>>16512952I agree with your point, but I don't think Vince was trying to be a cult leader. Vince was a promoter 40+ years ago, when wrestlers were tough guys who worked incredibly grueling schedules, and all of your stars had massive egos. WWF, once Vince started his national expansion project, gobbled up most of the top stars from every other territory throughout the 1980s. So ALL the guys had massive egos and thought they should be on top. The WWF was so successful because Vince knew how to manage them all, and get the best work out of them without too many guys breaking down, going into business for themselves, or quitting. Vince's managerial style never changed even though the industry did. Vince worked to change the industry so that it was the brand that mattered, not the stars. He wanted wrestlers to be interchangeable cogs that could be pushed to the top only if Vince wanted and could just as easily be swept aside for the next guy up. Vince proved that point with Roman Reigns, even though it took him a decade to do it. He never wanted to be 'held hostage' by his top guy again, which is what he felt happened with Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, the Rock, and even John Cena. Vince is a control freak, and he does use some psychological tactics to manipulate his talent, but I wouldn't go so far as to call these cult tactics.
