Backstage News On WWE Kicking Off 'Triple H Era' At WrestleMania 40

WWE looked to repeatedly emphasise that a new era had begun at WrestleMania 40. The show had a new cold open as Triple H narrated the 'Then. Now. Forever. Together' package, while Michael Cole noted on WWE commentary and during the WrestleMania Kickoff shows that WWE was in the 'Triple H era', moving away from fans recently calling the current period the 'Renaissance era.' Stephanie McMahon then re-confirmed it was the 'Triple H era' when she opened WrestleMania 40 night two. Triple H also opened WrestleMania night one and the Raw after WrestleMania. 

According to Fightful Select, WWE repeatedly stated it was a new era in recent days as a direct statement that Vince McMahon is gone from the company and there is no way he will be returning, unlike in January 2023. Many of Vince McMahon's rules are also gone now that he is no longer a part of the day-to-day running of WWE, with one notable example being the mentioning of "pro wrestling" on WWE TV and the company's plans to move away from "sports entertainment" terminology. 

No specific edict has been issued but one source told Fightful Select: "Pro wrestling is no longer a dirty word. There are very few dirty words anymore. And the dirty words that do exist, people just seem to say even though we got memos telling us not to."

One of the dirty words, though, is 'Vince McMahon' and there is a concerted effort within WWE to distance themselves from the former WWE CEO and Chairman. He is not to be mentioned by name on WWE programming or shown in archival footage if possible. McMahon resigned as TKO Executive Chairman in January 2024 after former WWE employee Janel Grant accused him of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and physical and emotional abuse. The 78-year-old has continued to sell his TKO shares in recent months and he is set to sell another large chunk to TKO and Endeavor. 

Janel Grant's lawsuit will continue to have an influence over WWE, though, despite the repeated emphasis of a new era. Along with Vince McMahon, WWE is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, as is former WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis. Bruce Prichard, meanwhile, has been accused by Ronda Rousey of being Vince McMahon's avatar and WWE President Nick Khan has been revealed to be one of the corporate officers referenced in Janel Grant's lawsuit. 

Fightful Select noted that when a longtime WWE talent expressed their concern about people with knowledge or aiding McMahon still being with WWE, they were told "nobody is indispensable as it relates to this." Endeavor reportedly believe anyone can be replaced if key figures within WWE need to be removed from their positions of power.