Pro Wrestling Rumours - Aug. 28, 2025: Vince McMahon-WWE, Jack Perry, HOOK

With the return of Brock Lesnar to WWE and the company showcasing their affiliation with President Donald Trump at SummerSlam, there has been speculation from fans that Vince McMahon could make his return to the company. Is there anything to these rumours, however?

These are the pro wrestling rumours for Thursday, August 28, 2025:

WWE Not Interested In Bringing Back Vince McMahon

A number of WWE talents were in attendance at Vince McMahon's 80th birthday party, but this is not a sign that the former WWE CEO will be returning to the company anytime soon.

Fightful Select has reported there has been no talk of Vince McMahon returning to WWE and sources at the top of WWE have noted they have no desire to bring the 80-year-old back to the company. There have also reportedly been no discussions about McMahon getting involved with WWE creative.

There was no official involvement from WWE with McMahon's birthday party. Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Nick Khan were not in attendance at the birthday celebrations in New York City.

Vince McMahon has not been involved with WWE since resigning as TKO Executive Chairman in January 2024 following the filing of Janel Grant's lawsuit accusing McMahon of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and physical and emotional abuse. McMahon remains a major TKO shareholder, however.

Why Current WWE Talent Attended Vince McMahon's Birthday Party Despite Ongoing Legal Troubles

Outside of Janel Grant's accusations, Vince McMahon is a defendant in multiple lawsuits, including one filed by several former WWE ring boys. The ongoing litigation didn't stop several WWE talents from attending his 80th birthday party at New York City's Gotham Hall on Saturday, August 23, however.

Among those in attendance were Drew McIntyre, The Miz, Maryse, Sheamus, Titus O'Neil, John Cena, The Undertaker, Michelle McCool, Bruce Prichard, Ron Killings, Sgt. Slaughter, JBL, Gerald Brisco, and Shane McMahon. Fightful Select has reported that a number of other current WWE wrestlers were at the party too. Many more, however, claimed to Fightful that they were invited and chose not to go, while others who were invited wouldn't have been able to attend due to WWE's current European tour.

WWE talent weren't surprised at the number of current wrestlers at the 80th birthday party, with one talent noting "a lot of people here still feel like they owe Vince something, even though he made his money back on them tenfold."

A number of wrestlers within WWE want to see how the Janel Grant lawsuit plays out before they decide to sever ties with McMahon, as they would want it to be that way if the shoe was on the other foot.

The attendance of Drew McIntyre, The Miz, Maryse, Jerry Lawler, Sheamus and Titus O'Neil was confirmed by a photo of the group on Lawler's Instagram Stories. The post was quickly deleted after a number of people asked Lawler to do so. Lawler is said to be "ride or die" for McMahon.

One person in attendance noted that McMahon "looked 80", with the former WWE Chairman appearing to be more frail and looking his age in a way in which he hadn't while he was a part of WWE.

In addition to AC/DC and Kid Rock performing at the birthday party, McMahon had a sculpture of his own head at the celebrations.

Update On Jack Perry's AEW Return

Jack Perry has not appeared on All Elite Wrestling programming since dropping the TNT Championship to Daniel Garcia at Full Gear 2024. Talk around Perry's return has picked up in recent weeks, however, including in a skit on Being The Elite.

Sean Ross Sapp noted in RECKLESS SPECULATION on Fightful Select Answers Q&A that he was told in late July that the wheels for Perry's return would be in motion within a month or so. There has been speculation that the Frankenstein-esque doctor in Luchasaurus/Killswitch's return video is Jack Perry and when Sean Ross Sapp asked an AEW source if it was Perry, they didn't reply. Sources will often remain silent as opposed to lying.

Backstage News On HOOK's New AEW Theme

After being out of action with a concussion, HOOK made his return to AEW on the August 27 edition of Dynamite from Philadelphia's 2300 Arena. HOOK had new entrance music for his return, coming out to 'So Tell The Girls That I Am Back In Town' by Jay-Jay Johanson.

HOOK previously used 'The Chairman's Intent' by Action Bronson as his entrance theme, but the former FTW Champion has not used the music in 2025 as the rights to the theme had expired, Fightful Select reported. AEW were creative in HOOK's entrances, bringing him out with other talents or without entrance music entirely because of the expired deal.

Action Bronson was critical of AEW in 2024, something that upset a number of people in the promotion. It is believed any issues have been resolved, but the decision had already been made to debut a new theme for HOOK by this point.

Gabe Kidd Now Considered A Permanent Member Of The Death Riders

Gabe Kidd was featured in All Elite Wrestling once again on the post-Forbidden Door edition of Dynamite on August 27 as he interfered following the main event Falls Count Anywhere Match between Darby Allin and Claudio Castagnoli, attacking Darby.

Self Made reported ahead of Dynamite that Kidd remains a part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling but he is expected to continue making AEW appearances. At this point, the Bullet Club member is also considered a permanent member of the Death Riders.

Gabe Kidd has been affiliated with the Death Riders since May 14, very much serving as PAC's replacement in the group to the point he wore a Newcastle United hoodie in his first appearance alongside the stable. Kidd has continued to wrestle alongside the Death Riders, including at Forbidden Door in the Lights Out Steel Cage Match.

In addition to his NJPW deal, Kidd is reportedly paid per appearance by AEW.

Jim Ross Believed To Be Staying With AEW

Jim Ross' contract with All Elite Wrestling expires in August, but don't expect the legendary commentator to leave the promotion. Ross himself has noted he hoped to remain a part of AEW, and Fightful Select has since reported those they have spoken to believe JR will be staying with the promotion.

Jim Ross has been a part of AEW since 2019. His current role sees him provide commentary for headline matches at AEW pay-per-views.