Triple H to Retain WWE Creative Control Despite Vince McMahon's Return

Vince McMahon's return to the company's board of directors has resulted in Triple H retaining his role as head of creative, according to reports.

The power structure that was replaced by McMahon won't be affected by his return, according to the Wrestling Observer.

Vince McMahon has rejoined the board of directors. Triple H will be the Chief Creative Officer and the management team will stay in place.

McMahon retired from his roles in July after the board of directors found that he paid millions of dollars to women in exchange for their silence about sexual relationships.

McMahon had returned to the board of directors, bringing George Barrios andMichelle Wilson with him, according to a filing to the SEC.

Brandon Thurston @BrandonThurston

Vince McMahon is back on WWE's board of directors.

A new filing says effective immediately Vince puts himself, Michelle Wilson, and George Barrios on the board and removes independent directors Alan Wexler, JoEllen Lyons Dillon, and Jeffrey Speed.https://t.co/HGzFZNvaXM pic.twitter.com/Y3HIRGearx

Ignace Lahoud and Man Jit Singh resigned from the board.

According to Lauren Thomas of the Wall Street Journal, McMahon wants to sell the company and return to the board.

McMahon stated in his statement that rejoining the board would allow him to have a hand in the company's television rights negotiations, since the company's deals with NBCUniversal and Fox are set to end in four years.

The upcoming media rights negotiations coincide with increased industry-wide demand for quality content and live events, as well as more companies seeking to own the intellectual property on their platforms. The only way for the company to take full advantage of this opportunity is for me to return as executive chairman and support the management team in the negotiations for our media rights and to combine that with a review of strategic alternatives. My return will allow World Wrestling Entertainment, as well as any transaction counterparties, to engage in these processes knowing they will have the support of the controlling shareholder.

There were letters between McMahon and the board of directors. McMahon insisted that he wouldn't approve any media rights deals if he wasn't allowed to return because of the ongoing investigation by the SEC.

Brandon Thurston @BrandonThurston

Vince's December 20 letter to WWE's board, writing he wants to comeback as executive chairman."Stephanie, Nick, Paul, and the rest of the

management team have my full and unconditional support..." pic.twitter.com/774gt3v74g

Brandon Thurston @BrandonThurston

Vince's December 31 email writing back to the Board, unhappy with their response.

"...unless I have direct involvement and input as Executive Chairman from the outset, I will not be able to support or approve any media rights deals or strategic transaction..." pic.twitter.com/JR0sxpV05b

McMahon's primary motivation in coming back is to negotiate rights deals and possibly even a sale, but there are still questions about whether he will get involved with the product on a deeper level.

Fans have largely viewed WWE programming as better since Triple H replaced McMahon as head of creative, and there is some thought that McMahon would want to take back booking power after he retired.

It is fair to wonder if McMahon's return to power will embolden him to block signings or release some of the talent Triple H has brought back since McMahon's retirement.

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