Vince McMahon is forcing his way back into WWE, and everyone was left in the dark about it.
For full context, see our report here.
Vince McMahon elected himself and former co-presidents and directors Michelle Wilson and George Barrios to the board, which will require three current directors to vacate their positions. McMahon has majority voting power, and the Wall Street Journal reported he's forcing his way back into the company to oversee a media-rights deal and/or force a sale. He's said he would block any attempts at either without him. He sent a press release stating that he would collaborate with the current management team, but did not directly address a potential return to creative. Fightful reached out to WWE in an official capacity, as well as the author of the Wall Street Journal, to gain more info, but haven't heard back.
Fightful has already heard from dozens within WWE, who were all floored by the announcement. Nobody in any department -- talent, production, creative, or general staff -- that we heard back from was briefed, tipped off, or given any information before or immediately after the news broke.
"Not one bit, but considering some people from his regime were kept this long, they must have known it would happen. We'll see if they talk to us tomorrow," one talent told Fightful, referring to the upcoming January 6th Smackdown taping.
Last month, WSJ reported Vince McMahon told people close to him he was hoping to return, but didn't state in what capacity. WWE sources came out of the woodwork to let Fightful know -- albeit anonymously -- that McMahon was not wanted back in a general sense.
Another top WWE talent wasn't only given any information, but also asked what the possibilities of a return to creative would be. The idea that McMahon could return to creative has been a common concern among talent. The two sources we heard back from within the creative department had not learned of any adjustments to their duties, and said they were sent some notes for Smackdown shortly before the Wall Street Journal's Vince McMahon story.
Keeping with the theme, production employees were also not informed. The unanimous reaction that we gained from the many who commented on the matter was either bad news, or "news above their pay grade" that they wouldn't concern themselves with until they needed to. One source noted the increase in the after hours stock price.
One talent said, "Finding out online is scary, and it's Vince, so I don't believe a word he says. I hope current management and everything doesn't change, but only time will tell," before noting they have a lot of respect for Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Another talent says they believe there will be roster uproar if Vince McMahon returns to head up creative.
"I can't count how many interviews I've read or people I talked to outside the company that said 'Vince liked me, but I got fired.' He didn't like you, he didn't like any of them. He fired or they wouldn't have been fired during a pandemic," one concerned higher up said.
"I would be blown away if he returned to creative," a recently signed talent said.
This situation ended up being one of the most unanimous "temperatures" we've taken since the site started. Not one person of dozens we heard back from thought it was a good idea.
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