After a brief hiatus from WWE, Vince McMahon is back in the Stamford-based promotion as the Executive Chairman of the Board.
His return to WWE comes six months after his retirement in July 2022 amidst an investigation into allegations of misconduct and the payment of large sums of money to cover up his scandals.
The news of Vince’s return wasn’t well received by the majority of the WWE fans or wrestlers, many of whom are concerned that all of the good work that has occurred in McMahon’s absence will be undone.
Vince McMahon’s Retirement Proved To Be Short-Lived
During McMahon’s hiatus, many fans and former employees of McMahon were intrigued about how McMahon would be spending his time. In a recent interview with Inside The Ropes Magazine, former manager and WWE creative writer Jim Cornette discussed the topic:
“I wish I could imagine what he’s doing right now. He’s obviously still talking to his daughter and his son-in-law. And I don’t think there’s any law or anything banning them from telling him in exquisite, excruciating detail what’s going on in the company, ’cause he’s gonna wanna know. He’s not running anything. Obviously, that is somewhat the case because Triple H is changing so much of what he did.
The number one thing in Vince McMahon’s life is always business. So, right now, it is the best thing for business, if Triple H does a good job and has his own vision come to fruition. And I think Triple H even said something to this effect in an interview.
Vince had said: ‘It’s yours now. You’re picking the flavour of ice cream.’ I can see Vince saying that because, above all else, what’s best for business—that’s the most important thing. That’s not a rib that saying.
Now, what he’s doing with his spare time, besides that? I have no goddamn clue. That’s the one thing that might make me scared that it might not be good for Vince’s health. I don’t know if he can exist, not working and not stressing over stuff and not going from one thing to another and not making phone calls.
He’s gonna have to find some other thing to start, and he probably already has or he’s probably already thinking about it, because he’s not just going to sit around and collect stamps. He needs to get something to do pretty quick or that may be detrimental to his health: I can see Vince having a meltdown by not doing anything.
When I worked for him 25 years ago, he had a goddamn $10 million home in Florida, set on the beach, that actually had water on both sides of it: it was on a peninsula. I saw pictures of it; it was beautiful. He was there two weeks a year at Christmas, and he took his work with him and made phone calls from there.”
Prominent wrestling reporter Dave Meltzer was recently asked on Twitter what the 77-year-old McMahon did during his short-lived hiatus from the company. Responding to the question, Meltzer stated: “He was seen out and about in New York a decent amount.” but he did not offer further details.
McMahon’s return to WWE has already sparked changes in the company. Triple H held talent meetings shortly after McMahon’s return and stated that the former chairman was back to pursue a WWE sale and would not be involved in creative. The Chief Content Officer also reportedly said that McMahon might have discussions with him regarding the creative, but he still has the final say.
If you use any of the quotes from this article please give a h/t back to Inside The Ropes.