Jim Ross Suspects Vince McMahon is Playing Key Role in WrestleMania 42

Jim Ross isn't guessing about Vince McMahon's involvement in WrestleMania 42. He's convinced.

Speaking on Grilling JR with Conrad Thompson, the WWE Hall of Famer and former AEW commentator offered his most direct assessment yet of McMahon's role in WWE creative heading into WrestleMania weekend.

"I don't think there's any doubt in my mind that Vince will be instrumental in this year's WrestleMania as far as creative is concerned," Ross said.

When Thompson asked point-blank whether McMahon is involved in creative for this year's show, Ross didn't flinch:

"Oh yeah. Okay. Yeah."

Ross used a colorful metaphor to describe what he believes McMahon is doing behind the scenes. Pointing to WrestleMania 42's loaded match card, Ross said he sees McMahon's fingerprints all over it.

"There are some massively marquee matches. And I think Vince is in the kitchen and he's making pies, and we're going to see how his pies taste sooner than later," Ross said.

He later extended the analogy, adding: "He's hungry. If he's making pies, we know he's in the kitchen."

Ross clarified that he doesn't think McMahon is writing scripts line by line. Instead, he sees the former WWE Chairman operating the way he always has: setting direction and choosing who to elevate.

"How's it going to hurt for Vince to chip in with an idea or two and a general direction? He was always really good at picking out somebody he wanted to get over and having a plan to make that happen. And I think that's kind of where we are right now."

Ross grounded his belief in decades of firsthand experience working alongside McMahon as WWE's Executive Vice President.

"It comes back to one person: Vince. No matter what his other issues may or may not be, all that stuff, it's still Vince," Ross said. "And anyone that's been listening to this who has worked in WWE knows full well it's all about Vince, and it will remain that way until they bury him."

Ross's comments come amid the ongoing TKO investor lawsuit, which surfaced leaked Signal messages showing McMahon was actively tracking WrestleMania creative even after his departure from the company.

Triple H also appeared on Cody Rhodes' podcast the same day this episode was recorded, where he acknowledged McMahon was involved in creative decisions during that period.

With WrestleMania 42 set for this weekend, Ross's assessment adds yet another voice to the growing chorus suggesting McMahon's influence never truly left WWE.