The backstage atmosphere has had a “major positive change” since Vince McMahon’s departure according to a recent report.

PWInsider reports that the feeling of “walking on eggshells” that was prevalent in certain departments is a thing of the past. Now, there seems to be a renewed hope and pride for those working in the company.

One department that’s said to have seen one of the biggest changes is the production side of things. The change has been said to be “massively night and day.”

With the likes of Nick Khan, Paul Levesque and Stephanie McMahon now leading the charge, nobody is yelling at the production truck or announcers anymore since the departure of the verbally “extremely heavy-handed” Vince McMahon.

It’s also noted that Mondays and Fridays no longer feel like the worst days of the job for those working in production. Now, while days are still long and hard, nobody is walking in and out expecting some sort of “PTSD” to follow them the next day after TV.

Also, entire departments – announcers, cameramen, producers, directors, etc. – are said to be extremely happy over the past several weeks. One person said that they feel like they’re “allowed to feel like it’s fun to work here.”

Everything has led to a better workflow, allowing the sharing of creative ideas and a more tight-nit department.

Several people who were looking to leave the company just a few months ago are now reconsidering that decision.

Many have described it as the  “honeymoon feeling” of the new regime, which has made a world of difference in their day to day professional lives.

Chris Jericho and Vince McMahon have quite a history.

The current AEW superstar spoke about a specific moment with the now retired WWE Chairman during his recent appearance on the Inside the Ropes Live show. The leader of the Jericho Appreciation Society recalled the lead-up to his WrestleMania 18 main event showdown with Triple H, and how a rehearsal with The Game got him heated with McMahon.

Jericho begins by remembers how he got heat with Triple H.

“The last couple of weeks, right before the match, I did get some serious heat on Triple H. I think I hit him in the leg with the sledgehammer and all this sort of thing. I remember one time we were rehearsing it, me hitting Triple H with a sledgehammer, and Vince [McMahon] would want you to rehearse as if it’s real. You can’t rehearse if you’re really doing it because there’s no crowd, the crowd is where you get the vibe and the adrenaline, and your whole energy comes [from] that. “

During the rehearsal McMahon demanded that Jericho put in some further effort, then later insulted him. It was here that Jericho revealed how angry McMahon’s comments made him in the moment.

“Vince would be like, ‘Do it harder! Do it harder!’ and I’m like, “I’m not in the moment yet,’ and I remember he goes, ‘Oh you don’t wanna do it? What are you on the rag or something?’ I remember thinking, ‘You big-eared, big nose motherf*cker. I’m going to punch you right in your stupid face right now. Knock that toupee right off his head’.”

In the same interview Jerichoh did praise McMahon, saying that there will never be another mind like his in the pro-wrestling industry again.

WWE star Ciampa has offered up what he believes is the “craziest, funniest” part of Vince McMahon’s retirement.

Ciampa was recently interviewed on “Out Of Character” with Ryan Satin, where he gave his thoughts on the entire situation. The Monday Night RAW star noted that he believes the “craziest, funniest” part of it all was the fact that the 77-year-old McMahon retired via Twitter.

“The craziest, funniest part of it all was, of course the most powerful man in the history of professional wrestling tweeted out his retirement. One tweet, doesn’t need more than a 160 characters, no problem.

“It blew my mind. I heard a couple of texts before I saw it, and I looked and was like, ‘This is real.’ Aside from that, I’m not kidding you at all when I say that I just didn’t put much more thought into it.

“I’m just in such a different place in my life that I think my initial thing was, ‘I hope he’s happy. I hope he stops waking up at 3 AM to work out before his meetings. Dude, you deserve a retirement. You’re 77, go enjoy retirement.’

As we’ve noted, Vince McMahon was forced to step down as WWE CEO once allegations of sexual misconduct were levied against him. His daughter Stephanie McMahon and Nick Kahn then stepped in as co-CEOs in Vince’s place.

Soon after, investigations began into the allegations into McMahon. As a result, McMahon then announced his retirement from WWE altogether, leaving his post as head of creative in WWE.

His son-in-law and multiple-time WWE World Champion Triple H would step up to fill the void. Although Ciampa has a great relationship with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, it’s a bittersweet ending to his working under McMahon.

“Of course, Hunter coming off all the health stuff, you’re like, ‘Well, I hope you’re ready for the deep end.’ But obviously, I have a good relationship with him and Steph, and their energy – it’s very positive.

“But I was also very much enjoying my time with Vince. I think everybody who gets into this, especially from our generation, wants that Vince pat on the back and bearhug and all that.

