Just a straight, to the point question: If you were to poll people in 2017 about how likely it would be for Bruce Prichard to not only return to WWE, but assume most of the creative power in 2022, would more than a fraction of 1% have said “yeah, totally see that one happening”? AND HE KEEPS HIS GIG DOING THE PODCAST WITH CONRAD! If Vince loved the guy this much, how come he was exiled from his good graces for nearly a decade?
Because Vince is hotheaded and petty about his company, but also weirdly nostalgic for what worked in the past. So Bruce was able to stick around the business long enough to become relevant again. Same reason why Johnny Ace somehow ended up in power too.