When initial reports surfaced of Vince McMahon stepping back from his WWE responsibilities, speculation ran rife with rumors of potential legal troubles. However, official WWE documents and an internal staff message clarified that McMahon’s hiatus was due to a significant surgical procedure he recently underwent.
The Wall Street Journal had hinted at McMahon’s comeback plans in December, and in January of this year, McMahon was appointed as a board director. Amid these developments, rumors swirled about a hiring freeze at WWE in 2023. However, the surprise return of Nia Jax has thrown a curveball into these speculations.
Nia Jax’s Unexpected WWE Return
Nia Jax made a stunning return to WWE on the latest episode of RAW, revealing that she has been back on the roster for over a month now. Insiders at Fightful Select reported that WWE had quietly brought Jax back into the fold well over a month ago. Notably, Jax’s return marked the first significant move since Vince McMahon’s resurgence in an active role within the company. The 39-year-old wrestler had previously been released by WWE in November 2021, and she had remained absent from other wrestling promotions since then.
Jax’s return on RAW marked her first WWE appearance since her participation in the women’s Royal Rumble match earlier this year. This surprising comeback effectively debunked the rumored hiring freeze that had allegedly been in place since the beginning of 2023, with her return seemingly unrelated to the merger between Endeavor and WWE.
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With her unexpected return, many fans speculate that Vince McMahon’s influence within WWE has regained prominence.
McMahon’s Return Signals Changes
Vince McMahon appears to be on the path to recovery following his spinal surgery earlier this summer. In March, McMahon made a backstage return, but he maintained a low profile, emphasizing that Triple H was still overseeing WWE’s creative process. However, recent developments in the wrestling world suggest that McMahon is now working remotely and making last-minute adjustments to WWE programming.
This news has generated concerns among wrestling enthusiasts who had grown accustomed to Triple H’s influence on the product. While Triple H’s creative direction has faced criticism, particularly concerning the women’s division, many consider him a preferable alternative to McMahon in leading WWE’s creative efforts.
Despite his absence from the Virginia arena, McMahon reportedly made “significant” last-minute alterations to Monday’s Raw. The show had minimal advertised content, with only the Ripley-Rodriguez match, Gunther’s Intercontinental Champion celebration, and a Cody Rhodes segment confirmed in advance.
For fans, this represents a notable improvement compared to past years, where McMahon’s frequent changes often led to advertised matches not materializing on Raw or SmackDown. It remains to be seen if this marks a new era of McMahon adhering to his commitments.
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What are your thoughts on Vince McMahon’s increased involvement in WWE’s creative process? Share your opinions in the comments below!
