Vince McMahon was in the headlines again after The Wall Street Journal reported today he paid $12 million in hush money to four women in the past 16 years to suppress sexual misconduct and infidelity allegations.
The first report by the media outlet came out last month alleging a $3 million hush pact was reached in January after McMahon and a former paralegal had an affair. WWE’s Board of Directors started investigating this and other claims against John Laurinaitis.
Fightful Select reported today that they were contacted by multiple WWE staff, including some who had remained quiet in the past about McMahon’s handling of the situation. One person said they wished they’d spoken out sooner and noted McMahon’s response would often go from “no selling the whole thing” to “being defiant.”
This person said that after McMahon’s “pointless” June 17 appearance on SmackDown, “he returned to the Gorilla position and shouted “f**k em!” seemingly in response to the allegations that caused his insistence to appear on television.”
McMahon has appeared on three episodes of Raw and SmackDown since the first scandal broke and made a rare public appearance at UFC 276. He is slated to be at tonight’s SmackDown.
After the initial report, a former talent contacted Fightful by noting that “at least one major story” would come out in the coming weeks. They confirmed it was tied to the former talent who received a $7.5M agreement.
McMahon’s behavior was heavily rumored among the writing team but didn’t hear if elements of coercion and NDAs were well known. One former writer stated McMahon’s relationships would be a half-joking excuse as to why he’d be late to meetings before TV.
Although talent has not been available to speak on the record about the allegations, “they have spoken with Fightful privately and expressed displeasure and extreme frustration with McMahon’s handling of it.”
