Vince McMahon
Jackie Brown/Splash NewsVince McMahon was CEO and Chairman of the Board of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) for decades before “voluntarily” stepping down.
McMahon confirmed this in June 2022 he was retiring from his post while the company investigates 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 am also committed to accepting the findings and outcome of the investigation, whatever they may be.”
A few hours later, McMahon open SmackDown Live with great fanfare. “As always, it’s a privilege 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 we just saw in what we call our WWE signature. Those four words are: then, now, forever, and the most important word is together. Welcome to SmackDown!”
While Hollywood may seem all glitz and glamor on the surface, the industry has seen its fair share of scandals over the years. The New York Times and New Yorker first published investigative stories in 2017 accusing disgruntled film producer Harvey Weinstein of decades of sexual assault and harassment. Soon after, Weinstein was brought to trial and was (…)
Amid McMahon’s exit from WWE’s executive suite, federal law enforcement officials moved on investigation into 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’s parent company, the TKO Group.
Continue reading for a breakdown of the McMahon misconduct scandal:
What was Vince McMahon accused of?
Days before McMahon stepped down from his WWE position, Wall Street Journal announced that it has paid $3 million in damages to a former employee after an alleged affair. He has not publicly commented on 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?
Vince McMahon
Dave Alloka/Starpix/ShutterstockMcMahon stepped down 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 outcome.” He eventually returned as a board member six months later in January 2023, agreeing to reimburse WWE for all expenses related to the investigation. According to art SEC statement the following August, McMahon had paid approximately $17.4 million to cover expenses.
Regarding the 2024 case. McMahon has vehemently denied all allegations.
“This case is full of lies, obscene fabrications that never happened, and vindictive distortion of the truth. He will vigorously defend himself,” a spokesman for McMahon said 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 our company; it is extremely important to me that we have safe and collaborative workplaceStefani 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 directing the cooperation of the entire company to help complete the investigation and implement its findings.”
A family affair. For the legendary McMahons of WWE, pro wrestling is in their blood. The history of World Wrestling Entertainment is so extensive that the corporation itself divides it into six different eras. After all, the spectacle began when wrestling and boxing promoter Jess McMahon (born 1882 and died 1954) and (…)
Is Vince McMahon still involved in WWE operations?
Chief Creative Officer Triple H (real name Paul Levesque), who is married to Stephanierevealed in August 2023 press conference for WWE Summer helmet that Vince is not currently working with the WWE creative team.
“In terms of contribution, I would just say this. The reason WWE is what it is…you can make an argument – a very valid one – that without Vince and his vision for this business, maybe it wouldn’t be here anymore,” Triple H said at the time. “There were some things at the time, back in the day, that were very popular … that just disappeared off the face of the planet. The vision of what he did changed the business, changed everything for 50 years. An incredible success. There is no greater mind in business.”
He continued, “At this point, if we all didn’t look to moments in time for advice from him on thoughts or ideas, or if we had a question to go to him and ask him, we’d be foolish 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 using that in some aspect. But is he day to day? No. Is he in it all the time? No. If someone has, they have earned that right to be able to do so.
Vince officially resigned from his position as executive chairman of TKO Group, the parent company of WWE, in January 2024.
“Out of respect for the WWE Universe, the outstanding TKO business 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 retire from executive chairman and board of directors of TKO, effective immediately,” he said in a statement shared with us. “I stand by my previous statement that Ms. Grant’s case is full of lies, obscene fabrications that never happened, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless allegations and look forward to clearing my name.
Did Vince McMahon cooperate with the federal investigation?
A few days before Triple H’s comments about Vince’s lack of day-to-day involvement with the media brand, SEC executed a search warrant and issued a summons to both Vince and WWE. According to CNNUS federal agents requested copies of certain documents. Vince did not address the warrant or subpoena.
How are Hush Money payments arranged?
In January 2024 McMahon agreed to pay a civil penalty of $400,000 while also reimbursing WWE $1.3 million. McMahon was not forced to admit or deny the SEC’s findings.
McMahon released a statement through X shortly after the agreement was announced.
“Case closed,” McMahon wrote. “Today marks the end of nearly three years of investigation by various government agencies. There has been much speculation as to exactly what the government is investigating and what the outcome will be. As today’s resolution shows, much of that speculation was wrong and misleading.
He continued: “At the end of the day, there was never anything more than minor accounting errors regarding some personal payments I made a few years ago while I was CEO of WWE. I’m excited to put all of that behind me now.”
However, McMahon’s statement is somewhat misleading, as Grant’s civil suit will move forward after the settlement.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
