With just a couple of nights to go until WWE’s Money in the Bank event in London, the wrestling industry’s foremost figure, Vince McMahon, is reportedly inching closer to taking full control of WWE’s creative direction.
Over the weekend, reports have emerged of McMahon’s heightened influence on the WWE’s creative direction, culminating in last night’s June 26 episode of WWE Raw.
McMahon’s involvement is said to be particularly noticeable during the pre-show creative meetings where he’s believed to make changes to planned segments, all from a remote location. His creative touch was especially evident in the most recent episode of SmackDown, with three previously advertised matches axed in favor of what McMahon preferred. This is said to have led to discontent among the backstage crew and wrestlers alike.
This is a telling sign after McMahon effectively became executive chairman of the resulting company formed following the merging of the WWE and Endeavor Group.
Notable wrestling journalist and insider, Dave Meltzer, on Wrestling Observer Radio noted that this week’s Raw was a clear demonstration of McMahon’s increased engagement in WWE’s creative direction. Meltzer referred to the episode as “Vince McMahon’s show,” suggesting a few shortcomings such as a lack of continuity and crowd heat for matches, with only a handful of standout performances.
This creative influence was also apparent in seemingly minute details such as wrestler Tommaso Ciampa dying his beard to hide his age. McMahon’s distaste for visible signs of aging, specifically gray hair, on his performers is a well-known quirk within the industry.
As Meltzer pointed out, Ciampa’s newly dyed beard is yet another tell-tale sign of McMahon’s involvement in even the smallest aspects of the show.
The latest episode was a harbinger of the upcoming Money in the Bank event, introducing NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes and featuring a face-off between all six women in the Money in the Bank ladder match, implying Becky Lynch as a possible favorite. This event-heavy episode seems in line with McMahon’s preference for spectacle and high drama.
Despite McMahon’s increased involvement, the creative changes haven’t always been welcomed with open arms. Reports suggest that the last-minute alterations have sparked frustration backstage, even from high-profile figures like Triple H who feel they can’t challenge McMahon’s decisions. It’s believed that McMahon’s creative decisions, often overriding others, have contributed to a sense of uncertainty within the organization.
Interestingly, although McMahon was physically present backstage during the Raw after WrestleMania 39, a show that was widely panned by fans, he has since been making changes remotely. His appearance at Monday night’s Raw in Connecticut, his home state, came as a surprise to many. Reports suggest that his presence did not contribute to any unusual chaos or disruption, leaving the exact nature of his on-site changes unclear.
While some believe his involvement brings a necessary touch of the old guard, others worry that McMahon’s singular vision could overshadow the innovative work of other creatives.
As the wrestling world awaits Money in the Bank, all eyes will be on the WWE – not just for the spectacle in the ring but for the dramatic power play unfolding backstage.
