Bruce Pritchard’s return to WWE in 2019 was more unexpected than anyone anticipated, especially given his complicated relationship with Vince McMahon. Recently on the podcast “What to do,” Pritchard shared the story behind his comeback after being away for over ten years. The process began at the Elimination Chamber event in Houston, where Pritchard lived at the time. Despite having told Vince McMahon just a month earlier that he would never work with him again, he was invited to a backstage meeting. What followed was classic Vince McMahon.
Pritchard recalled Vince asking, “Is your wife missing Connecticut?” to which he responded, “No. What about you? Do you miss Connecticut?” Vince admitted he didn’t and suggested trying a new approach. When Pritchard asked if Vince would consider coming back, Vince said he was open to anything but didn’t want to change what he was already doing. He emphasized, “I don’t want you to change anything. Take it all with you.”
This honesty surprised Pritchard since Vince was running a successful podcast network and valued that freedom. Vince didn’t expect Pritchard to alter his routine; he just wanted him back in WWE’s creative side. However, Pritchard insisted on a written contract before agreeing. When he requested documentation, Vince initially acted as if it was an insult but soon provided everything in writing within 15 minutes. Pritchard noted the written offer was even better than what had been discussed verbally.
Ultimately, Pritchard accepted the deal, recognizing it was too good to pass up. Today, he serves as WWE Executive Director of Creative Writing and Talent (CWT). Although he took a family-related break at the end of 2024, he came back on the podcast in November 2025 and has since been an outspoken voice on WWE’s creative direction.
What do you think—did Bruce Pritchard make the right call returning to WWE on Vince’s terms? Should more seasoned wrestling talents be allowed to pursue outside projects while working behind the scenes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Fan Take: Bruce Pritchard’s return underscores how WWE blends creative talent and business savvy to stay competitive, which is great news for fans craving fresh storytelling. His involvement signals a potential creative boost that could elevate the quality of WWE programming and impact the future of professional wrestling.
