WWE released news on Friday that Vince McMahon was returning to the company. Following his very public departure from the international pro wrestling juggernaut he was the mastermind in building, multiple allegations of sexual misconduct led to his departure and sudden retirement. But, as news of new media rights negotiations surface and a potential sale of the company becomes possible, McMahon notes that he’s the only person who can oversee these deals as the Executive Chairman and he has reinstated himself using his majority shareholder power to take control again.
Following an internal investigation into its founder and former CEO Vince McMahon, WWE has agreed to work with Vince while he oversees a very important time in WWE’s future. McMahon says he has no intention of changing the management in the company or getting involved creatively in the day-to-day operations, but an all-hands meeting was held with executives on Friday to let everyone know what this will mean for WWE going forward.
The meeting was meant to inform those that might be directly affected by McMahon’s return, discuss what a possible sale of the company could mean, and who would have final say in negotiations with media rights holders.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reported that talent was not involved in the meeting. Stephanie McMahon, Nick Khan, and Frank Riddick led the meeting and Sapp added, “At the WWE employee meeting, it was stressed that day-to-day is not changing across the board.” It was stressed that a sale was not guaranteed, but if WWE was sold, it “could be a huge positive and that they would be looking at potential sale offers before negotiating the rights fees.” It was also noted that the company could go back to being private if a sale was made. WWE is currently a publicly-traded company.