Home : TV, Wacky & Weird : Dead McMahon in Bad Taste?

Dead McMahon in Bad Taste?

Posted Jun 20th 2007 4:46PM by TMZ Staff

Death struck twice for the WWE this week, and the real fatality is making the WWE wonder whether the staged one should stay in the script.

WWE fem-fighter "Sensational Sherri" Martel was found dead at her mother's home June 15, and just three days before, chief butt-head Vince McMahon was "killed" in a limo explosion on the "Monday Night RAW" broadcast. Foul play wasn't suspected in Martel's death, but cops have said in reports that the cause wasn't natural.

In light of Martel's real death, we're told there were discussions inside the WWE about abandoning their current "McMahon is Presumed Dead" storyline, with many WWE folks feeling that it was in poor taste.

But c'mon, folks, this is the WWE we're talking about! Not only is McMahon staying dead, the WWE, according to reports, plans to push the storyline even further with the discovery of DNA evidence linking McMahon, his limo driver and a "mysterious third party" to the fictional attack ... all for consumption this Friday on "WWE Smackdown."

That sound you hear is Owen Hart, spinning in his grave.

The WWE had no comment on the situation.

Tags: Sherri Martel, SherriMartel, Vince McMahon, VinceMcmahon, Wrestling, WWE

Comments [104]
SHARE |
4ie6

Relevant Posts

Reader Comments

(Page 3 of 7) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, I knew it was a story line, but a stupid one at that. I grew up with wrestling, but this is getting way out of control. i can figure out how he will be reintroduced,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, the story will go like this he survived the blast but was kept in hiding for fear of his life and that he suffered burns......... I hate to tell the WWE will know longer have me as a fan. I THINK THIS WAS DONE IN VERY POOR TASTE. When there is actual carr bombings go on in the world. I think they could have come up with something different.

Posted at 7:03PM on Jun 20th 2007 by babygirl

32. I went to military school with Vince(Fishburne)in the nazi state called Virginia.I was in his first ever wrestling show right there at school.The show was funny,crazy,outrageous and in bad tast.Just like today.Oh by the way it was sold out.IT IS A SHOW PEOPLE.Get with it or get over it.

HH

Posted at 7:18PM on Jun 20th 2007 by The Man

33. The only thing that was/is poor taste of this angle is that the WWE acknowledged Sherri's death in about 30 seconds on Monday. They inducted her into the WWE Hall of Fame and all she got was 30 seconds!!!! WWE cant be responsible for the way an ex-wrestler continues to live their life. Sherri had a good career and lived a fast life. However, if we are to respect the "wrestling business" at least show proper respect for your "Hall of Famers"

Posted at 7:35PM on Jun 20th 2007 by BigDrew

34. Loving this storyline! WWE back to its best

Posted at 7:22PM on Jun 20th 2007 by MMMBop

35. if the wwe did stage this wich im pretty sure they did otherwise it would have made world news..uh hum... they wwe didnt think about children watching this and how it might affect them i sure hope the FCC slaps them with a herendous fine!! and throw vince in the slammer with paris . last time i looked it was a FELONY to fake your own death in the USA

Posted at 1:01AM on Jun 21st 2007 by c

36. What is wrong with us? My 12 year old son.., now, cannot distinguish between true and false. WWE's decision is in horrible taste to allow the "presumable death" storyline to continue. I can see that the higher power for this corporation is a bit naive on the effects this has on the small poeple that watch it. I pay top dollar for my son to watch his favorite stars in the ring. I try to take him to all the events around our area.I am now re-thinking that becuase he is having a hard time understanding the whole real/fake "death" thing. All I can say is I hope they think its worth it!

Posted at 1:38AM on Jun 21st 2007 by Questionable

37. Would be awesome if it was Bret Hart (Owens brother)
who reeeally would kill off McMahon!

Posted at 7:43PM on Jun 20th 2007 by Jinxy Cat

38. this is racist!!

Posted at 8:11PM on Jun 20th 2007 by Howard Roberts

39. Good Lord almight! that female wrestler is a dead ringer (excuse the pun) for Erin Moran!!!!

Posted at 7:58PM on Jun 20th 2007 by Brian

40. It really upsets me to hear people complain that wrestling is fake. No crap it is!! Its just like ever other tv show. It has characters, plots, and storylines. Its ENTERTAINMENT not a sport. So when people say I dont watch wrestling because its fake. So are you telling me that 24, the Sopranos, Lost, etc. are real!? I have much respect to the wrestlers. They are on the road 250 days out of the year. They perform in front of 15,000 people a night and on live tv. They never stop. They do more work than any other tv actor/actress can do in a lifetime.

Posted at 8:06PM on Jun 20th 2007 by y2joanna666

41. This is so Kaufmanesque. Maybe the "mysterious third party" will be revealed as Andy finally returning after 23 years of being "dead".

Posted at 8:34PM on Jun 20th 2007 by J. Brook

42. Donald Trump ordered his death. It was an "Apprentice" hit. The Donald would not stand for anybody challenging him. The next in line is Rosy O'Donald. Her Miami house is gone go on fire. To The Donald hopefully with Rosie in it. Wait and see.

Posted at 8:42PM on Jun 20th 2007 by Oscar

43. Shame on the WWE!! with the number of real deaths in pro wrestling u think they would stay away from storylines like this. Watch TNA Thursdays 9pm on Spike Tv.

Posted at 8:53PM on Jun 20th 2007 by Ckparty

44. Okay, I am not defending the WWE but TMZ needs to hire people who get their facts correct. Sherri Martel was not on the active WWE roster and didn't deserve the whole package that was given to the late Owen Hart, etc. This is all a storyline and people need to accept wrestling is a soap opera. The WWE wanted to please the USA Network, so they give an ending to their show that the Sorpranos couldn't give to their audiance. Tasteless, digusting, dumb, stupid, etc. THE WWE DOESN'T CARE AND JUST WANTS PRESS!

TMZ, congrats you gave it to them with you AMAZING knowledge on a story.

Posted at 2:56PM on Jun 22nd 2007 by Christian

45. Get your facts straight TMZ. If you're going to report on wrestling, it isn't beneath you to look into it.

Sherri Martel hasn't worked for the WWE in 14 years. She worked there for about 6-7 years in the late 80s/early 90s. As much as I liked her growing up, she was not a huge part of that company. In fact, most of her career was spent wrestling elsewhere. It's not like they'd cancel someone's fake death on a soap opera or any other drama because an actor who used to work for the show many years ago died.

Also, she died 3 days AFTER the Vince angle started. Not before.

It's not in poor taste. However, your Owen Hart comment was.

Posted at 9:02PM on Jun 20th 2007 by Patty

Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments