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Notes from WWE on CNN's Larry King Live - Wednesday, March 26

For a full hour Wednesday night on CNN, Larry King hosted WWE with appearances from Vince McMahon, Triple H, Chris Jericho, John Cena (via satellite from New Orleans), Big Show, and Floyd Mayweather to hype WrestleMania 24 and establish the relevance of WWE's brand of entertainment.

The show was taped weeks earlier, as Vince McMahon said at the conclusion of the broadcast that WWE has about 15 shows until WrestleMania. He also said at the time this was taped that he had not worked out the match line-up for WrestleMania, and they had not determined what kind of match Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show will be.

Among the subjects in the broadcast, King asked about steroids and Chris Benoit. He brought up steroids after a light moment with clips from King battling McMahon on WWE's latest video game. McMahon said their drug policy is great and compare to any other sport. He said it's interesting that they have a policy when they're really entertainment and not like NFL or NBA.

Cena said he's not concerned about the drug problem. He said it's a matter of personal choice, and WWE does a fantastic job of taking care of current and former performers who come forth with a problem.

Triple H said he doesn't take painkillers because he can't stand them. "I've heard other guys say 'oh, the wrestling industry, you have to do it (take pills) to make it through'," he said. "It's a load of crap, because I know more guys that don't take anything than do take stuff. You know, it's a personal choice."

On the subject of the Chris Benoit tragedy, Vince said business has been excellent. King asked if they've been affected at all, and Vince said not in the short-term, but it's "one of those things that will live with you forever." He tried to rationalize the tragedy as something that could have happened to anyone or any other business.

"It could happen to anyone, but you live with it," he said. Vince said the new information indicates it had to do with marital problems more than anything else. "Only recently was it brought out that they had a lot of marital problems and it's suspected that that, more than anything else, is the reason why the murder/suicide," he said.

***

Earlier in the broadcast, King quizzed Vince and Hunter on how the outcomes are determined. Hunter said it's a sport, but they control the outcome so fans are always going to get a good show. King asked if there's ever been a switch on the finish. "It did happen years ago with Bret Hart," Hunter said. Vince smirked, then Hunter continued, "He didn't want to go along with the way things were supposed to go, so it went another way."

King then asked whether the wrestlers profit from WWE's success like the company does. Vince quipped first that Jericho is too profitable. Jericho laughed it off and said WWE's pay is a matter of how high up the ladder a wrestler is and how well the person connects with the audience.

John Cena said he's "doing all right" on pay and said the payscale is set up to reward wrestlers who work hard throughout the year - not just WrestleMania. He claimed WWE runs 300 shows per year and you have to give a great performance every night, not just at Mania. Hunter said the business creates a limitless upside for money-making opportunities. He pointed to Cena doing movies, having a rap album, and being a superstar. "John is one of the hardest-working guys we've ever had in this company," he said.

***

In the second-half of the show, Floyd Mayweather joined the panel to discus his match against Big Show. He said he's always up for big challenges and there's "nothing bigger than the WWE." King asked the million dollar question on what kind of match it will be, and Vince said, "Whatever it is we're going to figure out." Mayweather simply said it's going to be a fight.

King asked why Vince hooked up with Mayweather for the WrestleMania promotion and Vince said Mayweather's flashiness caught his eye. He said Mayweather is beyond boxing and compared him to Muhammad Ali from years ago. Vince said Mayweather is a good person outside of the ring and he enjoys doing business with good people.

Mayweather said this fight isn't planned and Vince added that the boxing world is upset with Mayweather risking his career and the September fight. (They didn't mention De La Hoya as the opponent. "The whole boxing world is really upset because Floyd is an independent thinker, and is willing to take a risk, which is one of the things you'll not find in any athlete today," McMahon said.

Mayweather claimed he grossed $300 million in ticket revenue, box office, and PPV sales last year for his fights. He also said he's getting paid $20 million for the Mania appearance. King let that figure linger in the air with an awkward pause, then asked Vince why he's paying him that much. "I wouldn't be surprised if he gets 20 million dollars," McMahon said. "But it will be worth every nickel of it."

***

In the final portion of the show, there was an interesting subject on the hectic schedule for the wrestlers, and how they handle work and home life. Big Show said he leaves work at work, and doesn't bring it home to his wife and dogs. Jericho said he's constantly thinking of wrestling ideas at home, and it takes a very understanding wife to put up with that. Triple H said he's on the road for the business four days out of the week, and he's at home still thinking about the business three days out of the week because he's married to Stephanie. He said Vince always has him going somewhere, doing something.

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