In 2023, a planned Seth Rollins RAW match was unexpectedly scrapped in Cleveland, reflecting ongoing backstage conflicts at WWE during a period of shifting creative control. This decision, influenced by Vince McMahon despite Triple H’s leadership, demonstrates how executive interference can shape both scheduled matches and wider company storylines.
Background to the Scrapped Seth Rollins RAW Match
Seth Rollins was scheduled for a marquee bout on WWE Raw in Cleveland, where Johnny Gargano was set to challenge him, and Tommaso Ciampa was poised for a dramatic return. Instead, what was meant to be a high-stakes match for Rollins was abandoned. On that Raw episode, Ciampa made his surprise reappearance to confront The Miz, leaving the expected match between Rollins and Gargano off the broadcast entirely.
This shift did not go unnoticed among fans and insiders, as it occurred during a time when WWE’s creative direction was in flux. Triple H led the day-to-day programming and creative vision, but Vince McMahon still wielded the final say in critical decisions, ultimately overruling plans for this key match.
Vince McMahon’s Influence Behind the Scenes
Throughout this transitional period, reports surfaced of McMahon’s interference not only in the Seth Rollins RAW match cancellation but also in multiple ongoing WWE storylines. Ibou of Self Made highlighted how McMahon would routinely assert control over TV rundowns, making changes that affected both established and up-and-coming talent on weekly shows. According to Ibou, these alterations included shortening matches, removing performers like Tegan Nox and Johnny Gargano from cards, and redirecting significant booking decisions.
“On major decisions. The way it worked in practice on a week to week basis is he would edit the TV rundowns that Hunter and co put together and it would typically be things like shortening a Bronson Reed vs Shinsuke Nakamura tv match, or taking Tegan Nox and Johnny Gargano off the show. The most heavy handed Vince interference was a Cleveland RAW where Gargano was going to wrestle Seth Rollins and Ciampa was going to return. It was turned into Ciampa returning to face Miz. Vince’s presence is what delayed Bronson Reed’s push, JD McDonagh joining judgment Day and DIYs reunion. McMahon and Levesque were on the same page on Cody, Roman, Rhea, the Judgment Day, Bloodline, Charlotte. They didn’t see eye to eye on a couple of the projects/ex Black and Golders. The creative team would essentially have to work around this when it came to the midcarders and they’d get creative with it. Vince had some sort of surgery late in the summer and it lead to the post SummerSlam 2023 TV being untouched. This coincided with the Gable vs Gunther stuff and when the Endeavor WWE transaction closed McMahon was asked to stay away from creative fully. This would’ve been around October.”
— Ibou, of Self Made
Lasting Impact on WWE Storylines and Talent
The cancellation of Seth Rollins’ big match was far from an isolated incident. The ripple effect was felt across various WWE programming, as McMahon’s late-stage edits routinely impacted the creative path for numerous wrestlers—notably Bronson Reed, JD McDonagh, and the predicted reunion of DIY. Despite a mutual understanding between McMahon and Triple H regarding prominent names such as Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, Rhea Ripley, and the Judgment Day stable, there was ongoing friction over other projects, particularly involving alumni from the former NXT ‘Black and Gold’ era.
These differing philosophies presented unique challenges for WWE’s creative team, who were often required to adapt storytelling, especially when handling midcard performers or debuting talent. Even as WWE sought stability following the Endeavor-led acquisition and the winding down of McMahon’s role post-SummerSlam 2023, remnants of backstage unrest continued to shape outcomes on live broadcasts.
The Path Forward After Executive Shifts
By October 2023, significant changes occurred behind the curtain: McMahon underwent surgery and, as the Endeavor transaction concluded, was formally asked to step back from creative duties. This development marked an end to extended stretches of executive meddling, coinciding with cleaner story arcs and uninterrupted programming—such as the Gable vs Gunther storyline—which received positive attention among fans and talent.
The abrupt halt to the anticipated Seth Rollins RAW match served as a powerful example of the tension found during WWE’s creative transition. With McMahon’s involvement curtailed, the company remains focused on advancing both established stars and midcarders without abrupt script changes, hoping to foster greater stability and audience engagement going forward.
The legacy of this incident underscores the influence a single executive can hold over a rapidly evolving entertainment property, illustrating the fine balance between authority, creativity, and the ongoing efforts to present compelling wrestling content on the WWE stage.
On major decisions. The way it worked in practice on a week to week basis is he would edit the TV rundowns that Hunter and co put together and it would typically be things like shortening a Bronson Reed vs Shinsuke Nakamura tv match, or taking Tegan Nox and Johnny Gargano off the… https://t.co/Jj1AL2sgDH
— Ibou, of Self Made (@BackupHangman) December 30, 2025
