During a TV Insider interview, Vic Joseph discussed the WWE departure of McKenzie Mitchell in late 2020 and how challenging it was for him.
Joseph, who is married to Mitchell, is the NXT commentator. He said,
“The first few shows I went to it was sad because she is my best friend. Not having my wife there, and there or a Johnny Gargano to talk to or Candice LeRae or Tommaso Ciampa. The list goes on and on. It bummed me out, but then I knew every day when I’d come home, she would be there. Here’s the thing. McKenzie still watches. She is still a fan of it. She still wants to come back and be part of this family. Time will tell, but that was definitely an emotional time. Right before that, my father died. And so when I did NXT Tuesday, that was the day my father passed away in the morning. Nobody knew because I didn’t put anything out there until after the show. She was there with me. Shawn [Michaels] was there with me. It was a tough stretch, but we got through it.“
In late 2020, WWE fans were surprised by the departure of McKenzie Mitchell, a popular backstage interviewer and host. The news not only affected the viewers but also had a significant impact on her husband, Vic Joseph, who is an NXT commentator. In a recent TV Insider interview, Joseph opened up about the challenges he faced during this difficult time.
Joseph revealed that Mitchell’s departure was particularly challenging for him because she is not only his wife but also his best friend. He expressed how sad it was to attend the first few shows without her presence. Joseph missed having his wife by his side and the opportunity to interact with fellow wrestlers like Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, and Tommaso Ciampa, whom he considered close friends. The absence of these familiar faces undoubtedly affected Joseph emotionally.
However, despite no longer being a part of WWE, Mitchell has remained connected to the wrestling world. Joseph shared that she continues to watch WWE and remains a fan of the industry. Moreover, Mitchell still hopes to return and be a part of the WWE family once again. While it remains uncertain when or if this will happen, her passion for wrestling and desire to be involved are evident.
During this challenging period, Joseph faced another personal loss as well. He revealed that his father passed away on the same day he was scheduled to do commentary for NXT Tuesday. Joseph kept this tragic news private until after the show, not wanting to distract from the event. Despite the emotional turmoil he was experiencing, Joseph found support in Mitchell’s presence and the company of Shawn Michaels, a WWE Hall of Famer who was there with him.
The combination of Mitchell’s departure and the loss of his father created an incredibly tough stretch for Joseph. However, he emphasized that they managed to get through it together. This experience highlights the importance of having a strong support system during challenging times.
The departure of McKenzie Mitchell from WWE undoubtedly had a profound impact on both her personal and professional life. Vic Joseph’s candid interview sheds light on the emotional journey he went through during this period. It also serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength individuals can find in their loved ones and the wrestling community. As fans, we can only hope that Mitchell’s passion for wrestling will lead her back to the WWE family in the future.