WWE is pushing for a new era with Cody Rhodes as the company’s new face, as was made obvious during WrestleMania 40 weekend.
Fightful Select is reporting that this is all part of WWE’s plan to distance itself from Vince McMahon who resigned from all of his positions within TKO, including TKO Executive Chairman and the TKO Board of Directors, following a lawsuit alleging his involvement in a sex trafficking and abuse scandal with former WWE employee Janel Grant.
As we previously reported here on eWn, WWE WrestleMania 40 was the first ‘Mania event to go down without McMahon, and several people in the company were excited about the fresh start.
WrestlePurists is reporting that a WWE source said the company was “deliberately moving away from the terminology of Sports Entertainment.” While a rule hasn’t been officially implemented, a source suggested that “pro wrestling” is no longer considered a “dirty word.”
Moreover, WWE no longer wants McMahon referenced by name on television or featured in any archive footage.
One big change from Vince’s regime is Cody calling Triple H and Bruce Prichard to the ring at WrestleMania 40. The two executives weren’t expecting it, which McMahon would have been against.
Some fans expressed concern that Prichard, who acted as McMahon’s right-hand man in the past, could have known about the disgraced billionaire’s actions.
That same concern was shared about WWE President Nick Khan. However, one source said if that is true, “nobody is indispensable as it relates to this.”
It was further noted that WWE is not only surviving but thriving, without McMahon, John Laurinaitis or Kevin Dunn.
WWE Superstars were told that Endeavor believes that anyone, even significant figures, can be replaced.
Speaking of last night’s ‘RAW After WrestleMania’ special, it was believed that the show would have been much better without Vince involved.
Those involved in last night’s episode were optimistic because they believed it would be enjoyable and demonstrate that things have changed.
A WWE producer said, “The most successful periods of WWE were babyface periods where fans were passionate about talent and they were rewarded, and this weekend felt like that.”
