IN LIEU OF our usual “Hotseat” interview, we felt it was important to devote additional coverage to recent news and rumors regarding the future of World Wrestling Entertainment. As we send this issue to press, the industry is still reacting to the January 2023 return of Vince McMahon to WWE—ostensibly, to facilitate a sale and/or media rights negotiations. Despite initial objections from the company’s board of directors, WWE’s majority shareholder leveraged his voting power to reinstate himself as chairman, while bringing back former WWE Co-Presidents George Barrios and Michelle Wilson to sit on the board. a
McMahon’s actions necessitated the exits of three existing board members, while two others left voluntarily after the controversial WWE founder’s return. Joining those five individuals in their departure was Vince’s daughter Stephanie, resigning from her post as co-CEO.
Rumors of an imminent sale began to pick up steam, emboldened by a BodySlam.net report that Saudi Arabia’s Investment Fund (SIF) had purchased the company and would be taking it private. Though such reports were, at the very least, premature, the SIF remained on the shortlist of potential buyers, alongside U.S.-based companies including Comcast, Disney, and even AEW co-owners Tony and father Shad Khan.
At press time, WWE CEO Nick Khan continued on in his role, while Paul “Triple H” Levesque served as head of WWE Creative. Vince McMahon, after retiring last summer amidst an investigation into his alleged misconduct, has reportedly returned to his office in Stamford, CT, to focus on his duties as chairman.
In this “PWI Roundtable,” the implications of WWE’s potential sale are discussed by writers Al Castle and Brian R. Solomon, along with Editor-in-Chief Kevin McElvaney.
WILL WWE
