The Wrestling Thread: AEW Dynasty

[Mafro]

Vince has retired.

[gaminglegend]

Never thought I'd see the day. I just can't imagine he's not involved somehow, the man can't rest

[Blue Eyes]

He's been having to pay people he's shagged to keep quiet.

[KK]

STAMFORD, Conn., July 22, 2022 – Vince McMahon today released the following statement:

“As I approach 77 years old, I feel it’s time for me to retire as Chairman and CEO of WWE. Throughout the years, it’s been a privilege to help WWE bring you joy, inspire you, thrill you, surprise you, and always entertain you. I would like to thank my family for mightily contributing to our success, and I would also like to thank all of our past and present Superstars and employees for their dedication and passion for our brand. Most importantly, I would like to thank our fans for allowing us into your homes every week and being your choice of entertainment. I hold the deepest appreciation and admiration for our generations of fans all over the world who have liked, currently like, and sometimes even love our form of Sports Entertainment.

“Our global audience can take comfort in knowing WWE will continue to entertain you with the same fervor, dedication, and passion as always. I am extremely confident in the continued success of WWE, and I leave our company in the capable hands of an extraordinary group of Superstars, employees, and executives – in particular, both Chairwoman and Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon and Co-CEO Nick Khan. As the majority shareholder, I will continue to support WWE in any way I can. My personal thanks to our community and business partners, shareholders, and Board of Directors for their guidance and support through the years. Then. Now. Forever. Together.”

https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company- ... 7-22-2022a

My first thought: what’s about to come out.

[gaminglegend]

Nick Khan and Stephanie as join CEO's sounds like wrestling storyline. No doubt it will probably actually turn into one

[Prototype]

Vince has retired.

[Cuttooth]

twitter.com/bryanalvarez/status/1550583647232634880

What on earth is happening?

[Johnny Ryall]

Thing is someone like Brock may only want to deal with vince. We’ll see i spose

[Mafro]

twitter.com/bryanalvarez/status/1550590396694024192

[ITSMILNER]

Wait, Brock’s just left? There goes Reigns v Lesner number 897 at Summerslam

[KK]

Adds a new slant to Titus O Neil’s promo on Monday, and Vince McMahon’s seemingly meaningless appearances on RAW and SmackDown…will his introduction of John Cena end up being the last time we ever see him on TV?

Considering Vince McMahon helped create much of the template and great moments we’ve all enjoyed for up to 4 decades now I can’t help but feel it’s rather sad it’s all ending like this, especially if stuff starts coming out that will forever tarnish those moments, his legacy, and that of the entire WWE, but WWE has more often than not been a shell of its former WWF self for a while now, so in that regard I don’t see it as a bad thing he’s gone. WWE has desperately needed something new for a long time. But depending on what Vince McMahon has done, who’s going to want it when all is said and done. For him to jack it all in, I doubt there is a solitary person in the entire wrestling industry that would have guessed this is how Vince McMahon would go out. That should be causing major alarm bells as to what is potentially going to come out.

How much of this is down to pressure from Comcast and FOX? Did sponsors start pushing for him to go? What have the board investigations unearthed? So many questions.

Kevin Dunn must know he’s now done too.

[KK]

Sent to all the talent from Vince McMahon:

Letter To Talent From Vince

To all WWE Superstars: as I approach 77 years old (OMG am I really that old?), I feel it's time for me to retire. I've thoroughly enjoyed sharing my passion, wisdom, and love of the business with you. No longer will you see the smiling, docile, level-headed, calm presence at Gorilla every week.

Your dedication to WWE will ensure that our company will continue to grow and prosper. Our organization is nothing without you. You are WWE's only natural resource, chosen to perform in front of a global audience.

You are all WWE Global Ambassadors. Carry the WWE flag wherever you go. Wave it high and proud. And bust your ass to be all you can be as a person and as a performer.

One other thing-I won't be with you, but I'll be watching. Remember to keep your hands up, grab a hold, and sell. Btw, SmackDown airs live tonight at 8pm Eastern/7pm Central on FOX.

Vince

twitter.com/TonyKhan/status/1550578379543437314

Wish Rampage was also Live tonight.

[GrinWithoutaKat]

This can only improve the product, right? They just don't seem to be able to make anyone look good right now, other than Reigns and the Usos. Cody had momentum, but nothing to do with the booking and all to do with the buzz from his return. Even the guy that is seemingly getting the big push, Theory, lost clean to a non-wrestler just a few months back.

Although the rumour on Twitter is they're trying to get Goldberg to replace Brock at Summerslam, so maybe nothing is going to change at all

[Superking]

I wonder if this might end up being like when Disney took over creative at Star Wars. We maya see things improve and change at first but ultimately it will be the same old drivel and greatest hits over and over again anyway.

[Return_of_the_STAR]

Hmmm very interesting development. Ultimately he’s still the largest shareholder with the majority of voting power. I wonder if this is just due to pressure from various partners, eg Comcast and fox.

On Brock, hopefully that’s just a power play on his part. He had a direct line to vince on his entire involvement so maybe he is just trying to transfer his influence to Stephanie and Nick.

[Mafro]

Bryan Alvarez on BBC 5 Live is something I thought I'd never hear

[Captain Kinopio]

Don’t know if anybody in here has seen but there’s an XFL documentary on Disney+ at the moment. I watched it last week as I remembered that being a thing that was constantly touted in the period I watched Wrestling most enthusiastically. It was quite a decent watch to see how it all unfolded. One thing I didn’t realise was that it was just kinda boring. I assumed there was some hilarious story about what a farce it all was but this doc just showed that at its core it was just bad sport so nobody was interested.

[gaminglegend]

This can only improve the product, right? They just don't seem to be able to make anyone look good right now, other than Reigns and the Usos. Cody had momentum, but nothing to do with the booking and all to do with the buzz from his return. Even the guy that is seemingly getting the big push, Theory, lost clean to a non-wrestler just a few months back.

Although the rumour on Twitter is they're trying to get Goldberg to replace Brock at Summerslam, so maybe nothing is going to change at all

He's the major shareholder still, if you think Vince isn't still going to have some control or leadership in some way I'd think again

[gaminglegend]

Hmmm very interesting development. Ultimately he’s still the largest shareholder with the majority of voting power. I wonder if this is just due to pressure from various partners, eg Comcast and fox.

On Brock, hopefully that’s just a power play on his part. He had a direct line to vince on his entire involvement so maybe he is just trying to transfer his influence to Stephanie and Nick.

I suspect something is about to drop about the case or something that's going to look very bad and that's made the decision here

[Reavus]

CNN had Dave Meltzer on to talk about McMahon