Former WWE writer Vince Russo believes WWE and TKO are quietly clearing the path for a Vince McMahon comeback, framing it not as a personal vanity project but as a corporate move driven by frustration over the company’s television product.
Speaking on Interactive Wrestling Radio, Russo argued that the people running TKO are not satisfied with WWE’s current viewership numbers, even as the company continues to land major business deals. In his view, McMahon settling a string of legal matters is the mechanism that makes a return possible.
Russo then pointed to a recently settled shareholder lawsuit and a pending settlement with Janel Grant as evidence that McMahon is resolving the legal issues standing in his way.
I never thought the day would come in a million years. I think the wrestling business is a lot worse without Vince McMahon. And I think currently Vince is clearing the deck to make a big comeback,” Russo said.
Man, we just saw the shareholder lawsuit. We just saw that put to bed with a settlement. Now it looks like he’s going to settle with Janelle Grant.
The Janel Grant case has been one of the developments shaping McMahon’s legal landscape, with the matter moving toward arbitration earlier this year.
Russo Points To TKO’s TV Frustrations
Russo’s larger claim centered on what he believes is dissatisfaction inside TKO with WWE’s on-screen product. He stressed he was talking about the television numbers, not the financial side of the business.
And once that happens, we know Vince’s relationship with Ari. There is nobody in the world that can tell me that the people running TKO are happy with the numbers. I’m talking TV numbers, viewership numbers, not dollars and cents. They’ve cut some great deals. I’m talking about the product on television,” Russo said.
When asked whether he meant McMahon returning to WWE or launching something new, Russo made clear he was talking about WWE itself, and that he believes the company is engineering the path back.
I could not believe for a second that they’re happy with that. And I really believe that they’re clearing the field and Vince is gonna be back in the saddle again,” Russo said.
For now, this remains Russo’s speculation. There is no official announcement from McMahon, WWE, or TKO confirming any plans for a return.
McMahon’s departure from WWE was one of the biggest shakeups the wrestling business has ever seen, and many fans would have a strong reaction to any return. Russo, though, seems convinced the door has not closed.