~Backstory~
January 10, 2023 – Stephanie McMahon resigns as WWE chairwoman and co-CEO of the company. This makes way for the return of her father, Vince McMahon, to the board of directors following his removal midway through the previous year. This move allows Vince McMahon to gain control of the board and results in Nick Khan becoming the sole CEO of WWE. For Nick Khan, this further cements his power within the corporate structure of WWE. For the first time since the 1980’s, neither Stephanie or Shane McMahon are employed by the company that was created by their grandfather and monopolised by their father.
April 3, 2023 – WWE and Endeavor announce a partnership that will see the two companies merge into one organisation. The merger will see WWE and Zuffa, operator of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, combine to form TKO Group Holdings. In doing so, this would mark the first time since the 1950’s that the McMahon family did not have total control over the WWE. At the time of the announced news, WWE is estimated to be worth around 9.1 billion dollars. McMahon is expected to serve as the executive chairman for the company moving forward.
September 12, 2023 – The merger between WWE and Endeavor closes with Vince McMahon owning 34% of the stock. Dana White is named as the president of the UFC, meanwhile McMahon is named as executive chairman officially. Paul Levesque is named as Head of Creative for the WWE officially under the new merged company. A role in which Levesque had held previously while the WWE was owned by the McMahon family. He is expected to continue in that role full-time with no involvement from Vince McMahon. Rumours swirl that the chairman position brings with it very little power and influence over his former company.
November 25, 2023 – At Survivor Series, the first “Big Four” premium live event under TKO Group Holdings, the night is a huge success in Chicago. A sold-out arena, a well-put-together show that is capped off with the announced return of Randy Orton during the War Games main event. After the main event comes to a close, former WWE Champion CM Punk would return to the company for the first time since he walked out in 2014. At the press conference following the event, Levesque would confirm that Punk had signed a multi-year deal earlier that day. The hashtag “hellfrozeover” trends on X later that same evening.
December 19, 2023 - In the early hours of the morning, Vince McMahon announces his departure from the TKO Holdings Group. He cites a need to step away from the business for the first time in over 50 years. He thanks Endeavor for helping secure the longevity of the WWE with the merger between the two, and the board of directors for helping secure the growth of WWE into the future. Nick Khan would succeed McMahon in his position as the executive chairman for WWE as part of TKO Group Holdings moving forward.
January 1, 2024 – Earlier in the day, WWE host a talent meeting as several talents are off contract as of that morning or midnight the same day. Cuts are coming and all involved are told that they will be reached out for further discussions in due course. Monday Night Raw airs live from San Diego, California. The reigning World Heavyweight Champion Seth ‘Freaking’ Rollins defends against Drew McIntyre.
