The world of professional wrestling is synonymous with larger-than-life characters, gripping storylines, and unexpected plot twists. And if there’s one name that has seen it all, it’s James Ellsworth. Known as the punchline-turned-main-eventer, Ellsworth’s journey in WWE has been nothing short of extraordinary and controversial. But as new revelations surface, it appears the mastermind behind his surprising storyline was none other than WWE’s chairman, Vince McMahon.
Brian “Road Dogg” James, the Senior Vice President of Live Events at WWE, recently opened up on his podcast, “Oh…You Didn’t Know,” about the controversial storyline involving James Ellsworth and the man responsible for its inception.
“Ellsworth, I’ll tell you whose idea a lot of this stuff with Ellsworth [was] and that’s Vince McMahon,” James revealed. Despite various backstage voices questioning the direction of the storyline, McMahon remained steadfast in his vision. “He saw it and he was right and when it comes to ratings which is how [we] judge whether someone’s right or not in the TV business, we did well with Ellsworth. Ellsworth and A.J. [Styles]. Ellsworth and Dean Ambrose,” added James.
Ellsworth’s career in WWE has been a roller-coaster ride. He started off as a low-key character only to find himself in main event storylines against the likes of A.J. Styles and Dean Ambrose. He even managed Carmella during her reign as the “SmackDown” Women’s Champion, an unexpected rise in prominence that left fans and insiders alike baffled.
According to Ellsworth himself, Vince McMahon was always supportive of him. The WWE chairman even personally congratulated him after his first match, promising to hire him. However, the pinnacle of controversy arrived in 2017 when Ellsworth grabbed the women’s Money In The Bank briefcase, a move that sparked widespread criticism.
Despite the backlash, McMahon’s unwavering support for Ellsworth continued. Even after Ellsworth was released from WWE later in 2018, he was brought back for the celebration of the 1,000th episode of “SmackDown.”
Road Dogg’s revelation provides an intriguing peek behind the curtain of WWE’s creative process, where apparently even the most controversial decisions can be made by one powerful figure. The James Ellsworth saga reminds us of the unpredictable nature of professional wrestling and the persistent influence of Vince McMahon.
The divide between fan reactions and McMahon’s decisions has often led to polarizing storylines, making WWE an eternally captivating drama. Whether fans love or hate these decisions, it’s clear that WWE, under McMahon’s leadership, will continue to push the boundaries and provoke discussions in the pro wrestling world.