New court filings show that Vince McMahon WAS involved in WWE creative after retiring in 2022

Newly disclosed court records in an ongoing lawsuit show that Vince McMahon continued pulling the strings behind the scenes in WWE after his July 2022 retirement.

It’s accused that McMahon’s first retirement from WWE was expected to be temporary by top Endeavor executives, with a sale or major structure change anticipated shortly afterward.

Fantastic reporting from Brandon Thurston of PostWrestling.com has revealed new information pertaining to the period of McMahon retiring and the TKO takeover.

On the day McMahon stepped down amid sexual misconduct allegations that are still ongoing as of this writing, texts reveal that Endeavor executive Mark Shapiro privately predicted McMahon would return within months, overhaul the board, and either sell WWE or take it private.

Texts and emails show McMahon remained in communication with Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel and co. throughout late 2022, despite his public exit.

In January 2023, McMahon used his controlling voting power to reinstate himself to WWE’s board, reshaped its membership, and immediately put the company up for sale – just as Shapiro predicted.

Three months later, WWE agreed to merge with UFC under Endeavor, thus creating TKO. WWE shareholders held 49% of the new company in a deal with a reported $21 billion.

In January 2024, following a new lawsuit with severe allegations, McMahon resigned from his position as Executive Chairman of TKO, stating the decision was made “out of respect for the WWE Universe, TKO, shareholders, and business partners”. Did he walk before he was pushed? Who knows.

What’s the crux of this particular lawsuit? WWE shareholder plaintiffs allege McMahon breached fiduciary duties by steering a ‘pre-wired’ sale. They suggest he leaned towards Endeavor believing that would help him retain power and secure his future rather than seeking the best monetary deal.

The filings also raise questions about governance and transparency, including claims that key communications were routed through Signal – whith has  anauto-delete feature for messages – during the sale process, and that public statements from seniour fugures downplayed McMahon’s behind-the-scenes involvement.

Defendants, including Vince McMahon, Nick Khan, Stephanie McMahon, among others have denied any wrongdoing. The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in 2026.

Khan was quoted denying McMahon was still involved in WWE creative ahead of WrestleMania 39. However, new court filings reveal that about a month earlier, on February 28th 2023, McMahon texted Khan about WrestleMania-related creative plans.

McMahon relayed messages involving Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque and Bruce Prichard, including: “Hey guys just double checking. Does Roman [Reigns] and Cody [Rhodes] know the new creative re [WrestleMania] and next year ?” After follow-up replies, McMahon asked Levesque, “Paul have U‘?”

Khan responded cryptically with “Langis.” When McMahon replied, “What in the blue hell is ‘Langis’ lol,” Khan answered, “Read it backwards!”

That is likely in reference to the messaging platform, Signal.