New information has been revealed regarding WWE’s Vince McMahon and the allegations of decades-long sexual misconduct against multiple women. In June, it was announced that Vince would be stepping down as CEO and chairman while an investigation was occurring amid new claims that the 76-year-old had expressed inappropriate sexual behavior at the company.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Vince reportedly paid more than $12 million over the course of 16 years to silence four women from speaking out about sexual misconduct against him, per the publication’s sources. The payments came with a clause: each woman would have to sign a non-disclosure agreement which ultimately prevented them from “discussing potential legal claims against or their relationships with [Vince McMahon].”
It gets worse for Vince McMahon and WWE.
Vince McMahon agreed to pay more than $12 million over the past 16 years to suppress allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity
– WSJ pic.twitter.com/7s6s1jenHG
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) July 8, 2022
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WSJ, who reviewed the docs and verified them with people familiar with the deal, added that these agreements were made to women ranging from a former paralegal, a WWE contractor, a former manager, and even a former wrestler. While the wrestler isn’t named, she’s believed to have received $7.5 million before being ousted from her role at the firm after she refused to continue sharing a sexual relationship with him.
The contractor received $1 million, an insider continued. The woman, who was allegedly sent multiple nude photos of Vince, signed her NDA back in 2008, while another $1 million was paid to the manager following the pair’s sexual relationship in 2006.
Interestingly enough, even though Vince has stepped down from his position at WWE, he has still made appearances on Friday Night SmackDown and Monday Night Raw. The father-of-two was also in attendance at last weekend’s UFC 276, giving the idea he was strongly implying that the accusations against him were nothing he was stressing over.
In an official statement in June, Vince announced his temporary exit, saying, “I have pledged my complete cooperation to the investigation by the Special Committee, and I will do everything possible to support the investigation. I have also pledged to accept the findings and outcome of the investigation, whatever they are.”
The board of directors further added that the North Carolina native had “voluntarily stepped back from his responsibilities as CEO and Chairman of the Board until the conclusion of the investigation.” His replacement was his daughter, Stephanie McMahon, who has been working at WWE for two decades.
She, too, had a few things to share amid her dad’s misconduct investigation. “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 a safe and collaborative workplace,” Stephanie expressed.
“I have committed to doing everything in my power to help the Special Committee complete its work, including marshaling the cooperation of the entire company to assist in the completion of the investigation and to implement its findings.”