Since his return, Vince McMahon has reportedly made last-minute changes to multiple episodes of Raw since his return to WWE. Recently, it has happened with SmackDown as well, altering previously planned matches, segments and other parts of the show that influence storylines.
In anticipation of changes from the higher power, WWE has been taking steps to “Vince proof” some plans, according to Fightful Select (subscription required but recommended). This could have included advertising matches on SmackDown up to three weeks in advance, as McMahon likes to “make good on advertised matches if possible, even if they weren’t his ideas.”
McMahon has made changes to match orders, match times and quick additional segments. Most recently, on the June 19 episode of Raw, he altered Seth Rollins’ planned World Heavyweight Championship open challenge, as Finn Balor was booked to attack the Visionary instead, despite the open challenge being previously advertised.
Fightful Select also added that almost every level of WWE expressed a “ton of frustration” over several changes to last week’s Raw and Smackdown episodes.
If McMahon has still been willing to change matches, especially a pre-advertised world title match, despite these “Vince proof” plans, it is clear that they have not been effective. These changes often occur last minute, leaving talent with little time to adjust. Additionally, many of these changes happen while McMahon is working remotely.
Eventually, Endeavor’s purchase of WWE will become official. What that will do to McMahon’s creative role remains unknown. Unless his alterations slow down over the course of 2023, WWE talent have to work around his changes in the meantime.
McMahon will make it interesting to see if he changes the upcoming shows. His alterations would have an even bigger impact with SummerSlam in Detroit around the corner, so we’ll see how much of Raw and SmackDown has his fingerprints.