WWE WrestleMania 42 is in the books, and it was one of the most polarizing PLEs in pro wrestling history. While WrestleMania 42 Saturday had mixed reviews, WrestleMania 42 Sunday ended with a little more fanfare. However, the many twists and turns on the Road to WrestleMania made the event feel a little…off this year. While injuries played a pivotal role in the building of this year’s WrestleMania, the chaotic nature of this year’s Grandaddy of Them All had shades of Vince McMahon all over it. Here are some reasons why Vince McMahon’s influence may have negatively impacted WrestleMania 42.
Vince McMahon’s Influence on Creative Plans
It’s been a couple of weeks since some explosive texts dating back to 2023 became public knowledge. These conversations took place between WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque and President Nick Khan.
The Game had voiced concerns over Vince McMahon’s involvement with creative after the former-Chairman had already stepped down. After the TKO merger in September 2023, Triple H even told Nick Khan that he would have been gone a long time ago if it weren’t for the incumbent WWE President.
During a chain of texts in December 2023, Levesque questioned why Vince McMahon was coming to TV tapings in Cleveland. He also raised concerns about CM Punk and Vince McMahon being on the same plane. CM Punk infamously walked out of WWE in 2014 after a disastrous fallout with McMahon. In fact, Vince McMahon officially fired CM Punk on the day he married AJ Lee.
Hunter continued to pry Khan in texts, asking if AE (believed to be TKO/Enedavor CEO Ari Emanuel) was aware of Vince McMahon’s attempt to sway creative. The WWE Hall of Famer also expressed concern about a slippery slope in letting Vince provide feedback on the process, as he will eventually change everything back to his vision.
Years later, it looks like Vince McMahon’s influence disrupted WrestleMania 42. Here are some signs that Vince McMahon and Ari Emanuel might have tinkered with Paul Levesque’s WrestleMania plans.
Drew McIntyre Brings Back the Sword
In August 2021, Drew McIntyre was on a trajectory to becoming a top WWE Superstar. When the Scottish Warrior first debuted for WWE in 2009, Vince McMahon deemed him The Chosen One. By 2021, Drew McIntyre looked to reclaim that role. The former WWE Champion started carrying a very large sword to the ring.
It turns out that the sword was actually Vince McMahon’s. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon gave the former WWE Chairman the gigantic sword as a gift. Vince McMahon bestowed it upon Drew McIntyre to use in his entrance.
While the sword was a neat visual at first, it overstayed its welcome. When Drew McIntyre ditched the oversized sword, he switched into the dastardly heel persona he still uses today. However, Drew McIntyre was carrying the sword during his entrance at WrestleMania 42 Saturday. This small detail had many wondering if Vince McMahon’s influence had anything to do with this call.
Danhausen Uses “Midgets’ to Kidnap The Miz
WWE, under Vince McMahon’s creative thumb, was always labeled as “cartoony” and “childish.” That’s why many believe Vince McMahon would love a character like Danhausen. It’s also why a Danhausen booked by Vince McMahon would probably include little people.
From JBL knocking Hornswoggle out with a chair at WrestleMania 24 to Bam Bam Bigelow and Luna Vachon beating down Dink at WrestleMania 10 to King Kong Bundy crushing Little Beaver’s ribs at WrestleMania 1, little people have a big history at The Showcase of the Immortals. At WrestleMania 42, Danhausen arrived, flanked by mini Danhausens.
The climax of the promo came when one of the “midgets” punched Kit Wilson in the groin. Danhausen would give The Miz the same fate. Then, the little people started to carry The Miz to the back like Gulliver’s Travels.
Even more glaring, Michael Cole insisted that the little peoplehausens preferred to be called “midgets.” While that may have been true of the troupe, it’s an interesting narrative to push when America has made a consistent effort to erase the word “midget.” Some believe this might be another instance of WWE rearing its MAGA roots, especially with President Donald Trump’s ties to Vince McMahon.
Pat McAfee’s Odd Inclusion in Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton
The WWE Universe waited almost 20 years to see Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton clash over the WWE Championship. Their long history as Legacy and current run as partners had enough history to sell the show. However, the weeks leading up to this event saw Randy Orton making phone calls to someone.
