There is “definite interest” from Saudi Arabia about potentially buying WWE, a decision made by Vince McMahon when he forced his way back into the company last month as the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors ahead of the next media rights deal being made.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that “We know someone involved on the Saudi side about the sale this past week and there is definite interest.”
Saudi’s Plan
Meltzer noted that WWE is not considered as important as Formula 1, which is something Saudi Arabia wanted, or LIV Golf, for Saudi. However, Saudi does want to buy properties in the number one in their market or be in the top five. They also have an interest in the EPL, the biggest and most well-known soccer league in the world, as well as the highest-profile soccer team in the world, Manchester United.
Meltzer pointed out that Saudi is looking to buy franchises that have a worldwide fan base and they are not looking at them for revenue or profitability as they view it as simply getting publicity for their country and normalizing the world views of their country.
If Endeavor, the parent company of UFC, bought WWE they would focus on growing revenue and turning bigger profits.
Meltzer mentioned that if Saudi bought the company it would change the salary structure just like they did with golf as they pay way more than the PGA tour.
Meltzer added, “While those in WWE have told me they prefer to sell to a media company, most stories indicate media companies aren’t looking for that level of a purchase because of uncertainty over the future changes in consumption.”
If WWE is sold to Saudi then it raises questions regarding the future of Sami Zayn, who hasn’t worked any of the WWE events in Saudi Arabia since the partnership began in 2018 due to his Syrian descent.
Is Vince McMahon secretly overseeing WWE’s Creative department now that he is back with the promotion?
Following the billionaire’s retirement last July over misconduct allegations and ‘hush-money’ payouts, Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque was appointed the new Head of Creative.
It was days later that the Game was appointed WWE’s Head of Talent Relations, replacing John Lauriniatis who was dismissed from the company for his alleged role in the McMahon scandal.
Creative Return
Upon his return to WWE in January 2023, the company frequently told a concerned roster that McMahon was back solely to find a new owner of the promotion.
It was stressed that McMahon would not be resuming his role as part of WWE’s creative team, though a WWE talent who spoke to Sean Ross Sapp has said they believe McMahon is back in creative.
This week, a WWE talent reached out and told me they believed Vince McMahon was back in creative.
I couldn't get it confirmed at all, but on today's https://t.co/jy8u4a7WDa List Goes On (4 PM EST), I'll discuss what they told me.
Sapp later shared his own belief that McMahon is not back in charge of Creative, nor does he have a role in the department, stating:
“There are a lot of people that believe that Vince can’t help himself but that’s a lot different than saying well he’s back in creative and he’s definitely guiding this creative. I don’t believe he’s guiding this creative.
“people say ‘Oh, what makes you think that?’ Cause we’re not seeing the same match every week. I don’t think Vince would be able to help himself but to do the same matches every week. That was the most identifying booking point of Vince.”
Sean Ross Sapp.
The Update
In an update from Fightful Select, it was noted that when Sapp reached out to several members of Creative they hadn’t heard anything about Vince being back on the team.
Some of the sources asked for Sapp to inform them if he learns that McMahon is back with the creative team, but nothing has been confirmed so far.
Sapp added that McMahon does have “input” on creative, something Triple H has informed talent, but it is not in any official capacity with the promotion.
Speaking about the initial source, who remains nameless at this time, Sapp said that this member of talent said that they were told Vince is back and there is another power struggle, but nobody would confirm it.
WWE did not respond when Sapp asked for a comment, but a higher-up in the company told him that the tweet above was “absolutely false.”
Sean Ross Sapp added that the source who has claimed McMahon is back in Creative has been honest in the past.
In an update, Wade Keller of PW Torch flat-out refuted the claim that McMahon has a role with WWE’s Creative team.
Vince McMahon may not have returned to WWE TV (so far!) but eagle-eyed fans spotted a subtle reference to the Executive Chairman on this week’s Raw.
The post-Elimination Chamber of Monday Night Raw saw appearances by the likes of Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes, as well as Hall of Famers Edge and Lita.
In the show’s main event, Edge lost to United States Champion Austin Theory thanks to interference by Finn Balor, continuing the Rated-R Superstar’s feud with the Judgment Day.
Vince McMahon
Since his shocking return to WWE less than two months ago, Vince McMahon has been huddled away in his office, trying to find a new owner for the company.
With this year’s WrestleMania airing from Los Angeles, WWE has gone all-in with a Hollywood aesthetic for the show, as reflected in the advertising.
WWE aired an advertisement for Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title during Raw, and fans noticed that at the bottom of Reigns’ poster read the words “Directed by Vince McMahon.”
McMahon has reportedly not attended any WWE tapings since his return from retirement and has also kept away from creative meetings.
WrestleMania 39
This year’s WrestleMania will be the first (in theory) without McMahon making creative decisions behind the scenes.
In addition to Reigns Vs. Rhodes, SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair will face 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble winner Rhea Ripley.
Asuka hopes to regain the Raw Women’s Championship and score her first win at WrestleMania when she takes on Champion Bianca Belair.
Matches rumored for the show include U.S. Champion Austin Theory Vs. John Cena and Seth Rollins Vs. Logan Paul.
If there’s been a difference in Triple H and Vince McMahon’s creative within WWE, Charlotte Flair hasn’t noticed it.
Flair recently took part in an interview with The Daytona Beach News Journal, and was asked about what differences she’s noticed since Triple H has taken over WWE creative for Vince McMahon.
