Jim Ross is now weighing in on the latest legal trouble surrounding Vince McMahon, Nick Khan, and WWE’s merger with UFC under the TKO banner.
During the latest episode of Grilling JR, Conrad Thompson brought up the Delaware Chancery Court ruling that sanctioned McMahon and WWE leadership over deleted Signal messages tied to the WWE-UFC merger process. The lawsuit centers on whether WWE shareholders were denied the best possible deal because McMahon allegedly pushed the company toward Endeavor in order to protect his own power. After Thompson laid out the situation, Ross didn’t sugarcoat how serious he believes the case could become.
“Well, as the old cliche goes, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And there’s fire here. I think that’s a very unique case. It’s going to expose a lot of conversations and things of that nature. I think it’ll be very wordy. It will be very hostile, I think, because you are talking about, if I’m thinking the right way, a ton of money. A ton of money.”
Ross also made it clear that while he does not personally know Nick Khan, he believes Vince McMahon is in a very difficult position.
“I feel bad for, you know, I don’t know Nick, I’ve never met Nick Khan. I don’t know what kind of guy he is. He’s done well for them. But Vince is — he’s got a noose around his neck, it would seem to be so. And it won’t be a case that’s over quickly. I don’t think. Too much verbiage, too much ‘what you mean by this’ and whatever. It’s taking people that have major responsibilities in WWE away from their designated task. And right now is not the time to have your eye off the ball.”
Ross’ comments come after Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster ruled that certain damaging facts will now be presumed true against McMahon and Khan unless they can overcome a higher legal standard at trial. The court found that key Signal messages were deleted after WWE executives had already been instructed to preserve communications.
The lawsuit focuses on whether McMahon improperly controlled the merger process and steered WWE toward Endeavor because Ari Emanuel would keep him involved with the company despite misconduct allegations becoming public. McMahon and the other defendants have denied the allegations.
The trial is scheduled to begin June 8 in Delaware Court of Chancery, and Ross believes the case could drag WWE leadership into a messy, expensive fight at a time when the company needs its top executives focused on business.
What do you think about Jim Ross’ reaction to Vince McMahon’s latest legal setback? Let us know in the comments below.
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