 2009. Cuban scheduled a rematch between Orton and Kofi Kingston and named himself the guest referee. The match would conclude with Cuban ringing the bell after a quick three count. After that match Cuban announced that the gauntlet match would take place at the TLC Pay Per View.
Recently, I spoke with Cuban about his interest in possibly returning to the WWE Universe.
“Hey, I took down Sheamus in 2009. I was the first guy to take him I was ready to hurt him before he decided to hit me and put me through a table. I’d hurt him again,” Cuban told me.
That same evening, Cuban and Sheamus were involved in a segment that ended with Cuban being put through a table.
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Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
