According to a report published by Post Wrestling, more unredacted documents from the ongoing saga in the WWE shareholders lawsuit revealed some concerns from Paul “Triple H” Levesque over his creative role pertaining to Vince McMahon’s return back in 2023. It also includes texts with the belief that Nick Khan saved the job of Levesque.
The messages show Levesque’s concern pertaining to friction with his father-in-law Vince McMahon. Levesque took over the role of head of creative the year prior, in addition to seeking support from Nick Khan, whom he reports to.
The texts began on September 11, 2023 on the night before the merger became official.
Levesque sent texts to Khan that Vince McMahon wanted to meet about talent releases that would be take place during the same time as staff were going to be downsized, which was all part of cost-cutting as a result of the merger.
In the public eye, McMahon’s involvement in creative was downplayed by all those involved. Levesque was seen by fans as a huge improvement in WWE’s creative direction and there was even a resurgence in popularity that included attendance and TV ratings. The question came up, as a publicly traded company with major media rights renewals approaching, who was actually directing WWE’s content was a legitimate concern for WWE’s investors.
Post Wrestling notes the plaintiffs’ motion asks the court to draw adverse inferences at trial against the defendant board members because of their deletion of Signal messages and other evidence. The defendants responded they did not use Signal to discuss the merger and any records related to that subject were preserved. The plaintiffs also point to Khan’s selective deletion of various text messages which he sent, including those within message threads which served. At the time of Post Wrestling’s report, tcourt has not yet ruled on the motion.
Before the stock market opened on the morning the TKO deal became official, Levesque sent a message to Khan, expressing his appreciation and noting that if it was not for Khan, he would have gone a long time ago.
Then just a few minutes later, Levesque sent a message to Khan noting that McMahon wanted a meeting with Levesque and “Bruce and Ed,” which is believed to have been senior creative team members Bruce Prichard and Ed Koskey. Khan responded with a message, but then deleted it.
Fast-Forward two months – December 9, 2023, Levesque texted Khan about McMahon heading to TV in Cleveland, questioning what it’s all about.
Khan again deleted his messages.
The next day, texts show Levesque telling Khan he was disappointed in a conversation with TKO CEO Ari Emanual. Khan again deleted his messages.
The last of the texts in POST Wrestling’s report show Levesque moving on to a different matter – CM Punk who has just recently returned to WWE after being gone following his walk-out back in 2014.
POST Wrestling also notes that when Khan was asked during a CNBC interview in March 2023 if McMahon was more involved with creative, he answered with “‘No’ is the answer to that.” Just a few days following WrestleMania 39, McMahon appeared on CNBC sitting next to Ari Emanuel announcing the merger, telling the CNBC hosts and viewers that he would be involved with the new company “on a higher level” in the creative process and would not be “in the weeds” any longer. However, later that evening it has been reported he was at Raw, said to be have been in full control of creative.
Furthermore, POST Wrestling also mentions that during the 2023 SummerSlam Post-Show Press Conference, Levesque said that McMahon’s contributions to WWE’s creative was an advisory role, despite reports he was more involved in dictating the creative process.
in January 2024, the Friday before the Royal Rumble PLE, the Wall Street Journal reported that former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit in Federal Court against McMahon and WWE, alleging sex trafficking, sexual abuse and sexual harassment. POST Wrestling adds that there still could be some doubt whether McMahon is still somehow involved with WWE’s creative process.
During his 2025 Hall of Fame induction speech, Levesque said he loved McMahon and thanked him, while at the same time making note of their complicated professional and family relationship.
*All text message screenshots are courtesy of POST Wrestling*
The source for information and details in this report is from POST Wrestling.