Vince McMahon's influence over WWE's creative team will only continue to grow, according to those working backstage.

When McMahon strongarmed his way back into WWE in January of this year, he said at the time that he was merely back to focus on finding a potential buyer for the promotion, and negotiating new media rights deals. McMahon said at the time that he would have very little (if any) role with WWE's on-screen product. After the Endeavor deal was announced, McMahon reiterated this claim, saying he would not be "in the weeds" with WWE's creative team.

For all of McMahon's claims, its impossible to deny the influence he's had over the product fans see on TV. Despite the woeful response to McMahon's changes to the post-WrestleMania 39 episode of Raw, McMahon has made more and more changes to Raw in recent weeks. Significant changes were made to last week's SmackDown, including three advertised matches being nixed without an explanation.

Mike Johnson of PW Insider reports that this week's Raw from Savannah, Georgia had "Vince McMahon's fingerprints" all over it. PWI also noted that, based on certain individuals that they've spoke to, McMahon's influence over their creative direction is only likely to grow, especially as the Endeavor deal grows closer to becoming official.

Endeavor's acquisition of WWE was announced in April of this year, the same day as the post-WrestleMania 39 episode of Raw. The deal is expected to be finalized later this year, but there is no specific date when the deal is likely to be completed.