Shannon Briggs on Vince McMahon’s Role in Bringing Pop Culture Crossover to Wrestling
The evolving landscape of combat sports has seen athletes in boxing, wrestling, and MMA increasingly cross boundaries to expand their brands and fanbases. Fighters such as Ronda Rousey have transitioned from UFC fame to the WWE, while two-time Olympic boxing gold medalist Claressa Shields has made significant strides in the MMA world through the Professional Fighters League. Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, Dennis Rodman, and Lawrence Taylor, among others, have made their mark in wrestling. The in-ring action is being showcased by NBA players like Karl Malone, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jalen Brunson, who have combined mainstream sports with wrestling.
Shannon Briggs, who has never wrestled himself, is a lifelong fan who admires the intensity and entertainment value of the sport, although he has never been in the wrestling ring. During a conversation with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on Scoop B Radio, Briggs recounted his love for classic wrestling, saying,
“I watched it as a kid growing up, huge fan… Andre the Giant, Jimmy Superfly Snooka, Bob Backlund, The Iron Sheik… I used to love watching it from the late ’70s to the ’80s.” He shared memories of attending wrestling events at Madison Square Garden, noting the thrill of watching legends in action. Despite his admiration, Briggs admitted he couldn’t see himself wrestling, saying, “I can’t see myself getting body-slammed or thrown into the turnbuckles. These guys are amazing entertainers and sportsmen.”
Briggs acknowledged the athleticism and darings of social media star Logan Paul, who has recently become successful in WWE, and expressed praise for his unexpected success.
“I’m amazed at some of the things he’s able to do. Getting on that top rope and flying off? I’m like, wow! This kid is amazing,” Briggs remarked.
Briggs gave praise to WWE mastermind Vince McMahon for his innovative approach to building a wrestling empire, not just the wrestlers.
“You gotta think about the genius of Vince McMahon and how he put that thing together,” Briggs said, recognizing McMahon’s ability to elevate wrestling into a global entertainment spectacle. Reflecting on the contributions of wrestling managers like Paul Bearer and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Briggs added, “I love that entertainment part… That’s what I want to be: a manager in wrestling.”
As boxing, MMA, and wrestling continue to intertwine, the sports world is excited about a new era where athletes expand their reach across different combat platforms. Briggs and others view these crossovers as a reflection of the power of entertainment in combat sports and the unlimited possibilities for athletes to redefine their careers.
