WWE: Roman Reigns, Arn Anderson, and Bruce Prichard Updates

Roman Reigns WWE Return Update

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that Vince McMahon was the first within WWE to learn of Roman Reigns being free from leukemia and knew as of early last week. Prior to Monday morning, only Vince, Stephanie McMahon, Kevin Dunn, Michelle Wilson, and Triple H reportedly were aware of all of the details regarding Reigns’ leukemia status within the company.

It was also reported that the decision for Reigns to return in such a quick fashion was entirely left up to him and not something that was planned beforehand by anyone else within the company.

Arn Anderson Departure Update

Both the Wrestling Observer and Fightful reported that Arn Anderson was fired due to an backstage incident between him and Vince McMahon that took place during a house show event last week.

While several details regarding this incident are still unknown, it was reported that the working relationship between Anderson and Vince had been souring for a while prior to Anderson’s firing. Anderson being openly sympathetic towards wrestlers who were upset over the creative direction of their booking was also a point of contention within WWE’s management.

It was also reported that Vince McMahon did not handle this backstage incident well nor was Triple H able to defuse the tensions between the two in time. Sapp reported that “Vince McMahon spoke to Anderson in a way most have never seen before” and Anderson’s firing quickly caused a decline in morale with the other agents and producers.

Bruce Prichard Hiring Update

Dave Meltzer reported in a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio that Bruce Prichard had actually been traveling and working for WWE in a backstage consultant role since last month and it is currently believed that his contract was officially signed last Friday.

It was also reported that talks within the company to bring Prichard back in a high level creative role first took place early last week. These talks quickly gained enough momentum, leading to Prichard becoming Vince McMahon’s new “right-hand man and very key guy” for WWE’s creative process going forward.