— If you thought last night’s WWE Monday Night Raw felt a little different, you’re not alone and there appears to be a good reason for that. Multiple sources report that the episode underwent multiple rewrites and edits with at least two matches being cut. PWInsider.com goes even further to report that Vince McMahon was heavily involved with the show and the re-writes came directly from him as late as 20 minutes before the show hit the air and edits were even coming in after Raw was already on. Many staff and talent described the changes as something that just wasn’t what they came to expect under the leadership of Paul Levesque.
— McMahon went on record this week in an interview with CNBC to say that he would be there as a resource for the current creative and not looking to get into the weeds and WWE executives have made it a point to reassure everyone that Vince was only back to oversee a company sale, however, the backstage feeling has always been skeptical of those claims. Last night’s episode started with Levesque at the Gorilla Position running the show, by the end of the night it was Vince in that spot and the man who gradually became the point person in charge.
— To make matters, there was said to be a large negative shift in backstage morale as many talent realized things are headed back to the way they were before Levesque led creative and it will be Vince overseeing creative. Others were taking a more wait-and-see approach to see if this would be a regular thing or something temporary since Vince is around due to WrestleMania. However, an overwhelming feeling was a loss of security as Levesque was trusted by almost all the wrestlers, especially those that worked their way through the NXT system that he oversaw for many years.
I’m hearing that for the first time in months, tonight’s show has a large Vince McMahon feel and presence to it. Big weekend for the boss continues.
— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) April 3, 2023
This show is categorically different than how it was laid out even a few hours ago. At least two matches scrapped or changed
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) April 4, 2023
