John Laurinaitis Shoot Interview

Conducted June 10, 2026.  2 hours and 48 minutes.

RF VIDEO interviewed another former WWE front office staff member and Vince McMahon’s former right-hand man, John Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis was undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in the wrestling industry. This interview delves into his journey to the top of the wrestling world.

Growing up in a wrestling family, Laurinaitis’s brother was a prominent figure in tag team wrestling, forming the legendary duo with Hawk,  The Road Warriors.  We talk all about his relationship with Animal. In this interview, Laurinaitis recounts his entry into the wrestling business and the experience of witnessing his brother’s rise to stardom.

The interview provides insights into Laurinaitis’s early career, including his training and the challenges he faced in the Crockett territory. He shares anecdotes about working alongside wrestling legends such as Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, and other iconic figures from the past. Laurinaitis also discusses his time with the violent tag team, The Sheepherders, and how he learned valuable lessons from Butch and Luke.

The transition from the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) to World Championship Wrestling (WCW) had a significant impact on Laurinaitis’s career. He also recounts his memorable encounters with Shane Douglas. The interview offers a comprehensive look at Laurinaitis’s tag team run with Shane, including their feud with the Midnight Express.

Laurinaitis achieved legendary status in Japan, where he gained immense respect from All Japan Pro Wrestling’s owner, Giant Baba. The interview provides a detailed account of his time in the promotion, highlighting his transformation from a top performer to Giant Baba’s trusted advisor. Laurinaitis assumed various responsibilities outside the ring, learning and making business decisions for the company.

He engaged in intense rivalries with prominent Japanese wrestlers, including Stan Hansen, Dr. Death, Terry Gordy, Misawa, Taue, Kobashi, and other legends of All Japan Pro Wrestling. For fans of Japanese wrestling, this interview is a must-listen. 

Following our discussion on All Japan Pro Wrestling and his extensive tenure with the company, we transitioned to his brief stint in WCW and his behind-the-scenes contributions to developing finishes and angles for the promotion. He collaborated with Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo, but it was not long before WWE acquired the company, leading Johnny to join WWE. This is where the interview becomes particularly intriguing.

Johnny was responsible for talent relations and has interacted with all members of the company, sharing anecdotes about various significant events. How did he become a television character, and what inspired People Power? What was it like working with John Cena, CM Punk, Randy Orton, and the entire roster? We delved into every aspect of his career. Many will be attentive to this interview due to potential allegations, and we addressed the elephant in the room. Johnny was open to answering our questions regarding it.

What was it like being the right-hand man to Vince McMahon, and what were his responsibilities? How did he earn Vince’s trust? We also explored his experiences working with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.