The wrestling world is never truly calm. Just when things seem settled, someone throws a chair, figuratively or literally. This time, it’s Jonathan Coachman, the former WWE commentator, stirring the pot. In a recent chat, Coachman floated the idea that Vince McMahon might actually try to buy back WWE from TKO Group Holdings. Yes, buy it back, after selling it for billions just last year.
Wild? Maybe. Impossible? Not entirely. But let’s take a closer look.
Let’s rewind. When WWE merged with UFC under the TKO Group umbrella in 2023, it marked the end of an era. Vince McMahon, who built WWE into a global juggernaut over four decades, was no longer the king of the castle. Sure, he had a shiny new role as Executive Chairman of TKO, but that didn’t last long.
By early 2024, amid mounting legal pressure and serious sexual misconduct allegations, McMahon resigned. Within weeks, he was liquidating stock, raking in nearly half a billion dollars. As of now, his stake in TKO is below 5%. In corporate terms, that’s peanuts and practically a goodbye wave.
Jonathan Coachman, who knows the WWE from the inside out, believes Vince isn’t built to sit idle. According to him, McMahon has the money, the itch, and maybe even the audacity to try and claw his way back into the business, potentially by buying WWE back from TKO.
It’s a bold claim. But Coachman knows the man personally. And anyone who’s followed Vince McMahon’s career knows he thrives on power, competition, and, above all, proving people wrong.
Let’s be real, Vince walking off into the sunset never felt quite right. That’s not his style.
Still, Coachman’s theory runs into some very real-world issues.
First off, Vince no longer has control, not even close. Endeavor, the powerhouse behind TKO, calls the shots now. Any buy-back would need their blessing, and considering how quickly they distanced themselves from Vince after the allegations hit, it’s hard to imagine them welcoming him back.
Second, there’s the elephant in the room: the allegations that pushed Vince out. The legal and PR damage isn’t just something you brush off. For a publicly traded company like TKO, bringing Vince back into the fold could be toxic for shareholders, sponsors, and the brand at large.
And then there’s the question of why Endeavor would sell WWE in the first place. The merger was part of a long-term play, combining two global sports-entertainment brands under one roof. It wasn’t a flip. There’s no incentive for them to suddenly hand it back to Vince, no matter how much cash he’s sitting on.
Still, Coachman’s core idea might hold water, just not in the way people think.
Vince McMahon starting something new? That’s a different conversation. He’s got the fortune. He’s got the name. Let’s not forget, he once took a regional wrestling company and made it the most powerful brand in the industry. He could try again.
Some are even whispering about him putting money into AEW or launching a hybrid venture blending wrestling with reality TV or media streaming. Sounds crazy? So did the XFL, twice.
The truth is, Coachman’s take resonates because fans, especially older ones, feel the Vince-shaped void in WWE programming. Love him or hate him, Vince was the architect of wrestling’s most insane moments. His absence is felt, even as WWE thrives under Triple H’s creative direction.
So when someone like Coachman says, “I don’t think he’s done,” it taps into a deeper feeling that maybe Vince McMahon has one more swerve left in him.
Is Vince McMahon really going to buy back WWE from TKO? Probably not. Could he make a shocking return to wrestling in some other form? At this point, you can’t rule it out. This is the same man who booked himself to beat God on pay-per-view. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is off the table.
So Coachman’s theory, wild as it sounds, might just be the kind of thing Vince McMahon wants people to think is impossible.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
