5 RAW General Managers and why WWE had to let them go
One of the unwritten, time honoured traditions in wrestling companies has been the establishment of on-screen authority figures. From Jack Tunney to Eric Bischoff to Mr McMahon, having on-screen authority figures has become a norm and a method to add a complex layer to the otherwise mundane and often repetitive storylines.
The authority figures also bring a different dimension to the product. Whether they are carefully woven into the intricate storylines, bringing a modicum of sensibility, or are thrown in without much deliberation, the fact that they present the wrestlers with a conundrum to either tread the line carefully or become anarchists, makes for compelling television.
WWE went full-throttle with the idea when Vince McMahon inadvertently found himself in the eye of the storm. But the unprecedented success of this experimentation meant that wrestling companies often found using an authority figure not only as an attractive proposition but also as a necessity.
Today, we take a look at five former RAW General Managers, and why WWE had to relieve them of their on-screen duties.
#5 Vickie Guerrero
If the loud, screeching “Excuse me” wasn’t enough to put you off, Vickie’s devious, conniving antics made her one of the most despised on-screen authority figures in recent memory. One of the reasons why her character was such a success was because of what her late husband meant to the WWE Universe. However, WWE once again unearthed a phenomenal talent in Vickie Guerrero, who didn’t take much time in adapting to her new role.
Vickie’s role as the pantomime villain on SmackDown earned her praise from the WWE management, and she was presented with the opportunity to become the General Manager of RAW in April 2009 — a position once held by Stephanie McMahon.
However, Vickie did not stick around too long and was relieved of her duties after she had a (kayfabe) nervous breakdown. In reality, Vickie requested some time off from the company to spend some quality time with her family.
The Cougar later returned to WWE during SmackDown's tenth-anniversary episode and went on to become Raw's managing supervisor in October of 2012.
She was finally written off television on the June 23, 2014, after she lost a pudding match to Stephanie McMahon with her job on the line. This time, Vickie left in order to pursue a career in medical administration.