Perry Saturn, a former WWE star and two-time Hardcore Champion, recently shared details about Vince McMahon’s reaction to one of his most controversial matches. The incident took place on May 7, 2001, when Saturn faced enhancement talent Mike Bell at a WWE Jakked taping. The match gained attention for Saturn’s perceived recklessness, which led to backstage concerns.
In a new video on Maven Huffman’s YouTube channel, Saturn revealed that a serious head injury impaired his performance that night, making him appear overly aggressive. He also recalled the tense conversation he had with Vince McMahon after the match and how he thought he was about to be fired.
Vince McMahon Confronted Perry Saturn After His Match
Saturn admitted that he lost control during the match due to a head injury he suffered early on. While receiving criticism for being too rough with Bell, he explained that his actions were unintentional.
After the match, Vince McMahon called Saturn into his office to address the situation. The former European Champion thought he was about to be fired but was instead given a stern warning.
“Vince grabs me and he goes, ‘Perry, come on, let’s talk,'” Saturn recalled. “I figured I’m getting fired, so he takes me in the office. He goes, ‘Perry, I understand, but that can never happen again, and you gotta tell me that’s never gonna happen.’ And I go, ‘Vince, I don’t wanna lie to you, I can’t guarantee that.’ ‘No, no, you have to guarantee that.’ They just couldn’t get it through their heads that I didn’t do it deliberately. It looked like I just attacked the guy. No, I was out.”
Saturn explained that his injury occurred after he landed awkwardly from a hip toss and arm drag. From that point onward, he struggled to remember the events of the match.
Mike Bell Had No Issues With Perry Saturn
Despite the concerns raised by WWE management, Mike Bell himself did not hold any grudges against Saturn.
Saturn revealed that he immediately checked on Bell after the match and ensured that WWE trainer Dr. Tom Prichard took care of him.
“He [Mike Bell] acted like nothing happened. I made sure Tom Prichard [looked after Mike Bell]. I said, ‘Make sure that he’s taken care of. Anything he needs, make sure.’ And Tom Prichard liked him. Tom goes, ‘No, no, I got him. Don’t worry about it.’ I go, ‘And make sure he doesn’t get any heat for that.’”
While the match created some backstage controversy, it seems that Bell did not suffer any serious consequences from the incident.
Perry Saturn’s WWE Career After the Incident
Despite avoiding termination that night, Perry Saturn’s WWE career did not last much longer. He continued wrestling for the company until 2002 before eventually leaving for other promotions. His time in WWE included notable runs as a member of The Radicalz and his storyline with Terri Runnels.
Interestingly, in the same interview, Saturn also shared a surprising revelation about his former on-screen girlfriend Terri Runnels, claiming she once told him they would never sleep together.
Perry Saturn’s story offers insight into how WWE handled in-ring controversies and injuries during the early 2000s. While Vince McMahon was firm in his warnings, the fact that Saturn wasn’t immediately fired suggests that WWE understood the situation to some extent. Meanwhile, Mike Bell’s reaction showed that he did not personally blame Saturn for what happened.
Although Saturn’s WWE run was relatively short-lived, moments like these remain an intriguing part of wrestling history.
FAQs
What happened between Perry Saturn and Mike Bell in WWE?
Perry Saturn faced Mike Bell on WWE Jakked in 2001, but after suffering a head injury, he appeared overly aggressive during the match. This led to backstage concerns about his performance.
Did Vince McMahon fire Perry Saturn after the match?
No, Vince McMahon did not fire Perry Saturn, but he did warn him that such an incident could never happen again. Saturn admitted he thought he was about to be fired.
What was Mike Bell’s reaction to the incident?
Mike Bell did not hold any grudges against Perry Saturn. He acted like nothing had happened, and WWE trainer Dr. Tom Prichard made sure he was okay.
How did Perry Saturn get injured during the match?
Saturn suffered a head injury early in the match after landing awkwardly from a hip toss and an arm drag. He stated that he had difficulty remembering what happened afterward.
What did Perry Saturn say about his WWE career after the incident?
Saturn continued wrestling in WWE for about another year before leaving the company in 2002. He later worked in other wrestling promotions and remains a notable figure from the Attitude Era.
