WWE News: Bruce Prichard clears up WWE mystery from 2001

What's the story?

Every wrestling fan who loves to hear about the history of WWE should check out 'Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard'. Every episode is a fantastic insight into the WWE of years past, from a man who was always in the thick of things.

During a recent episode, Prichard shared the story behind Vince McMahon's infamous 'ear tug'. We thank Wrestling News Source for the transcript.

In case you didn't know...

Do check out the video linked below, if you don't remember what we're talking about. The video harks back to 2001 when Ric Flair returns during an episode of RAW to announce that he's become Vince McMahon's business partner.

Vince McMahon makes an awkward face and begins to pull on his ears. At that point, the glass shatters and Stone Cold Steve Austin comes in to destroy McMahon and Angle.

Why was Mr. McMahon awkwardly pulling on his ear?

The heart of the matter

Apparently, the ear tug was always a cue to the back, to start playing Stone Cold Steve Austin's music. The act was never fast enough for Vince McMahon, as there was a process involved from the cue, to Prichard, to the production truck.

According to Prichard, McMahon exaggerated the tug so that Prichard and Kevin Dunn would hit the music on time. These two men lost it when they saw McMahon do the same, and decided to not hurry the process. The result, the funny, awkward tug that we all remember.

What's next?

Vince McMahon is still very much the man at the top, only not as an on-screen figure. Kevin Dunn is still his close assistant, but Bruce Prichard is no longer in the mix. Instead, he's a master storyteller who regales us with his amazing tales.

Author's take

I'm a huge fan of Flair's, and I've seen this clip about a hundred times. It's great to have this mystery cleared up at last.

How amazing was the product back then right...from the characters to the storylines, to the audiences, to the commentary!?