Michael Leonardi, a former WWE Writer, recently shared a gripping tale on LinkedIn about his departure from the wrestling titan. His tenure with the company was marked by creative clashes and one particular incident involving a promo segment that took place on a Martin Luther King Jr. Day edition of Monday Night Raw.
The Setting: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Raw
On this fateful day, January 16th, in Columbus, Ohio, the WWE had a segment lined up for Neville (now known as PAC), a Caucasian wrestler, alongside African-American talents R-Truth, Titus O’Neil, and Mark Henry.
The script had Neville delivering a line referencing Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, stating his dream to win the Royal Rumble. However, this script didn’t sit well with Neville or the other wrestlers involved.
Uncomfortable Script Leads to Creative Conflict
Neville approached Leonardi, expressing discomfort with the lines. He rightly pointed out the insensitivity of comparing a wrestler’s dream to win a match to one of the most significant speeches in civil rights history.
The other African-American talents, R-Truth, Titus O’Neil, and Mark Henry, echoed these sentiments, deeming the script “terrible.”
Quick Thinking and Last-Minute Changes
With time ticking away and pressure mounting, Leonardi, along with Dave Kapoor, a supervisor at the time, made a crucial decision. Instead of having Neville deliver the questionable lines, they had R-Truth, a seasoned Hall of Famer known for his charisma, deliver the dialogue in a lighthearted and inclusive manner.
Vince McMahon’s Displeasure
However, when Leonardi informed Vince McMahon, the WWE’s head honcho, about the changes, McMahon was not pleased. McMahon, known for his strong vision and demands for precise execution, was disappointed. He confronted Leonardi, expressing his dissatisfaction with not getting what he wanted.
The Fallout: Leonardi’s Departure
Leonardi recounted the tense moment,
“He’s staring at the screen. He takes off his headphones and he turned to me, he said, ‘So you didn’t give me what I wanted?’ And my eyes got big and I’m like, ‘Umm…’ And I said, ‘Yes sir, I know, I understand.’ I explained it again, what we did, the circumstances around it, the limitations that we had. I took full responsibility for it and then he just chewed me the f*ck out, pardon my French. Chewed me out…”
A Harsh Reality: Vince McMahon’s Decision
This confrontation ultimately led to Leonardi’s departure from WWE. McMahon’s unwavering stance on creative direction clashed with Leonardi’s attempt to navigate a sensitive segment.
Despite the best efforts to make the segment respectful and entertaining, the clash of creative visions resulted in Leonardi’s departure from the company.
Lessons Learned
Leonardi’s story sheds light on the challenging dynamics within WWE’s creative process. It highlights the fine line writers walk between creative vision and respecting sensitive subjects. The tale of this ill-fated segment serves as a reminder of the high stakes and pressure within the wrestling entertainment world.
Moving Forward
As Michael Leonardi continues his journey beyond WWE, this experience undoubtedly shapes his approach to storytelling. The world of professional wrestling is no stranger to controversy, but it is stories like these that remind us of the human side behind the scripted drama.