“The Queen” noted that she hasn’t noticed much of a difference in all honesty, but mostly because she feels it’s more so up to her to make something work on-screen rather than the person coming up with the idea.
“I haven’t really noticed a difference because I feel, as a performer, that my job is just to make my boss happy. Whoever is in the seat is your boss,” Charlotte Flair said.
“Maybe if I was new, I would feel a difference, but I’m on more of the seasoned vet side. I don’t feel like there is as much maneuvering or trying to build a new character.”
(WWE)
McMahon was forced to step down from his position of head of WWE creative late last year in the midst of the sexual misconduct investigation against him. This left his son-in-law, Triple H, to step up and take over the creative helm.
Since, Triple H’s creative decisions have been hailed as being far more in-tune with the professional wrestling crowd than McMahon’s. Especially after a great Elimination Chamber event this past weekend from Montreal.
Now that McMahon is back with the company in an executive role, it remains to be seen if he ever eventually decides to return to run WWE’s creative process again.
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon is asking for a steep price for the WWE, according to a new report.
The company is heading into an interesting situation as they look for a potential buyer. McMahon returned to power last month following his short retirement on July 22, 2022, following allegations of misconduct with female employees. His reason for his comeback to the WWE Board of Directors and Chairman position was to help the company sell or secure a TV deal.
While the company has yet to be sold, WWE CEO Nick Khan shared on Feb. 3 that fans may expect a sale in possibly three months. In a new update from Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw, McMahon is looking for $9 billion for the WWE.
“Vince McMahon is looking to get as much as $9 billion in a potential sale of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., the company he returned to run this year, according to people familiar with his thinking, said the report. It continues, “The company has already received offers, said the people, who requested that they not be identified because the discussions are private. WWE declined to comment. Shares of WWE rose as much as 4.9% to $91.48 Friday in New York. As of the close Thursday, the asking price was 37% greater than the company’s $6.5 billion market value.”
Potential Buyers For WWE
The report shares that Endeavor Group Holding Inc. is among the potential buyers looking to acquire WWE. Combat sports fans may recognize Endeavor as the current owner of the UFC. However, it is worth pointing out that the group bought the UFC for close to $6 billion in order to have full control of the company, which they needed numerous private equity firms, according to MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin. The Bloomberg article notes that Endeavor would need financial help in order to make the sell as their market cap value is $10.4 billion.
Other potential buyers could be the likes of Comcast, Fox, Netflix, Disney, and Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. The article notes that McMahon “…Built the WWE into an international entertainment powerhouse that packs arenas and airs programs regularly on Fox Corp. and Comcast Corp.’s USA network.” To lose the potential TV rights to the WWE may not be in the best interest of Comcast or Fox. Comcast in particular has WWE’s library on their streaming service Peacock, which has helped them gain subscribers.
It’s unclear who will buy WWE. However, we know how much McMahon values his company.
FTR may have impressed fans for years with their skills in the ring, but Vince McMahon was far from pleased with their performance in 2018.
After an impressive run in NXT, FTR (then The Revival) was called up to WWE’s main roster as part of the post-WrestleMania 33 Raw in April 2017.
Despite reigns as both Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Champions (making the team the first triple-crown tag Champions in WWE) the duo couldn’t match their NXT success on the main roster and were granted their releases in April 2020.
The Worst Match
By the 2018 Royal Rumble, The Revival had been feuding with the Good Brothers and had traded wins on TV and at live events with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.
Speaking with Matt Koon on his FTR podcast, Dax Harwood recalled the less than favorable feedback to the match on the Royal Rumble kick-off show.
“We come to the back and Vince (McMahon) is waiting for us, all four of us. We thought the match was good. it was like an eight-minute match. We came to the back and he said, ‘Welp, that was absolutely the worst wrestling match I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”
Dax Harwood.
Given that McMahon was closing in on fifty years in the wrestling industry at the time, Harwood joked that he takes having the worst match as a “badge of pride.”
Harwood added that McMahon was likely unaware that he and Cash Wheeler were employed by WWE for eight years.
WWE Return
While McMahon was far from pleased with FTR, WWE today is much different to the one the tag team left nearly three years ago.
Following McMahon’s retirement last July, Triple H has been appointed Head of Creative and Head of Talent, and FTR thrived under the Game’s watch in WWE NXT.
McMahon has (so far) kept away from creative meetings and WWE programming since his return to WWE last month.
It has been reported that FTR’s deals with AEW expire this May, but Harwood claimed in a previous episode of his podcast that McMahon’s return has made them question coming back.
WWE Executive Chairman Vince McMahon will be an incredibly wealthy (or rather, wealthier) man in the event of the promotion being sold.
The billionaire’s return to WWE in January 2023, came less than six months after his shocking retirement in July of last year in the hush-money
McMahon reportedly strong-armed his way back into WWE, threatening to vote down any sales offers of negotiated TV deals if he was not brought back to the company.
Show Me the Money!
McMahon has made it clear that his sole reason for returning to WWE is to facilitate a sale of the promotion.
While WWE is optimistic that the promotion will be sold for $8.5 billion, it has been estimated that the company will go for $8 billion.
In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer broke down how much key players will make in the event of a sale based on their current financial interests and investment.
Vince McMahon $2,552,969,558
Stephanie McMahon $170,842,415
Linda McMahon $50,320,030
Kevin Dunn $24,205,410
Nick Khan $13,837,200
Frank Riddick $10,931,948
Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque $8,323,822
Finding a Buyer
For McMahon to add over $2.5 billion to his account, a sale first needs to take place.
