Vince McMahon has been recognised for being one of the most influential people in the business world today with a spot on Variety's third annual Variety500 list.2019 has been a big year for WWE where the company has made moves to boost the revenue it receives.Not only was the company able to generate money from its deal with Saudi Arabia, but it also began its new five-year partnership with Fox with SmackDown moving to that channel.WWE also got a new five-year deal with the USA Network as well, which saw the introduction of NXT on the network live each week.As a result, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has been featured on Variety500 for the 500 most influential business leaders that are shaping the global $2.2 trillion media industry.

The list looks back on the accomplishments of its members over the past 12 months, and members were selected by the Variety editorial board after extensive research.

Variety wrote the following on Vince: "Last year, McMahon metaphorically circled the ring with the WWE, arms aloft in victory, after signing separate five-year deals with USA Network and Fox Sports to carry its 'Monday Night Raw' and 'SmackDown Live,' estimated to generate revenues rising from $311 million in 2019 to $462 million in 2021.

"And then the WWE itself was dropped to the mat a few times. When Q2 2019 earnings were released in July, its stock price had dropped 31% from a record high of about $99.43 in April, and average 'Raw' viewership was down 20% from the same quarter in 2018.

"Finally acknowledging the decline, this summer McMahon hired Paul Heyman ('Raw') and Eric Bischoff ('SmackDown') to run the shows, and hopes are high for a turnaround."

What's interesting is that the blurb on Vince does not acknowledge that Bischoff has already been released from that position.

Stephanie McMahon took to Twitter to congratulate her father on making the list.

She said: "There are so many trailblazers shaping the media industry today – not only what we consume but how we consume it. Congratulations to all who made this year's #Variety500 list, including @vincemcmahon!"

With WWE's deals with the USA Network, Fox, and Saudi Arabia running beyond 2020, Vince McMahon will likely remain on the Variety500 list for many more years to come.