In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, Jonathan Coachman shared his experience of being punished by Vince McMahon for not participating in a WWE tour in Afghanistan after 9/11.
Coachman mentioned that the tour was optional and he chose not to go, but WWE didn’t think he was being serious, leading to him getting beat down later in the ring in a dark segment after the show.
“I should have known that it wasn’t just going to end there [with the refusal],” Coachman stated. “So fast forward a week, and at that time I was out doing commentary, and the show ends and The Undertaker ends the show and he’s getting ready to walk up the ramp and the referee comes over, he says — and the music’s playing — he’s like, ‘Go hit Taker from the back, go hit Taker.’ I’m like, ‘Why would I do that? That makes no sense.’ They’re like, ‘Vince is telling …’ There it is. So he was angry that I told him no and that I went against, you know, god forbid you say no to anybody, especially Vince.”
Coachman continued, “And so like the team player that I am, I go over, I attack the Undertaker, he turns around, apologizes to me, and says, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t want to do it,’ throws me, proceeds to beat me up, and as he gets done, Batista’s music hits down comes Batista. He does the same thing gives me his three finishes. I was so irate. You know the few times in life where you get so angry you start to cry, like it’s just your emotions are just overwhelming, that was one of those moments.”
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Jonathan Coachman, a former WWE commentator and on-screen personality, recently opened up about a punishment he received from Vince McMahon, the chairman of WWE, for not participating in a WWE tour in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks. In an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Coachman revealed that he chose not to go on the tour, which was optional, but WWE didn’t take his decision seriously.
Coachman explained that a week after refusing to go on the tour, he was doing commentary for a show when he was instructed to attack The Undertaker from behind. Confused by the request, Coachman questioned why he should do it as it made no sense. It was then revealed to him that Vince McMahon was angry with him for saying no and going against his wishes.
Feeling like a team player, Coachman followed the instructions and attacked The Undertaker. However, The Undertaker quickly apologized to him and proceeded to beat him up. As The Undertaker finished, Batista’s music played, and he also attacked Coachman. Coachman described this moment as one where he was so angry that he started to cry due to overwhelming emotions.
This incident sheds light on the power dynamics within WWE and the consequences of going against Vince McMahon’s wishes. It highlights the pressure that wrestlers and other personnel may face to conform and comply with the company’s demands.
It is important to note that this incident occurred in the past and WWE has since made efforts to improve its working environment. The company has implemented various initiatives to prioritize the well-being and safety of its talent, including mental health support and wellness programs.
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