Companies reported as interested include FOX, Disney, Amazon, and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, among others.
Comcast, considered by many to be the favorite to buy, is reportedly not interested, though that claim has been disputed by WWE CEO Nick Khan.
Khan has said that he estimates that the process will take approximately three months, meaning a deal should be finalized by the end of Spring this year.
Cody Rhodes has offered his thoughts on WWE’s creative control transferring from Vince McMahon to Triple H.
Rhodes recently took part in an interview with Alex McCarthy of Daily Mail and was asked about the transition of creative power going from McMahon to Triple H.
The 2023 Men’s Royal Rumble winner was out of action (pectoral injury) from June 2022 through January 2023. A lot happened in WWE during that time, to say the least. Most notably – the exit and return of Vince McMahon. Vince is back as Executive Chairman of WWE’s Board of Directors, but Triple H is very much in control of day-to-day operations.
Rhodes says both Vince McMahon and Triple H were in touch during his hiatus. He acknowledged they each have very different visions for WWE. At the end of the day, he’s focused on being the best WWE Superstar he can be.
“At the time when the transition happened, I wasn’t even close to coming back and I was communicated with every step of the way,” he said. “I was communicated with by Vince and by Triple H. That was very nice. I was never left in the dark on anything and obviously, these are different visions, they change.
“My transaction needs to be simple. I don’t need to be caught up in whatever is happening behind the scenes. Those stories can be fun but I need my story on the screen to be the more important story. For that to happen I need to be at the very best. Best as a superstar, best as a wrestler because then the other stuff will come.”
– Cody Rhodes
Rhodes to WrestleMania
Cody Rhodes returned to WWE in April of last year as Seth Rollins’ surprise opponent at WrestleMania 38. After a tremendous rivalry with Rollins, Rhodes was forced to be sidelined for most of the year with a pectoral injury.
Upon making his in-ring return at the Royal Rumble last month, winning the match, Rhodes has now punched his ticket to WrestleMania, where he will challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE World Heavyweight Title.
Seth Rollins has had an interesting take to the McMahon family and recent changes in WWE, comparing the situation to the hit series ‘Succession.’
The comedy-drama series, now in its fourth season, tells the story of the Logan family and the power struggles when their father steps down from controlling an influential media company.
Succession
Like the Logans, the McMahons are no stranger to personal drama, as seen with the return of Vince McMahon earlier this year.
When asked about Vince’s return to power by Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Rollins found the comparison to Succession to be apt.
“Have you ever seen the show ‘Succession’? If you need an explanation, there you go. You have three seasons of it, I think on HBO, so that’s again, all above my head. I’m a pro wrestler, I show up, I put in the work in the ring, try to do my best to entertain the people who buy the tickets and watch us on TV, and that’s all I can focus on. If I start worrying about the other stuff, I’m gonna lose my cool so, I gotta keep my cool, my friend.”
Seth Rollins.
Vince Vs. McMahon
WrestleMania 16 in 2000 was sold on the promise of ‘a McMahon in every corner’ for the main event, but Vince’s issues with his own kin aren’t just for show.
Following Stephanie’s resignation last month, it was reported that she and her father struggled to work together, with Nick Khan acting as a peacemaker between them.
Daddy’s Little Girl isn’t the only McMahon to draw Vince’s ire, as Shane McMahon was fired last year due to his actions backstage at the Royal Rumble.
Shane’s behavior was so egregious that Vince claimed at the time that his son would never receive another pop from the crowd at a WWE event.
With his biological children out of WWE, Vince’s sole relation still working for the promotion is his son-in-law Triple H, and reports of conflict between the two have cropped up over the years.
Vince McMahon is an interesting person to say the very least.
After retiring ‘for good’ in July of last year, the billionaire is back in charge of WWE, being appointed ‘Executive Chairman’ last month and replacing his daughter Stephanie.
The 77-year-old McMahon has declared that he will retire again if it is in WWE’s best interest, and has kept away from creative meetings and TV tapings thus far.
Hornswoggle
Out of all the little people WWE has used over its many years Dylan ‘Hornswoggle’ Postl is perhaps the most recognizable.
The former WWE Cruiserweight Champion (and Anonymous Raw General Manager) debuted as Finlay’s ‘leprechaun’ in 2006 but would have a solo career in his own right.
While speaking to Chris Van Vliet, Postl explained that Kevin Dunn would often refer to him as “the midget,” a term found offensive by many little people.
“Kevin Dunn on a headset. I was underneath the ring, and I could always hear the conversations between everyone. Everyone. The producers in the back, Kevin Dunn in the truck, Vince in the back.
So Kevin Dunn’s like ‘Vince, we need to figure out how to get the midget back to the back.’ [As Vince] ‘Goddammit Kevin! We don’t use that word. He’s a little person.’”
Dylan ‘Hornswoggle’ Postl.
Postl added that Dunn gave “apology after apology” over the use of the term, both to McMahon and himself.
After being released from WWE in May 2016, Postl would make sporadic appearances, including as part of the 2018 Greatest Royal Rumble.
Postl has also appeared for Impact Wrestling, Ring of Honor and had a cameo appearance for AEW Dynamite in November 2020, as part of The Inner Circle’s trip to Las Vegas.
Vince McMahon’s return to WWE may be a short one, according to the company’s sole CEO Nick Khan.
