The Rise Of Triple H | Wrestling Timelines
April 3, 2023 - Oh Dear
It’s the night after WrestleMania 39, at which Cody Rhodes shockingly loses his quest to “finish the story” and dethrone Undisputed Champion Roman Reigns. This, combined with Brock Lesnar’s very drawn-out beat-down of Cody on Raw, causes alarm. Unsatisfying endings, oppressive heat segments, yet another Brock mega-push: these are all hallmarks of Vince’s creative.
The man himself is physically present backstage. This leads many to suspect that a bizarre Seth Rollins segment - in which he enters the ring and exits, visibly confused, almost as quickly - is a return to the pointless, baffling whims that defined Vince’s twilight years as head booker.
Vince’s influence is played down via various media reports, but WWE fans have been here before.
(It is later reported that Vince does in fact wield his influence.)
January 26, 2024 - Vince Is Gone For Good
Vince McMahon resigns, and while one must never say never in pro wrestling, it would appear that he is gone for good.
And rightfully so.
He resigns when Slim Jim threatens to pull their sponsorship of the imminent annual Royal Rumble show. The company does this - until the resignation - because a day earlier, Janel Grant files a lawsuit in Connecticut federal court against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE itself.
Grant accuses Vince of sex trafficking, seeking the court to declare the NDA she signed unenforceable because Vince discontinued the payments. (The “overly broad language” within the NDA is also cited).
The details of Vince’s alleged systemic abuse are ghastly - graphic to an extent even Vince’s most ardent critics can’t comprehend.
It’s over.