VINCE MCMAHON 2026 RETURN? DAVE MELTZER’S "GUT FEELING" STUNS THE WRESTLING WORLD
Is Vince McMahon returning to WWE in 2026? Dave Meltzer reveals why his resignation may be a "show" amid ongoing TKO legal battles.
People are buzzing again about Vince McMahon possibly making a WWE comeback after 2026.
If you’ve lost track, McMahon stepped down as WWE’s CEO and chairman in 2022 when a sexual misconduct lawsuit hit. He didn’t stay away long, though. By early 2023, he was back to help push through the sale of WWE to Endeavor. That deal merged WWE with the UFC, creating TKO. But then more trouble showed up—Janel Grant, a former employee, accused him of trafficking and assault, and McMahon quit as TKO’s Executive Chairman.
Meanwhile, another lawsuit popped up, this time challenging the WWE sale itself. The suit claims the Endeavor deal was a done deal before the public even heard about it and that top execs cut the deal behind closed doors.
Even with all this drama, wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer thinks there’s a real chance Vince McMahon returns once things cool off.
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer talked about the lawsuit and pointed out a key detail: Vince’s contract basically says the only way out is if he dies or resigns. Sure, McMahon resigned, but Meltzer says he did it because he was forced out.
Meltzer also claims people at the top already knew about Grant’s accusations and the hush money. But the lawsuit’s graphic details freaked out sponsors, which finally pushed Vince out. It wasn’t about his history—just the fallout from the lawsuit.
Then there’s Mark Shapiro, TKO’s President and COO. Meltzer thinks the message from Shapiro makes it clear: the higher-ups are just waiting for this mess to blow over so they can bring Vince back. Not because they need him—honestly, WWE runs fine without him—but because of the contract and whatever promises were made.
Meltzer put it bluntly: his gut feeling is that the resignation was just for show, to trick people, and that Vince will walk back in once things settle down. Meltzer also mentioned that there might’ve been friction when Vince considered selling his stock, which is probably why he’s still sitting on billions in shares.
As for why WWE hasn’t settled with Grant, Meltzer thinks it comes down to appearances. They don’t want people to think Grant’s accusations were true, so they’re just holding out, maybe hoping a judge will send the case to arbitration and make the whole thing go away.
BEYOND GUNTHER: ANALYZING THE FOUR POWERHOUSES DESTINED TO LEAD WWE RAW NEXT YEAR
Discover the four WWE superstars, including Bron Breakker and Jacob Fatu, ready to lead Monday Night Raw into a post-Gunther era.
For the last few years, WWE Raw has pretty much belonged to Gunther. He dominated by sticking to his guns, hard work, no-nonsense wrestling, and that old-school fire. When his music hits, you can feel the tone shift. It’s hard to find that kind of presence. You don’t just swap him out and expect things to stay the same.
But that’s the thing about Raw. It never just sits still. The show keeps turning over stories' twists, rosters shuffle, and sooner or later, new faces get their shot. If there ever comes a time to find someone new to lead the red brand, there are four guys who look ready to take over. Each brings something different to the table, and you’d feel it right away.
Jacob Fatu could steal the spotlight.
Jacob Fatu’s the first name that jumps out. When he hits the ring, you notice. He just has that look, as he belongs in the big moments. The guy’s got a rare mix of speed and brute power; other heavyweights struggle to keep up.
Lately, he’s been right in the thick of things, getting involved with some of the top storylines on Raw and even rubbing shoulders with Roman Reigns. That’s not by accident; management doesn’t give you those spots unless they see something real. It means they’re thinking long-term with Fatu.
What makes him stand out is the energy. He’s this controlled, dangerous wrecking ball, but he knows when to push and when to hold back. If Raw needs a new anchor, someone to build around in title matches and feuds, Fatu slides into that role and makes it feel natural.
He’s not a finished product yet, and that’s a good thing. There’s room for him to grow, tell deeper stories, and really connect with the crowd. He’s got that spark fans latch onto because he never looks fake or forced.
Oba Femi brings something new.
Then there’s Oba Femi. For a new guy, he commands respect. From the jump, he’s looked like a real contender, strong in the ring, confident on the mic, and totally believable even against the veterans.
What sets Femi apart is his calm. A lot of new stars go for flash, but he’s got real presence. He can stand toe-to-toe with anyone in the locker room, which is huge if you’re thinking about someone fresh at the top.