“He was giving me great feedback, and I was really happy with how things were developing. I’m still excited because when you give me an opportunity, I will take it and run.”

Quotes via 411Mania

New details have come in light regarding the $19.6 million in unrecorded company expenses by former WWE chairman Vince McMahon that were uncovered recently. According to a report from Wall Street Journal, the WWE owner made two donations to the now defunct Donald J. Trump Foundation in 2007 and 2009, in addition to the payments made to former employees.

The former American President made appearances for the promotion in the mentioned years. This included his role in the Battle of the Billionaires match at WrestleMania 23. WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt issued the following statement to the site in regards to the unrecorded expenses from Vince McMahon:

“Mr. Trump and WWE entered into a contract whereby WWE agreed to and did pay him personally an appearance fee of $1 million. At the same time, the McMahons made a personal contribution to the Trump Foundation of $4 million. There was no additional fee paid to Mr. Trump, or any additional contribution to the Trump Foundation, due to the success of the event.”

WrestleMania 23 saw Bobby Lashley battling Umaga in a singles match. Both Donald Trump and Vince McMahon were in the corner of Lashley and Umaga respectively. The stipulation for the bout was that the billionaire on the losing side will have his head shaved, which turned out to be Vince McMahon.

A WSJ source noted that Trump directed McMahon to send a $4 million appearance fee to his charity. The billionaire businessman also had his associates review the contract to ensure that under no circumstances will McMahon be allowed to shave his head, even if Lashley ‘dropped dead in the ring.’

• WWE Issues new Statement on Vince McMahon Hush-Money Scandal

You can relive the Battle of the Billionaires segment from WrestleMania 23 below:

Chris Jericho believes that the cons of Vince McMahon’s departure from WWE won’t be felt for another few months.

Jericho was recently a guest on the Swerve City podcast, where he talked about Vince McMahon stepping down as WWE CEO, as well as retiring as the head of creative on television. This happened shortly after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against McMahon.

“Y2J” explained that, while there will certainly be some positives from McMahon’s WWE departure – especially creatively – there will also be some negative impacts. Those negatives in particular likely won’t be felt for a few more months.

“I can go back working for him for 17-18 years. Obviously, there are Vince-isms and Vince-foibles that don’t make sense, but I did learn a lot about the psychology of the business and how to be a star, how to conduct yourself, how to be a true main eventer and money draw.

“I think the pros, if that’s the right word, the pros of Vince leaving WWE will be seen very quickly. There are a lot of changes right off the bat, very refreshing. Lots of in-ring time. The cons of Vince leaving won’t be felt for a few months, maybe more, six months, a year.

“There are a lot of things that Vince did, little things, and I know people bag on him for his recent booking, and obviously there was a habit he had, but the guys who are true main event stars are legit stars. Legit stars.

“You can spot them from a mile away. Look at the difference between Drew McIntyre now, prior to the last run he had. Vince worked with him to make him a top guy and top star. Same with Roman (Reigns).

“Completely different now than it was before he turned heel. Brock as a babyface, I can tell Vince worked with him as being a babyface. You can spot it. I can see it.”

Chris Jericho certainly knows what he’s talking about when it comes to working with McMahon. The current All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star worked under McMahon during his nearly 20-year run with WWE.

After departing from WCW in the late 90s, Jericho debuted for WWE and instantly became one of the company’s biggest stars. The six-time WWE World Champion eventually joined AEW in 2020, where he became the promotion’s inaugural World Champion.

Quotes via Fightful

In June, WWE announced that they would be investigating allegations into Vince McMahon, following claims against the then-Chairman published in the Wall Street Journal.

McMahon was alleged to have paid off several women who it is claimed he had extramarital relationships with.

McMahon stepped down as WWE CEO and Chairman amid the investigation into him, and announced his retirement on July 25.

The Statement

This week, WWE issued its quarterly report to the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

In a statement, WWE explained how McMahon was able to make payments privately, which should have been recorded as company expenses (via PW Insider)

“We did not maintain effective risk assessment based on the criteria established in the COSO framework which resulted in deficiencies in principles associated with risk assessment. Specifically, these control deficiencies constitute material weaknesses, either individually or in the aggregate, relating to: identifying and analyzing risks to the achievement of objectives across the entity.”

The promotion added that they have plans to fix loopholes going forward that allowed such activity.

What’s next for Vince McMahon and WWE?

McMahon has resigned from all duties with WWE but the investigation into him is still going on.

McMahon has promised to respect the result of the investigation no matter the result.

With McMahon gone, Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan have been appointed co-CEOs of WWE.

