Recent updates have verified that Vince McMahon made pivotal creative adjustments to the main event of WrestleMania 39 following his return to WWE in early 2023. The details emerged amid shareholder litigation related to WWE’s sale to Endeavor, highlighting concerns over McMahon’s involvement and intentions during the sale process, notably as they pertained to creative decisions for WrestleMania 39.
McMahon’s Return During WWE’s Major Transition
In 2023, Vince McMahon rejoined WWE as the company was negotiating its sale to Endeavor, resulting in the formation of the new entity, TKO. The timing of McMahon’s comeback, ahead of WrestleMania 39 and culminating with the sale’s announcement the night after the event, raised questions among shareholders. Plaintiffs in an ongoing lawsuit allege McMahon acted to secure his own influence over WWE’s direction, rather than prioritizing the best financial outcome for stakeholders.
Communication Reveals Executive Involvement in Creative Decisions
Documents and communications released as part of the legal proceedings provide insight into McMahon’s close involvement. According to Brandon Thurston of POST Wrestling, new text messages show discussions about both the sale and event planning, with TKO President Mark Shapiro noting that McMahon intended to return even before stepping down in 2022, in order to guide WWE’s sale to Endeavor. Text exchanges between McMahon, WWE President Nick Khan, and other key creative figures highlighted how McMahon directly influenced creative decisions for the highly anticipated match between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39.
“Hey guys just double checking. Does Roman [Reigns] and Cody [Rhodes] know the new creative re [WrestleMania] and next year?”
– Vince McMahon, WWE Executive
“Not to my knowledge. I don’t know if Paul has had a conversation with either. Roman’s first appearance since we spoke is Friday in DC. Both will be there in person.”
– Bruce Prichard, WWE Executive
“What in the blue hell is ‘Langis’ lol”
– Vince McMahon, WWE Executive
Speculation Around Match Results and Creative Shifts
While the exact details of McMahon’s intervention remain unconfirmed in court filings, the main event at WrestleMania 39 saw Roman Reigns defeat Cody Rhodes to retain the Universal Championship in a controversial decision. Many fans and industry observers have speculated that this outcome resulted directly from last-minute changes dictated by McMahon. Furthermore, reports indicate that McMahon also altered the finish of the Edge versus Finn Balor Hell In A Cell match, with Edge ultimately emerging victorious, showing McMahon’s active role in shaping WrestleMania 39’s key results.
Impact of McMahon’s Actions and What Lies Ahead
The confirmed involvement of McMahon with the WrestleMania 39 creative changes has added another layer of complexity to ongoing legal battles regarding WWE’s strategic direction since the Endeavor merger. Figures such as Nick Khan, Paul Levesque, and Bruce Prichard have been closely linked through internal communication to these pivotal moments, while fans, represented by internal company speculation and external legal scrutiny, continue to debate the broader implications for WWE’s narrative and leadership beyond WrestleMania 39. As the lawsuit proceeds and new information emerges, the focus remains on how these creative decisions may shape WWE’s future and shareholder relations.
