By Nicholas Mullick,Total Apex Sports
Copyright yardbarker
Under the Vince McMahon era of WWE & professional wrestling has never been accused of being subtle. But even by WWE’s standards, some moments make you wonder what exactly was going through everyone’s minds. Case in point: Torrie Wilson’s debut day in 2001, which apparently involved locking lips with the boss while his wife stood there offering directorial advice. Because nothing says “welcome to the company” quite like that setup.
The Most Awkward Welcome Wagon In Sports Entertainment
Picture this: You’re starting a new job, nervous as hell, and your first assignment involves kissing the CEO while their spouse watches from the sidelines. That’s exactly what happened to Wilson during the height of WWE’s “Invasion” storyline, when the company was busy absorbing WCW talent and apparently thought romantic angles were the way to go.
“It was obviously extremely intimidating, working with Vince during your first day and kissing Vince,” Wilson recently reflected on the Ariel Helwani show. Honestly, who could blame her? Wilson had to worry about proper kissing technique while the boss’s wife, Linda McMahon, stood nearby on her first day. McMahon is a very sick individual. The whole situation gets even weirder when you consider the logistics.
“Kissing Vince was interesting because Linda was standing right there, kind of helping navigate it all,.. So I don’t know if that made me feel better or weirder. But, you know, I was just really happy to have a big role on TV then.”
The Price Of Prime Time In the Attitude Era
The early 2000s were a different time for professional wrestling as WWE was still riding high on the Attitude Era’s success. Controversy and boundary-pushing content were considered essential ingredients for ratings success. But looking back, some of these creative decisions went way too far.
Wilson’s experience highlights just how normalized these uncomfortable situations had become and even makes what Trish Stratus said in the Vince McMahon documentary even more creepy. She was grateful for television time – and rightfully so, considering how competitive the wrestling business can be – but that doesn’t make the circumstances any less bizarre. The fact that Wilson had to navigate this awkwardness while trying to establish herself as a legitimate performer speaks volumes about the challenges women faced in wrestling during that era.
When Cringe Becomes Crystal Clear
Years later, Wilson admits that rewatching some of her career moments makes her physically uncomfortable. “I’ve only seen myself in a thong bikini a few times out in front of the crowd, and those times really do kind of make me cringe,” she confessed. “Sometimes you can see kids in the crowd, and it just feels like this is wrong.”
It takes guts to acknowledge that kind of regret publicly. Wilson isn’t throwing anyone under the bus here – she’s simply being honest about how differently those moments hit when you’re watching them as a more mature person, especially when you notice children in the audience. That self-awareness is refreshing in an industry that often refuses to admit when it goes too far.
Recognition Worth More Than Gold
The story gets a happier ending, though. When Wilson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019, the recognition meant more to her than any championship belt ever could have. Wrestling’s come a long way since those days, thankfully.
Today’s performers probably don’t have to worry about their debut involving smooch sessions with management while spouses provide coaching from the sidelines. But Wilson’s story serves as a reminder of just how strange things used to be, and why it’s probably for the best that Vince McMahon is out of that company.
