Report: Update On WWE Power Struggle Between Vince McMahon & Triple H

Vince McMahon has been ramping up his changes to WWE creative in recent weeks, with the Executive Chairman making major changes to last week's editions of Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown. This comes amidst somewhat of a power struggle over creative within WWE, with reports noting that WWE are trying to figure out a way to stop McMahon from making last-minute changes and possible initiatives to 'Vince-proof' SmackDown by announcing matches weeks in advance. McMahon's influence is only expected to grow in the coming weeks and months, however, as the WWE-UFC merger draws closer to completion. 

McMahon has been the head of creative once again since WWE's sale to Endeavor was announced on April 3. Prior to that, Triple H had been at the top of creative as Chief Content Officer and while Paul Levesque remains in that position, McMahon has the power to change any WWE plans he wishes. 

McMahon was out of WWE between July 2022 and January 2023 due to a sexual misconduct and hush money scandal that led to him resigning as WWE Chairman and CEO. There was great opposition to McMahon's return within the organisation and the WWE Board even advised McMahon not to return. The 77-year-old returned anyway, though, as he had the power to do so as majority shareholder.

Vince McMahon has seemingly held onto that grudge and Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Vince is aware that everyone within WWE, including Nick Khan, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon, operated for months with the idea he would never return and they were opposed to his comeback until he made it clear that he was returning. 

Vince also reportedly believes he understands pro wrestling and the Executive Chairman is making last-minute changes to the product because he believes that is the best thing for the company. 

One person close to the struggle over creative said: "He believes in what he says. Is he wrong all the time? No. Actually he's not. He's actually got better input than most would believe. Is it all good? No, he's stuck on certain mindsets that are long gone, and it could be damaging. It's not the interference itself that is the problem. It's how and when he does it."

It was noted that if McMahon made changes earlier than the last minute, the situation would be better as making late amendments only "throws everything into the chaos that it has been of late."