2023 text messages reveal Triple H’s concern about Vince McMahon’s WWE involvement
More unredacted documents from the ongoing WWE shareholders lawsuit revealed some concerns from Paul “Triple H” Levesque over his WWE creative role as relates to Vince McMahon’s return back in 2023 in addition to Levesque’s belief that Nick Khan saved his job.
First reported by Brandon Thurston for Post Wrestling on Tuesday, more text messages sent via WhatsApp were disclosed last week as exhibits for the ongoing lawsuit in which shareholders are disputing the process in which WWE was merged with UFC by Endeavor to create TKO, saying it was unfairly steered toward Endeavor despite other bids.
The messages began on September 11, 2023 — the night before the merger became official. These are all from Levesque to WWE president Nick Khan, a person who Levesque confides in frequently as a friend and power player inside the Endeavor/TKO structure.
Levesque wrote to Khan, “How’s it going so far ? Man, I’m wound tight today …. DDay tomorrow, expecting the worst” to which Khan replied twice but later deleted the messages, a trend throughout the disclosed exchanges. Khan said in legal filings that he doesn’t remember what he said.
Later that same day in which post-merger layoffs were being planned, Levesque texted Khan, relaying a message about McMahon reaching out wanting to discuss talent releases:
“Vkm. Btw I need to meet with all of U tomorrow re talent releases which coincides with all corporate releases Thx” with Levesque asking Khan to speak if he had time.
At the time of the merger, McMahon was the executive chairman of the TKO Board.
Two hours later, Levesque texted Khan again, “While I’m SURE you like to be done with this shit for today ….. Please let me know if you speak to AE” in which AE is assumed to be Endeavor head Ari Emanuel. Khan replied three hours later saying that he would. Levesque asked Khan if he was ok to which Khan replied “Yes sir! How you ?”
Levesque then said “Good anxious for tomorrow and beyond ……”
It’s unclear if Levesque and Khan spoke separately outside these texts.
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On the day the merger was made official (September 12, 2023), Levesque messaged Khan again at 6:58 AM:
“Nick , just wanted to take a moment before all the craziness today to say THANK YOU !!!!! Thank you for getting us here … if it wasn’t for you , I would have been gone a long time ago. I appreciate you and all you have done and gone thru …. And I appreciate our friendship… It means the world to me
Thank you and Congratulations”
Khan then replied, “You are my guy. You got me here. I want us to do this for 20 years and call it a day. I appreciate and admire you.”
Levesque then appeared to relay a message from McMahon:
“Just fyi
Morning! VKM looking to set an in person meeting for today at 4pm with you, Bruce and Ed regarding Talent Policies”
Khan replied something, but later deleted it. Whatever it was, Levesque replied, “Done.”
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Fast forward to Saturday, December 9, 2023, when Levesque texted Khan the following at 8:17 PM: “Was just told by security that VKM is coming to Cleveland TV Monday. What’s that about ??????”
Khan replied three times, later deleting all of them. Levesque replied “Is he in nyc yet …… When is their meeting?” Khan then replied again, but deleted it.
Some sort of talk between Levesque, Emanuel and possibly Khan appeared to take place — one Levesque was “disappointed” with.
From Sunday: ” the more I think about it the more I’m kinda disappointed in that Ari convo…… Seems like we are in the same place , “I’m gonna tell him to stay out of it or else” that’s way different than “I’m telling him he’s done ….. it’s over” Kicking the can down the road”
That appears to imply Emanuel was going to speak with McMahon about staying out of WWE creative due to concerns Levesque had. After another deleted Khan reply, Levesque asked, “What do u think about me hitting Shapiro to get his take and let him push or better direct to Ari?” followed by more deleted Khan replies. Shapiro is Mark Shapiro, the head of TKO.
The conversation kept going an hour later.
From Levesque: “Between you and I, It feels like they are both backtracking on the “he’s out” narrative. It’s back to the “well if he wants to go to the show now and then” and “if he gives notes and wants to have a 30min meeting now and then, ok”
That was followed by “He just sent an email re script for Ari” to which Khan said “Seems off. Lemme call him.” and later “They know already. No need to send.”
Later that night, Levesque intimated to Khan that McMahon and CM Punk were going to be on the same plane and questioned if that was going to be an issue:
“So he’s on the AM plane ….. I just remembered punk is scheduled to be on it as well. You think that’s an issue ?”
McMahon resigned from his post on January 26, 2024, amid sexual misconduct allegations from Janel Grant in a still ongoing civil lawsuit.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.