Report: Close Allies Of Vince McMahon Don't Want Him To Make WWE Return

Less than six months after Vince McMahon resigned from WWE, the former CEO and Chairman reportedly intends to make a comeback. The 77-year-old believes he was badly advised by those close to him when he decided to retire on July 22. 

The reaction to McMahon's return plans has not been positive, with the company's stock price having fallen 3%, while reports have noted that many within WWE don't want McMahon back as CEO and Chairman. 

This negative reaction has even extended to the 77-year-old's close allies, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer.     

"I know allies of Vince - very much allies of Vince and very protective of Vince and things like that - who are not business allies of Vince within that company right now, because they know that it would be the worst thing. And they are very strong allies of Vince. People who you would think are his allies, you don't know. People are happier in the company, they know the company's running better, and so the people who are allies or looking at the best interests of the company, they don't want him back," Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio.

"When Vince was on the rocks, they were allies of Vince, and they didn't think he was ever gonna go, and they thought he'll ride it out and it'll go away. But once he left, the idea of him coming back, I was surprised about a lot of people who you would think are his allies. And personally, I'm sure they are. But as far as wanting him back...I'm sure there's (some) people that do."

McMahon's exit from WWE came amidst a sexual misconduct and hush money scandal after it emerged McMahon paid $14.6 million to multiple women between 2006 and 2022 to "suppress allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity." Issues arose as McMahon did not declare the payments within WWE's accounts which prompted the SEC and federal prosecutors to launch investigations. 

Alongside news of McMahon's planned return, the Wall Street Journal reported on a new sexual misconduct allegation against the 77-year-old. The WSJ also revealed a lawyer for former WWF referee Rita Chatterton has demanded $11.75 million in damages.

Speaking about the Wall Street Journal report, Meltzer stated that he doesn't think the legal demands emerging at the same time McMahon is planning a return is a coincidence. 

"I think the fact that he wants to (return) and the fact that this stuff then comes up at the same time where people go, 'Hey there's no way, there's more allegations', all in the same story - I don't know that that's a coincidence," he added.

H/T to WrestleTalk