McMahon has also resigned as WWE’s head of creative, with Triple H taking on the role.

“The Game” has undone several of his father-in-law’s actions, from bans on certain words to rehiring some of McMahon’s released Superstars.

WWE noted in a 10-Q Quarterly report that Vince McMahon’s resignation could negatively impact certain aspects of the company.

McMahon resigned from his duties as Chairman and CEO of WWE amid the WWE Board investigating him for alleged sexual misconduct and hush money. WWE stated that the loss of McMahon could have a negative impact on the company. 

In the statement, The company wrote, “The resignation of Vincent K. McMahon could adversely affect our ability to create popular characters and creative storylines or could otherwise adversely affect our operating results.”

An excerpt from the statement also notes, “the Company and its Board of Directors announced that a special committee of independent members of our Board of Directors (the “Special Committee”) was formed to investigate alleged misconduct by the Company’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent K. McMahon. The Special Committee investigation is substantially complete.” 

The Company previously announced that it had determined that certain payments McMahon agreed to make from 2006 through 2022 (including amounts paid and payable in the future totaling $14.6 million) were not appropriately recorded as expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. 

WWE identified two additional payments totaling $5.0 million, unrelated to the alleged misconduct by McMahon that led to the investigation. McMahon made in 2007 and 2009 that were not appropriately recorded as expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. 

“Together, these unrecorded expenses total $19.6 million (the “Unrecorded Expenses”). All payments underlying the Unrecorded Expenses were or will be paid by Mr. McMahon personally.”

The filing continued, “WWE is revising its previously issued financial statements to record the Unrecorded Expenses in the applicable periods for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, as well as the first quarter of 2021 and 2022. In light of the Unrecorded Expenses and related facts, the Company has concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was not effective as a result of one or more material weaknesses. The Company has also received, and may receive in the future, regulatory, investigative and enforcement inquiries, subpoenas or demands arising from, related to, or in connection with these matters. Professional costs resulting from the Special Committee’s investigation have been significant and are expected to continue to be significant as the investigation continues and/or if litigation costs relating to these regulatory, investigative and enforcement inquiries, subpoenas and demands grow.”

WWE is set to hold its second quarter 2022 financials call on August 16. SEScoops will have coverage of that call. 

A former WWE Superstar once told Vince McMahon to his face, “If you have a three-hour wrestling show and you can’t find five minutes for me to do anything, you’ve failed. You’re a failure.”

Eric Young was used as a top star as the leader of SAnitY in WWE NXT under the leadership of Triple H. However, once called up to the main roster, he was used sparingly. He was eventually let go in 2020.

Young believes that his run would have gone differently, had Triple H been in charge of creative as he is now.

Eric Young Stands up to Vince McMahon

Eric Young spoke about his frustrations in WWE while speaking with Jim Alexander of Reel Talker.

“I went to a meeting with Vince to pitch him some ideas and I told him to his face, if you have a three-hour wrestling show and you can’t find five minutes for me to do anything, you’ve failed. You’re a failure. I’d say that again to his face, because that’s what it is.”

Young then recalled producing as a favor to Triple H. At the time, he wasn’t being used and was being paid to be there, so he was thankful to have something to do.

With Vince McMahon out of power, Eric Young looks back and thinks he would have fared better in WWE if Triple H running creative/talent relations when he was there.

“Things would have been way different for me,” said Young. “I would do anything for him. I’d run through a wall. Help him hide a dead body (laughs), whatever he asked me to do. I respect him that much.”

Eric Young returned to Impact Wrestling in 2020 after leaving WWE. He still wrestles there today and actually held the Impact World Championship from August-October 2020.

H/T: Fightful

Matt Hardy discussed Triple H becoming the new head of WWE creative on the latest edition of his Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast.

The Broken One began by discussing how plugged in The Game is to pro-wrestling in 2022, comparing him to his current boss, AEW President Tony Khan.

“Triple H is much more tuned in to 2022 pro wrestling, much like Tony Khan is. So I think now you have two guys who really have their fingers on the pulse of pro wrestling. So I think that’s going to benefit everyone.”

Hardy does mention how Vince McMahon seemed to have an antiquated view of the industry as he got older, adding that he isn’t trashing the retired former chairman, but Triple H provides a much fresher look for the future.

“it is a positive thing and another huge positive to Triple H running WWE now, Vince, it is what it is, but his views and his mindset about pro wrestling, were a little bit antiquated, and that’s no slant on him, I’m not trash talking him. It’s just because he’s an older guy.”

Furthermore, Hardy calls Triple H taking over WWE creative a game-changer for the industry, one that will benefit talent, who he knows already has a better relationship with Hunter than they did with Vince.

