Ronda Rousey held nothing back in her recent estimation of Vince McMahon, following the ex-Chairman’s resignation from WWE. 

It’s been just under two months since McMahon’s second exit from wrestling’s top federation, this time due to Janel Grant’s damning lawsuit. Grant alleges she was sexually abused and trafficked by McMahon during her tenure with WWE. He has denied all allegations. 

Ronda Rousey on Vince McMahon

Our Fight by Ronda Rousey is the ex-Superstar’s second book and is due to be released next month. The former WWE Women’s Champion does not hold back in her take on the 78-year-old billionaire. 

In the memoir, Rousey calls McMahon the ‘Emperor Palpatine’ of wrestling, a nod to the Star Wars antagonist. She adds: 

“It’s hard sometimes to know where the evil, unethical, slimeball character of Vince McMahon played out for the cameras ends and the actual questionably ethical, many times sued, and multiple times accused of sexual misconduct Vince McMahon begins.

“That blurred line between character and reality is a recurring theme within the WWE Universe.”

Restricting Women

As an athlete who redefined what women could do in the world of MMA, the treatment of women is understandably an important theme in the book. When discussing WWE’s Premium Live Events, Rousey suggested that the ultra-conservative views of Saudi Arabia are something McMahon would like to replicate. 

“[PLEs are] held in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, as well as now twice a year in Saudi Arabia, a nation that restricts the rights of women in a way that I’m certain Vince McMahon wishes he could.”

Positive Thoughts

While McMahon is lambasted in Rousey’s memoir, that doesn’t extend to everyone in the family. Rousey has much more positive words for McMahon’s son-in-law Triple H. 

“In addition to being my in-ring WrestleMania nemesis, he is arguably one of the best professional wrestlers in history and one of the better people on the business side.”

More Reading Material

Rousey’s book isn’t the only hotly-anticipated wrestling memoir set to be released. Next week, Rousey’s nemesis Becky Lynch will release her ‘The Man’ and the reviews so far have been glowing. Lynch’s new book even found its way to the White House when Lynch attended as part of the recent St. Patrick’s Day celebration. 

Vince McMahon led WWE in his own way for decades. Things are much different now, as the company is operating in a much different way now. Triple H is calling the creative shots, and the change has been noticed throughout the business.

AJ Styles recently opened up about the change WWE experienced. While expressing his belief that WWE is no longer the same under Triple H’s guidance, Styles commended Triple H for his approach to talent development. He emphasized Triple H’s focus on nurturing talent and bringing out their best rather than highlighting their weaknesses, contrasting it with past practices under McMahon’s regime.

Changes in WWE

AJ Styles recently shared his thoughts on the evolution of talent treatment in WWE Styles appeared on The Battleground podcast, particularly under the leadership of Triple H compared to Vince McMahon’s tenure. According to Styles, there has been a noticeable shift in how wrestlers are perceived and valued within the company.

Reflecting on the emotional toll of talent releases, Styles conveyed empathy for performers whose careers were abruptly halted. He questioned the rationale behind releasing talent instead of providing them with opportunities to improve, advocating for a more supportive approach such as sending them back to NXT for further development.

“This isn’t the same WWE that Vince was in charge of,” Styles said during the interview. “I really believe that Triple H looks at our talent and goes, ‘Alright, let’s get them better or let’s find ways to bring out the best in them rather than show off the worst.'”

AJ Styles expressed his appreciation for Triple H’s approach to talent management in WWE, highlighting the shift in how wrestlers are valued compared to Vince McMahon’s era. Styles emphasized Triple H’s focus on improving talent rather than emphasizing their flaws, contrasting it with the past practice of releasing performers, which often devastated them.

A lot of those guys and girls, when they got released from WWE, it crushes them. I never understood why we would want to do something like that rather than just like, ‘Ok, let’s send them back to NXT, they just need a little bit more work’ or something like that.

Being released, it’ll crush you and I don’t want to see people, their lives being ruined because of a job. At the end of the day, it’s just a job, but still, it’s something they’ve worked for their whole life and then when you’re told you’re not good enough, man, that sucks.

But that’s not the way it is these days. Now, with Triple H in charge, I think he’s doing a great job of making everyone feel important.

WWE in the Future

TKO Group Holdings has WWE and UFC under one umbrella. Odds are, they will continue raking up big business for years to come, as sponsorship and huge money deals keep coming in.

Vince McMahon is no longer in the picture, and the company is arguably better off for it. The future looks bright in the post Vince era, and talent can also see the shift right in front of their eyes. Only time will tell how Triple H is remembered in pro wrestling history, but he’s off to a good start steering WWE into the future.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, as we continue on the road to WrestleMania 40. You never know what headline will pop up next, so please keep checking back for constant updates and the latest headlines.

The promoter of Dynasty Wrestling has defended booking Patrick Clark for an event following backlash among fans. 

Clark, known for his time as Velveteen Dream in WWE NXT, appeared at a Dynasty event in New York last month. The show marked Clark’s first wrestling appearance since his release from WWE in 2021. 

