Nearly six months after “retiring” from WWE after a scandal sparked controversy online when he was accused of sexual misconduct and allegedly paid millions of untracked hush payments, somehow, Vince McMahon has returned.

Vince McMahon is back on WWE’s board of directors.

A new filing says effective immediately Vince puts himself, Michelle Wilson, and George Barrios on the board and removes independent directors Alan Wexler, JoEllen Lyons Dillon, and Jeffrey Speed.https://t.co/HGzFZNvaXM pic.twitter.com/Y3HIRGearx

— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) January 6, 2023

The surprising and dread-inspiring return of the oft-memed figure comes after a weeks-long process in which McMahon stated he wanted his role as executive chairman back ahead of a period where the WWE will look into selling media rights or the company entirely.

According to emails between McMahon and the WWE board posted on Twitter, it's purported that McMahon strongarmed his way back into the position against the WWE board's wishes by refusing to sign off on any media rights sales unless he was reinstated as chairman.

It appears the board was unanimously against McMahon's return due to the ongoing investigation and government probe surrounding him. However, Vince played hardball and, in essence, held the media rights to WWE hostage unless they reinstated him.

Reposting WWE's Board's December 27 email to Vince. pic.twitter.com/dm41qFknO3

— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) January 6, 2023

Vince's December 31 email writing back to the Board, unhappy with their response.

"…unless I have direct involvement and input as Executive Chairman from the outset, I will not be able to support or approve any media rights deals or strategic transaction…" pic.twitter.com/JR0sxpV05b

— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) January 6, 2023

While many on social media were disappointed that McMahon purportedly bullied his way back into a position of power despite a public sex scandal, casual fans dreaded what the move could mean for WWE Creative.

During his lengthy tenure as Head of Creative, Vince McMahon had a terrible reputation among many WWE fans and wrestlers, often squandering fan-supported talent and coming up with confusing and poorly received storylines. During the pandemic, he cut costs by releasing scores of popular wrestlers, many of whom jumped to the WWE's closest competitor, AEW. In his absence, Paul "Triple H" Levesque has been handling WWE's creative direction, and fans have generally agreed that the WWE has been putting out a better product.

In his first email to the WWE board of directors stating his desire to return as chairman, McMahon stated he is giving WWE's current management team his "full and unconditional support," citing Triple H by name, which seems to indicate he doesn't want to return as Head of Creative, but decades of disappointment have seemingly given some fans a good reason not to trust McMahon.

"WWE has an exceptional management team in place, and I do not intend for my return to have any impact on their roles, duties, or responsibilities." -Vince McMahon

I've asked WWE if this affects creative or the showrunner aspect of WWE in any way, because, as we know, Vince lies

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) January 5, 2023

All it took was 6 days into the New Year, and WWE has potentially already been destroyed.

Vince McMahon is officially back on the Board of Directors and if you don’t think he is making ALL day to day decisions, you’re out of your fucking mind.

This is a nightmare

— JDfromNY (@JDfromNY206) January 6, 2023

"WWE has an exceptional management team in place, and I do not intend for my return to have any impact on their roles, duties, or responsibilities." -Vince McMahon

I've asked WWE if this affects creative or the showrunner aspect of WWE in any way, because, as we know, Vince lies

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) January 5, 2023

It seems that few are vocally excited about Vince McMahon's return, including the WWE's own board of directors. However, because this is the WWE, and because it's Vince McMahon, it wouldn't be surprising to see him walk out for a cheap pop sometime soon. After all, Wrestlemania is just a couple of months away.