The wrestling world’s most polarizing figure isn’t done making moves. Vince McMahon may have exited WWE amid controversy, but he’s quietly assembling a new empire through his investment firm 14TH & I—and he’s bringing familiar faces along for the ride.
McMahon’s Post-WWE Power Play Takes Shape
Since departing WWE last year, McMahon has channeled his legendary business acumen into launching 14TH & I, an investment venture that’s still in its foundational stages. However, early signs suggest the former WWE Chairman is applying the same aggressive recruitment tactics that once dominated sports entertainment.
The company is already making strategic hires from McMahon’s extensive network of former WWE personnel. This approach mirrors classic McMahon strategy—surrounding himself with trusted lieutenants who understand his vision and operational style.
WWE’s Mass Layoffs Become McMahon’s Opportunity
In a twist that wrestling fans might call “perfect booking,” McMahon has capitalized on WWE’s cost-cutting measures to strengthen his own roster. Beth Fisher, who dedicated nearly 13 years to WWE as Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, now serves as Head of Administration for 14TH & I following her release in May 2024.
Fisher wasn’t alone in her WWE departure. The company simultaneously released several high-profile executives, including Kristen Prouty (Senior VP of Entertainment Relations) and Tavia Hartley (Manager of Talent Operations and Appearances). These layoffs, while routine for WWE’s corporate restructuring, have become recruitment gold for McMahon’s new venture.
Building the Executive Dream Team
Prouty has also reportedly joined McMahon’s 14TH & I roster, creating a reunion of sorts between the former WWE boss and his trusted corporate veterans. This pattern suggests McMahon is prioritizing proven talent over fresh blood—a calculated move that leverages existing relationships and institutional knowledge.
The hiring strategy reveals McMahon’s confidence in his former employees’ abilities while potentially creating awkward dynamics with his former company. These executives bring deep industry connections and insider knowledge that could prove invaluable for future ventures.
Beyond Wrestling: McMahon’s Broader Ambitions
14TH & I isn’t limiting itself to sports entertainment investments. McMahon made headlines by pursuing Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, though negotiations ultimately collapsed. This failed acquisition attempt demonstrates the scope of McMahon’s ambitions—he’s thinking beyond wrestling’s traditional boundaries.
The BKFC pursuit aligns with combat sports’ growing mainstream appeal while showcasing McMahon’s willingness to explore unconventional entertainment properties. Even though the deal didn’t materialize, it sent a clear message about 14TH & I’s aggressive investment philosophy.
The Waiting Game: What’s Next for McMahon’s Empire?
Industry insiders are watching 14TH & I’s development with intense curiosity. McMahon’s track record of transforming regional wrestling into global entertainment juggernaut speaks for itself, but his post-WWE chapter remains unwritten. The strategic recruitment of Fisher, Prouty, and potentially other WWE alumni suggests something significant is brewing.
With his corporate infrastructure taking shape and investment targets being evaluated, McMahon appears positioned for another major business venture. Will 14TH & I become the platform for McMahon’s next entertainment revolution, or are these simply the opening moves in a much larger game plan that the wrestling world hasn’t seen coming yet?