The former NXT North American champion was let go following allegations that he had sent explicit messages and photos to minors. WWE said they found no evidence in their investigation, though one of Clark’s accusers would later state that they were never contacted for the investigation. 

Dynasty Defends Clark Booking

The choice to feature Clark at the event was met with heavy backlash, especially as fans were not informed of his presence at the show ahead of time. One of Dynasty’s ex-talent also believed that Clark’s involvement sent the wrong message. 

Speaking to Bucklebomb Entertainment, Dynasty promoter Chris Envy spoke highly of Clark. 

“He is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. We spent a couple hours together that day. He was so nice, one of the nicest people… He said hello to everybody, he took pictures, class act all around.”

Many fans took issue with Clark appearing on the same show as Rita Chatterton. The former WWE referee has alleged for years that she was raped by Vince McMahon in the 1980s. In the interview, Envy claimed that Chatterton supported Clark at the event. 

“They were shoulder to shoulder, there was nothing uncomfortable about the situation. She told me to give him her number and have him reach out to her.”

Envy argued that it ultimately comes down to the Dynasty fans, who he believes would be excited to see Vince McMahon despite the allegations against the ex-WWE Chairman. 

“All these people that are coming at me, ‘you’re not family entertainment.’ It’s easy to say that, but if I had Vince McMahon on my next show, all those clowns would still be buying tickets.”

What’s Next?

Patrick Clark hasn’t competed since the Dynasty Wrestling show. In the interview, Envy said that he he has had talks with Clark regarding future bookings and that other promoters have reached out to ask about obtaining Clark’s services. 

H/T – Fightful

Vince McMahon was well aware that Tony Khan opened up AEW, even though he didn’t want to give them any added attention. He did want to know if they were doing anything special that WWE wasn’t.

Bryan Danielson revealed that he received a phone call from Vince McMahon late one night while he was still with WWE. McMahon had a very interesting question to ask about AEW vs WWE programming, and that caused Bryan to investigate.

McMahon’s Request of Bryan Danielson

While speaking at SXSW, Bryan Danielson opened up a bit about WWE’s creative situation with Vince McMahon. He revealed that The Chairman of the Board called him one night, and he asked a very interesting question about AEW.

It seems that Vince wanted to know what AEW is doing that WWE isn’t doing. After watching a lot of television, Bryan Danielson had a number of things to report back to Mr. McMahon.

“Vince McMahon actually called me one night, I was part of WWE creative, and he called me one night and said, ‘What is AEW doing that we’re not doing?’ I went back and watched eight straight weeks of TV within the span of six days and was like, ‘there is a whole list of things.’”

Bryan Danielson is a treasured member of the AEW roster now. Not only is he one of the top in-ring names that the company has, but he also plays a very important role backstage.

“Vince McMahon actually called me one night, I was part of WWE creative, and he called me one night and said, 'What is AEW doing that we're not doing?'

I went back and watched eight straight weeks of TV within the span of six days and was like, 'there is a whole list of… pic.twitter.com/QeNxk6HJm3

— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) March 12, 2024

What’s Next

Danielson is one of three people reportedly in AEW’s disciplinary committee. It is apparently only Bryan and two other unnamed attorneys. Those are the people responsible for handing down any punishments, suspensions, or terminations. Obviously, AEW has provided Danielson with an amazing opportunity outside the ring.

Vince McMahon is no longer calling the shots in WWE, as he was ousted following Janel Grant’s lawsuit. Now, we will have to wait and see what is next for him, but odds are he won’t be making any more late-night calls to Bryan Danielson.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, in the pro wrestling world. Please keep checking back for constant updates

The pro wrestling world was rocked in a big way when Janel Grant’s lawsuit named Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis. Now, the names of other executives were named, and the company is reacting. 

In a sex-trafficking lawsuit filed in January, WWE president Nick Khan and COO Brad Blum were identified as Corporate Officers No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. The lawsuit alleges their involvement in a scheme where plaintiff Janel Grant was purportedly “a sexual slave within the WWE.” Now, WWE has issued a response to this blockbuster headline.

WWE’s Response

In response to the allegations, WWE issued a statement expressing its serious approach to Ms. Grant’s claims and emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward physical abuse or unwanted contact.

The statement also clarified that neither Khan nor Blum were aware of any allegations by Ms. Grant prior to the lawsuit filed on January 25, 2024, nor does the complaint allege that either had knowledge of such incidents.

“WWE takes Ms. Grant’s allegations very seriously and has no tolerance for any physical abuse or unwanted physical contact. “Neither Nick Khan nor Brad Blum, prior to the lawsuit being filed on January 25, 2024, were aware of any allegation by Ms. Grant that she was the victim of abuse or unwanted physical contact; nor does the complaint allege that either had knowledge of such.”

It is important to note that neither Blum nor Khan have been accused of engaging in any sexually inappropriate behavior with Janel Grant.

WWE's statement:

"WWE takes Ms. Grant's allegations very seriously and has no tolerance for any physical abuse or unwanted physical contact.

