How WWE CEO Vince McMahon helped me live my dream (Exclusive)

I’ve been told that SportsKeeda Wrestling readers love to hear a good Vince McMahon story. So, I don’t know if I should break up my Vince McMahon experiences into a 2 or 3-part article series because I’ve got quite a few stories.

The most recent encounter was when I brought my Pro and Bro Wrestling Podcast neighBRO Arnold Telagaarta backstage to a recent WWE RAW TV taping in Bakersfield. It was Arnold’s first backstage experience and he had such a cool time meeting all of my friends. For me, it gets overwhelming because when you haven’t seen a lot of your wrestling friends or the production team for a while, you end up saying hi and sharing the same stories with dozens and dozens of people.

The CEO himself with the Prime Time Players!

So, after a while, I just needed to escape and went off into one of the empty arena hallways to clear my head and gather my thoughts. Great minds think alike. On the day that Arnold and I decided to do that, Vince McMahon was thinking the exact same thing.

Vince McMahon walked past us in the same empty hallway that Arnold and I were standing in, to use his cell phone. He did say hello to us, but he didn’t recognize me because I had my glasses on. Arnold was somewhat star-struck, which is understandable because it was just the 3 of us in this empty hallway. When I was full time with WWE, you’d often see Vince on TV days by himself on his cell phone.

I made sure I took my glasses off. Once he was done with his phone call, it was my chance to step out in front of him and say hello properly. I knew I’d regret it and beat myself up if I didn’t say hi. So, I stepped out in front of him and said, “Hey Vince, this is Darren Young.”

Vince’s eyes got so big, and he said, “Oh my god, I didn’t even recognize you! How are you doing?” I said, "I’m doing well, Vince. This is my friend Arnold." Vince shook his hand and said, “Nice to meet you, Arnold.” I told Vince that I'm doing well. I let him know that I really do miss WWE. Vince smiled and said- "Give me a hug." So, I gave him a hug and he looked over at Arnold and echoed the words- "Darren is one helluva guy."

I always say the most intimidating thing about Vince McMahon is his office door but once you muster the courage to walk in to discuss ideas with him, it’s a lot of fun. Vince would always say in promo class back when they had it on TV days- “Nervous people don’t draw money."

Pitching a storyline to Vince McMahon

I went into his office one afternoon with the idea and vision of bringing the Hall of Famer Mr. Bob Backlund back to the main roster but this time as my “Life Coach”. I remember Vince that afternoon in his office, complimenting me on the size of my chest.

He asked me how he could get a chest like mine, and I said- "You gotta do yoga and fix your posture, Vince". He was fascinated by what I was saying and he spoke with me for a total of 20 minutes, at least.

Many people think it was WWE’s idea to pair me with WWE Hall of Famer Bob Backlund, but it was actually my idea. I had done several appearances with Bob Backlund over the years (such as Special Olympics events for WWE). Bob and I always love to get up close and personal with our fans, where we don’t like to sit down during autograph signings.

Bob and I are polar opposites. He is very over-the-top, and I’m pretty reserved but we would talk all the time. So after my tag team run with Titus ended, I thought that it was time for me and Bob to link up!

I had my storyline ready and written out where I’m down and out. As per the storyline, I needed some guidance and some mentoring. I needed a life coach. In fact, I wrote out my Bob Backlund life coach storyline with visuals as well.

I was mirroring the relationship Mike Tyson had with his trainer Cus D’Amato, who passed away a year before his greatest student became the youngest and arguably the most dominant Heavyweight Champion the world had ever witnessed. I wanted Bob Backlund to “Make Darren Young Great Again”.”

We became very close outside of the ring, so it was real to me. That was pretty much the shortened version of my idea with Bob Backlund, and Vince loved it. He personally called up Bob to see if he’d be interested in coming back and working with me.

Bob was down, so soon after Wrestlemania 32, I fought to be one of the last 4 competitors in the Andre The Giant Battle Royal. I would be eliminated by Kane and have a moment where people are wondering what's next for Darren Young. This would be how Bob Backlund would enter the mix.

I had been part of a group called The Nexus. I had teamed with Titus O’Neil to form the roughest, toughest, most entertaining tag team in WWE- The Prime Time Players. Now, finally, it was my chance to have my own singles run. Finally!

We were off and running with "Make Darren Young Great Again," thanks to Vince McMahon, who gave me an opportunity as a singles wrestler. He heard me out and gave me a shot. It’s just unfortunate that the people that work under Vince McMahon didn’t have my back when it came to really help get over the relationship with Bob Backlund.

People can say whatever they want about Vince McMahon but he gave a guy like me a chance to live his dream and I’ll always be forever grateful.

Edited by Riju Dasgupta