WWE’s Vince McMahon’s Sexual Misconduct Scandal: Everything You Need to Know

Vince McMahon he was the CEO and Chairman of the Board at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) for decades before he “voluntarily” stepped down.

McMahon confirmed in June 2022 that he was resigning while the company investigated allegations of misconduct against him.

“I have committed to fully cooperate with the investigation of the Special Committee, and I 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 it may be.”

A few hours later, McMahon opened up SmackDown Live with great joy. “It’s an honor as always to stand before you here tonight, the entire WWE universe,” he said during the June 17, 2022 broadcast. “I’m just here to remind you of the four names that we just saw in what we call our WWE signature. Those four words are: then, now, forever, and the most important word together. Welcome to SmackDown!”

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During McMahon’s exit from WWE’s executive board, law enforcement officials continued to investigate the allegations. The former champion athlete has not been charged with a crime.

Almost two years later, McMahon faced a second misconduct scandal while a former WWE employee he accused him of sexual harassment, trafficking and harassment in a January 2024 lawsuit. He denied all claims before resigning from WWE’s parent company, the TKO Group.

Read on for details on McMahon’s misconduct scandal:

What Was Vince McMahon Accused Of?

Days before McMahon stepped down from his WWE role, the The Wall Street Journal reported that he paid a total of $3 million to a former employee after he was allegedly having an affair. He did not come out and talk about these allegations.

In January 2024, a former WWE employee Janelle Grant accused McMahon of sexual assault, trafficking and harassment in the lawsuit.

How does Vince McMahon react to the scandal?

McMahon stepped down as CEO and Chairman of the board in June 2022, promising in a statement that he would 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 any costs related to the investigation. According to an SEC statement the following August, McMahon has paid about $17.4 million to cover the costs.

Regarding the 2024 lawsuit, McMahon has strongly denied all the claims.

“This case is full of lies, scandalous events that never happened, and vindictive misrepresentations. He will defend himself vigorously,” said McMahon’s spokesperson Us Weekly in the statement.

Who replaced Vince McMahon as CEO of WWE?

McMahon’s daughter, Stephanie McMahonappointed interim CEO and Chairman in his father’s absence.

“I love this company and I am willing to work with independent directors to strengthen our culture and our Company; it is very 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 mobilizing the cooperation of the entire company to help complete the investigation and implement its findings.”

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Is Vince McMahon Still Involved In WWE Operations?

Chief Creative Officer Three times H (real name Paul Levesque), who is married to Stephanie, was revealed during WWE’s August 2023 press conference. Summer Slam that Vince is currently not working with the WWE creative team.

“Regarding donations, I can only say this. The reason WWE is what it is… “There were some things back then, back in the day, that were so popular … that just disappeared off the face of the earth. The idea of ​​what he did changed the business, changed it for 50 years. An amazing achievement. There is no great idea in business. “

He continued: “At this time, if we all did not look for the right time to be advised by him with thoughts or ideas or if we have a question that we should go to him to ask, we would be acting stupid. It is sitting next to someone who knows more about this, or has forgotten more about this, than you will know, and not using that in another aspect. But is it every day? No. Are you there all the time? No. If you have something, you have earned that right to be able to do that.”

Vince officially resigned in 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 extraordinary business of TKO and the board members and shareholders, partners and associates, and 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 chairman and the board of directors of TKO, will start working immediately,” he said in a statement shared with him Us. “I stand by my previous statement that Ms. Grant’s case is full of lies, cover-ups that never happened, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth. I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless allegations, and look forward to clearing my name.”

Is Vince McMahon Cooperating with the Federal Investigation?

A few days before Triple H’s comments about Vince’s lack of day-to-day involvement in the news brand, the SEC executed a search warrant and issued a subpoena to both Vince and WWE. According to CNN, US government agents have requested copies of certain documents. Vince did not mention the warrant or the subpoena.

How Are Hush Fees Paid?

In January 2024, McMahon he agreed to pay a $400,000 court fine while returning $1.3 million to WWE. McMahon was not forced to admit or deny the SEC’s findings.

McMahon released a statement on 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 was speculation as to what exactly the government was investigating and what the outcome would be. As today’s decision shows, many of those assumptions were inaccurate and misleading.”

He continued, “In the end, there was nothing to this other than minor accounting errors regarding personal payments that I made a few years ago when I was CEO of WWE. I’m glad I can put all this behind me now.”

McMahon’s statement is a misnomer, however, as Grant’s case will still move forward after the settlement.

If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, contact National Sexual Assault Number at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).