A new report from Fightful Select notes that sources with knowledge of the ongoing WWE corporate situation have wanted to clarify some of the mainstream coverage of the sale talks and rumors, and the return of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. Specifically, a piece from Axios reportedly drew multiple reactions from within WWE.
The Axios piece noted that Vince’s “comeback, while tumultuous, has been well-received by Wall Street.”
The new report from Fightful notes that it was stressed by sources how the general consensus is that the “well received” nature from Wall Street was a result of the sale talk, not necessarily the return of McMahon. There was a direct line from Vince’s retirement last year, to the stock price, live event attendance, viewership and talent morale increasing, but the stock price has hit a high in the last week.
We’ve noted how potential WWE buyers include Endeavor, Disney, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Comcast, and perhaps a group led by AEW President Tony Khan and his father. It’s also been reported that the front-runner seems to be the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, which could be the only way for WWE to stay private, and keep McMahon in control, but sources from within WWE have said the Saudis are not the leading candidate.
To add to this, the new report from Fightful notes that “very plugged in, influential names” say Comcast, parent company of NBCUniversal, is expected to make the purchase.
Regarding the rumors on AEW being interested in a merger or purchase of WWE, a source that has been close to the Khans noted that they have not heard this discussed, but that “it makes sense from every perspective to at least throw your name out there, for the very reasons that article even got published. There are a lot of interesting elements, but I wouldn’t think it’s going to happen. Then again, it’s wrestling, and far wilder things have happened.”
The same source added that the publicity associated with even having the Khans and AEW mentioned in connection to the WWE sale is a positive, but they were not sure if that was a motivating factor.
We’ve also noted how there has been some concern within various WWE departments about what might happen now that Vince is back with the company. Word now is that there have been unconfirmed rumors on Vince already sending word to some departments to say they’re doing things wrong.
It was reported earlier this week that former WWE Chairwoman & Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon and Chief Content Officer Triple H had opposed a sale of the company. To add to that, word no is that they were willing to work towards the progression of sale. It was also said by people of influence in the companies of at least two potential buyers that they believe there would be roles in WWE post-sale for Triple H and Stephanie, if they wanted.
The Wrestling Observer reported earlier that there were issues with Vince working alongside some of his family members, as noted at this link. This new report adds that when Stephanie’s team was dismantled in the spring of 2022, a usually-composed Stephanie was disheartened and frustrated about how it happened.
On a related note, there were some concerned extras brought in as of who saw “Vince’s office” listed on a directory. Word is that this just hasn’t changed since he left last summer, and that the company uses the same board backstage.
Stay tuned to WrestlingHeadlines.com for more. Below are links to some of our recent reports on the ongoing situation:
FULL COVERAGE OF THE VINCE MCMAHON – JOHN LAURINAITIS ALLEGATIONS AND FALLOUT:
– More on AEW’s Interest In Purchasing WWE, the Expected Sale Price for WWE
– New Report on the WWE Sale and Triple H & Stephanie McMahon, Potential Buyers
– WWE Hires Outside Advisors to Help with Sale Talks, Vince McMahon Comments
– Update on the WWE Sale – Saudi Arabia PIF Rumors from Tuesday Night
– Major Rumors on a WWE Sale Making the Rounds
– WWE Names Vince McMahon as Chairman Once Again; Comments from Vince, Nick Khan, Stephanie McMahon
– Stephanie McMahon Announces WWE Resignation
– JP Morgan Gets Hired By WWE To Assist With Potential Sale
– Full Transcript from Today’s WWE Meeting Led By Stephanie McMahon, Nick Khan and Frank Riddick
– Backstage News from WWE Meeting, WWE Going Private Again?, Vince McMahon Notes, More
– WWE Holding Important Meeting Today, Wall Street Reacts to Vince McMahon’s Return to The Board
– Wall Street Reacts to Potential WWE Sale and Return of Vince McMahon
– Backstage Reactions to Vince McMahon Confirming His Plans for a WWE Return
– Vince McMahon Issues Statement and Details on Plans for WWE Return
– Vince McMahon Reportedly Planning WWE Return for a Major Sale
– Vince McMahon Scandal Hurt WWE’s Ability to Sell Sponsorships
– Backstage Talk on Vince McMahon’s Post-WWE Life
– WWE Says Vince McMahon’s Departure May Hurt the Company Creatively and Financially
– WWE Reveals $5 Million More In Payments Made By Vince McMahon
– Backstage Updates on WWE and John Laurinaitis, WWE’s Board of Directors Investigation
– Linda McMahon Comments on Vince McMahon’s WWE Retirement After Being Pressed By Reporter
– Vince McMahon WWE Stock Update, Vince’s WWE Ownership, Linda McMahon Note
– USA Network Looks Ahead to Big WWE Changes, USA on Fan Reactions to Triple H Taking Over Creative
– Top WWE Stars Jab at Vince McMahon’s Retirement on RAW
– What Triple H Promised to WWE Talents In Pre-RAW Backstage Meeting, More Backstage Notes
– Vince McMahon Facing Additional Investigations?, More on Vince’s Exit from WWE
– WWE Restates Financial Statements Due to Unrecorded Vince McMahon Expenses, Vince to Pay Money Back
– Backstage News on Brock Lesnar Working WWE SmackDown After Walking Out Earlier
– Stephanie McMahon and WWE Fans Send “Thank You” Message to Vince McMahon
– Read Vince McMahon’s Full Retirement Letter Sent to WWE Employees
– Brock Lesnar Officially Pulled from WWE SmackDown
– WWE to Replace Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam?, More on Lesnar’s Reaction to Vince McMahon’s Retirement
– Backstage News on Vince McMahon’s Retirement, Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan’s New WWE Roles, More
– Brock Lesnar Reportedly Leaves SmackDown, Upset Over Vince McMahon’s WWE Retirement
– Vince McMahon Retires from WWE
– Triple H at WWE SmackDown, Backstage Talk on Triple H’s New Role, Bruce Prichard Update, More
– WWE Announces Triple H’s New Executive Role, Triple H Comments
– Netflix Reportedly Pulls Vince McMahon Project, Millions of Dollars Spent
– WWE Issues Internal Statement on Latest Vince McMahon Allegations
– Vince McMahon Reportedly Paid Millions of Dollars In “Hush Money” to Former Wrestler and Others
– News on Who Made the Decision to Name Stephanie McMahon as WWE’s Interim CEO & Chairwoman
– Stephanie McMahon Addresses Investigation Into Her Father During WWE HQ Meeting
– How Much Value WWE Has Lost Since Vince McMahon Scandal Broke, WWE Ratings Up Due to Buzz?
– WWE Now Facing Multiple Potential Class Action Lawsuits
– Vince McMahon Makes Surprise WWE RAW Appearance to Hype Big Return
– More Details On Vince McMahon’s Mood, Backstage Atmosphere At Friday’s WWE SmackDown
– Vince McMahon Opens Tonight’s WWE SmackDown, Video of the Segment
– Stephanie McMahon Sends Message to WWE Staff After Today’s Huge Announcement
– Vince McMahon Announced for WWE SmackDown
– Pat McAfee Reacts to Vince McMahon Allegations, Thinks We Will Never Get the Truth
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