WWE Is Telling Talent That Vince McMahons Won't Be Back

BY SACNILK

Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal has shared a bizarre story about his relationship with Vince McMahon, revealing that he once had the former WWE Chairman's phone number without even realizing it was him. Mahal told the story during an interview with Denise Salcedo while reflecting on his relationship with McMahon during his WWE career. According to Mahal, McMahon would occasionally send him messages, including birthday wishes and messages while Mahal was recovering from injuries. However, Mahal did not have the number saved and had no idea who was behind the messages. Mahal recalled receiving one of the messages and simply responding to the unknown sender as if it were someone he knew from WWE. “I would get a message on my birthday, or I would get a message when I was injured. I was like, ‘Thanks, brother.’ I didn’t know who it was.” The situation continued for some time, with Mahal apparently assuming the messages were coming from someone else within WWE. Eventually, his curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to ask the person directly who they were. “I was like, ‘Who is this?’ And he just sent me back, ‘VKM.’” That was the moment Mahal realized he had been casually texting Vince McMahon. Mahal explained that he had been unaware of McMahon's number and did not initially recognize it as belonging to the WWE Chairman. The incident also highlighted how Mahal's relationship with McMahon eventually changed. Mahal said that early in his WWE career, he was extremely intimidated by McMahon and went years without approaching him. “I was scared of him,” Mahal said when discussing his first WWE run. Mahal initially worked for WWE from 2011 until his release in 2014. He later returned to the company in 2016 and eventually became WWE Champion in 2017. During his second WWE run, Mahal said he became much more comfortable around McMahon. The accidental text-message exchange was one of the moments that helped show a different side of their relationship. Mahal recalled that McMahon could be surprisingly approachable in certain situations, particularly when they had common interests. The former WWE Champion also said that McMahon would sometimes discuss subjects such as working out and dieting with him.

BY SACNILK

The Undertaker has revealed that he nearly got into a physical fight with Vince McMahon after the former WWE Chairman told him to “man up” during a difficult period in his personal life. Speaking on his Six Feet Under podcast, The Undertaker recalled visiting McMahon's office toward the end of his WWE career. He was only working a few times a year at the time and had been dealing with several issues outside of wrestling. The Undertaker said he went to McMahon simply to say hello and began opening up about what he was going through. However, McMahon responded with some blunt advice. “He looks at me, and it was as straight a face as it could be, he goes, ‘You know what, Mark? I really think you need to quit feeling sorry for yourself.’” The Undertaker said McMahon then added, “Yeah, you're feeling sorry for yourself. Man up.” The comment immediately angered The Undertaker, who felt he was speaking to McMahon as a friend rather than as his boss. “There was a sense of rage that come over me at that moment, like, man I thought me and you are friends,” The Undertaker recalled. The WWE Hall of Famer then warned McMahon that the conversation could have turned physical. “I did tell him, I was like, ‘You know, if you were anybody else, anybody else, we'd probably be fighting right now. No one talks to me like that. You don't talk to me like that.’” McMahon, however, refused to back down. “Well, damn it, somebody needs to,” McMahon replied. The Undertaker eventually walked away from the conversation, but after calming down, he realized McMahon had actually given him the reality check he needed. “It kind of dawns on me after I calmed down, like, you know what? Get your shit together, handle your business,” he said. The two eventually laughed about the incident, with The Undertaker later admitting to McMahon that he still wished he had fought him but agreed that McMahon had been right. Looking back, The Undertaker said McMahon knew when he needed tough love and when he needed support. “He knew when I needed a foot in the ass, or, you know, whether I needed a hug,” The Undertaker said. “He was always pretty much right on all of that stuff.”