Give him a real push and let him be his own kind of dominant. Don’t make him copy Gunther; let him be the force that shakes things up. If WWE puts energy into him, fans will feel it. They tend to back new stars who earn it.
Bron Breakker is the natural choice.
Number one, though? That’s Bron Breakker. He just checks all the boxes: famous family, athletic as hell, and already tested in big matches. If you want someone ready right now, it’s him.
He’s shown he can handle main event pressure. He hits hard, he moves quickly, and he’s comfortable being the centre of attention. When he’s on TV, the pace just picks up. People pay attention.
And people already know him. They’ve seen him grind through NXT and now main roster battles. That history helps. If he ends up carrying Raw after Gunther, it’ll feel right.
Replacing someone like Gunther won’t be easy. People will compare. Expectations will be sky-high. But Breakker has the charisma, the intensity, and the experience to pull it off.
In the end, Raw works best when it changes without losing its soul. Whether it’s Fatu’s wild energy, Femi’s fresh vibe, or Breakker’s complete package, these guys are ready for the spotlight.
When the time comes to pass the torch, Raw won’t shrink. It’ll just reinvent itself once again with these names leading the charge.
RANDY ORTON RETURNS TO RAW: THE VIPER PLANS TO FINISH WHAT HE STARTED AGAINST CODY
Randy Orton is back on Raw after WrestleMania 42. We break down the fallout of his attack on the injured Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes.
So, Randy Orton’s next steps in WWE aren’t a secret anymore.
After his big match with Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42, fans wondered, “What now?” Sure, Orton lost, and that's put his championship chase on pause, but he's still sticking around at the main event level. In fact, that loss might be what kicks off something fresh for him.
WWE’s already made plans. Orton’s set to appear on Raw right after WrestleMania, and the company’s pushing his return pretty hard. They're not easing him back in; they're setting up something important, and it could shape where his story goes next.
That Raw is probably where Orton deals with the fallout from Vegas. He showed he’s still fired up, and that attitude is why WWE keeps trusting him in big spots. Word is, his segment on Raw will reveal whether he’s sticking with Rhodes as his target or shifting to a new rivalry.
There’s more going on, too. Rhodes got injured over WrestleMania weekend, which throws the championship picture into chaos. Nobody’s declared the title vacant yet, but WWE needs veterans to steady things. Orton’s timing here feels calculated, not random.
If Rhodes is out for a while, WWE’s got decisions to make, and Orton’s a natural part of the conversation. He’s got credibility, star power, and experience as champ. Even without the belt, he’s always central when things get messy.
But WWE isn’t tossing him back into a title shot right away. They’re trying to balance keeping things interesting in the short term while planning for the long haul. Instead of running it all back again, they might stretch the feud or have Orton spark a bigger storyline with multiple contenders.
Another thing Orton might not wrestle every week anymore. People close to it say WWE’s open to tweaking his schedule, focusing him on big episodes and premium events. That keeps him healthier and makes his appearances feel special.
This approach has worked for legends before. Less is more: smaller doses, bigger impact. For Orton, that means fewer routine matches and more meaningful rivalries. WWE sees him more as a major attraction now, not just another face in the weekly lineup.
On top of all this, Orton himself shut down retirement rumours. He says he’s still got years left on his WWE deal, so this isn’t some farewell tour. WrestleMania looks more like a turning point than an ending. He’s not stepping away; he’s shifting gears and setting up for what’s next. WWE’s counting on him to anchor things and help both rising stars and established names.
Looking ahead, Backlash is already getting mentioned as a spot where Orton could show up big. No official matches yet, but insiders say he’ll be a key player at upcoming big events. With the championship picture up in the air, WWE knows Orton draws eyes.
There’s chatter about throwing him into a multi-man storyline, too. That way, WWE keeps things fresh, avoids repeating the Rhodes feud too soon, and gives Orton the chance to take on different roles: main event, supporting, stirring the pot.
Right now, all eyes are on Raw. That’ll show whether he wants more with Rhodes or pivots to something new. With the title situation uncertain, whatever Orton says is going to matter. WWE doesn’t hype a return like this for nothing.
Expect something that feels important, a segment with impact, not just filler. Orton shines when the tension’s high and the next move isn’t obvious.
Bottom line: Orton’s not quietly fading out. WWE is positioning him for a run that could define the late stage of his career. He’s got the Raw return, championship drama, and a more flexible schedule, all signs that his presence is as crucial as ever.