WWE sources are adamant that no sale to Saudi Arabia has taken place as of yet.
As noted repeatedly on official Fightful outlets and channels, there was nothing we could gain to indicate a sale was actually taking place despite reports otherwise and vague gifs referencing it. However, the rumors specifically of a sale to Saudi Arabia were the murmurs in question, and we have heard that Vince McMahon himself had conversations along the way, but that doesn't mean a sale is incoming.
Fightful spoke to numerous talent who shot down several rumors, but were very concerned, and had many questions of their own. A prevailing fear is that Vince McMahon will try to work his way back into creative with a sale, and Saudis being the only entity that would possibly allow that to happen. There have been numerous wrestlers, both those that have returned, as well as top stars in the company who have told Fightful they would walk out if a sale to the Saudis were announced. Others believe there would be significant roster pushback if Vince McMahon were to return to creative, with talent speaking with Fightful daily asking if there's been any update on him pushing his way back into that role.
WWE were adamant in an official capacity that Triple H would remain in his role over creative, live events and talent. There were briefly rumors last night that he was moved to work in International Live Events, but we received no further verification on that.
There were also rumors that talent were told of a sale, which is absolutely false. From all points on the roster, talent found out the rumors when the rest of the world did, much like the Stephanie McMahon resignation and Vince McMahon returning to the company news. They had no prior heads up, were not given answers, and were not briefed until the talent meetings
WWE sources constantly dismissed the rumors of a sale being good to go on January 10, and more emphatically rejected it this morning. To reiterate, all along the way, despite the rumors and whispers that turned into shouts, there was nothing to indicate this was far along.
This week has been a wild one, with rumors of WWE selling all over the place. But so far, there's a ton of conjecture and speculation.
Tuesday, vague tweets emerged speaking of "monster news coming," which was in reference to the rumors of WWE selling to Saudi groups. However, WWE is still largely in the process of fielding suitors, although we have heard that Vince McMahon had spoken with Saudi group members during his WWE absence.
There was some mainstream coverage that several people with knowledge of the situation clarified for us, with one piece drawing multiple reactions.
From an Axios piece
Be smart: Even during his brief exodus from the company he ran for four decades, McMahon held all the power as WWE’s controlling shareholder.No deal was ever going to happen without his blessing, and his comeback — while tumultuous — has been well-received by Wall Street
There is a direct line drawn from Vince McMahon retiring, and the stock price, live event attendance, viewership and talent morale increasing. It was stressed to us after the Axios piece aired, that the general consensus is the "well received" nature from Wall Street was as a result of sale talk, not Vince McMahon returning.
Regarding reports that a sale to Saudis was done, several posts indicating that were deleted, as the outlets that employ those writers had requested they be taken down. Over the past week, there have been countless "guy who knows a guy" situations that have fed information to both mainstream outlets and wrestling media claiming deals with Disney and Saudi Arabia were both "as good as done deals," while other very plugged in, influential names in the business expect Comcast to make the purchase. You'll likely see many reports and claims that all of these are "done deals," but as highlighted by WCW/WWF/Fusient in 2001, we'll know when it's actually a done deal.
Fightful has reached out to contacts within Disney and Comcast, who spoke on the condition of anonymity about the possibility of a sale. Both companies had employees who had clearly heard of the rumors, and said that it would be hard to believe that any major company would want to retain Vince McMahon's services in any capacity if they could help it.
A huge rumor emerged this week from Barron that said that Tony Khan and his father Shad are among the name of a pool of potential suitors. One source that has been close with the Khans say they haven't heard this discussed but noted "it makes sense from every perspective to at least throw your name out there, for the very reasons that article even got published. There are a lot of interesting elements, but I wouldn't think it's going to happen. Then again, it's wrestling, and far wilder things have happened." That same source said that the publicity associated with even having the Khans mentioned in connection to the WWE sale was a positive, though they weren't sure that was a motivating factor. The same person said if the Khans did buy it, it'd likely be with a group led by them.
The roster morale and reception to Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan as compared to Vince McMahon has been night and day. Even Triple H's guidance has led to talent and staff telling us that work is more fun for them, while we've heard rumors that Vince McMahon has already sent word to some departments to say they're doing things wrong since his return. Stephanie was among the board that unanimously agreed that Vince McMahon's return wasn't in the best interest of the company. Though there have been reports that Stephanie McMahon and husband Triple H opposed a sale, we're told they were willing to work towards the progression of a sale. We've also been told by people of influence in the companies of at least two potential suitors that they believe there would be roles in WWE post-sale for Stephanie and Paul Levesque (Triple H) if they wished to continue.
Regarding reports from Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon had issues working together as family members, it was noted to us by several sources at WWE HQ that when Stephanie's team was dismantled, a usually composed Stephanie was disheartened and frustrated about how it happened.
There were some concerned extras of late who popped up backstage at WWE shows and saw "Vince's office" listed on a directory. We're told that just hasn't changed since he left and they use the same board. Talent is still very worried about Vince McMahon returning to creative.
For years, Fightful has heard that Vince McMahon believed Disney would be good stewards of the brand.
This article first appeared on our premium service, Fightful Select and was republished here on Fightful. If you complain about it being "old news," you have to buy off NFL referees to rule in favor of the Bengals. Subscribe to get exclusive news every day, and a half-dozen weekly podcasts.