“This deal with Triple H taking over WWE is a game-changer. I mean, on top of that, it also opens up the door for so many people to go back. There are so many more people that have a better relationship with Triple H than Vince, Triple H, I have already spoken to people that are there, Triple H has already been so much more accessible from the people I’ve talked to there with the current experience. So it’s great.”

Triple H’s run as head of creative is only a few weeks old but fans have already noticed improvements over the weekly television product. We will have to wait and see what long-term affects it has on WWE.

(Quotes via Fightful)

In late-2021, Austin Theory, later just Theory, became the on-screen protege of Vince McMahon, in a series of rare TV appearances by WWE’s then-Chairman.

Theory’s alignment with McMahon would prove to be greatly beneficial for the young Superstar, who would be placed in the WWE Championship picture in February, and have a large role at WrestleMania 38.

Theory was also a last-minute entry into the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder match, which he would win, and it was alluded to on commentary that this was McMahon’s choice.

WWE Without McMahon

Theory appeared on-screen with Mr. McMahon for months, but the ex-Chairman won’t be seen anywhere in WWE anymore.

Last month, McMahon confirmed his retirement from WWE due to the ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct with female employees.

During an interview with Denise Salcedo of Instinct Culture, Theory addressed the new era of WWE which has seen Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan take over as Co-CEOs (via Inside the Ropes.)

“Change can always scare people because it’s different and there’s not that comfort level of what you’re used to, but with change, and with somebody like Stephanie, Nick Khan, Triple H, and Bruce Prichard, there is so much creativity there that we haven’t seen. It’s time to have something fresher and newer. It’s a bunch of different minds now and I feel there is no better group of people to takeover.”

“It’s time to have something fresher and newer.”

Theory on the post-Vince McMahon era of WWE.

Lessons Learned

When asked, Theory said that the best lesson learned by McMahon was actually something said on an episode of Raw.

“The best thing I learned from Mr. McMahon, as funny as it was that we said it on TV, the mindset that he had and expect the unexpected. When he said that, it was like, ‘Wow, this is pretty much how it works.’ When we talk about my career, expect the unexpected. I wouldn’t have expected all of that to happen. With Mr. McMahon retiring, I think we all felt like we would never have seen that day.”

Since McMahon’s retirement, Theory has failed in his quest to regain the United States Championship and did not succeed in his cash-in attempt at Summerslam 2022.

When WWE relaunched NXT 2.0 last September, it was reported that Bruce Prichard worked with the NXT creative team while Vince McMahon had the final say on the product and Shawn Michaels was in charge of the day-to-day operations. 

Although it may have seemed like McMahon had his fingerprints over the reimagining of NXT, Michaels suggested that McMahon didn’t play much of a role.

While speaking with Graham “GSM” Matthews of Bleacher Report, Michaels discussed the development of NXT 2.0. 

“When Hunter first left, it became all me, and certainly from a television standpoint. Matt Bloom is the head coach and takes care of everything from the PC training standpoint, but when it came to NXT 2.0 television, that’s something myself and my team took over creatively. I know a lot of people thought Vince and Bruce were doing that. I can promise you, they did not have the time to do NXT television. If it’s good or if it’s bad, that’s on me.”

Michaels continued by stating it’s been a huge joy to run the show and work with the young wrestlers. He said the show always goes on, and it’s trial by fire for many of them. Michaels added that “it’s been an absolutely fantastic experience.”

The pro-wrestling industry is still reeling from the news of Vince McMahon’s WWE retirement, a decision that many have yet to fully buy-into as 100% truth.

One of those deniers is WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, who told Renee Dupree on his Cafe de Rene podcast that he still believes the 76-year old McMahon is pulling the strings behind-the scenes.

“I personally don’t think he’s fully retired. You know Vince, he’s gonna be behind-the-scenes [laughs]. Vince is not letting go of that company, he will not let it go until his hands are dead cold and they pry it out of his cold, dead hands. He’s not letting go of that company until he dies. And that’s just it.”

The Olympic Hero has a right to believe that as McMahon’s grip on the industry has been felt since the 1980s and will continue to be felt long after he is gone. Angle adds that the placement of Stephanie McMahon and Triple H in key positions is further proof that he is continuing to run the show.

“I’m not trying to cause any problems for WWE or for Vince McMahon, because I love Vince to death. But there is no way he is going to let it go. He already set up, you know, Stephanie [McMahon] being in charge and Triple H being in charge of talent relations. He’s got everybody in the right positions so that he could continue to run the show.”

