John Laurinite is one of the most influential people in the wrestling industry in the best part of 20 years. WWE fans will know him as the on-screen general manager of “Power of People,” but that was just one of the roles he played WWE. Laurinaitis has done almost every job in wrestling, from road agents to talent relations managers.
John and his brothers, Marcus (The Terminator) and Joe (Road Warrior Animal) all entered the wrestling game with various successes, and after a brief stint at NWA Johnny Ace, the name he wrestled with went to Japan, carved out a great career and teamed up with Dr. Steve Williams. Separate opportunities, and Wrestling Observer Match of the Year.
He is also believed to have invented the ace cutter, now universally known as RKO. His return to America at WCW never reached the same heights. His only real run was part of a dynamic Dard tag team with Shane Douglas before moving on to the WCW creative team. When WWE buys WCW, Johnny Ace is moved to the WWE Creative Team, and the rest, as they say, is history. But, although it had an impact on wrestling as John Laurinite did, the past 20 years have been controversial for him, with multiple complaints and charges being placed against him. Here are ten backstage stories that make Johnny Ace look bad.
Vince McMahon’s investigation
Both alleged stories look horrible
- Laurinaitis developed Vince’s reputation as a right hand man
- Vince’s claim led to Laurinitis being named in the lawsuit.
- Both of their reputations have been completely destroyed
The facts of the case are not yet in the public domain as the investigation of former WWE CEO Vince McMahons Affairs and Payoffs is still ongoing, but it is linked to payments to buy multiple issues and silence with women from Little, released by the Wall Street Journal.
As mentioned, Laurinite was the only person other than Vince, and was only quietly released in August 2022, but the investigation still existed.
Finlay and Hornswoggle
Many believe that Finlay was set up to fail
- Finlay took on-screen roles after a behind-the-scenes duties
- Having a little guy’s companion was meant to make him a joke
- Hornswoggle & Finlay together became a popular team action
Dave ‘Fit’ Finlay is one of the best and most respected mattresses of the 90s, and gave his name in Europe before starting WCW. After an injury to his leg after a table spot, Finley retired and joined the behind-the-scenes team until WWE purchased the WCW. In 2006, Fit made his return in the ring and undoubtedly enjoyed his best run alongside Hornswoggle.
This was not intended to happen as Hornswoggle puts Finlay first on Finlay to derail Finlay’s push by Laurinaitis, who had Finlay problems. Thankfully, both Finlay and Hornswoggle are good enough, committed enough to redo the pairing, and still amazed by fans.
Talent Relations Manager
Jim Ross’s successful and extremely unpopular
- Jim Ross lost his role and confused many talents behind the scenes
- Laurinaitis, who replaces JR, instantly made him a person he hated.
- Many fired performers felt that Laurinitis had ruined their careers
John took over the job as head of Jim Ross’ talent relationship in 2004, informing the talent that their services were no longer needed when future efforts were present. He himself isn’t the last word about who will stay or go, but his job was to bring the news.
This has resulted in some controversial terminations. Recently, Oney Lorcan, whose release was named wrong. WWE received so many complaints that John was forced to personally squeal all released stars to apologise.
The Wrong Austin
He contacted Adam Cole on behalf of Xavier Woods.
- Laurinaitis attempted to sign Xavier Woods, aka Austin Creed
- We contacted young Adam Cole, aka Austin Jenkins
- Cole played an extra role due to Laurinitis’ mistake
In his role as head of talent relations, another of his duties is to hire new talents, whether they come as stars or young talent as reinforcement talents and for tryouts. It was because of a tryout that John invited Adam Cole to come to WWE, but when Cole received the travel documents, the name was wrong.
Austin’s real name, Cole, was confused with another wrestler and his first name, Austin, Xavier Woods. Laurinaitis apologised, and while Cole did some extra work in the CM Punk Straight Edge Society, it took Cole several more years to return to WWE programming.
