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Vince McMahon will return to RAW and address the well-publicized downward slope of programming. Hopefully, the highs of TLC assuage fans that this will be another three hours that elevate the programme and end the year on a deserving high.
A lot of rumors are floating with McMahon bringing a much-needed shake-up to the main roster. If this is in the form of more NXT bred stars or a shakeup of stars between rosters, it is a big mistake as the road to WrestleMania looms. By now the company has to have a clear direction of where they're headed for the Granddaddy of them all and a roster change isn't for the best especially for the blue brand. After all, Vince always has an eye on the prized Smackdown lot to take back to RAW.
The other thing and one that is really highlighted about his return are to address Baron Corbin, in a story this ties into the Seth Rollins tirade against the now-former GM. If that is the case, then all is well as long as Vince McMahon doesn't reinstate Corbin for some cheap heat.
Yet one cannot help but wish Vince McMahon stays just a bit longer. His presence among the new breed in the roster is always fascinating. His prolonged stay in 2016 gave us explosive and funny encounters with the likes of Roman Reigns, Rusev (and his big bear hug) as well as New Day.
So this time around, it'd be fun to see who falls on the Big Boss's radar. Well then, let's find out!
Honorable Mention: Baron Corbin
Let's get this out-of-the-way: Vince McMahon's main agenda is definitely to address the rating slump. If that is the case, then much like Seth Rollins, he will lay into Baron Corbin.
Nothing gives a McMahon an ego boost and high like tearing into a lowly manager beneath them, especially if it's a heel like Corbin. It makes McMahon both a beloved face as well as the ultimate bully. Baron Corbin is as good as gone, paving the path for the boss to rehire Kurt Angle or pluck out a new manager, which could also be Alexa Bliss.
The best option is for McMahon to take up the role himself until he can figure a suitable replacement. Moreover, with the XFL launch next year, this gives McMahon the final big send-off from on-screen in the WWE.
At long last we shall hear the words, 'Baron Corbin! You're FIRED!'
#5 Seth Rollins
There's a clear dissonance in the thinking between Vince McMahon and Triple H, it's there to see in the way NXT runs compared to the main roster. That same friction is the contention of rumors floating over the decision for the next man (not Becky Lynch) to dethrone Brock Lesnar come Wrestlemania.
Triple H's pick is undoubtedly his protege Seth Rollins and the Architect does back it up in the ring. That is until TLC and the somewhat fractured narrative that played out between him and Dean Ambrose. It isn't a match to write home about and unlike Rollins' blockbuster first half, the second half of the year got marred by repetitive matches and a consistent need to emulate the first half.
It leaves him with an opportunity at the Universal championship, but also maybe not. Only time will tell if that's true and the foreshadowing of this can happen if he bumps into Mr. McMahon. McMahon clearly values Rollins, yet maybe not enough and a face-off between the two will be interesting.
#4 Braun Strowman
Somewhere, somehow Braun Strowman has really fallen off the ladder he'd at one point smashed to pieces, and eaten for breakfast. This is because of an ill-timed heel turn made worse as WWE keeps pulling back on the trigger to the top for the Monster. The reactions from TLC indicate the fanbase is still willing to hang.
If Strowman is to show that he can go against Lesnar this time around then it'd be best for Vince McMahon to advocate this. Whenever McMahon has stormed into RAW to give the boot to a snivelly manager, he's had John Cena to pile on with just desserts. This time with his history with Corbin, that distinction should go to Strowman.
At the same time, seeing McMahon's on-screen reaction for the hulking beast is a treat for sure. It's unclear if he has well and truly soured on making Strowman anything more than the foil to the top dog, and much like Rollins, a meeting on RAW can give the fans a sign.
#3 Elias and Bobby Lashley/w Lio Rush
This one comes in a delectable package alongside the diminutive Lio Rush. Nothing screams Vince McMahon like interrupting an Elias concert and then doing an about turn to join the ever-popular drifter on the stage.
If only R-Truth and Carmella were part of the red brand, a dance break might take it to the next level. Well if McMahon wants, he should pop up on Smackdown and give the blue brand a twirl as well. Either way, a fun-filled McMahon and Elias interaction is mandatory if WWE wants a rating boost.
The icing on the cake would be Lio Rush interrupting proceedings to present the mighty Bobby Lashley. The history between the dominator and Vince McMahon runs deep, so much so it provides a dose of fun for those brought up in the Ruthless Aggression era. Plus you cannot deny seeing McMahon throw Rush like a lawn dart is a sight to behold!
#2 Drew McIntyre
Speaking of history, there is one man who Vince McMahon is clearly high on more than Rollins or Strowman. That man is Drew McIntyre. It's no coincidence after all that McIntyre, during his initial run in WWE, got pegged as the 'Chosen One' by McMahon himself.
If McIntyre were to transition from pro-Corbin to pro-Vince, it'd be the perfect measure of closure to that chapter. It'd also finally bring his career full circle after the faltering path he has gone on to make it back to the top of Sports Entertainment.
One can assuredly believe that McIntyre will have a big spot at WrestleMania, possibly even for the Universal championship with a Rumble win. An interaction with McMahon solidifies the shaky rumors running around. At the same time, McIntyre simply finding McMahon's approval from afar would do, since he's likely to make his presence felt in the match between Ziggler and Balor on Monday Night.
#1 Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair
If Vince McMahon really wants to hit the home run, then there's no better place to do it than by the side of three women that are taking his product to the next level. Ronda Rousey just capped off a phenomenal year with a fan-baiting interference at the TLC main event. She's a supernova in a company filled with superstars and Vince McMahon knows it.
Just the acknowledgement of the Rowdy one, as well as the possible invasion of Becky Lynch and Charlotte as a measure of revenge, could be a blockbuster sign Vince McMahon is all in on the women's evolution, now more than ever. It'd be a sign that regardless of his and Triple H's preferences, the women can and should main event WrestleMania.
He's got two women he has come to admire on one end and on the other a star who for all purposes could have just been a part-timer but is pouring her heart into it. Vince McMahon's arrival into the sphere of their mega rivalry is the best and most fun kind of stamp of approval.
