WWE: Triple H Reportedly Absent from Mon. RAW Show, Backstage Reaction to CM Punk’s Promo & Return, New Lawsuit Over WWE Sale

Triple H Reportedly was Absent at This Past Monday’s RAW Show

WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque reportedly was not in attendance backstage at this past Monday’s WWE RAW show in Nashville, Tennessee, according to PWInsider.

Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that WWE Executive Director Bruce Prichard was the person who was in charge of running this past Monday’s show in Levesque’s absence.

The reason for Levesque’s absence reportedly was due to him handling “other WWE business” and his absence was something that WWE had expected to take place that night.

In a follow-up report, Johnson reported that his sources provided additional details and stated that the specific reason for Levesque’s absence was due to him and WWE CEO Nick Khan have been in Los Angeles, California over the last several days working on securing the next media rights deal for their RAW brand. Johnson also reported that there are currently several suitors in the bidding for WWE’s next deal for RAW.

---

Backstage Reaction to CM Punk’s Promo at This Past Monday’s RAW Show & Return to WWE

As noted before, CM Punk made his official return to WWE at this past Saturday’s Survivor Series 2023 event in Rosemont, Illinois. This past Monday’s WWE RAW show featured Punk giving an “I’m back” style promo for his first promo since his return back to WWE.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that WWE officials initial plan for Punk’s first promo back in the company was for it to go much longer in time. WWE officials reportedly cut the time they had allocated for Punk’s promo segment due to timing-related issues with the Randy Orton vs. Dominik Mysterio match that went on longer than planned. Johnson reported that the promo Punk gave ended up being an abbreviated version of what was originally planned for him.

Johnson reported that Punk’s return promo was never planned to included any shots at AEW nor Tony Khan since WWE officials wanted the story to only be about Punk’s return after nearly a decade and not the last place he wrestled. Johnson also reported that Punk’s final line of him being back in WWE to make money and not friends has yet to be confirmed or denied if that was meant to be a shot at AEW.

In regards to Punk mentioning his wife and former WWE wrestler AJ Lee during his promo, Johnson reported that WWE officials have not had any talks regarding the potential of bringing her back to the company.

In regards to the backstage reaction to Punk’s return, Johnson reported that many talents were waiting to see which Punk would show up and those who had expected a grumpy Punk ended up not happening. Punk reportedly was out and about with everyone else in the locker room and spent time talking to a lot of people backstage prior to the start of the show. Johnson reported that Punk was not kept separate from everyone else during the show nor did he come in feeling as if he wasn’t above anyone else. Punk was described as seeming to be “happy to be there” based on those spoken to. Those same people also are currently hopeful that this would remain the case for his time in the company.

One person who spoken with Punk reportedly stated that there was “no sign of the version of the person who we’d hear was so miserable in AEW.” Several people who were not initially thrilled with Punk being back reportedly had felt better about his return after talking with him backstage.

---

New Lawsuit Filed Against Vince McMahon & WWE Executives Over “Sham Sale Process”

Bloomberg Law reported that a new lawsuit was filed against TKO Group Executive Chairman and several current and past WWE executives on November 17th in Delaware.

It was reported that this lawsuit was filed by WWE investors Ohio Pension Fund against McMahon, WWE CEO Nick Khan, WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and several other high level executives from WWE’s now defunct Board of Directors.

In the filing, the lawsuit alleges that WWE engaged in a “sham sale process” to Endeavor in order for then WWE Executive Chairman McMahon to secure his power and control of the company following growing stockholder discontent and legal issues. It was stated that McMahon “maneuvering to secure his power and control over the company in the face of mounting stockholder discontent and government investigations” resulted in WWE turning down higher offers in favor of a deal with Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel, who was stated to be a “close friend and longtime ally” that would keep him in charge of running WWE. It was also alleged that a then WWE Board stacked with loyalists conjured up a “sham sale process” that was designed to favor Endeavor and exclude others bidders who were seeking to axe McMahon from the company. It was also alleged that the $21 billion price tag undervalues WWE and was “far below the offers” WWE’s Board could have obtained from other bidders had they “made any effort to negotiate in good faith.”

The lawsuit also took issue with the multi-million dollar payouts Khan, Levesque, and now former WWE CFO Frank Riddick received for their involvement in this alleged “sham sale process.”