During the build, The Viper told the person on the phone that there is “more than one royal family in wrestling.” This insinuation started rumblings that WWE was insinuating that Randy Orton was talking to Vince McMahon.
Aleister Black Removed from Storyline
Rumors are emerging that WWE Creative pitched Aleister Black for the role. After all, he is married to Zelina, and the two can forge their new path as a wrestling family. Aleister Black was featured in a few backstage segments with Randy Orton, but the storyline was dropped. When Paul Heyman was Executive Director of Raw, he was ready to attach a rocket to Aleister Black’s back. Once Vince McMahon relieved Paul Heyman of his duties, Black moved down the card until his release.
Instead of using Alesiter Black for this year’s WrestleMania, Randy Orton was partnered with Pat McAfee. Pat McAfee is a former WWE commentator with no other ties to a wrestling family. However, the former football punter came out to trash the current direction of WWE. The podcast host’s dressing down of the company raised many eyebrows.
Random Insertion of Pat McAfee
He told everyone that Randy Orton would save the business, much to the crowd’s chagrin. A frustrated Cody Rhodes even told media outlets that Pat McAfee’s involvement was the most ill-received story in wrestling history.
Was Pat McAfee shoehorned in as an extension of Vince McMahon? The two are undoubtedly close, as Pat McAfee was one of the guests at the secretive 80th birthday party for Vince McMahon.
In addition, Pat McAfee stood in for Vince at WrestleMania 38. At the time, Vince was the onscreen mentor for Austin Theory, who many believed was being demoted on the card after the event. To cut ties with him, Pat McAfee defeated Austin Theory. This victory enraged Vince McMahon, who entered the ring and challenged Pat McAfee to a match. The then-76-year-old Vince went on to squash Pat McAfee in a quick match, beating the former NFL star after a punt.
At this year’s WrestleMania, Pat McAfee was once again unexpectedly humiliated. It’s believed he has left the company, as his wife posted on social media that the football star is moving on from WWE. Therefore, Pat McAfee was brought in only to disrupt the storyline and then leave.
During the show, Randy Orton turned on Pat McAfee for very little rhyme or reason. In the end, the confusing conclusion and absurd use of Pat McAfee smell of Vince McMahon’s influence.
Roman Reigns Back on Top, CM Punk Loses
The closing moments of WrestleMania saw Roman Reigns beat CM Punk for the WWE World Heavyweight Title. Roman Reigns is perhaps the final Main Eventer of the Vince McMahon era. Under Roman Reigns’ long Title reign, Vince McMahon brokered the merger with UFC and the acquisition by TKO.
It’s no secret that WWE Creative has struggled, ticket prices have soared, and attendance has plummeted. These factors create a recipe for a slowing business. So, WWE seems to be reverting back to what CM Punk calls “safe,” which is Roman Reigns.
As we mentioned, there seems to be no love lost between CM Punk and Vince McMahon. Leading up to the Showcase of the Immortals, CM Punk took a shot at Roman Reigns and Vince McMahon’s relationship. The Second City Saint noted that Roman Reigns ate dog food “for a weird old man.”
The weird old man who booked that storyline was Vince McMahon. This was one of the last humiliation rituals Roman Reigns endured before his breakout role as The Tribal Chief.
Road Dogg Quit WWE
One more telling factor of Vince McMahon’s influence? Road Dogg quit WWE Creative once again. The former Co-lead Writer for SmackDown quit WWE twice. In 2019, Jesse James resigned from his role due to the stress caused by working under Vince McMahon’s constant script changes.
When Vince McMahon stepped down from his role, Road Dogg came back to the main roster. While it was portrayed that Road Dogg and Paul Levesque didn’t see eye-to-eye on Unreal, the former DX members were still friends. It seemed like Road Dogg was going to stick it out, but the Hall of Famer decided to quit.
After his dismissal, Road Dogg reunited with AEW’s Billy Gunn as the New Age Outlaws. The two did a virtual signing where Billy Gunn joked that Triple H is losing his job after WrestleMania. While Road Dogg denied this, it does seem like the former DX stablemates know about the ongoing power struggle behind the scenes at WWE.