Vince McMahon wanted a WWE Superstar’s MOTHER on television

In the world of professional wrestling, storylines can often take unexpected turns, and WWE is no stranger to this. One such instance revolves around WWE superstar Shelton Benjamin and a unique idea pitched by none other than Vince McMahon, the chairman of WWE.

McMahon had a vision to bring Benjamin’s real-life mother into a wrestling storyline, a move that would have undoubtedly added a personal touch to the narrative.

Mama Benjamin’s Short-lived WWE Stint

For those who followed WWE in 2006, the character of “Mama Benjamin” might ring a bell. She was portrayed as an overprotective mother who would interfere in Shelton’s matches, leading him to a series of victories.

This character arc culminated in Benjamin winning the WWE Intercontinental Championship in February 2006. However, by March, Mama Benjamin was no longer part of the storyline.

Interestingly, the woman who played Mama Benjamin was not Shelton’s real mother. Instead, she was portrayed by American comedian and actress, Thea Vidale.

Vince McMahon: Original Plan

In a candid conversation on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Shelton Benjamin shed light on the original plans Vince McMahon had for the Mama Benjamin character.

McMahon’s idea was to have Shelton’s actual mother accompany him on the road and be a part of the WWE storyline. However, Benjamin was not on board with this idea.

He expressed concerns about exposing his real mother to the locker room environment. Shelton, being protective of his mother, felt that even a single negative comment directed towards her could have led to confrontations, potentially jeopardising his career.

Shelton Benjamin’s Illustrious WWE Career

Shelton Benjamin’s association with WWE began in January 2000 when he signed with the company. He started in the OVW developmental territory and made his main roster debut on SmackDown in December 2002.

Over the years, Benjamin has had an impressive run with the company, holding titles such as the WWE Tag Team Championship and the Intercontinental Championship.

He also had a brief hiatus due to a torn rotator cuff injury but made a triumphant return in 2017, teaming up with Chad Gable on SmackDown.