The billionaire’s return less than a month ago came less than six months after his shocking retirement in July of last year.
McMahon reportedly strong-armed his way back into WWE, threatening to vote down any sales offers of negotiated TV deals if he was not brought back to the company.
Second Retirement
For decades, it was accepted that Vince McMahon would never retire, which made his actions last July all the more shocking.
Many (including those on WWE’s Board of Directors) believe that McMahon’s return is the wrong call, though the rise in stock price following his return says otherwise.
Speaking during the 2022 Q4 earnings call, WWE CEO Nick Khan said that McMahon will ultimately do what is best for WWE.
“Yes [he would step down from his sole role as Executive Chairman.] Without question. He’s declared it to the board. He’s declared it to us in management. It’s all about shareholder value. Obviously, he is a shareholder. So it’s not about what role he’ll have. It’s about maximizing that value opportunity.”
Nick Khan.
The Sale
At the time of his return, it was noted that McMahon is back to facilitate a sale of the promotion.
While some have been dubious that McMahon doesn’t have grander ambitions than merely overseeing the sale, Vince has kept away from WWE’s TV tapings and creative meetings.
Names interested in WWE include Comcast, FOX, Disney, Netflix, Amazon, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, and Shahid & Tony Khan.
Since returning to the board, Vince McMahon has not been involved creatively in WWE.
During the NXT Vengeance Day pre-show media call, NXT Head of Creative Shawn Michaels fielded a bevy of questions. Perhaps the most notable comment throughout the call, was Michaels’ words on Vince McMahon’s involvement with the current product.
“He has not, and I don’t think (he will). I’d imagine Vince probably has bigger fish to fry than us down here in NXT. One of the things I enjoy about my job down here is the plausible deniability that I’m allowed to have. I don’t ask a lot of questions because I don’t want to know the answers to some of them. Even back when we were here [with Vince in charge], he was very good with us down here. They helped us in a certain way and guided us in how they wanted it to go, but after that, it was hands-off. Hunter, the same thing. They’re very good with us down here in NXT. They understand it’s a different environment down here, so we’re very fortunate to kind of be independent, no matter who is running the ship up there in Stamford, they allow us a great deal of freedom down here, which we appreciate.”
Vince McMahon Recently Returned to WWE
In April 2022, an investigation was launched by WWE following a WSJ report that Vince McMahon supplied over $3 million in ‘hush money’ settlements due to an alleged affair with a former company employee. Another issue came up for McMahon, as WSJ reported that McMahon, alongside now former company executive John Laurinaitis spent over $12 million in nondisclosure agreements following sexual misconduct allegations.
In July 2022, McMahon resigned from his duties as the company’s Chairman and Head of Creative. However, after just six months, McMahon announced his return to WWE’s board, who unanimously voted him back as Chairman of the company. Fans speculated that Vince McMahon would stake his claim back in creative; however, McMahon announced that he’d have no part in the company’s day-to-day operations and was solely focused on spearheading a potential sale of WWE.
NXT Vengeance Day Updated Card
Bron Breakker (C) vs. Grayson Waller — NXT Championship
Roxanne Perez (C) vs. Jacy Jane vs. Gigi Dolin — NXT Women’s Championship
Wes Lee (C) vs. Dijak — NXT North American Championship
New Day (C) vs. Pretty Deadly vs. Gallus vs. Chase University — NXT Tag Team Championship
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance (C) vs. Kiana James & Fallon Henley — NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship
Apollo Crews vs. Carmelo Hayes
SEScoops will provide live coverage of NXT Vengeance Day on Saturday, February 4, beginning at 7:00 p.m. EDT/4:00 p.m. PDT.
Bryan Danielson offered up quite the Vince McMahon story.
All Elite Wrestling star Bryan Danielson was part of a significant Bloomberg story centered around AEW and the company’s President, Tony Khan.
On the topic of AEW’s competition, Danielson claimed that Vince McMahon flat-out asked him what AEW does better than WWE.
An excerpt from the piece offers that Danielson thinks AEW puts more of a premium on the in-ring product.
“Bryan Danielson says that in early 2020 McMahon called him and asked a question that shocked the wrestler. “Do you see anything that AEW’s doing better than us?” Danielson spent the next two weeks watching every morsel of AEW programming and came to a conclusion: AEW committed more time to and placed more value on the craft of fighting in the ring. WWE’s shows were often marked by long segments of characters on the microphone. “It feels like you’re watching a wrestling show without any wrestling,” Danielson told Vince McMahon.”
It appears as if Bryan Danielson still has a great relationship with both Vince McMahon and WWE as Danielson appeared on the June 27, 2022, episode of Monday Night RAW via satellite to congratulate John Cena on his 20th anniversary with the company.
Bryan Danielson was a mainstay of WWE programming from 2009 through 2021. ‘The American Dragon’ claimed many accolades during his decade-plus-long tenure with the Connecticut-based company. Among his accomplishments, Danielson secured the WWE (four times), World Heavyweight, Intercontinental, and United States Championships. Danielson was the sixth Grand Slam Champion in WWE history.
Bryan Danielson AEW Debut
Danielson departed WWE in April 2021 following losing a ‘Career vs. Title’ match against Roman Reigns. ‘The American Dragon’ made his All Elite Wrestling debut on September 5, 2021 during the company’s All Out pay-per-view, where he and fellow newcomer Adam Cole, engaged in a closing segment to the show alongside The Elite.
