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

Vince McMahon He served as CEO and chairman of the board of directors of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) for decades before “voluntarily” resigning.

McMahon confirmed in June 2022 that he would step down from his role while the company investigates allegations of misconduct against him.

“I have committed to fully cooperating with the Select Committee’s investigation and will do everything in my power to support the investigation,” he said in a statement at the time. “I have also committed to accepting the findings and outcomes of the investigation, whatever they may be.”

A few hours later, McMahon opened SmackDown Live With great fanfare. “I’m honored as ever to be able to stand in front of you tonight in the WWE Universe,” he said during the June 17, 2022 broadcast. “I’m just here to remind you that we just watched in what we call the WWE Signature. The four words are: past, present, and forever, and the most important word is “together.” smack down!

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Federal law enforcement officials continue to investigate the allegations amid McMahon’s exit from the top ranks of WWE. The former professional athlete has not been charged with a crime.

Nearly two years later, McMahon faced a second misconduct scandal when a former WWE employee accuse him Sexual assault, trafficking and abuse were involved in a January 2024 lawsuit. He denied all claims before resigning from WWE parent company TKO Group.

Read on for details on the McMahon misconduct scandal:

What is Vince McMahon accused of?

Just days before McMahon resigned from WWE, wall street journal He reportedly paid a $3 million settlement to a former employee after an alleged extramarital affair. He has yet to respond publicly to the accusations.

January 2024, former WWE staff Janelle Grant The lawsuit accuses McMahon of sexual assault, trafficking and abuse.

How did Vince McMahon react to the scandal?

McMahon resigned 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 findings.” Six months later, in January 2023, he eventually returned as a board member and agreed to reimburse WWE for any expenses related to the investigation. McMahon had paid about $17.4 million to cover the fees, according to an SEC statement the following August.

Regarding the 2024 lawsuit, McMahon strenuously denied all claims.

“This lawsuit is filled with lies, salacious fabrications of events that never occurred, and vindictive distortions of the facts. He will vigorously defend himself,” McMahon’s spokesperson told US Weekly in a statement.

Who replaces Vince McMahon as WWE CEO?

McMahon’s daughter, Stephanie McMahonwas named 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 important to me to have a safe and collaborative workplace. “I have committed to doing everything I can to help the Special Committee complete its work , including mobilizing cooperation across the company to assist in completing the investigation and implementing the findings. “

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Is Vince McMahon still involved with WWE?

chief creative officer Triple H (real name Paul Levesque) is Stephanie’s wife, revealed at a WWE press conference in August 2023 summer slam Vince is currently not working with the WWE creative team.

“In terms of contribution, I’ll say this. The reason why WWE is what it is… you could make an argument – a very valid argument – that without Vince and his vision for the industry, maybe it wouldn’t be Here again,” Triple H said at the time. “There was something that was very popular at the time… but has now disappeared from the face of the earth. His vision changed an entire industry, changed everything for 50 years. Incredibly successful. There is nothing greater in business than this.” Mind.

“At this time, if all of us didn’t seek his advice on an idea or an idea in a timely manner, or if we had questions to go to him and ask, we would be foolish not to ask him,” he continued. It’s sitting next to someone who knows more about this or forgets more than you’ll ever know, and not taking advantage of it in some ways. But is he everyday? No. Was he always in there? No.

Vince formally resign In January 2024, he stepped down as executive chairman of WWE parent company TKO Group.

“Out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary TKO business and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all the employees and Superstars who have helped make WWE the global leader it is today, I have decided to resign from my role as Executive Chairman and TKO The board of directors takes effect immediately. us. “I stand by my prior assertions that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is filled with lies and salacious fabrications of events that never occurred and is a vindictive distortion of the truth. I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations and look forward to clearing my Clear your name.

Is Vince McMahon cooperating with federal investigation?

Days before Triple H made comments about Vince’s lack of day-to-day involvement with the media brand, the SEC executed a search warrant and issued subpoenas to Vince and WWE. According to CNN, U.S. federal agents requested copies of certain documents. Vince has not yet responded to the warrant or subpoena.

How is the hush fee settled?

January 2024, McMahon Agreed to pay a civil penalty of $400,000 and repay $1.3 million to WWE. McMahon was not forced to admit or deny the SEC’s findings.

Shortly after the settlement was announced, McMahon released a statement via X.

“Case closed,” McMahon wrote. “Nearly three years of investigations by various government agencies concluded today. There has been much speculation as to what exactly the government is investigating and what the results will be. As today’s resolution demonstrates, much of the speculation has been misguided and misleading.

He continued, “In the end, there were no issues other than a minor accounting error regarding some personal payments I made when I was the CEO of WWE a few years ago. I’m glad I can now put all of this behind me.”

McMahon’s statement is a bit of a misnomer, however, as Grant’s civil lawsuit will still proceed after the settlement.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact National Sexual Assault Hotline Phone: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).