Angle has bee one of the many former WWE superstars who have defended McMahon as allegations and hush money evidence continues to surface against the former chairman.

(Quotes via Wrestling Inc.)

Bret Hart has weighed in on Vince McMahon resigning from WWE amid the hush money scandals. 

It was first reported in June that the WWE board was investigating McMahon for a secret $3 million settlement he allegedly agreed to pay a former WWE employee with whom he allegedly had an affair. A second report came out last month noting agreed to pay more than $12 million to four women to “suppress allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity” over a 16-year period.

Later that month, McMahon announced he was retiring, later clarified in an SEC filing that he resigned after already stepping back from his duties as WWE Chairman and CEO for the duration of the investigation. 

While speaking with Sportskeeda Wrestling, Hart was asked about McMahon’s retirement.

“Like everybody else, I’m mostly just kinda surprised. I don’t think anybody’s ever made as big a footprint as Vince McMahon. I feel kinda sad about it, actually. I know people probably think I would be gloating or happy to see him go through what he’s going, but I don’t. I feel bad that it happened, or whatever’s happened. I think his loss or his absence from the business will be sorely missed,” he said.

Although Hart and McMahon were once bitter enemies after the infamous Montreal Screwjob in 1997, they later buried the hatchet.

Quotes via Fightful

Over the past month, the wrestling world has been rocked as two of the most influential men in WWE have left the company.

In July, Vince McMahon announced his retirement from the promotion, a month after stepping down as CEO and Chairman.

McMahon stepped down from the roles due to the ongoing investigation into him over allegations of misconduct with female employees.

More recently, it was reported that John Laurinaitis, who is alleged to have participated in the McMahon scandal, had been terminated from WWE, ending his 21-year tenure with the promotion.

RVD & Laurinaitis’ Relationship

The same year that Laurinaitis joined WWE (2001), Rob Van Dam signed with the promotion following the collapse of ECW.

A former WWE and ECW Champion, Van Dam worked closely with both McMahon and Laurinaitis.

During an interview with SEScoops correspondent Steve Fall, RVD addressed the departure of Laurinaitis, calling the former WWE Head of Talent Relations his ‘guy.’

“he was my guy. I know a lot of people didn’t get along with him. I was wrestling him in Japan in ‘93… I could relate to him in a lot of ways.”

Rob Van Dam on the release of John Laurinaitis.

Addressing McMahon’s departure from WWE, Van Dam wasn’t pleased with the former Chairman’s retirement, but tried to see the positive side.

“I don’t like Vince being gone, but if it’s better for business, then that’s awesome.”

RVD on Vince McMahon’s retirement.

Neither Laurinaitis or McMahon have appeared publicly since their departures from WWE.

WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley has revealed what he didn’t like about Vince McMahon’s booking.

Taking to his “Foley Is Pod” podcast, Foley offered up his thoughts on the recent creative changes within WWE, with Vince McMahon stepping down. During that segment, Foley actually touched on what he doesn’t like about McMahon’s booking style.

Foley noted that he isn’t a fan of always having guys lose in their hometown for the sake of heat. He’d rather see those respective stars go over in their hometowns.

“There is a part of Vince that genuinely likes to make dreams come true. He likes to do that for his audience. I think you could argue that he puts them through an unnecessary ringer sometimes, you know?

“Like I’m not a fan of having people lose and get embarrassed in their hometowns. I guess he thinks, you know, it’s good heat. I would rather have seen, you know, Charlotte [Flair] go over in Charlotte and Sasha [Banks] go over in Boston instead of vice versa.”

McMahon was the head of WWE’s front office and creative decisions for decades. However, after some sexual misconduct allegations surfaced, McMahon was forced to step down as WWE CEO, leaving his daughter Stephanie McMahon and Nick Kahn to step in as co-CEOs.

Soon after, when investigations into these allegations began, McMahon then decided to retire altogether, stepping down as head of WWE creative. His son-in-law and multiple time WWE World Champion Triple H ascended to the throne, assuming creative control in McMahon’s absence.

There’s sure to be a massive difference in style with Triple H at the helm rather than McMahon. It will be interesting to see how the landscape of WWE changes over the next few weeks under “The Game.”

Quotes via Wrestling Inc.

WWE announced today in an SEC filing that it has uncovered an additional $5 million in unrecorded payments directly connected to Vince McMahon. 

Because of this, they will be delaying filing their quarterly financial report. The payments were made in 2007 and 2009. 

WWE previously announced that they had to file for $14.6 million in unrecorded expenses made by McMahon from 2006-2022. They would also have to re-do previous quarterly financial reports going back several years. 

