Vince McMahon has arguably played the biggest part in the success of WWE. The 78-year-old started his journey with the company in the 1970s as a commentator and later bought it in 1982. Since the day he got ownership, he never looked back and made his company the biggest pro wrestling promotion in the entire world.
Mr. McMahon enjoyed a lot of success as the owner as well as an on-screen figure for the company. But after being in charge for four decades, he announced his retirement in July 2022. People felt that it might be the end of his influence on the company, but it wasn’t true.
Kennedy continued to have a major role in WWE, and even before this happened, CM Punk had already predicted it. After Vince’s retirement, the legend accurately predicted the veteran’s position. He said that Vince will continue being in charge of creative plans despite his retirement.
This happened when Punk was asked about Vincent’s retirement in an interview on the “Absolute Geek” podcast. He said, “I don’t think the structure there…what’s the word I’m looking for… I don’t think the culture there changes. At all. I think it is what it is.” (Via: Wrestling Inc)
The Best In The World’s comments came to be true, as the 78-year-old continued to play his part. After a hiatus spanning over 5 months, Mr. McMahon returned to the Stamford-based promotion in January 2023, despite retiring in 2022. Vince rejoined the company’s board and took over his role as the Executive Chairman.
Is Vince McMahon still leading WWE creative?
Vince McMahon’s return from retirement resulted in a shakeup in the company, as Stephanie McMahon resigned from her duties as WWE’s co-CEO. It was revealed that Kennedy is looking to sell the company, and the reports came true as it was announced that the promotion has signed a merger with Endeavor.
After months of anticipation, this merger got public in September 2023, as WWE and UFC merged into TKO Group Holdings. But this deal probably worked against Vince’s plans, as he has reportedly been taken away from the creative leadership role.
As per reports, Ari Emanuel is the reason behind this decision, and he has given all the power of creative plans to Triple H. In what is obviously a major step, it’s believed that Mr. McMahon is no longer involved in the creative ideas directly.
Multiple contacts within the WWE and UFC have confirmed that Ari Emanuel, who wields power as the Endeavor CEO, is behind the change of Triple H overseeing all of creative & Vince McMahon no longer being directly involved with it.
– SI pic.twitter.com/v4CeJT38iT
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) October 14, 2023
While the audience has been enjoying the change in product, Vince wouldn’t have thought about this while selling WWE. Whatever might be the reason, it’s true that the promotion is currently enjoying one of the best times in recent memory, and the entire creative team would like to continue the same in the future storylines.