'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Nearly every WWE Superstar is intimidated when they meet Vince McMahon for the first time. It's not funny, but when you come face-to-face with the boss, you have to be able to present yourself the best way possible.
The Superstars mentioned in this list have attained a high level of success while working for WWE, but their first meeting with the boss didn't go exactly as planned. Though some of them originally regretted their decision for signing with WWE, they soon realized it was in their best interest.
In this feature, let's uncover a few stories about WWE Superstars' first meeting Vince McMahon and the thing that happened during it. So, let's get started.
#5 John "Bradshaw" Layfield becomes a ballerina
After working on the independent circuit for almost three years, John "Bradshaw" Layfield, or better known as JBL, received a contract with two of the biggest wrestling companies at the time, WWE and WCW.
Initially, JBL wanted to work for WCW as he felt he'd more successful there, but a day before he was supposed to meet with Eric Bishoff and other WCW officials, JBL had a tryout match with WWE, where he impressed many people.
Owing to this, JBL was promised to receive a contract with WWE only if he rejected WCW's offer and come meet Vince McMahon and Co. a few days later. While JBL did the same and went to see Vince McMahon in Stamford, Connecticut, he soon started to regret his decision for not signing with WCW.
Speaking in an interview, JBL revealed, McMahon started the meeting by saying he wanted to present him in front of fans as something different, and a ballet dancer gimmick would be a perfect choice for him. Also, he could make it work if he becomes a heel.
As you can imagine, JBL wasn't pleased as he heard these outlandish ideas Vince McMahon had planned for him. However, Mr. McMahon told him he was just trying to pull a prank on the former WWE Champion and that there were no such ballerina gimmick plans for him.
Following this, McMahon told JBL about his original plans for him.
#4 Mark Henry mistakes Vince McMahon for one of his friends
While growing up, Mark Henry had a unique passion for pro-wrestling, especially WWE. But he never thought he'd able to make as a wrestler one day. Luckily, he got one step closer to this dream when Vince McMahon personally called him to offer a contract with WWE after learning about his retirement from Weightlifting.
Unfortunately, the boss didn't get the time to discuss the details as Henry hung up on him, believing it was a prank call made by one of his friends.
To clear up the confusion, Terry Todd, who was Henry's manager at the time, called him and told it Vince McMahon himself who had called him. While Henry thought he had blown the opportunity of a lifetime due to a misunderstanding, Vince McMahon called him back soon and the two men laughed about it before the boss offered Henry a contract.
Initially, Henry was thinking about pursuing a career in the NFL, but Vince McMahon told him he has a bright future in wrestling, and he should consider working with WWE as a Superstar. Fortunately, Henry did the same and signed a 10-year contract with WWE.
Henry made his WWE debut in 1996. In his first match, Henry defeated Jerry "The King" Lawler at In Your House: Mind Games PPV.
#3 Cody Rhodes walks out on Vince McMahon
Cody Rhodes and his brother Dustin Rhodes inducted their father, Dusty Rhodes, into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007. While Cody had been working with OVW for almost a year, he met Vince McMahon face-to-face for the first time after the HOF ceremony.
Speaking in an interview, Cody revealed Vince McMahon called him in his office to talk about his future in the company. Mr. McMahon started the conversation by making some endearing comments about Cody and telling him how impressed he's with his work inside the ring.
Vince McMahon also told Cody how he'd love to see more of his work in the future, and there's a major role on the main roster for him only if he wants it.
While Cody felt flattered by these comments and wanted to accept the offer put on the table by McMahon, he got cold feet due to the boss's high expectations for him. As a result, he would reply to the boss with a handshake and a real hard pat on his shoulder, followed by three words-- "You Sure Will" before walking out of his office.
#2 The Undertaker tells Vince McMahon he's a shower singer
The Undertaker worked for WCW for barely a year before cutting ties with the company due to creative reasons. Following his exit, WWE higher-ups reached out to The Undertaker and scheduled a meeting between him and Vince McMahon at his mansion in Greenwich, Connecticut.
While Undertaker thought he had the potential to make it to WWE as a big Superstar, it turns out that Vince McMahon didn't think so, which is why he rejected him.
Speaking on The Broken Skull Sessions with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Undertaker revealed, his meeting with Mr. McMahon started well, and the boss originally liked him. However, things went sour when Vince McMahon asked him if he had any hidden talent, and The Deadman told him he's a shower singer.
While Undertaker regretted his words soon, it was too late. Vince McMahon lost his interest in signing him and said there currently isn't a place for him in WWE.
The Undertaker walked out of Vince McMahon's residence disappointed and assumed his wrestling career is doomed. But, in a couple of months, Mr. McMahon would offer him a contract and The Undertaker would go on to make his WWE debut at Survivor Series 1990.
#1 John Cena disgusts Vince McMahon
As many of you already know, John Cena made his WWE debut while answering Kurt Angle's open challenge on an episode of SmackDown. However, hours before the match took place, the higher-ups backstage took Cena to meet Vince McMahon, considering the fact he was about to face an Olympic-Gold Medalist.
Speaking in an interview, Cena revealed that the WWE officials literally dragged him to meet Vince McMahon and threw him into his office before asking the boss what does he think of him.
While many of you might think Vince McMahon would've been blown away after looking at Cena, that was not the case. Instead, after looking at Cena, Vince McMahon had a disgusted look and told him to cut his hair.
Owing to this, Cena was stormed out of McMahon's office and given a haircut before going up against Kurt Angle.