“Since that time, the Company has determined that two additional payments totaling $5.0 million, unrelated to the allegations that led to the Special Committee investigation, that Mr. McMahon made in 2007 and 2009 should have been recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements,” the filing stated.

“Together, these unrecorded expenses total $19.6 million (the ‘Unrecorded Expenses’). The Company has evaluated the Unrecorded Expenses and has determined that such amounts should have been recorded as expenses in each of the periods in which they became probable and estimable. All payments underlying the Unrecorded Expenses were or will be paid by Mr. McMahon personally. The Special Committee investigation remains ongoing.”

The new filing also confirms John Lauranaitis’s departure from WWE, as reported on Monday. 

The payments previously discovered were directly linked to the accusations against McMahon for paying multiple former female employees to keep alleged sexual misconduct quiet. 

Despite McMahon resigning, he is still being actively investigated by the WWE Board of Directors.

Last month, Vince McMahon announced his retirement from WWE after four decades of running the promotion he founded.

McMahon’s retirement came one month after he stepped down as CEO and Chairman, due to the ongoing investigation into him.

McMahon is alleged to have had inappropriate relationships with multiple women over the years in WWE, resulting in millions of dollars being paid out in Non-Disclosure Agreements

Still in Charge?

While McMahon is gone, there are still some who believe he is still running things behind the scenes.

After McMahon’s retirement, Vince Russo said fans were “clueless” for believing that the ex-CEO was really gone, and he’s not alone in that view.

According to Fightful, McMahon’s retirement is genuine and one higher up in the company said that it’d be obvious of the former Chairman was still pulling the strings.

“If Vince McMahon was still involved to any degree, neither Summerslam or WWE Raw would have resembled what they looked like. Dakota would not have been brought back, Raw would have been several Summerslam rematches.”

A WWE higher-up explains just how gone Vince McMahon really is.

Fightful was explicitly told that McMahon has no say in day-to-day or creative anymore, and there have been rumors of him having his access to information limited.

A number of people within WWE also confirmed to Fightful that normally, they’d have to wait on clearance from McMahon for something, but that has not been the case since he retired.

It is also reported that McMahon may have limited access to WWE facilities, but that has not been confirmed.

In the Summer of 2000, one of WWE’s biggest storylines revolved around a love triangle between Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, and Kurt Angle.

While Angle declared that he and Stephanie were just ‘good friends’ the storyline took a turn during the August 24, 2000, SmackDown.

After helping an injured Stephanie to the back, Angle kissed her while Stephanie’s husband Triple H was being beaten down in the ring.

The Kiss

While speaking on his podcast, Angle talked about how it felt to kiss Stephanie McMahon in front of her father.

“It was weird. It was very uncomfortable. Vince, not only was he directing, he was literally two feet away from us. The camera was right here, Stephanie and I are here, and Vince is right behind the camera looking at us. I’m not saying he felt like he looked like he was aroused, but he had this look like, I want to see this.

I’m not saying he [Vince McMahon] felt like he looked like he was aroused, but he had this look like, ‘I want to see this.'”

Kurt Angle on his awkward kiss with Stephanie McMahon

“So I kissed Stephanie, and I do it like this because I’m nervous as hell. I look like a duck, fish lips. Stephanie afterward said, ‘You kiss like a fish.’ I said, ‘What the hell do you want me to do? Do you want me to slip you the tongue while your dad’s watching? Plus you’re married to Triple H.”

Triple H would later get a win over Angle at the Unforgiven Pay Per View, and the storyline would be ended, reportedly as ‘The Game’ felt it was unrealistic that Stephanie would choose Kurt over him.

Finn Balor originally made his name as the leader of the Bullet Club. So it’s no surprise that Vince McMahon was impressed by his heel work.

The former Universal champion recently spoke to Cheap Heat podcast. He discussed things such as changing his ring gear and more.

When asked if things will change for him now that Triple H is in charge of creative instead of Vince McMahon, Balor mentioned how he gets a feeling of familiarity with The Game because of their history:

“Yeah, obviously I have a very good relationship with Triple H, but with most of the people in the company too. We have worked together a lot in NXT, you know, first and second run in NXT. So I definitely have like a familiarity, more so than I did with Vince.”

• Finn Balor has Advice for WWE Superstars who want to Leave

However, Finn Balor later explained that Vince McMahon was always good to him too. Balor claimed that McMahon was ‘blown away’ by his heel work as part of the Judgement Day faction:

“But, you know, Vince has always been great to me. He was absolutely blown away by my heel work, which he didn’t think I had in me. So that was nice to hear.”

