Joe Gacy Discusses Vince McMahon's Reaction to NXT Promo

Joe Gacy recently recounted Vince McMahon's mixed reactions to a promo he delivered during the September 21, 2021 episode of NXT. The promo included terms like 'safe space' and 'male privilege,' which drew significant media attention, including a Fox News article that labeled it controversial.

Initially, McMahon was reportedly upset after seeing the promo's coverage, leading Shawn Michaels to inform Gacy that he would be taken off television temporarily. However, after McMahon reviewed the actual promo, his stance changed, and he expressed approval.

Gacy described a tense moment when he was called into Michaels' office, where a new three-page promo was prepared for him to memorize in just 30 minutes. He successfully delivered the promo, which McMahon and others found satisfactory. Gacy later transitioned to the Schism faction and made his main roster debut in June 2024, before being part of WWE roster cuts in April 2026.