NBC News and CNBC interviewed 11 individuals who are familiar with McMahon and WWE to gain insight into how McMahon has been occupying his time and how the WWE is adapting to his absence. These individuals, who include close associates and company insiders, chose to remain anonymous due to ongoing legal matters and the confidential nature of internal corporate communications.
According to several insiders from WWE, there has been no communication between Vince McMahon and the company’s leaders and figureheads since his resignation. Mark Shapiro, the operating chief of WWE’s parent company TKO Group Holdings, confirmed in March that McMahon is no longer working for the company and has not been present at the office. It seems unlikely that he will return to the company.
According to sources, McMahon has not had any discussions about company matters with his son-in-law, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who is the WWE creative chief and a former superstar, or his daughter, Stephanie McMahon-Levesque. Despite introducing WWE’s WrestleMania event recently, Stephanie McMahon-Levesque, who has worked alongside her father for over 20 years and played various roles in storylines, is currently not involved with the company. Both Levesque and McMahon-Levesque, as well as a WWE representative, declined to comment on the matter.
According to multiple sources, McMahon, who purchased the wrestling outfit from his father 42 years ago, appears to have moved on from his connection to the company. Despite his ongoing legal battles, he has continued with his other routines, displaying an unfazed demeanor.
On a sunny afternoon in late March, McMahon made his way back to the United States from the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands. However, he didn’t make the journey alone, as a trusted source reveals. Accompanying McMahon were seven adorable kittens and a playful puppy. His intention was to find loving homes for these furry companions among his circle of friends.
According to a source close to McMahon, he is actually quite content with his life and is even enjoying it. The source also mentioned that McMahon recently went on a trip to Italy.
Jessica Rosenberg, an attorney representing McMahon, chose not to provide any comments about the specific details mentioned in this article. However, in a statement sent via email on Tuesday, she expressed her criticism of Grant’s lawsuit, stating, “The claims made in the lawsuit are untrue, defamatory, and lack any basis. We are fully committed to defending Mr. McMahon and firmly believe that he will be proven innocent.”
The post-WWE life of McMahon stands in stark contrast to the allegations made by Grant, which depict him as a violent and controlling individual. In a federal lawsuit filed on January 25, Grant’s lawyers claimed that she experienced “physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and trafficking at WWE,” and named McMahon and former WWE executive John Laurinaitis as defendants. Both men have denied the accusations. The lawsuit also includes WWE as a defendant. WWE and its parent company, TKO, have emphasized their commitment to taking Grant’s allegations seriously.
“Janel Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis, made a strong statement on Wednesday, accusing Vince McMahon of committing heinous acts including rape, trafficking, and physical assault. According to Callis, McMahon has long normalized the mistreatment of women in the WWE, treating them as mere objects. Despite McMahon’s hopes that Grant would remain silent, that is far from the reality. Callis and her team are diligently gathering evidence, reaching out to other victims, enlisting the expertise of renowned sex trafficking and coercive control experts, and preparing to vigorously litigate this case.”
In February, NBC News reported that federal investigators seized McMahon’s phone as part of their efforts to determine if any federal laws were violated in relation to Grant’s allegations. WWE had previously revealed that a federal grand jury subpoena was served to McMahon and a search warrant was executed in July.
According to a reliable source, McMahon is actively cooperating with authorities. Those close to him have stated that McMahon firmly believes he will not face any charges and that Grant’s civil case will be resolved through an out-of-court settlement.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, represented by spokesperson Nicholas Biase, chose not to provide any comments regarding the matter.
Grant’s attorneys have stated that they have not engaged in any settlement discussions with McMahon, according to a spokesperson.
According to a close source, McMahon continues to engage in his daily activities despite ongoing legal battles. He frequently travels from his luxurious Connecticut residence to Manhattan, where he enjoys meals at renowned restaurants like Il Tinello East on 46th Street. Additionally, McMahon maintains his grooming routine by visiting his trusted barber for biweekly haircuts. He also prioritizes his fitness by working with a personal trainer multiple times a week.
According to two additional sources, McMahon has been quite cautious and has been frequently consulting with his lawyers to strategize since Grant’s lawsuit became public.
According to two individuals close to the wrestling impresario, McMahon has also had conversations with Trump. A person close to McMahon stated that the two billionaires have been in regular contact, although the specific topics of their discussions remain unclear.
Trump and the McMahon family have a long-standing relationship. In the late 1980s, the former president played host to two WrestleMania events in Atlantic City. In 2007, he even engaged in a wrestling “feud” with McMahon himself. Not only that, Trump is also a member of the prestigious WWE Hall of Fame. Linda McMahon, McMahon’s wife, served as the head of the Small Business Administration in Trump’s Cabinet. She also led a pro-Trump super PAC and currently sits on the board of the publicly traded Trump Media and Technology Group.
Bill Pugliano’s photograph featured on Getty Images showcases a striking image that captures the essence of the subject matter. The photograph, taken by Bill Pugliano, exhibits a remarkable level of skill and expertise in capturing the perfect shot. The composition, lighting, and overall aesthetics of the image are truly captivating.
The photograph tells a story and evokes emotion in the viewer. It is evident that Bill Pugliano has a keen eye for detail and an innate ability to capture the essence of his subjects. The image is a testament to his talent as a photographer.
Bill Pugliano’s photograph on Getty Images serves as a reminder of the power of visual storytelling. It is a testament to the fact that a photograph can convey a message, evoke emotion, and capture a moment in time. The image stands out among the vast collection of photographs on Getty Images, capturing the attention of viewers and leaving a lasting impression.