The Judgement Day is currently feuding with The Mysterios. Balor is scheduled to compete in a match against Rey Mysterio on Raw this Monday.

Quotes via RingSidenews

Former WWE star Lana (real name CJ Perry) has offered her thoughts on the current situation surrounding Vince McMahon and his retirement.

During a recent interview with Liam Alexander-Stewart of ITRWrestling.com, Perry was asked for her thoughts on the situation with McMahon. While Perry said she had a great relationship with McMahon, that doesn’t mean everyone else has.

“Oh, gosh, it’s I feel like such a controversial issue right now and it’s really unfortunate everything, to be honest.

“I’m a big believer that we should bring things into the light and even though I had amazing relationship with Vince, and he was very kind to me and taught me so many things that I’m going to take with me for the rest of my life, It doesn’t mean that other people didn’t have a very different experience.”

“I… in general, not with people in WWE, but in general, but being a victim of sexual harassment and being a victim of people trying to pull favors from you that I really just don’t ever really talk about, and maybe one day will be more comfortable with talking about at a bigger on a bigger level.

“But, you know, I have compassion and empathy for those women, and I think it does need to be handled properly, however it is.”

McMahon was forced to step down as WWE CEO after several allegations of sexual misconduct came against him. This left his daughter, Stephanie McMahon, and Nick Khan to step up as co-CEOs.

Shortly thereafter, McMahon decided to retire as head of WWE creative. This was shortly after reports surfaced that several investigations into McMahon’s misconduct were now underway.

His son-in-law, Triple H, has now been named the new head of WWE creative. There have already been several changes made to how WWE operates under the new regime change – positively received for the most part.

When Rusev lost the WWE United States Championship (and his undefeated streak) to John Cena at WrestleMania 31 in 2015, the Bulgarian didn’t take it well.

After failing to regain the title, Rusev would blame his manager Lana, played by his then-girlfriend and future-wife CJ Perry.

What followed was a love triangle over the Summer, in which Rusev aligned with Summer Rae, while Lana had an on-screen romantic relationship with Dolph Ziggler.

The Kiss

On the May 18, 2015 Monday Night Raw, Lana confirmed her relationship with Ziggler, kissing the two-time former World Heavyweight Champion.

Speaking to Renee Paquette on ‘The Sessions,’ Perry recalled rehearsal for the angle, and having to practice kissing in front of the then-WWE CEO (via Wrestling News.)

“It’s Ace [John Laurinaitis] Vince [McMahon, Dolph, and Miro. We had to practice the kiss and Miro is turning red in the corner. Vince is like, ‘What? We’re all adults. What’s the problem? We’re all adults. It’s professionalism. Don’t be weird.’ So we do it, and Vince goes, ‘No, no, no, no, way slower.’ He doesn’t fully kiss Johnny Ace, but he gets like this close. I mean, it was hilarious. Dolph is dying.”

“He doesn’t fully kiss Johnny Ace, but he gets like this close.”

CJ Perry on Vince McMahon’s attempts to teach her how to kiss Dolph Ziggler

Perry added that when she recently rewatched the kiss with a friend, it was noticed how slow she and Ziggler kiss.

She adds that McMahon “wanted it to be innocent,” as if she had never kissed a man before.

Vince McMahon’s abrupt WWE departure is still a puzzling development. Famous for his work ethic, people thought that McMahon will work till his wheels fell off. Even when the allegations against him first came to light, the boss had been promising talent that he was going to stick around. Many still wonder what made him change his mind.

Dave Meltzer believes the prospect of hurting the legacy of the company could have been the reason behind this change. The wrestling journalist opened up about McMahon’s departure on Talk Is Jericho. He explained what could have forced the former WWE chairman to change his mind:

“Obviously there was something huge. I’m sure it was not a voluntary decision, but it was one of those things where you are now in a position where you’re going to hurt the company. I do believe that if Vince McMahon thought that he was going to hurt the company by staying that he would leave.

I think that’s the one thing he would do. He’s not gonna take his legacy down. The WWE is his life legacy. He’s gonna be there long after he’s gone. I don’t think he wants to be the one to take it down, I think he wants it to live forever.”

Meltzer also talked about the allegations against Mr. McMahon. He explained how the the board of directors first became aware of the accusations despite an NDA being signed. You can check out his comments here.