Vince McMahon is back and in charge of WWE once more, but the Chairman isn’t exactly feeling the love.
McMahon returned to WWE’s Board of Directors less than a month ago and has since been appointed as Executive Chairman.
The 77-year-old’s return has seen several departures, including his daughter Stephanie, and Man Jit Singh, the board member who oversaw last year’s investigation into the billionaire.
Investigation
It is believed by some that McMahon’s strong-arming his way back into WWE was in violation of rules set out by the company.
Bronstein, Gewirtz, & Grossman announced this week that they are investigating WWE for “violations of the securities laws” on behalf of WWE investors.
The investigation will look into “whether WWE and/or the company’s officers and directors violated the securities laws or breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the above-alleged misconduct.”
More Investigations
This investigation by Bronstein, Gewirtz, & Grossman is just the latest in a growing list of investigations looking at Mcmahon’s return.
It has previously been reported that Detroit’s Police and Fire Retirement System filed a lawsuit against McMahon after being voted back on to the WWE Board of Directors.
Another lawsuit into McMahon has been filed in Delaware’s Chancery Court, alleging McMahon pushed aside the board to install himself as chairman again illegally.
A separate lawsuit, suing over McMahon’s alleged history of paying to cover up sexual harassment accusations, also questions the legitimacy of McMahon’s return to WWE.
It was reported that McMahon (WWE’s majority shareholder) was ready to vote against any sales offers or TV rights deals if he was not brought back to the promotion.
WWE’s promise that nothing would change following the return of Vince McMahon is seeming pretty hollow with the departure of another name backstage.
McMahon returned to WWE as a member of the Board of Directors on January 6, 2023, and has since been appointed as Executive Chairman.
In a meeting in WWE’s offices, Stephanie McMahon said that little would change with Vince’s return, days before her resignation as Chairwoman and co-CEO of the company.
Departure
WWE’s now former Vice President of International Matthew Drew has parted ways with the company, PW Insider was first to report.
Drew took on the role in June 2021 and his departure is said to have come last week.
Part of his role as VP of International was to work on “growing WWE’s brand and business outside of the United States.”
In addition, Drew worked “with other company leaders to devise WWE’s international strategy for live events, digital, consumer products, and new revenue opportunities.”
Other Departures
Matthew Drew is hardly the only person to part ways with WWE following the return of Vince McMahon.
McMahon being reappointed to the Board saw the billionaire return with Michelle Wilson and George Barrios, and the departures of JoEllen Lyons Dillon, Jeffrey Speed, and Alan Wexler.
Ignace Lahoud and Man Jit Singh (the latter having overseen the investigation into McMahon) resigned the following morning.
Drew is the latest vice president to part ways with the company after Stefanie Fiondella and Adam Hopkins tendered their resignations as Vice Presidents of Communication.
The company also recently laid off multiple names from their offices in Stamford, though no Superstars have been released at this time.
Austin Theory didn’t know that Vince McMahon would be wrestling at WrestleMania 38 until last-second.
McMahon had an impromptu match with Pat McAfee at WrestleMania shortly after McAfee defeated Theory in a match of their own. McMahon picked up a quick win over the already exhausted announcer, which was a surprise to many.
However, even though Theory was involved in the angle, he didn’t know about it until the last second, as he explained during an recent interview with Busted Open Radio.
“The egg started everything. I just heard, ‘Mr. McMahon wants to film this segment with an egg.’ I heard about it, it was him arriving with the egg and the story was somebody stole the egg. Literally, that day they were like, ‘You stole the egg.’ ‘I stole the egg, alright.’
“We filmed the segment with Vince and I was super nervous for that. ‘I stole the egg? $100 million egg? Alright.’ I’m trying to figure all this out and it’s my first thing with Vince. It was almost like anytime we filmed anything, it felt so fast. We’d do it and that would be it. Onto the next one.
“Especially, WrestleMania was interesting because we had no idea if we were going to have Vince in the match until like the night before. I remember that day showing up, I met Stone Cold for the first time. ‘Hey, how’s it going, Austin, nice to meet you.’ ‘Hey, nice to meet you, I’ll be seeing you later tonight.’
“He got on the golf cart and kept driving. ‘What is going on?’ I got to Gorilla, he told me the business, that’s it. Went out there and he gave me that look.“
Of course, since Vince McMahon’s departure from the creative side of the company, Austin Theory is no longer featured as prominently as he once was for a potential World Title run. He does, however, currently reign as the United States Champion.
Could Vince McMahon actually be telling the TRUTH?!
The 77-year-old billionaire retired from WWE last July over allegations of misconduct with female employees, resulting in millions of dollars being paid in NDAs.
McMahon returned to WWE earlier this month and has since been appointed the promotion’s Executive Chairman.
Keeping his Word
When announcing his intention to return, McMahon made it clear that he was merely back to facilitate a sale of the promotion.
Names reported as potential buyers include Comcast, FOX, Netflix, Disney, Amazon, and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, among others.
Many have been dubious of McMahon’s claim, and believe it is just a matter of time until he makes a play to take over previous roles such as Head of Creative.
In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it is reported that McMahon is remaining true to his word, and is rarely seen outside of meetings about the potential sale.
McMahon has not attended any TV tapings, nor has he appeared at any creative meetings yet.
Sources who spoke to the Observer that contrary to McMahon’s first era on top of WWE, he now leaves work at a normal time, rather than staying into the early morning.
