Is Vince McMahon Starting a New Wrestling Company?

The wrestling world is abuzz with speculation about the controversial former chairman and CEO of WWE, Vince McMahon potentially starting a new wrestling promotion. McMahon, who stepped away from WWE following a series of scandals and legal battles, has been the subject of rumors suggesting he may be planning a return to the industry that made him a household name.

While McMahon has been embroiled in legal issues, including a hush money scandal and a lawsuit filed by former employee and girlfriend Janel Grant, whispers about his next move have persisted. Initially, reports suggested McMahon was planning to launch an entertainment production company unrelated to wrestling. However, recent comments from Eric Bischoff and Conrad Thompson on their popular podcast, 83 Weeks, have reignited speculation that McMahon may be plotting a return to professional wrestling.

On the latest episode of 83 Weeks, Conrad Thompson shared rumors he’s heard about McMahon’s potential plans. He said,

You know, you mentioned earlier, there’s been lots of speculation, lots of rumor and innuendo about Vince McMahon starting a company. Should I say the quiet part out loud? There’s been lots of whispers. You’ve heard the same things that I have. I don’t know what’s real and what’s not, but allegedly, Vince McMahon’s people have made contact with people who have experience shooting wrestling, maybe cameramen. And allegedly — I don’t know if this is real or not — but the rumor mill, the whispers, say perhaps FOX is holding a spot for Vince McMahon.

Thompson admitted that the rumors sound far-fetched, even calling them “bullshit,” but pointed to McMahon’s recent attendance at the Super Bowl, which aired on FOX, as a potential clue.

Eric Bischoff, a former WWE executive and WCW president, added his perspective, saying he wouldn’t be surprised if McMahon was considering a return to wrestling.

“I can’t see Vince not being driven to conquer something,” Bischoff said. However, he expressed skepticism about FOX’s involvement, questioning why the network would partner with McMahon on a start-up promotion when they were reportedly lukewarm about SmackDown’s performance on their network.

Bischoff speculated that if FOX were involved, it might not just be as a distribution partner but as a co-owner of the potential promotion.

“What if FOX is a partner and not a distribution partner? What if they’re building their own version, and they’re gonna own it? They’re gonna own it, and they’re going to have it… I’m not there yet, because that’s a giant freaking leap, but I’m not gonna totally discount it either.”

FOX Denies Involvement

While the speculation has generated significant buzz among wrestling fans, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reached out to FOX for clarification. A network spokesperson denied any involvement in a potential McMahon-run wrestling promotion.

Marchand tweeted: “There is a report that Vince McMahon might start a wrestling company with FOX as a partner. If McMahon is planning that or not, I don’t know, but the FOX part is not true, according to a network spokesman.”

This denial seemingly puts an end to the FOX partnership rumors, but it hasn’t stopped fans and analysts from speculating about McMahon’s next move.