More Originals From SEScoops:

• Bayley Explains Idea Behind Her New Faction
• Bryan Danielson Considered Being A Full Time Dad Before AEW Debut
• What Eric Bischoff Has To Say To Veterans Who Complain About Everything
• Eric Bischoff Believes AEW Is ‘Mom And Pop Hamburger Stand’ Compared To WWE

If you use any quotes from the article, please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

The wrestling world has been shaken with the retirement of Vince McMahon. The majority of the wresting fans didn’t expect to see this day anytime soon. However, in only a few short weeks, the boss has not only been forced to relinquish all his positions in the company but his name has essentially been erased from the promotion.

It all started with the first allegation that was made against the boss back in March. It was revealed that McMahon had signed an NDA worth $3 million with a released WWE employee. Dave Meltzer discussed it during his appearance on Talk Is Jericho. He explained how the allegations became public despite an NDA:

“She had an NDA, somehow one of her friends found out. Her friend sent a message to every member of the board [of directors]. So this would have been in late March saying, ‘This is what happened.’ [She was] very negative about [WWE attorny] Jerry McDevitt , like pressuring her and things like that.

She [the ex-employee] couldn’t come out but somebody did, and they investigated and found out that it was real. In the investigation they found out it was not the first NDA. That there had been several others over the years.”

The discovery of the first NDA led to further investigation. It unearthed more nondisclosure agreements related to misconduct claims against Vince McMahon totalling $12 Million. These NDAs had not been disclosed in WWE’s SEC filing which is believed to be a big reason why the WWE owner had to leave the promotion.

More Originals From SEScoops:

• Bayley Explains Idea Behind Her New Faction
• Bryan Danielson Considered Being A Full Time Dad Before AEW Debut
• What Eric Bischoff Has To Say To Veterans Who Complain About Everything
• Eric Bischoff Believes AEW Is ‘Mom And Pop Hamburger Stand’ Compared To WWE
• Chris Jericho Reveals Similarity Between Wrestling And Star Wars Fandom

If you use any quotes from the article, please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

In the Attitude Era, Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon led different promotions, but the two weren’t entirely at odds.

Heyman, aware that his ECW could never compete for dominance over the much bigger WWF, struck a deal with McMahon.

This deal saw McMahon pay ECW $1,000 a week, as well as a $500,000 payment in mid-2000, while the WWF received the first chance on signing ECW talent, and had a much easier time purchasing ECW when the company eventually collapsed.

The Advice

Before ECW folded, Heyman jumped to the WWF and returned to the WWE in 2012.

This return saw Heyman work closely with McMahon now in the same company, and the two workaholics worked well together until the latter’s retirement last month.

In June 2019, Heyman was appointed an Executive Director of Raw, and during an appearance on The Mackmania podcast on The Ringer Wrestling Show, shared some advice he got by McMahon when receiving the role.

“Make sure you pick your successor, in case you drop dead.”

Paul Heyman reveals the advice given to him by Vince McMahon.

According to Heyman, McMahon made it clear that even in the times of Vince’s passing, the show must go on without him.

McMahon was under the impression that he would remain as WWE CEO and Chairman until his death.

Heyman’s Future

While many are optimistic for WWE’s future with McMahon now retired, Heyman isn’t celebrating.

On the show, Heyman made it clear that he’s fully on board with the new vision for WWE, but it’s foolish to celebrate McMahon’s departure, as his work ethic made a lot of people a lot of money.

Many believe that Heyman could be in line for a backstage role with creative, as he has good relationships with WWE Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon and Head of Creative/Talent Relations Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque.

There were lots of headlines coming out of this week’s AEW Dynamite, a show that was near universally praised as a great two-hour broadcast. One of those headlines, potentially one of the most eye-popping moments of the show, happened when Max Caster brought up the name of the former head of World Wrestling Entertainment.

Caster and partner Anthony Bowens (The Acclaimed) were making their entrance for a Dumpster Match with The Gunn Club when, after taking out their opponents on the ramp, Caster got on the mic for one of his trademark raps.

“We make the ass boys retire like Vince McMahon,” Caster said during the rap.

Check out the video below.

• What Happened After AEW Dynamite: Moxley Mentions Cody

The Acclaimed Continue To Impress

Caster and Bowens have really made a name for themselves in the AEW tag team division over the last year. They suffered a set-back when Bowens was injured, but with both members now back in the fold, it’s not hard to imagine an AEW Tag Team Championship reign for the duo down the line.

Few teams in the division draw the kind of crowd response that The Acclaimed do. Tag team wise, it harkens back to the fan response that The New Age Outlaws had back in the late 1990s.

That being said, the belts currently reside with Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland, so a potential championship reign for The Acclaimed is still probably some time away.

Make sure to check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news: Apple – Spotify – YouTube.