Todd Grisham has worked through a lot of pressure in his career, but nothing compares to the time Vince McMahon completely lost it on him live during a WWE broadcast all because of poetry.
While speaking to Chris Van Vliet, Grisham mention that he was doing his job as a commentator when he decided to add some flavor to John Morrisons match, based on approved WWE content. WWE had recently rebranded its magazine into a more character-driven lifestyle format, and Grisham was encouraged by producers to pull information from it to help enhance storytelling.
So, when Morrison hit his Starship Pain finisher, Grisham dropped a harmless line referencing Morrisons poetic side something taken directly from a WWE Magazine article. The moment Vince heard it, all hell broke loose in Grishams earpiece.
Thats when Vince erupted in Grishams headset during the live broadcast with a tirade that stunned even the most seasoned WWE staff.
Vince wasnt done. He took Grisham off commentary for the rest of the match and handed the segment over to Jim Ross, making sure Todd understood just how wrong he thought the comment was.
Despite Grisham following instructions to integrate magazine content, Vince wasnt having any nuance that night especially when it came to character presentation. Morrison may have been a heel, but to Vince, no villain should ever be caught writing verse.
This blow-up, according to Grisham, was far from an isolated incident. It became part of his weekly routine working under Vince something he describes as mental abuse that came with a paycheck.
Grisham lasted eight years in WWE by staying low-key and trying not to step on Vinces many creative landmines. But this poet moment became one of the most surreal experiences in a career full of them all because he followed the rules.
WWE fans still remember Grishams commentary era, but this behind-the-scenes moment proves just how chaotic it could be under the headset when Vince McMahon was in the chair.
Whats your take on Vince McMahon snapping over something as harmless as poetry?
Do you think announcers should have more freedom to build stories on commentary or was Vince right to shut it down? Drop your thoughts below and let us know what you wouldve done in Todds position.
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