‘There’s been lots of whispers’ – Vince McMahon tipped to launch shock WWE rival after being spotted at Super Bowl

VINCE McMAHON has been tipped to return to professional wrestling by putting together a new promotion of his own to rival WWE. McMahon, 79, revolutionised pro wrestling in the '80s by bridging it with entertainment as well as popular culture and ultimately becoming the most powerful man in sports entertainment.

The businessman dominated the sport as owner, chairman and CEO of WWE, which he bought from his father Vince McMahon Sr in 1982. However, his 42-year-reign came to an end in January 2024 when he quit as Executive Chairman and board member of TKO - the new ownership that was placed in 2023.

That was after disturbing allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking, which McMahon denies. However, there have been rumors suggesting the promoter could put together a new wrestling company that will go up against powerhouses WWE and AEW. Wrestling podcaster Conrad Thompson addressed the speculation and discussed it with WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff on the 83 Weeks podcast.

This comes after McMahon was spotted at the Super Bowl in a rare public appearance. Thompson shared the news of the former wrestling supremo allegedly speaking with former WWE executives and people who have experience working in the sport, especially cameramen.

There have also been "lots of whispers" claiming McMahon has spoken with Fox, who used to air SmackDown and hosted coverage for this year's Super Bowl. Thompson said: "There’s been lots of speculation, lots of rumor and innuendo about Vince McMahon starting a company.

"Should I say the quiet part out loud? There’s been lots of whispers… I don’t know what’s real and what’s not, but allegedly, Vince McMahon’s people have made contact with people who have experienced shooting wrestling — maybe cameramen.

“And allegedly — I don’t know if this is real or not — but the rumor mill, the whispers, say perhaps Fox is holding a spot for Vince McMahon. “I say to myself, ‘Self, when is the last time I remember seeing Vince McMahon at a football game for a league he didn’t own?’ I don’t remember ever seeing or hearing that.

"And wait a minute, was the Super Bowl on Fox? Because I think it was. Now I’m not saying anything, but I am saying we’ve heard rumors that Vince has a studio and that he’s hired a bunch of former WWE executives. "And then we’re hearing rumors that he’s had conversations with cameramen who have experience shooting wrestling, which seems awfully specific.

"And if he’s just shooting traditional entertainment, why do you need a wrestling cameraman?”. However, both Thompson and Bischoff aren't convinced and suggested this may all be "bulls***" as there are still many other crucial factors to consider. This comes after federal prosecutors ended their criminal investigation into whether McMahon tried to cover up allegations of sexual misconduct with multiple former employees using hush money.