"When you think you've got all the answers, I change the questions!"---Roddy Piper, sometime in the 80's.
To be fair, no one saw this coming so soon.
Just a few minutes ago, Vincent K. McMahon, 76, announced his retirement from WWE, more than 40 years after buying what was then known as Titan Sports from his father, Vincent J. McMahon. Only a month ago, McMahon stepped down as CEO/Chairman as allegations surfaced that he had had affairs with some company employees, including at least one female wrestler, all of whom were paid "hush money" and signed non-disclosure agreements (NDA's).
At the time, McMahon was taking a leave from his duties, entrusting them to his daughter, Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon, who now becomes the full-time Chairwoman, and will share the CEO's role with Nick Khan, who had been company president and chief revenue officer. After a 2nd article appeared in the Wall Street Journal appeared, and with reports that HBO's Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel was doing a feature piece, both within the last couple of weeks, and despite publicly assuring ESPN's Jeremy Schaap all the way back in March 2009 that he would never retire, McMahon decided now was the time to pull completely out, meaning he will no longer be in charge of creative, either. That role likely, in this writer's opinion, will be turned over to Bruce Prichard.
Earlier today, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Stephanie's husband, was restored to his former role as VP/Talent Relations, meaning that John Laurinaitis, who was placed on administrative leave last month, is likely gone, this time for good. In Laurinaitis' absence, Prichard, who had been creative director, took on the role of VP/Talent on a temporary basis.
Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that former champion Brock Lesnar, scheduled to appear tonight on Smackdown, has left the venue, throwing his rematch with current champion Roman Reigns, set for next weekend at Summerslam, in doubt.
Update, 7/23, 7:53 am (ET): As you might've seen, Lesnar showed up after all.
But what does this do for Levesque's pride & joy, NXT? After the changes made last fall, certain changes are going to be made, starting in the women's division. Mandy Rose (Andrea Saccomano), a McMahon favorite, is the current champion, but now her title reign is on borrowed time. With Levesque back in as VP/Talent, some absent stars, such as Sasha Banks and Naomi, may soon be returning.
Stay tuned.
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