Wrong one-legged wrestler
Contacted the wrong wrestler before Zach Gowen
- Laurinaitis made another mistake while trying to sign Zach Gowen
- Another one-legged wrestler signed by Lauri Knight
- Gowen finally received a contract offer for his big push
Zach Gowen is a one-legged wrestler and worked for TNA when he appeared on WWE’s radar in 2003. Vince wanted to run the program with this talented young athlete at an obvious selling point. Laurinaitis was tasked with signing a contract with WWE so that he could start the story.
However, when it was time for him to begin, the wrong one-footed wrestler was given a contract in place of young Gowen, forcing WWE to shelve the plans until they got the right guy.
AJ Lee said “it was too ugly.”
- AJ Lee pressed TV to become a breakout star
- Laurinaitis felt she didn’t have the ideal WWE diva look
- Lee referenced the story of being disrespected behind the scenes.
AJ Lee played a major role in launching the women’s revolution. There was both her wrestling style and connections with fans who changed the way women view wrestling.
Although his name alone is not mentioned in her book, AJ wrote early in her career how she was approached by behind-the-scenes officials, saying that men didn’t want to see her and that she was too ugly for her to succeed. It’s fair to say that AJ Lee continued her final laugh by drawing and outperforming the army of swimsuit models adopted by Laurinaitis.
Swimsuit catalog model
Found a free agent through a sketchy scenario
- Laurinaitis used modeling photos to scout future stars
- After Laurinaitis liked modeling photography, Bella Twins was hired
- Laurinaitis struggled because he didn’t value wrestling
As for Divas, Johnny Ace didn’t care how talented the girls were, but what did they look like in a bikini? Names such as Alicia Fox, Kelly Kelly, and his future daughter, daughter of law, Bella Twins, and others were all recruited from a swimsuit and lingerie catalogue with zero wrestling experience.
Many claim that they derailed the women’s division after the successes of Rita, Trish Stratus, Victoria and Molly Holly.
Disrupt developmental reservations
Damage the system before talent is called
- Talent and executives have made life difficult
- Jim Cornette hated working with Laurinaitis on the OVW system
- Created a problem that undermines the concept of the entire farm system
One of the duties at the head of Johnny Ace’s talent relationship roles was to interact with the people who ran the developmental system. Regular listeners on Jim Cornett’s podcasts have heard some stories of total disregard that John had a way of getting things to run.
There are multiple stories of wrestlers being called without notice. It is often said that before paying back the angle, or that the model that has not been sent to you must be at a show that has already been reserved. The interference was so regular that Cornett stopped.
Lesnar’s Shooting Star Press
I persuaded the block to try difficult moves.
- Brock stopped using Shooting Star Press after OVW Days
- Laurinaitis told Lesnar to try a move for a big match
- Brock had a scary bocchi, which almost ended his career.
Brock Lesnar is an extraordinary athlete capable of agility that goes against his build. In developing blocks, he often flaunted his agility by running a shooting star on a crash dummy, but he only used it once on an OVW show. Paul Heyman quickly cut off what he told him not to do it again. Because it simply doesn’t have to get over it and leads to long-term wear. Lesnar listened to that advice for almost all of his career.
In the main event of WrestleMania 19 against Kurt Angle, Johnny Ace persuaded Brock to elicit this move.
Cowboy Bob Orton
Put your health aside for Orton to compete
- Bob Orton took on the on-screen role in his son’s feud
- The Undertaker facing both Ortons has become part of the story
- Laurinaitis upsets the Undertaker by having Bob perform hepatitis
During his run as a legendary murderer, Randy Orton engaged in a brutal, bloody, and career that created a rivalry with the Undertaker. Starting at WrestleMania 21, Randy was supported by his father’s legendary cowboy Bob Orton, and mostly had four PPV matches, each exceeding expectations, culminating in hell in Cell’s match at Armageddon PPV in 2005.
During the match, the cowboy was arrested at a pre-built location. Despite knowing that Bob Orton was suffering from hepatitis, Laurinitis registered for the match’s blood spot without informing the Undertaker of his condition.
