As they are saying, “The third time’s the charm,” and in response to former WWE star Jimmy Wang Yang (James Yun), former WWE CEO and Chairman Vince McMahon was unaware of Yang’s second release from his promotion. In his interview on “Insight with Chris Van Vliet,” the previous cruiserweight competitor recalled who informed him at first that he was going to be rehired in 2006.
“So, [‘WWE] SmackDown’ is in Cincinnati…in my hometown…I walk into ‘SmackDown,’ and John Laurinaitis pulls me aside and says, ‘Hey, Jim, come here. We’ll hire you again.’ [I said], ‘Oh, really? Cool!’ That is my third run with WWE…I would like to go thank Vince,” Yang said.
Later that day, Yang privately spoke with Mr. McMahon, who revealed in his own special way how he was uninformed that this was the third time Yang was on the WWE roster. That said, on this one-on-one meeting, McMahon instructed Yang of his recent character, which included several guffaw laughs in between telling him of his recent assigned role. Yang imitated every single laugh within the second a part of his story.
“So, I am going right down to his office, knock on the door, ‘Hey, Vince, it’s Jimmy.’ [He said], ‘Oh, Jimmy! Come on. Come on [imitates a deep belly laugh by the former chairman]. You understand, I didn’t even know you were fired.’ I used to be like, ‘Really?'” Yang mentioned. “[Then he said] ‘I got this concept. You understand, last time I didn’t allow you to talk since you’re this Korean dude from Georgia. You understand, you had a southern accent…This time…I will turn you into the Asian redneck [imitates another McMahon-like laugh]…That is funny!’ It was just me and him within the room, and I’m like, ‘Man, that is f**king weird. Like, oh my God, that is on the market.’ [McMahon says] ‘Your name goes to be Jimmy Wang Yang, since it rhymes [does the laugh again]. That is hilarious!’ I’m like, ‘Cool, Vince. So long as that check comes every Monday, I’ll do whatever you would like.'”
The comedic boot scootin’ cowboy would remain on the foremost roster until April 22, 2010, when he was released for the third time. He would briefly return for the fourth time in 2021 as a backstage producer, but that run ended months after was hired back on. On this interview, Yang mentioned his recent memoir that recounts all his runs within the WWE, and where his profession went after.
If you happen to use any of the quotes in this text, please credit “Insight with Chris Van Vliet” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.