Conrad Thompson Recalls Trying To Book Rod McMahon For Starrcast, Vince McMahon’s Reaction

Conrad Thompson and Bruce Prichard look back on how Vince McMahon reacted to Conrad contacting Vince’s brother Rod McMahon.

Conrad Thompson wears many hats in the world of pro wrestling, but he’s perhaps best known for hosting podcasts and running the Starrcast conventions. Starrcast II took place as part of AEW Double or Nothing 2019 weekend, and was set to feature an appearance by The Undertaker, until the appearance got pulled.

On Something to Wrestle, Bruce Prichard and Conrad recalled how Conrad tried to pivot after losing the Undertaker and Kurt Angle.

Prichard: I got a call during (an 80s) convention. It’s Vince McMahon. The first few people in line, they see it. ‘Oh my God.’ They turn around and go, ‘Vince McMahon is calling him right now.’ People are cheering. ‘Answer it!’ He knew I was doing the signing. I answered it and walk behind the curtain. Vince says, ‘Hey, tell me about this guy Conrad. Conrad Thompson?’ ‘Yeah, he’s my partner on the podcast.’ ‘He contacted my brother.’ ‘Why did he contact your brother?’ ‘He wants him to come and do a signing.’ Rod was a great guy, cool as shit. He just had no idea on why you were calling or what a fan convention was. He called Vince, ‘I don’t want to do this. I’m not in the business.’ Vince was like, ‘What’s he looking for? Can we get him anything? I don’t know what Rod is going to do for him as far as selling anything.’ That was a funny break in the day. What the hell were you thinking?

Thompson: What was I thinking?

Prichard: You. I’m asking you.

Thompson: If you recall, I booked The Undertaker to a signed contract, an approved graphic, and a paid deposit. I had also booked Kurt Angle. WWE pulled them both. WWE, aka Mark Carano, suggested that he would get me a suitable replacement and asked me what my wishlist was. I asked and that was denied. Then, I was offered nothing. So, I tried to book Kurt Angle’s brother and Vince McMahon’s brother. I thought we would have some fun. I remember, I was in Charlotte and I got a voicemail from you that said, ‘Call me.’ I could tell it was your daddy voice. I call you back and you go, ‘You got anything you want to tell me?’ To my surprise, I don’t think it pissed the old man [Vince] off. It went the other way.

Prichard: He laughed at it. He thought it was creative as hell, and appreciated the whole thing. Obviously, he was unaware about the Undertaker and that other stuff. He was not aware of that. He just thought it was creative as hell. It was a funny moment in a chaotic day. I would have give you Rod’s number.

Thompson: I sent him an email. It was a professional and polite email.

Prichard: Yes, it was. It was read to me.

Thompson: I think the comment you said was, ‘Vince said it was compelling and well-written.’ I wasn’t in that much trouble.

Prichard: You weren’t in any trouble. It was a ‘what the fuck?’ moment.

Rod McMahon passed away in January 2021.

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