Internal WWE reactions to Vince McMahon's issues, wanting to come back
Added 2022-12-14 00:42:05 +0000 UTCVince McMahon wants to come back to WWE, but it doesn't seem like that feeling is reciprocated.
A new Wall Street Journal article dropped on December 13, outlining that Vince McMahon has told those close to him that he's considered making a WWE comeback, and got poor advice to retire. This, with the revelation of two more lawsuits regarding sexual misconduct and assault -- one new, and one from Rita Chatterton, a former WWE referee.
Fightful immediately heard from numerous staff and talent within WWE. One WWE talent called the news "exhausting," and was hopeful that Vince McMahon's WWE tenure was in the rear view, despite them having a positive relationship prior to McMahon leaving. Another said that they were concerned for the talent that got re-hired in the event that Vince McMahon were to return.
A higher up that we spoke to wasn't nearly as concerned. Said higher up mentioned that the stock price increased, viewership was boosted, and general morale recovered after Vince McMahon left. "It would be a really selfish move for Vince to come back under any circumstances. The reason he left, how business has done since then -- it'd be really selfish. But selfish activities are what led to him leaving in the first place." That source said that they did not believe that Vince would return, despite having voting power within the company.
One longtime staffer said that morale has increased tenfold since McMahon left, and they don't believe he'll be back, whether he wants to be or not. An employee of over a decade says they also believe that McMahon's family will actively encourage him to remain retired. That same source says they think that McMahon returning would do irreparable damage to the WWE brand, and said that the few doubters that thought WWE would collapse internally have been proven wrong, with one notable name even admitting as much.
The timing of the article's release was interesting to one official that came to power in recent years. With McMahon speaking to those close to him about a potential return, that source did not believe the timing of the information of additional legal issues being released was an accident, and also coincides with the release of a Vince McMahon Vice documentary.
Fightful spoke with over a dozen staff, talent and employees on December 13 about the Wall Street Journal, and the rarely unanimous reaction was that McMahon was not wanted back in his previous roles.
Fightful has reached out to Rita Chatterton and WWE for comment.
See the full WSJ story here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwes-vince-mcmahon-faces-fresh-demands-from-women-alleging-sexual-abuse-11670945682
Comments
I do not think Vince coming back will be as easy as he thinks. He can't just say ok I am Jeremy. He was about to get voted out if he didn't retire so they would most likely do that.
Santo Colombo
2022-12-14 13:15:08 +0000 UTCTo me right now, this is a non-story. Is anyone REALLY shocked that Vince wouldn't settle well into retirement and want to get back in charge? It SHOULDN'T come as a shock to anyone who knows the first thing about him. Now... if he actually starts making maneuvers to try and re-take the captain's chair, so to speak, THEN it becomes a story.
Darryl Gillikin
2022-12-14 12:29:34 +0000 UTCDear God, please no. Don’t you put that evil on me Ricky Bobby. Don’t even speak this thought into consciousness
Aaron P
2022-12-14 07:00:37 +0000 UTCI stopped watching with (I think) the second round of dismissals during the pandemic. I don’t get a lot of time for wrestling so have to be choosy in what I watch (which is annoying because there are some very entertaining and talented wrestlers in WWE). Getting interested again and finding myself watching more YouTube clips etc since he left. I think it would be a disaster if he came back.
Peter Tyler
2022-12-14 06:49:22 +0000 UTCVince is deluding himself. He got to retire with a crowd cheering his name. That’s the best case scenario for his farewell. If goes back to WWE, and back to gloating on TV, it’ll only be a matter of time before he’s stuck in the ring on live TV with a crowd chanting something like “you’re a rapist *clap clap clapclapclap*” and then THAT will be the note he goes out on.
Jeff Miller
2022-12-14 06:39:34 +0000 UTCI stopped watching in fall of ‘21, after the Balor turnbuckle spot, and zero follow up or explanation. That’s after watching regularly for 25 years. Gave it a try once Vince left, and have kept up with it since, though I haven’t watched every show. If Vince comes back to the company, I will not watch the shows at all. I don’t want him back as a fan. And I definitely do not want him back, because of the terrible human being he apparently is.
Justin Hughes
2022-12-14 05:04:32 +0000 UTCI just can’t see him coming back personally, with all the stores and accusations still coming out surely everyone on the board and other higher ups would know it’s the worst idea possible, could see a lot of walk outs to if so
2022-12-14 04:41:00 +0000 UTCHow is this even a possibility? I feel like I’m taking crazy pills
patchrick
2022-12-14 03:09:32 +0000 UTCListen, we fans will always be thankful for what Vince has done for the business. But his time is over. If Triple H and Steph had tanked the company, then maybe his return would be welcome. However, that is not the case. Enjoy retirement, Vince. The company is in good hands.
James Donnelly
2022-12-14 01:44:12 +0000 UTC