In conclusion, Bill Pugliano’s photograph on Getty Images is a testament to his skill and expertise as a photographer. The image tells a story and captures the essence of the subject matter in a visually stunning way. It is a reminder of the power of visual storytelling and the impact that a photograph can have on its viewers.
According to a 2022 report by The Wall Street Journal, McMahon allegedly made a payment of $5 million in previously unrecorded expenses to the now-defunct Donald J. Trump Foundation during the years when Trump made appearances on WWE programming.
President Trump, who is seeking re-election for a second term, has also faced allegations of sexual assault and is currently dealing with numerous legal challenges, both civil and criminal. He has been indicted in four separate cases. Despite these accusations, Trump has consistently maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty in each criminal proceeding. One of his ongoing trials is taking place in New York, with proceedings commencing earlier this week.
According to another individual familiar with McMahon, the two men refrain from discussing their legal issues, and Trump does not offer any legal counsel.
A spokesperson for McMahon responded shortly after this story was published.
According to a spokesperson, Mr. McMahon has only had one conversation with former President Trump in the past several years. This conversation took place for about a minute after Mr. McMahon’s back surgery. The spokesperson clarified that there have been no other communications between the two individuals since then.
The Trump administration declined to comment on the matter.
After stepping down, McMahon has stayed in contact with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and John Cena, according to insiders. Johnson and Cena, who have both achieved great success in Hollywood, are considered two of WWE’s most notable triumphs.
Johnson publicly expressed his gratitude towards TKO and WWE executives for his appointment to the TKO board in late January. In February, Cena voiced his disappointment, stating, “the whole thing is super unfortunate and it sucks,” while emphasizing his love for McMahon and their “great relationship.” However, Cena also emphasized the importance of accountability.
Cena and Johnson are both clients of the William Morris Endeavor agency, which is a subsidiary of Endeavor Group, the majority owner of TKO.
Johnson’s spokesperson chose not to provide a comment, while Cena’s representative did not respond to requests for comment.
WWE has faced controversy in the past due to its former leader, McMahon. In the early 1990s, he was acquitted of federal criminal charges connected to the steroid scandal that rocked the wrestling industry at that time.
In 2022, WWE’s leader briefly stepped down following reports from the Journal revealing that he had made substantial payments to multiple women to conceal his alleged extramarital affairs. The Journal also disclosed that additional women had come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct. In response, WWE revised its financial reports to account for these payments. McMahon adamantly denied any wrongdoing.
After her father, who held a majority stake in WWE, returned in early 2023, McMahon-Levesque stepped down from her role, leaving her daughter to take over the leadership of the company temporarily. Following this, McMahon orchestrated a merger between WWE and UFC, facilitated by Endeavor Group, resulting in the formation of TKO. Leading both Endeavor and TKO as CEO is renowned Hollywood super agent, Ari Emanuel.
In April 2023, McMahon announced a deal that resulted in him becoming the executive chairman of the new company. As part of the deal, McMahon relinquished majority control of WWE. Although he stated that he wouldn’t be involved in the day-to-day creative decisions, he expressed his intention to provide input on significant matters.
That was a significant turning point for McMahon. His family has been involved in the business since the early 20th century. After acquiring the company from his father, known as “Vince Sr.,” McMahon brought in charismatic superstars like Hulk Hogan and the Rock, and organized extravagant pay-per-view events such as WrestleMania, transforming it into a global phenomenon. Although the McMahon family continues to play a role, McMahon’s daughter and son-in-law are now publicly striving to propel the brand forward.
“I am particularly proud of WrestleMania 40 because it marks the beginning of the Paul Levesque era,” she expressed. (Linda McMahon joined her daughter backstage, as documented in an Instagram photo shared by wrestling star Charlotte Flair.) Levesque himself declared it as the start of a “new era” for WWE.
According to some employees, there is now a greater sense of levity and freedom to make mistakes or suggest ideas.
According to the sources, the current leadership takes a more conventional approach when it comes to dealing with underperforming employees. They provide these employees with a standard progress report and opportunities to improve before taking any action.
According to one employee, despite the presence of some loyalists, there is a consensus that WWE is a truly fantastic workplace. The departure of Vince McMahon has resulted in a more positive atmosphere and improved working conditions. As one employee put it, “It’s been much better since he left.” Another employee mentioned that people now feel more secure and stable in their positions.
With the assistance of profitable media rights deals, the company is currently mapping out its plan for the future after McMahon’s departure. In September, WWE inked a $1.4 billion agreement with NBCUniversal, the parent company of CNBC, securing domestic rights for “Friday Night SmackDown.” Additionally, in January, the company entered into a 10-year, $5 billion deal with Netflix, which will see its flagship show “Raw” and other programs making their way to the popular streaming platform next year. These significant partnerships were announced following McMahon’s reduced involvement in the company after it became part of TKO.
McMahon’s apparent distancing from WWE appears to be more than just temporary, as indicated by recent developments. Notably, he has been selling off a significant amount of shares in TKO, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, since November. It is worth mentioning that a substantial portion of these sales occurred after his official resignation in January. This sets his current departure apart from his previous temporary step-down in 2022.
According to one of the insiders, this time it feels like it’s truly over and there’s no going back.
Read More:
- Understanding the Legal Landscape of Pocket Knives in Oklahoma
- Understanding the Legal Landscape of Pocket Knives in Oregon
