WWE veteran explains how Vince McMahon could realistically return (Exclusive)

Vince McMahon has not been involved with WWE since January 2024. Amid talk that the 79-year-old could return, former WWE writer Vince Russo gave his thoughts on how a deal could realistically happen.

In July 2022, McMahon initially retired following several accusations of hush money. The former WWE Chairman returned in January 2023 to oversee the company's sale to his long-time friend, Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel. However, he later resigned after ex-WWE employee Janel Grant accused him of sexual assault.

Russo appeared on Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Outlaws alongside host Dr. Chris Featherstone and wrestler EC3. The veteran writer questioned whether McMahon sold WWE to Emanuel with the intention of rebuying the company once his legal troubles are over.

"Is it possible that Ari Emanuel and TKO were just a placeholder to take over the company and run the company until all of this cleared?" Russo said. "And then Vince would come back, the company would be given back to him, and it would be business as usual. We know a couple of things. Under the circumstances, no way, no how could Vince have continued to run the company. Absolutely not. And it would have killed the WWE with all this negative stuff." [From 04:18 – 04:53]

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In the video above, Russo speculated whether Vince McMahon's son Shane could also return to WWE.

Vince Russo elaborates on his Vince McMahon theory

In September 2023, Endeavor merged UFC and WWE to form TKO Group Holdings. Vince McMahon served on the TKO board for four months before his resignation in January 2024.

Vince Russo worked closely with McMahon on WWE storylines in the late 1990s. Knowing how his former boss operates, the 64-year-old thinks a sensational return could happen one day.

"Everybody knew Vince was gonna die in his office," Russo continued. "Vince was never gonna sell the company. Vince sold this company because he had to, so is it possible he sold it to a friend, and he said to Ari, 'Brother, make as much money as you possibly can until all this [has] cleared, and then I'll take it over.'" [From 5:07 – 5:26]

Russo also criticized Triple H's creative regime and claimed McMahon's leadership skills are missed in WWE.

Please credit Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Outlaws and embed the video if you use quotes from this article.

About the author

Danny Hart is a journalist who has been reporting on pro wrestling (WWE) at Sportskeeda since 2017. He grew up as a massive fan of football/soccer and wrestling, leading him to pursue a career in sports journalism.

Before assuming his current role, Hart worked as a football writer at Goal.com between 2009 and 2016. He prides himself on writing original content that is fact-based and highly accurate. Hart thoroughly proofreads his work before submitting it and relies only on credible sources for information.

Hart’s favorite pro wrestler is The Undertaker. He admires the 2022 WWE Hall of Famer’s ability to reinvent his character and remain relevant across his decades-long career. If given the keys to WWE’s creative department, he would bring back The Phenom for a farewell bout against AJ Styles in a stadium full of fans. Not only that, but he would love to have the multi-time world champion’s greatest rivals seated at ringside for the spectacle.

When not watching and covering sports, Hart enjoys long-distance running, playing video games, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts.

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Edited by Danny Hart