The Sale
Though there was a time when the idea of Vince McMahon selling WWE seemed impossible, McMahon is seemingly fixated on making a sale go through.
While it had been reported that the Saudi PIF had purchased the company and were planning on turning it private, that was later debunked.
It is believed that WWE hopes for a sale to happen soon, before they have to renegotiate with their broadcast partners at the USA Network and FOX later this year.
Vince McMahon returned to WWE as the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, and countless changes have been made in the wake of his decision.
His daughter and the former WWE CEO and Chairwoman Stephanie McMahon publicly announced her resignation on January 10, just hours before McMahon officially named himself the Executive Chairman.
This was after McMahon brought himself back to the Board along with George Barrios and Michelle Wilson while some Board members had left.
JoEllen Lyons Dillon, Jeffrey R Speed, and Alan M Wexler were the members that were removed to make way for them. Nick Khan is the CEO of the company, while Triple H remains in charge of WWE creative as well.
Last week, several big backstage names parted ways with WWE, and several employees were fired. Vince has also brought back EVP of Operations Brad Blum to the company.
He’s Back
Pwinsider.com reported, “McMahon was spotted earlier this week at Titan Tower, so it appears he’s back in his old office.”
Since his return to the Board, there have been rumors that he was back, but this marks the first confirmed sighting of the former CEO and Chairman.
McMahon’ departed from the company last July after ‘hush pact’ allegations. He reached a settlement with Rita Chatterton for millions after she accused him of raping her in 1986. McMahon is back to facilitate a sale of the company and help with the TV rights negotiations.
However, people behind the scenes in WWE had to push for Belair to become a star on the main roster. Former WWE writer Chris Dunn spoke with the Public Enemies Podcast about what it was like working with Belair in her first year.
Dunn worked with the company from 2016 to 2021. He shared that he wrote with The Street Profits closely in NXT and was brought up with them. From working with the Street Profits, he pushed to write for Belair.
“…The biggest thing that I’m most proud of is working with Bianca. That whole year it was such a wild thing, said Dunn. He continued…”I was really worried at the time because I think anybody that sees Bianca Belair that she’s unbelievable like it’s kind of undeniable. I think for whatever reason, we had a couple of writers on the team that weren’t around that long, who I think were having a negative impact on the women’s division and I’m also close to Tez, so I kind of campaigned to let me work with Bianca. So we started developing those Mr. Perfect vignettes and the goal was to get her to the main event of WrestleMania year one, because we needed new stars and it felt like that was legitimately possible.”
How Dunn Helped Get Bianca Belair over with Vince McMahon
The first significant accomplishment for Belair on the main roster was winning the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble Match. It helped push her to become a champion at WrestleMania 37 and make her one of WWE’s biggest stars. However, it took a creative push from Dunn and other writers to get McMahon on board with Belair.
Dunn spoke about getting to know Belair and praised her talents. He also shared how the Bayley and Belair obstacle course segment helped get Belair over with McMahon.
“…Vince loved the Lashley and Sami Zayn obstacle course. Loved it, and also we have the numbers to back it up. You’d be shocked stuff that wrestling Twitter hates, like arm wrestling contest, obstacle courses, things like that they rate well,” said Dunn. He went to Bayley’s writer, and they began to think of ideas for the obstacle to show off Belair’s ability.
“…I didn’t produce it or write it; I pitched it. I was around helping, like Jen Pepperman, who’s brilliant with the women’s division; she handled producing it.” He continued, “…Daniel Bryan and Adam Pierce jumped in and added elements to make it bigger. I forgot which one of them came up with the idea of lifting Otis, and then the other one doubled down of like, ‘Okay, you do Gable, but then you do Otis to build it.’ It really blew Vince away.”
The Original Winner of the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble
Despite the impressive showing during the obstacle course, McMahon wasn’t sold on making Belair a main event star at that time. As a backup plan for Belair, Dunn revealed he pitched an idea for her and Billie Kay to team together, with the idea that it would replicate The Rock and Sock Connection. However, the pitch went nowhere. Heading into the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble, McMahon didn’t have Belair winning the match.
“…I was in a Tampa hotel room, and we were watching some sort of football game, and they an assistant had just left the Royal Rumble night before meeting, and they changed the finish. Charlotte was going to go over, and they rehearsed Charlotte going over, and Bianca was going to get eliminated midway through the match, and it got changed to Bianca going over.”
Dunn continued, “…I think a lot of people voiced it, but like this guy Ryan Ward who’s been there for 14 years. He was Cena’s writer and probably for my money, I think has had the biggest hand in the women’s revolution. He was lead writer for golden days of NXT, when like Kevin and Sami, the four-horsewomen, all that stuff. From my understanding, from what I heard he kind of said to Vince something to the effect like ‘Vince, if you look at the Royal Rumble tomorrow, we have Edge winning and Charlotte winning. We’re not making any new stars.’ And I think that really resonated and like Bianca was on such a role where it kind of made sense and she also right after that match had to nail that post match promo and she did it and she was just awesome and great.”
Since the pivotal 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble win, Belair has succeeded in WWE. However, if people in WWE like Dunn did push for her creatively, it may not have happened the way it did.
Elsewhere in the interview, he also spoke about the infamous Lashley sister segment, backstage reaction to Kofi Kingston losing the WWE Championship, and more.
While initially claimed that McMahon’s return was solely to oversee a sale of WWE, the 77-year-old has since been appointed ‘Executive Chairman.’
