The fictionalized events of HBO’s Succession continue to play out in the real world of the WWE.
This week news broke that the wrestling powerhouse would be merging with Endeavor Group, the parent company of UFC, to form a new company valued at an estimated $21 billion. We’ve previously broken down how WWE CEO Vince McMahon left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct, only to stage a coup to reclaim control of the family company and oust his children from their positions.
As part of the deal, McMahon will ensure himself a top position in the new company and continued access to creative control of the wrestling product. Since regaining power over the WWE, McMahon has claimed that he was only back to coordinate the sale of the company and would in no way interfere with its daily operations and events in the ring. Well, last night WWE fans learned that was far from the truth during a shambolic night of television.
The Monday night RAW that follows WrestleMania is often a source of excitement, as the show usually features the fallout from the company’s biggest event, the launch of new storylines, and other shocking returns and debuts. That was not the case.
Reports stemming from those at the live event describe seeing multiple rewrites and production changes occurring through the night.
Some evidence indicates that changes were even taking place mid-segment as performers were already in the ring.
The episode of RAW was widely condemned, earning a rating of 0.52 out of 10 on internet wrestling database Cagematch.net. Before originally leaving in disgrace, McMahon’s haphazard booking had led many to question his role as head of creative. With McMahon gone, his daughter stepped in to help steer the company and his son-in-law, known in the ring as HHH, took over creative control. This shift led to a dramatic improvement on screen, as well as better morale backstage. That was until McMahon returned and unseated his daughter.
Even following his return and the announcement of the merger, McMahon maintained the claim that he would stay removed from the actual book at WWE. That appeared to be at least partially true — until last night.
Fans of the show Succession may notice more than a few similarities between the shakeup at WWE and the goings on of the current — and final — season of the HBO hit. Patriarch Logan Roy is currently in the process of closing a multibillion-dollar deal that will sell off the family company, while also allowing him to reshape his news media outlet in any way he sees fit.
In this season’s second episode, we see Logan stalk the newsroom floor at the American Television Network (ATN) before delivering an unhinged decree that the network will reinvent itself as something more vicious and wild. At his side is Logan’s son-in-law Tom. Despite his high standing in the company and close familial ties, Tom has little to no say in the direction of ATN. And despite feigning Tom’s authority, Logan is in complete control.
Just as viewers await Succession’s conclusion, wrestling fans are currently unsure of what direction WWE is about to take and how it will affect the larger world of professional wrestling. If the past is any indication, things won’t work out for the babyfaces.
