So, this thread is purely speculative - but hey, that’s what forums are for, no?
I’ve been thinking about this, and have seen a lot of comments about how the future of a Vince McMahon-less WWE looks.
Although not truly gone (as he has majority voting shares… So essentially still controls the direction of the company), this is the first two towards his eventual final exit.
So, I thought some discussion about how the next few years will look like is in order.
Feel free to add, disagree, argue whatever I am putting out there…
Sale of the company
I think the general consensus is that this is definitely coming. I guess the question is when, and to who? Does it happen soon now that Vince isn’t in “charge”? Or is it still a while? Does Disney or NBC Universal go for it? A group headed by the likes of Nick Khan and The Rock? Do the Saudis make a bid (I mean look at LIV Golf for example)?
I’ve said it for the last few years, WWE has evolved into what WCW was, minus the ownership by a corporate conglomerate. With this possible move, they fully fit the comparison.
No more “Lifers”
I think the notion of talents remaining within the WWE eco-system for their entire careers is something most have come to expect over the last couple of decades. Obviously since the creation of AEW, this notion has begun to change. But, take a Jericho for example - many have believed that one day he’d return to WWE to retire, and he has often spoken of having a great relationship with Vince. Now that Vince is gone, what does that relationship mean?
Do people like Rock, Batista, Cena, Austin, who’s loyalty to Vince and the company that made them mega stars, still feel that way? Does for example Cena see more importance in a relationship with Warner Bros/ Discovery and the obvious wrestling relationships they have? The idea of Shane popping up on a different company’s TV seems entirely reasonable at this point in time, no?
What about the potential for new leadership not valuing historic contributions?
Which leads to the next question…
New leadership
So it seems like Stephanie/ Nick Khan as co-CEOs is the current reality. However, I don’t see how this could be a lasting situation. And with all the ways Stephanie has been publicly thrown under the bus over the last few months, I can’t see she’s all to happy to work with those responsible.
Does a Bruce Prichard really have any chance at long last job security? Kevin Dunn?
Do people like Heyman or Bischoff have any shots of being considered for roles? (Not that I see creative value in either in 2022, but the amount of positive press they generated by being publicly announced and associated with a pseudo creative role a few years ago leads me to believe they’d be corporate friendly and welcomed).
Does Triple H have any real power? Head of Talent Relations is hardly a creative role. John Laurinaitis, Jim Ross, and Canyon Ceman all essentially seemed like middle men.
I’ve never been convinced Triple H is some creative genius, but there are those holding out hope that he’ll suddenly turn main roster WWE into NXT 2018. I feel WWE is far more interested in NIL and bringing established stars into the fold than indie and international stars. Nick Khan has stated multiple times that they’re not interested in “wrestlers” in that sense of the word.
What about Jeff Jarrett?? Does Cody Rhodes have new ambitions?
At the end of the day, I think this is something that will be in constant flux. The more corporate they continue to evolve into, the less chances of a “single voice” ever dominating the company again.
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Anyway, just thought this would be an interesting discussion. Would love to hear other’s thoughts.