Vince McMahon Jackie Brown/Splash News
Vince McMahon was the CEO and Chairman of the Board at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) for decades before “voluntarily” stepping down.
McMahon confirmed in June 2022 that he was resigning from his position while the company investigated allegations of misconduct against him.
“I have pledged my full cooperation to the investigation by the Special Committee and will do everything possible to support the investigation,” he said in a statement at the time. “I have also pledged to accept the findings and outcome of the investigation, whatever they may be.”
Hours later, McMahon opened up SmackDown Live with great fanfare. “It’s a privilege as always to stand before you here tonight, the WWE Universe,” he said during the June 17, 2022, broadcast. “I’m just here to remind you of the four words that we just saw in what we call our signature WWE. These four words are: then, now, forever, and the most important word is together. Welcome to SmackDown!”
Amid McMahon’s exit from the WWE executive suite, federal law enforcement officials have continued to investigate the allegations. The former professional athlete has not yet been charged with a crime.
Nearly two years later, McMahon faced a second misconduct scandal when a former WWE employee accused him of sexual assault, trafficking and abuse in a January 2024 lawsuit. He denied all allegations before resigning from WWE parent company TKO Group.
Continue reading for an expose of the McMahon misconduct scandal:
What was Vince McMahon accused of?
Days before McMahon left his WWE position, Wall Street Journal reported that he paid a $3 million settlement to a former employee after an alleged affair. He has not publicly addressed the allegations.
In January 2024, former WWE employee Janelle Grant accused McMahon of sexual assault, trafficking and abuse in a lawsuit.
How did Vince McMahon react to the scandal?
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Vince McMahon Dave Allocca/Starpix/Shutterstock
McMahon left his position as CEO and Chairman of the board in June 2022, pledging in a statement to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and “accept the findings and the outcome.” He eventually returned as a board member six months later in January 2023, agreeing to reimburse WWE for any expenses related to the investigation. According to an SEC filing the following August, McMahon has since paid about $17.4 million to cover the costs.
Regarding the 2024 lawsuit, McMahon vehemently denied all allegations.
“This lawsuit is filled with lies, shameful fabrications that never happened, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. He will defend himself vigorously,” said a McMahon spokesman Us Weekly in a statement.
Who replaced Vince McMahon as WWE CEO?
McMahon’s daughter, Stephanie McMahonwas appointed interim CEO and Chairman in her father’s absence.
“I love this company and am committed to working with the Independent Directors to strengthen our culture and Company; it is extremely important to me that we have a safe and collaborative workplace,” Stephanie said in a statement at the time. “I am committed to doing everything in my power to help the Special Committee complete its work, including enlisting the cooperation of the entire company to help complete the investigation and implement its findings.”
Is Vince McMahon still involved in WWE operations?
Chief Creative Officer Triple H (real name Paul Levesque), who is married to Stephanie, was revealed during an August 2023 press conference for WWE’s summer slam that Vince is not currently working with the WWE creative team.
“In terms of contributions, I would only say this. The reason WWE is what it is… you can make an argument — a very valid argument — that without Vince and his vision for this business, it probably wouldn’t be here anymore,” Triple H said at the time. “There was some things at that time that were very popular … that just disappeared from the face of the planet. The vision of what he did changed the business, changed everything for 50 years. Incredible run of success. He has no mind anymore big in business.”
He continued: “At this point in time, if all of us didn’t look to him at some point in time for advice on thoughts or ideas or if we had a question to go to him and ask, we’d be fools to not to. It’s sitting next to someone who knows more about it, or has forgotten more about it, than you’ll ever know, and not to use it in one respect. But is it everyday? No. Is he on all the time? No. If someone has, they have earned that right to be able to do that.”
crane officially resigned from his position as executive chairman of TKO Group, which is the parent company of WWE, in January 2024.
“Out of respect for the WWE Universe, the incredible business of TKO and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, as well as all the employees and Superstars who have helped make WWE the global leader it is today, I have decided to resign from my position.” . the executive presidency and the board of directors of TKO, take effect immediately”, he said in a statement shared with him To us. “I stand by my previous statement that Ms. Grant is full of lies, fabricated embarrassing cases that never happened, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth. I intend to defend myself vigorously against these baseless allegations and look forward to clearing my name.”
Has Vince McMahon Cooperated With The Federal Investigation?
Days before Triple H’s comments about Vince’s lack of day-to-day involvement in the media brand, the SEC executed a search warrant and issued a subpoena to Vince and WWE. According to CNN, US federal agents requested copies of several documents. Vince did not address the order or subpoena.
How are hush money payments paid?
In January 2024, McMahon agreed to pay a civil penalty of $400,000 while reimbursing WWE $1.3 million. McMahon was not forced to admit or deny the SEC’s findings.
McMahon released a statement via X shortly after the deal was announced.
“Case closed,” McMahon wrote. “Today marks the end of almost three years of investigation by various government agencies. There has been much speculation as to what exactly the government was investigating and what the outcome would be. As today’s resolution shows, much of that speculation was wrong and misleading.”
He continued, “In the end, there was nothing more to it than minor accounting errors regarding some personal payments I made several years ago when I was CEO of WWE. I’m excited to now be able to put all of this behind me.”
McMahon’s statement is a misnomer, however, as Grant’s civil suit will continue to move forward in the wake of the settlement.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact National sexual assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).