• WWF Legend Shoots Down WWE Return Rumors
The rumor mill has long speculated whether Hall of Famer Jim Ross might return to WWE, but Ross himself has firmly put that notion to rest – reaffirming his loyalty to AEW with a fresh, one-year deal.
On a recent episode of Grilling JR, Ross revealed that he and AEW President Tony Khan finalized a new one-year contract during their time in the UK. This agreement will keep him tied to AEW until roughly August 2026, with a significantly reduced schedule – primarily featuring pay-per-view events and select TV appearances.
His contentment with his AEW role is clear – describing the part-time nature of the work as liberating. With less stress and freedom to mentor young talent, Ross paints a picture of a career in a comfortable groove, rather than a chapter-ending comeback or farewell act.
• Vince McMahon’s WWE Future Revealed
As speculation mounted following his 80th birthday, sources within WWE have clarified Vince McMahon’s role going forward: there are no plans for him to return in any creative or corporate capacity.
Top officials told Fightful Select that they have “no desire” to bring him back to the company. While McMahon remains the subject of multiple lawsuits, including accusations of $exual assault, $ex trafficking, and harassment, WWE’s leadership has moved on.
John Cena and Bruce Prichard may still dine with McMahon privately, and many alumni remain loyal friends, but at a corporate level, McMahon is not being considered for any position. “There have been no discussions regarding McMahon contributing in a creative capacity,” one source emphasized.
In short, Vince McMahon’s birthday brought out old friends, but it didn’t signal any professional comeback. His WWE future, at least for now, appears finished.
• WWE’s Stance On Current Wrestlers Attending Vince McMahon’s Birthday Party
Despite current WWE stars appearing at Vince McMahon’s 80th birthday party, the company itself did not sanction or coordinate the event. Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Nick Khan were not in attendance, and WWE sources stressed there was no official involvement, according to Fightful Select.
Some talent reportedly asked if they should attend and were told by WWE higher-ups that the decision was personal: it was “their business.” Others couldn’t attend because of travel schedules, while several declined outright for their own reasons.
The private nature of the party was intentional, with attendees advised not to post publicly. The professional photographer on-site ensured that those who wanted mementos could have them without drawing outside attention.
WWE itself, however, stayed completely removed from the gathering.
• “Vince McMahon looked his age in a manner that he hadn’t in decades before leaving WWE” – Backstage News On Vince’s 80th Birthday Party
For some attendees, Vince McMahon’s birthday party was the first time they’d laid eyes on him in years. What struck them most wasn’t the scale of the celebration, but McMahon’s physical appearance.
One person present told Fightful Select: “He looked 80.” They described him as more frail, moving slower, and showing his age in a way they hadn’t seen during his last months with WWE.
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For decades, McMahon was known for his defiant presentation, rarely seeming to age even as he moved into his late 70s. To many, the party marked the first time he visibly looked like an elderly man.
It was a stark contrast from April 2023, when McMahon shocked talent by rewriting large portions of RAW the night after WrestleMania 39, still projecting the same intensity he’d been known for throughout his career. The difference, attendees noted, was unmistakable.
• Hall Of Famer Was Asked To Delete Vince McMahon’s Birthday Party Photo
The celebration was meant to be private, but it only took one social media post to blow its cover. Jerry “The King” Lawler uploaded a picture from Vince McMahon’s 80th birthday gathering featuring himself alongside The Miz, Maryse, Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, and Titus O’Neil.
The photo didn’t last long. Multiple people asked Lawler to take it down, and he eventually complied. One person close to him told Fightful Select that Lawler wasn’t pressured into attending the party in the first place because of his unwavering loyalty: “He’s ride or die for Vince, and that wouldn’t change.”
WWE talent had been encouraged not to publicize their attendance, with a professional photographer on-site offering private keepsakes for those who wanted pictures without making them public. Without Lawler’s post, the event might have passed unnoticed by fans entirely.
• Why a Lot of Current WWE Stars Attended Vince McMahon’s Birthday Party
When Vince McMahon quietly celebrated his 80th birthday last week, plenty of familiar WWE faces showed up. The Undertaker, John Cena, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, The Miz, JBL, Titus O’Neil, and Maryse were all spotted, along with longtime ally Bruce Prichard.
Behind the scenes, talent weren’t shocked by the turnout. One wrestler who worked closely with McMahon told Fightful Select that many still feel indebted to him: “A lot of people here still feel like they owe Vince something, even though he made his money back on them tenfold.”
Others explained that attendance was a complicated decision. Several wrestlers opted not to go, some because of overseas commitments on WWE’s live tour, others because they wanted to see how the ongoing Janel Grant lawsuit played out before making personal judgments.
One star said if the roles were reversed, “Vince would have fired us and never spoken to us again.”
Despite that conflict, McMahon’s birthday became a rare moment for some wrestlers to see him in person for the first time in years – even if they admitted there was a moral weight attached to showing up.
