Following the fallout of the sensation WWE sale, Vince McMahon is well and truly back in the spotlight.
The wrestling world was left with its metaphorical head spinning when news broke of the multi-billion dollar merger between WWE and UFC.
The two promotions will merge under the ownership of Endeavour in a deal worth $21 billion. Before the announcement of the mega-deal, McMahon returned to the company to help facilitate the sale of his company after retiring in 2022 amidst sexual misconduct and hush-money allegations.
Due to the controversy surrounding McMahon, it was reported he was prepared to step aside to allow a potential deal to take place. Speaking on CNBC Squawk on the Street, McMahon and Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel discussed the deal.
During the interview, Emanuel stated McMahon’s experience and vision were integral to the deal, therefore he had to remain on board.
“I would have bodyslammed him if he thought he thought he was going to leave. Here’s a man who has seen around the corner at every beat over the last 40 years of this business and has a vision of this business way before a lot of people see it. Him now being able to utilize what we’ve built in our flywheel, I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I have Vince McMahon, a visionary that sees around the corner, I have Dana White and what we’ve built. That’s pretty unstoppable.”
Emanuel continued:
“I wasn’t going to let him [leave WWE]. We’ve had a relationship for 23 years. There’s a trust, a friendship. When you’re going into business and going forward, that’s important. I’m glad he chose us because it was a very competitive situation. For us, it’s an honor, and we’re so lucky because of his vision of where the business is and where it’s going.”
Is Vince McMahon Back In Charge Of WWE Creative?
Ever since the announcement was made fans have been wondering if McMahon is back in control of the creative direction of the on-screen product.
During the same interview, McMahon revealed not only would he be staying on as Executive Chairman in the new publicly listed company, but he would also be involved with creative “higher up.”
However, despite his statement, there have now been multiple reports that McMahon was back and running the latest episode of Monday Night Raw.
H/T Fightful