WWE News: Vince McMahon and Chris Jericho pay tribute to the late AC/DC band creator Malcolm Young

What's the story?

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and WWE Legend Chris Jericho have commented on the news that the founder of the band AC/DC, Malcolm Young, died at the age of 64 earlier today, the 18th of November 2017.

McMahon acknowledged Young's musical contributions to the WWE over the years in this tweet seen below. Meanwhile, Jericho, who is also the leader of the rock band Fozzy, called Young 'the greatest rhythm guitar player & riff writer ever'.

Malcolm Young’s guitar and AC/DC’s music provided the soundtrack to some of @WWE’s biggest moments. #RIPMalcolmYoung

— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) November 18, 2017

There’s no debate that #MalcolmYoung was the greatest rhythm guitar player & riff writer ever... #RIPMalcolmYounghttps://t.co/qeGkrTF4Iv

— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) November 18, 2017

In case you didn't know...

Malcolm Young was the co-founder, songwriter, guitarist and all-around musician in AC/DC.

The band had a lot of successful hits over the years, and Young was pivotal to a lot of it.

Over the years, Young's AC/DC developed a relationship with Vince McMahon's WWE. For the 1998 edition of Summerslam, the band allowed the company to use their 'Highway to Hell' hit as the PPV's theme song.

An interesting note is that when Eric Bischoff made his shocking debut on RAW back in 2002, WWE originally used AC/DC's 'Back in Black' song. However, WWE did not continue to use it as Bischoff's theme after.

WrestleMania 25 saw WWE use the two AC/DC songs "War Machine" and "Shoot to Thrill" as the show's theme songs.

In 2014, Young sadly left and retired from the band when he was diagnosed with dementia.

The heart of the matter

WWE used their Twitter page to issue a statement regarding Malcolm Young's death. It said they were saddened to learn that Malcolm Young, guitarist and co-founder of the iconic band AC/DC, had passed away at the age of 64'.

On WWE.com they mentioned AC/DC and Young's various contributions to the company and wished his family the best during this tough time. Young was survived by his wife, Linda, and his two daughters.

.@WWE is saddened to learn that Malcolm Young, guitarist and co-founder of the iconic band AC/DC, has passed away at the age of 64. https://t.co/ELWRm7qRXQ

— WWE (@WWE) November 18, 2017

BBC Radio 5 Live asked WWE and Fozzy's Y2J for his thoughts on Young's death, and the 6-time WWE World Champion called him the 'driving force behind AC/DC'.

“He was always rocking, he was always into it. Malcolm was the driving force behind AC/DC"Legendary wrestler and frontman of @FOZZYROCK - @IAmJericho, on the death of AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young. pic.twitter.com/f3If2zDofk

— BBC Radio 5 live (@bbc5live) November 18, 2017

What's next?

It is unknown as to when Malcolm Young's funeral will take place, or if anyone from WWE will attend the funeral. AC/DC will continue without Young, which he told them to do after retiring in 2014.

WWE will probably mention the passing of Malcolm Young during the Survivor Series PPV at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas tomorrow night.

Chris Jericho is doing well in the music world with his band Fozzy at the moment and finished his recent Fozzy tour tonight in Belgium. It was shockingly announced recently that the WWE loyalist Jericho would be wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 12.

Author's take

It was a nice gesture by WWE and Vince McMahon to pay their respects to Malcolm Young and his efforts over the years. Young was an entertainer and WWE certainly coul identify with that.

We at SportsKeeda would like to echo WWE's condolences to the Young Family.

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