BY SACNILK

Vince McMahon’s future in the wrestling business remains a subject of speculation after the former WWE chairman and his insurers agreed to pay $42.5 million as part of a proposed settlement connected to the shareholder lawsuit over WWE’s 2023 merger with UFC. The proposed payment comes on top of the $105 million previously agreed to by WWE, bringing the total proposed settlement in the shareholder case to $147.5 million. With the shareholder lawsuit settled and the Janel Grant case moving into private arbitration, speculation has grown over whether McMahon could eventually attempt to return to the public spotlight or have some role with WWE again. Eric Bischoff, however, isn't convinced that a major comeback is in McMahon's future. Speaking on 83 Weeks, Bischoff was asked about the possibility of McMahon becoming more visible again following the resolution of some of his ongoing legal issues. While he acknowledged that McMahon could potentially make smaller appearances, Bischoff does not expect to see him return as a major figure in WWE. “I don’t know, you know, we always say that. Everybody’s kind of like assuming Vince wants to get back in the spotlight. I don’t. I’m not sold on that,” Bischoff said. “I highly, highly doubt that we’re going to see a high-profile business with man. I think, you know, we’ll see him. You know, I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes some smaller appearances in WWE Hall of Fame type appearances, but I don’t—he’s not going to be on regular programming. I don’t see a storyline with him. I don’t see him being kind of a face of the company in any way, shape, or form.” Bischoff believes the controversy surrounding McMahon makes a high-profile WWE comeback difficult, regardless of how his legal matters ultimately conclude. “The baggage that he has with him, regardless of how these things settle out, is just outweighs the benefit,” Bischoff said. The former WCW executive also addressed the possibility of McMahon eventually receiving a seat on the TKO board, an idea that was raised during the discussion. Bischoff was skeptical of that possibility as well, questioning what McMahon could bring to the board while pointing to the potential reputational risk. “What added value does Vince McMahon bring to the board? He doesn’t,” Bischoff said. “He brings baggage.” Bischoff then gave his bluntest assessment of the situation, comparing the reputational issues surrounding McMahon to other high-profile figures who have faced serious scandals. “I mean, he’s not Harvey Weinstein. He’s not quite there. He’s not Bill Cosby. But he’s in the same neighborhood. It’s the same zip code and that’s bad,” Bischoff said. He stressed that he was not attempting to make a personal judgment about McMahon, but instead was discussing the issue from a corporate perspective. “I don’t like talking about it much because there’s a lot of inferred judgment and I don’t want to do that,” Bischoff explained. “I don’t judge people’s actions like this, but I will say that the judgment that Vince demonstrated he lacked by having whatever the relationship was, consensual or otherwise. Having it on corporate property and corporate time using corporate funds and resources to one extent or the other, involving another executive in the company.”

BY SACNILK

Vince McMahon is continuing to sell off his stake in TKO, the merged entity of WWE and UFC. A new SEC filing reveals two separate stock transactions.## Firstly, McMahon is selling 1,642,970 shares to Endeavor, TKO's parent company, for $146.2 million. Secondly, he's selling 1,853,724 shares directly to TKO for $165.0 million. These sales will leave McMahon with approximately 8 million shares remaining.## The filing provides details on the agreements. Endeavor agreed to purchase the shares at $89.01 each, with a closing date expected around April 9th. TKO, on the other hand, will repurchase its own shares at the same price, with a closing date anticipated around April 10th. TKO plans to retire these repurchased shares.## This marks the latest in a series of stock sales by McMahon since November 2023. The reasons behind these divestitures remain unclear. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

WrestleMania 40 delivered a historic first beyond the action in the ring. According to PWInsider, Vince McMahon was completely absent backstage at the event, marking the first time in WrestleMania history that he hasn't been involved in any capacity.## McMahon stepped down from the WWE Board of Directors in January following a lawsuit from Janel Grant. While Triple H took over as Chief Content Officer last year, McMahon still maintained a presence at WrestleMania 39, even making creative decisions.## This year, however, WrestleMania unfolded without McMahon's influence. Stephanie McMahon, however, was seen backstage and even appeared on camera during the Hall of Fame ceremony. The Undertaker was also reportedly present.## Triple H kicked off the event, welcoming fans to a "new era" of WrestleMania. The report suggests there was a significant buzz backstage due to McMahon's absence, with some relieved that he wouldn't be "ruining everyone's fun."## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