Fear
In the final years of McMahon’s first era as head of WWE, the company undertook mass releases of talent, with Kross one of the names cut in 2021.
With McMahon back, it has been reported that talent are concerned that it will be just a matter of time before these mass layoffs to the roster happen again.
Speaking with the San Antonio Express-News, Kross dismissed the idea that McMahon’s comeback has Superstars shaking in their boots.
“It’s in my news feeds, it’s everywhere. It’s inescapable at this point. But the people that I have spoken to about it, like my personal friends in the business, no one’s really concerned or afraid for their job.
“All of us are ready to adapt…. I think everyone’s just taking it day by day to see where everything lands, and we’re all trying to remain optimistic.”
Karrion Kross.
Kross, who was released in November 2021 alongside his wife Scarlett, was one of the first names Triple H rehired after becoming head of Talent Relations.
WWE Sale
WWE has not cut any names from its roster in 2023 thus far, but it could happen as talks of a sale of the promotion ramp up.
The cuts to the roster in 2020, 2021, and 2022, came at a time when the promotion was boasting record profits.
Many at the time felt that these cuts were to make those profit margins even bigger, and therefore look more appealing to a potential buyer.
Names reportedly interested in purchasing WWE include Comcast, FOX, Disney, Netflix, Amazon, the Saudi Arabia PIF, and Shahid & Tony Khan.
WWE Executive Chairman Vince McMahon has settled with former WWF referee Rita Chatterton after years of sexual assault allegations.
Chatterton has spoken publicly for decades about McMahon’s alleged assault on her. In 1992, Chatterton appeared on Geraldo Rivera’s talk show and went into detail about McMahon’s assault. She shared that he used his power over her as an employer and forced her to give oral sex.
At the time, she said, “…I was forced into oral sex with Vince McMahon. When I couldn’t complete his desires, he got really angry, started ripping off my jeans, pulled me on top of him, and told me again, If I wanted a half-a-million-dollar contract, I have to satisfy him. He could make me or break me, and if I didn’t satisfy him, I was blackballed,” said Chatterton.
The World Street Journal’s Joe Palazzolo and Ted Mann report that McMahon and Chatterton settled with Chatterton last month. Last November, Chatterton’s attorney sent a legal demand letter seeking $11.75 million in damages. However, the report states that Chatterton “…agreed to a lesser amount in the millions of dollars, one of the people familiar with the matter said.”
McMahon’s lawyer Jerry McDevitt shared with The World Street Journal after the settlement that “Mr. McMahon denies and always has denied raping Ms. Chatterton. And he settled the case solely to avoid the cost of litigation.”
What’s Next For Vince McMahon?
The report shared that McMahon is still facing potential legal troubles with a former Spa Manager he allegedly assaulted at a California resort. The World Street Journal’s Palazzolo and Mann reported on Dec. 13, 2022, that McMahon’s attorneys were talking with the Spa Manager. They added that it’s unclear the negotiation status between McMahon and the former Spa Manager.
The WWE Chairman claims he returned to the company to help it negotiate a new TV deal or potentially sell WWE to buyers. McMahon’s legal troubles could halt WWE’s opportunity to sell, forcing McMahon to try to reach settlements to avoid going to court.
For much more on the Vince McMahon-Rita Chatterton abuse allegations, we recommend this 1-hour video by POST Wrestling featuring wrestling historian David Bixenspan:
WWE CEO Nick Khan has come a long way in his few years with the promotion, but he doesn’t consider himself the top dog.
Khan joined WWE in the summer of 2020 as the company’s president, replacing Michelle Wilson and George Barrios who had departed earlier that year.
Following Vince McMahon’s resignation in 2022, Khan was appointed co-CEO with Stephanie McMahon and now serves as the promotion’s sole CEO.
The Boss
Khan’s rise to the top of WWE has been unparallel in the company’s history, but even he acknowledges Vince McMahon as the head of the company.
On the Bill Simmons podcast, Khan spoke about the hierarchy in WWE and knows that he is not on top.
“My thought has always been that there’s only one boss at WWE and it ain’t me. Vince is obviously the founder, the creator of the company. He’s also the controlling shareholder, which is not a ‘work’ term. It’s a legal term. So it was always my point of view and Stephanie’s point of view that he would come back.
“There’s only one boss at WWE and it ain’t me.”
Nick Khan.
“I think the way he played it, to me, was smart. He went away for five, six months. The audience seems to like when somebody does that. He came back and took control back of his company as the controlling shareholder. It is a public company, it is a publicly-traded company. But with that controlling share, gave him a lot of authority and he used it and I applaud him for doing so.”
Retirement
For decades, it was assumed that Vince McMahon would never retire from WWE given his workaholic attitude.
Once he did retire, WWE’s entire corporate system needed changing, and at the time, many felt that the board of directors, now against McMahon due to the allegations of misconduct, forced him out of the door.
On the podcast, Khan refuted the idea that McMahon was forced out by anyone other than what he personally believed.
I didn’t see it as a force. I think Vince saw, the tonnage of things that were coming at him and us. One thing he’s always said, you’ll know as a long-time fan and I’m a long-time fan also, is he’ll do whatever is best for business. Whether it’s bringing the Ultimate Warrior back twenty years ago (referencing Warrior’s 1996 WWF return) or whatever it may be.
