More Details on Vince McMahon’s 80th Birthday, Latest on Backstage Discussion of Vince in WWE

As previously reported, former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon recently celebrated his 80th birthday, and multiple WWE Superstars and veterans were in attendance at the event, including John Cena, The Undertaker, Kane, Michelle McCool, Sheamus, and Ron Killings. Other WWE names in attendance included Bruce Prichard, Shane McMahon, and Sgt. Slaughter, Gerland Brisco, and JBL. Fightful Select has an update with more details on the event. Fightful notes that the outlet spoke to multiple people who were in attendance at the event, invited, or heard about the process. Nobody was willing to talk on record, only on background.

Members of the WWE roster said they were not so surprised by how many wrestlers were in attendance. One talent who has a lot of experience working with Vince McMahon informed Fightful how many wrestlers still feel like they owe something to McMahon. The anonymous individual stated, “A lot of people here still feel like they owe Vince something, even though he made his money back on them tenfold.” Another WWE talent who didn’t attend the event said multiple wrestlers want to see the sexual trafficking case with Janel Grant play out in court before they ultimately sever ties, as that is what they would want if the situations were reversed.

The party was reportedly intended to be kept very private, and nobody spoke about the event until photos began surfacing online. It’s said that nobody would’ve known about the event had the photos not leaked. Attendees were reportedly encouraged to take photos by a professional photographer who was at the event if they wanted photos.

As noted, WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler later shared a photo of himself at the event on his Instagram stories that also included himself, The Miz, Maryse, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, and Titus O’Neil. Lawler was later reportedly asked by multiple people to delete the photo, which he did. One person who is in contact with Lawler reportedly said that Lawler is “ride or die” for Vince McMahon, and that’s something that will not change.

Additionally, Fightful reports that they were told that multiple other current WWE Superstars were in attendance at the party, but nobody would reveal any names. That said, Fightful also notes that many Superstars claimed they were invited and did not attend. Others also would not have been able to go because they had travel obligations for WWE’s Road to Clash in Paris tour in the UK.

Cena has remained close to McMahon even after the sexual misconduct claims surfaced in 2022. Prichard and JBL have also reportedly remained in close contact with McMahon. Fightful reports that the party was the first time they or many others had seen McMahon in person in over two years, since the WWE Raw following WrestleMania 39 in April 2023. Another individual informed FIghtful said they were only at the event briefly, as they and other talents had to catch their flights to attend WWE’s European tour.

One individual who attended the 80th birthday party for Vince McMahon commented on whether there was any moral conflict in going to McMahon’s function. The individual in question said there was, but they did not elaborate on what went into their decision in opting to attend. Others who did not attend reportedly had a consensus that if they were accused of similar acts as McMahon, the former WWE Chairman would’ve fired them and never spoken with them again.

Another individual in attendance at the 80th birthday party for Vince McMahon said it was the first time they had seen McMahon in years, saying to Fightful that McMahon “looked 80,” explaining that McMahon looked more frail, walked slower, and looked older in a way that he hadn’t before exiting WWE.

Fightful reports that Bryan Danielson did not attend the event, which makes sense as he was in the UK traveling with AEW for Forbidden Door the day before McMahon’s party at Gotham Hall in New York City. Others who weren’t in attendance were McMahon’s son-in-law, WWE Chief Creative Officer Triple H, his daughter Stephanie McMahon, and WWE President Nick Khan. It’s said the event had no official WWE involvement. Some talents asked WWE higher-ups if they could or should attend the event. A WWE higher-up reportedly informed them that it was their business if they wanted to go or not.

Also, Fightful Select notes that there isn’t any talk of McMahon possibly returning to the WWE in any capacity. Sources at the top of WWE also informed Fightful that there’s no desire to bring McMahon back into the fold. It’s also said that there have not been any discussions about McMahon contributing to the creative side of WWE either.

McMahon and WWE are both currently defendants in a civil lawsuit by former WWE employee Janel Grant, alleging sexual assault, trafficking, and harassment. McMahon previously settled with the SEC for over $1.7 million over the hush money agreements with several women that totaled $10.5 million. John Laurinaitis was initially named as another defendant in the lawsuit, but he was dropped after agreeing to provide evidence in support of Grant’s claims against McMahon. The civil lawsuit is currently still ongoing.