Part 7/8:
The transition away from the AWA and Gagne's era mirrored a broader shift in the professional wrestling world. Promoters who were once wary of Vince McMahon underestimated his vision and ability to evolve the industry. The territorial system that many clung to was slowly giving way to a more centralized and lucrative approach, ultimately resulting in more opportunities—albeit with a different structure—that would benefit the wrestlers more substantially than in previous decades.
Promoters were often perceived to be greedy, and this greed kept them from uniting to stand against the encroaching changes spearheaded by McMahon. The evolution of wrestling dynamics had begun, and wrestlers' earnings would only begin to see a true surge once McMahon seized control of the industry.