“I think at that moment in time, what was best for business was for him to step away for a while. So he did, and he really did step away. There was no ‘hey why are you doing this,’ or ‘I wouldn’t do it this way.’ It was, in my opinion, total freedom, for Stephanie, myself, and Triple H on the creative side.”
The Future
Once McMahon retired, fans thought that they would never see him again, only to be proven wrong by the 77-year-old billionaire for the second time.
Speaking about what the future may bring, Khan was optimistic that McMahon’s return will make a potential sale of WWE all the easier.
“It’s only been a week, but he really, I believe, what he said publicly about ‘hey, I’m here to engage in strategic alternatives and the media rights,’ so far the engagement has been that, and other board issues.”
“WWE is Vince. Vince is WWE.”
Nick Khan.
“It’s his company. To me, WWE is Vince. Vince is WWE and we’re going to do the best we can to keep a living company.”
When asked about McMahon reportedly speaking to multiple departments, Khan said there has been “zero” interactions between McMahon and the company’s creative team.
WWE Hall of Famer ‘Double J’ Jeff Jarrett has encouraged Vince McMahon to take the promotion private amid ongoing talks of a potential sale.
McMahon returned to WWE earlier this month to oversee a sale of the promotion, less than six months after retiring in July of last year.
The 77-year-old billionaire has been unanimously elected Executive Chairman following the resignation of his daughter Stephanie in the role.
Private
There’s no shortage of potential buyers for WWE, with names like Comcast, FOX, Disney, Netflix and even Tony & Shahid Khan being reported.
After it was reported that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund had bought the company (which was later debunked) it was noted that the PIF intends to take WWE private.
On his ‘My World’ podcast, Jarrett, the founder of TNA/Impact Wrestling, suggested that WWE going private would be the right call.
“The professional wrestling industry is run much better in a private setting because there’s a vision, there’s a final decision maker, the buck stops with one person, it’s just how I think the success of our industry can thrive. “I think the wrestling industry can be much more successful if WWE is private.”
Jeff Jarett.
WWE became a publicly traded company in the Summer of 1999 and stock in the company rose dramatically this month following McMahon’s return.
Saudi Arabia PIF
With over $600 billion to its name, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund has more than enough to purchase WWE.
Not only is the PIF expected to take WWE private if a sale goes through, but are expected by many to keep McMahon as the company’s key decision-maker.
The possibility of WWE being purchased by the Saudi PIF has been received poorly, with talent reportedly threatening to walk if a deal is reached.
It seems more WWE legends will appear on the Raw 30th-anniversary show.
WWE has reached a major milestone with their longest-running TV show, Monday Night Raw reaching 30 years of programming. Although the first episode of Monday Night Raw happened on Jan. 11, 1993, WWE decided to celebrate their milestone on Jan. 23.
The company has advertised several WWE legends, including The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, to appear at the event. However, it seems WWE has at least two unannounced legends to pop in for the 30th anniversary of Monday Night Raw.
Spoiler Warning
The Daily Items’ Francis Scarcella reports former WWE talent Rikishi and Samu will appear at the 30th celebration of Monday Night Raw. In the article, Samu confirmed that he would be at the event on Jan. 23.
“…I want to thank the WWE for everything they have done for myself and my family,” Anoa’i said. “I look forward to next week when I can see a lot of familiar faces and be reunited with a lot of my family members,” said Samu(h/t Francis Scarcella).
Rikishi hasn’t shared if he will be at the event yet. The WWE has yet to advertise either Samu or Rikishi, so it’s possible their potential appearance is to be a surprise. The Bloodline faction led by Roman Reigns is to have a segment on Monday Night Raw listed as the “Acknowledgement Ceremony.” Samu and Rikishi could make an appearance during that segment.
What to Look Out For During the 30th Anniversary of Monday Night Raw?
The 30th anniversary of Monday Night Raw could be an exciting event to watch. While the WWE has advertised several legends, there could be more surprise appearances. WWE has also promoted two championship matches and a steel cage match between Becky Lynch and Bayley.
WWE fans may also be curious if WWE Chairman Vince McMahon will come out on the show. He hasn’t appeared on WWE TV since he unceremoniously retired from WWE following allegations of misconduct with female employees on July 22.
WWE has lost another employee this month as the Vice President of Communication departs the company
The company is off to a rough start to the year. It began with the unexpected return of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon after retiring last year. His comeback led to uncertainty for the company’s future, as WWE might be sold. As a result of McMahon’s return led to the departure of WWE Board of Director members JoEllen Lyons Dillon, Jeffrey R. Speed, Alan M. Wexler, Man Jit Singh, and Ignace Lahoud.
One of the significant departures from the company was former Co-CEO and daughter to the WWE Chairman, Stephanie McMahon. She resigned from her role with the company after taking over with current CEO Nick Khan after Vince’s retirement. While WWE fans may have hoped that would be the end of employees leaving the company, it’s now reported not to be the case.
Fightful Select reports that WWE’s VP of Communications, Adam Hopkins, has left the company. Hopkins has worked for WWE for over 25 years, from Fan Service Coordinator to his last role as VP of Communication. It’s unclear if his departure is a resignation or if he was fired.
On Jan. 13, it was reported that Triple H met with talent before Smackdown to reassure them that he is still the Chief Content Officer and that McMahon’s return would not affect WWE creative or talent relations. He also acknowledged that McMahon’s stance could change.
It’s unclear what the future holds for WWE. However, the departure of employees is not a good sign to help concerned fans.
