Vince McMahon’s involvement in WWE WrestleMania 39 creative; Endeavor expected Vince to return before WWE sale & more

McMahon announced his retirement from WWE in July 2022!

When Vince McMahon announced his retirement from WWE in July 2022 amid sexual misconduct allegations, many believed it marked the end of his era.

However, newly revealed documents from an ongoing Delaware shareholder lawsuit show that senior figures inside Endeavor privately expected McMahon’s absence to be brief.

Internal messages reveal that hours after McMahon stepped down, Endeavor executive Mark Shapiro texted colleagues predicting his eventual return, restructuring of the board, and a potential company sale.

“Nick and Stephanie are going to take over the WWE for the next nine months,”

Shapiro wrote, referencing Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan, who became co-CEOs that same day. He followed with a bold expectation — “Vince [will] be back with a new board or he will take the company private or he will sell it/coming to us. The race is on. The courtship is on.”

That message was sent to Andrew Schleimer, now TKO CFO, and then-Endeavor CFO Jason Lublin. Just six months later, Vince McMahon forced himself back into power via shareholder control.

Directors were removed, others resigned, and WWE simultaneously announced it would explore “strategic alternatives.” Within three months, the company agreed to merge with Endeavor’s UFC to form TKO, a scenario nearly identical to Shapiro’s July forecast, a roadmap that played out almost exactly as Shapiro predicted day one.

Newly filed records detail communication between Vince McMahon and Ari Emanuel before the sale

Court filings show Vince McMahon and Ari Emanuel remained in contact during his public retirement. Less than two weeks after stepping down, McMahon arranged an August 10, 2022 steakhouse meeting with Emanuel, Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan.

Despite no formal role, McMahon remained controlling shareholder, making his approval essential for any sale.

Days later, Emanuel messaged McMahon directly: “I will be your greatest partner.”

He referenced McMahon speaking with banker Jeff Sine from Raine Group, who later told McMahon, “I would like to work for you if we go forward … for you only — not Ari or Endeavor.”

McMahon replied enthusiastically: “I love that idea Jeff.” Raine was already circulating “Project Stunner” materials to Endeavor later in August, months before a sale was publicly discussed.

McMahon’s eventual on-screen return became fully visible to fans around the time of WrestleMania 39, where he appeared again publicly as WWE’s power structure continued shifting. It was during the months following that event that merger talks accelerated, ultimately forming TKO Group in 2023.

Vince: “Hey guys just double checking. Does Roman and Cody know the new creative re WM and next year ?”

Bruce : “Not to my knowledge. I don’t know if Paul has had a conversation with either. Roman’s first appearance since we spoke is Friday in DC. Both will be there in person.”

New court filings show that Vince McMahon was involved in WWE’s creative process leading up to WrestleMania 39, which counters Nick Khan’s statement on CNBC that Vince had no involvement in creative.Vince: “Hey guys just double checking. Does Roman and Cody know the new… pic.twitter.com/DK9LEuZXZ5

— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) December 29, 2025

Lawsuit claims the process favored Vince McMahon’s interests

Shareholders now argue that McMahon structured the sale to preserve control rather than produce maximum financial return.

Those named as defendants include McMahon, Nick Khan, Paul Levesque (Triple H), George Barrios and Michelle Wilson, all accused of enabling the process.

They deny wrongdoing, and responses remain sealed. Investment firms like KKR explored interest, but testimony shows they never finished due diligence or submitted formal final bids.

In the end, McMahon’s comeback led directly to the deal Endeavor executives envisioned on day one.

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