The legal battle between former WWE employee Janel Grant and Vince McMahon continues to heat up, with both sides offering conflicting interpretations of a recently leaked "love letter." ## Grant sued McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis in January, alleging sexual assault and sex trafficking. The New York Post published a letter Grant allegedly wrote to McMahon on Christmas Eve 2021, which has become a key piece of evidence.## Vince McMahon's lawyer, Jessica Rosenberg, argues the multi-page letter with 24 drafts proves a consensual relationship. She calls Grant's claims of coercion "nonsense."## Rosenberg suggests the letter is one of many pieces of evidence demonstrating the legitimacy of the relationship and the falsity of Grant's lawsuit.## Grant's lawyer, Ann Callis, offers a starkly different perspective. She views the letter as evidence of misconduct by McMahon, suggesting the revisions were due to fear of repercussions, not love.## Callis compares the situation to emotional imprisonment and sex trafficking tactics. She believes the leak is an attempt to intimidate and shame her client.## An excerpt from the letter mentions "Mickey, Paul, and the Chef" as people who witnessed Grant and McMahon acting like a couple. Callis identifies Paul as Paul Mangieri, a WWE executive assistant. Sources familiar with WWE claim Mickey Mangieri is another assistant to Vince McMahon.## John Laurinaitis, also named in the lawsuit, is claiming to be a victim of McMahon as well. His lawyer is confident the lawsuit against Laurinaitis will be dismissed.## Representatives for WWE and McMahon's holding company, TKO, have not commented on the latest developments. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Ronda Rousey, former WWE wrestler, commented on the sexual assault and trafficking allegations against Vince McMahon, CEO of WWE. ## The allegations surfaced in January 2024 with a lawsuit filed by Janel Grant. Rousey, who had two stints with WWE, shared her thoughts on NewsNation.## "It's not surprising," Rousey said. She pointed out the potential consequences wrestlers might face if they speak out against the company. "Everybody is being held hostage by their careers," she claimed.## Rousey isn't planning a WWE return "unless they make some very major changes," giving her the freedom to speak openly. "I don't really care if they have me back or not," she stated.## This isn't the first time wrestlers have addressed the allegations. Becky Lynch, Seth Rollins, and CM Punk have also commented when asked. Rousey's most recent WWE run began at Royal Rumble 2022 and ended at SummerSlam 2023.## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Vince McMahon has further reduced his ownership stake in TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE, after selling another $100 million worth of stock. This news comes from a recent SEC filing by TKO.## This latest sale, however, was not a typical stock transaction. In March 2020, McMahon secured a margin loan from Morgan Stanley following the closure of XFL. This loan included a provision for McMahon to transfer shares to Morgan Stanley in the future.## March 2024 was the designated month for settling this agreement. The original plan involved transferring 2.25 million shares to Morgan Stanley in 15 installments throughout the month. The final number of shares depended on the stock price during that period.## An interesting twist emerged – McMahon and Morgan Stanley opted to modify the agreement. Instead of the original staggered transfer, McMahon sold all 3.484 million shares to the bank in exchange for an additional $100 million payment.## This transaction adds to McMahon's significant stock sales in recent months. In early March, he sold $412 million worth of stock, and last November, he offloaded $642 million worth.## Following these sales, McMahon retains roughly 11.5 million shares, constituting approximately 6.7% ownership of TKO. This translates to the same voting power he held previously. ## It's important to note that McMahon also received a $111 million special dividend upon the completion of the WWE-UFC merger last September. In total, McMahon has cashed in over $1.2 billion since September through various stock transactions and the dividend payout. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Martha Hart, the wife of the late wrestler Owen Hart, recently spoke with NewsNation's Ashleigh Banfield regarding the sexual trafficking allegations levied against former WWE executive Vince McMahon. ## While hesitant to address the topic, Hart felt compelled due to its seriousness. She expressed no surprise at the lawsuit, referencing WWE's history of legal entanglements and negative press.## "No, I was not surprised when I heard there was yet another lawsuit (against Vince McMahon & WWE)." ## Having read the lawsuit's details, Hart characterized the alleged acts as "beyond the pale" and "incomprehensible." She emphasized the vulnerability of the alleged victim, Janel Grant, highlighting her unemployment, recent parental loss, and financial struggles. ## Drawing on her experience battling the McMahons in court, Hart described it as a "David and Goliath" situation. She believes the company prioritizes self-preservation at all costs, employing vast resources to delay cases and obfuscate the truth. ## "Wealthy people," Hart suggests, "can feel their wealth has no bounds and so then they have no boundaries themselves." She closed by offering words of encouragement to Grant, urging her to "stay the course" and remain resolute in her pursuit of justice. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Former WWE chairman Vince McMahon has continued his divestiture of TKO stock, netting an estimated $100 million in the process. This news comes via a recent SEC filing by TKO Group. ## McMahon's latest sale involved 3,484,006 shares, following an earlier transaction in March where he sold 5,350,000 shares. These sales combined total over $500 million. ## The filings reveal McMahon had a pre-arranged agreement with an unnamed bank, obligating him to deliver the shares to settle the contract. The agreement was finalized in parts between March 5th and 25th, 2024. ## Despite the substantial sales, McMahon retains ownership of approximately 11.5 million TKO shares. While this indicates some remaining interest in the company, it's significantly less than the amount needed to exert major control. This effectively eliminates the possibility of another WWE-style takeover by McMahon after his previous retirement. ## The reasons behind McMahon's stock selloff remain unclear. However, TKO Group stock has seen a recent surge, with many attributing the rise to a potential upcoming deal with Netflix. ## This news comes amidst ongoing efforts by WWE to distance itself from McMahon following sexual misconduct allegations. Whether WWE will continue to avoid mentioning him on television remains to be seen. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

This week's episode of WWE Raw saw an unscripted exchange of words between CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, and Seth Rollins. The segment aimed to build hype for WrestleMania 40, where Punk will serve as the guest commentator for the World Heavyweight Championship match between Rollins and McIntyre. ## Things got interesting when Punk, known for his outspoken nature, took a swipe at McIntyre's past. He questioned who exactly anointed McIntyre as the "Chosen One," a thinly veiled reference to former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. ## Wrestling Observer Radio's Dave Meltzer shed light on the backstage reaction to the unscripted segment. While the talent was given creative freedom, Punk's reference to McMahon reportedly caused some concern. Meltzer revealed that mentioning McMahon's name is apparently discouraged on WWE television. ## Fortunately, McIntyre managed to navigate the potentially awkward situation by shifting the focus away from the name itself. The segment ultimately achieved its goal of generating buzz for the upcoming WrestleMania match, with no reported backstage heat despite the unscripted moment. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...