"Neither Nick Khan nor Brad Blum, prior to the lawsuit being filed on January 25, 2024, were aware of any allegation by Ms. Grant that… https://t.co/qPHS7367FE

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) March 11, 2024

Janel Grant’s Lawsuit

The lawsuit alleges that WWE CEO Khan played a significant role in a scheme involving Grant’s hiring for an unspecified position, as reported by Front Office Sports. Khan is identified as ‘Corporate Officer 1’ in the legal documents, alongside WWE COO Blum, who is listed as ‘Officer 2.’ McMahon introduced Blum and Khan to Grant as his ‘key fixers,’ according to the suit.

The lawsuit further contends that in March 2021, Grant informed McMahon that Khan recognized her when she introduced herself in a corridor, with Khan allegedly questioning her trustworthiness. McMahon purportedly relayed to Grant that Khan had doubts about her reliability. However, a WWE spokesperson denies the occurrence of this conversation.

SEScoops will have more on this breaking story as additional information is made known. Please keep checking back for constant updates.  

Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan are among those named in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against WWE, in which she claims she was abused and trafficked during her tenure. 

Grant’s daming lawsuit against WWE and former chairman Vince McMahon alleges that she was a sexual slave during her time and was trafficked by McMahon to various men in the company. McMahon has denied all wrongdoing and has claimed that the lawsuit is rife with fabrications. 

Nick Khan Named

The suit claims that Khan, WWE’s CEO, was instrumental in a scheme that saw Grant hired in an undefined role, Front Office Sports reports. Khan is listed in the paperwork as ‘Corporate Officer 1’ alongside WWE COO Brad Blum (Officer 2.) McMahon presented Blum and Khan to Grant as his ‘key fixers’ according to the suit. 

A statement from WWE reads: 

“WWE takes Ms. Grant’s allegations very seriously and has no tolerance for any physical abuse or unwanted physical contact. Neither Nick Khan nor Brad Blum, prior to the lawsuit being filed on January 25, 2024, were aware of any allegation by Ms. Grant that she was the victim of abuse or unwanted physical contact; nor does the complaint allege that either had knowledge of such.”

The suit claims that in March 2021, Grant told McMahon that Khan responded to her introducing herself in a corridor by telling her he knew exactly who she was. McMahon told her, according to the suit, that Khan had “inquired whether Grant could be trusted.” A WWE spokesperson denies this conversation ever happened. 

It should be stressed that neither Blum or Khan have been accused of acting sexually inappropriate with Janel Grant. 

Brad Blum’s Alleged Role

Grant claims that when she first met with McMahon, she had minimal work history, but that the 78-year-old ensured her a meeting with Blum, the EVP of operations at the time. The interview with Blum saw “hardly any questions” asked, but she was hired to a $75,000-a-year role in WWE’s legal department. When McMahon told Grant that Blum had warned him “that there were a lot of rumors circulating” about the relationship, she was moved to another department. 

Stephanie McMahon in the Lawsuit

The suit also makes reference to Stephanie McMahon (Corporate Officer 3) who stepped down from WWE in January 2023 following her father’s return. Stephanie is mentioned once in ambiguous context in the suit. She is described as knowing “of other instances of [Vince] McMahon engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct” and motioned for Grant to sit near her during a meeting. The meeting in question was said to be among WWE’s executive committee which Grant claims was odd for her to be present for, saying it was far above her pay grade. 

Vince McMahon is no longer officially associated with WWE, a company he boosted into an internal publicly traded company. He recently sold a ton of stock, but what is his standing in the company now?

TKO disclosed today that Vince McMahon sold 5,350,000 TKO shares at $77 each, generating $411,950,000 from the transaction. According to the filing, McMahon retains ownership of 15,002,105 shares. As of today’s closing price of $81.39 per share, McMahon’s total investment in TKO is valued at $1,221,021,326.

McMahon’s Big Pay Day

Vince McMahon’s association with WWE came to an abrupt turning point following his resignation from his role within the company. Now, he is cashing in after leaving the company he helped build and merge into a global conglomerate.

In a recent disclosure, it was revealed that McMahon opted to sell a substantial portion of his TKO shares, totaling an estimated $412 million. This strategic move not only serves to enhance McMahon’s financial standing but also raises a lot of questions about how he will spend that money.

With the sale of 5,350,000 shares, McMahon’s remaining stake in TKO now stands at around 15 million shares, constituting approximately 9% of the total outstanding TKO stock. So, he doesn’t own enough of the company to perform any kind of takeover in the future, as he did after his first “retirement” when the story first broke that he had a ton of NDAs and hush money agreements floating around.

Vince McMahon’s Resignation From WWE

Vince McMahon was forced to resign from WWE after Janel Grant’s lawsuit went public, along with the heinous allegations against him. The minute Slim Jim pulled their Royal Rumble in the eleventh hour before the big event, WWE knew they couldn’t have that slippery slope.

TKO CEO Ari Emanuel and TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro reportedly “urged” Vince to step down, and leave the company. Not long after his resignation was announced, Slim Jim returned to sponsor the Royal Rumble, and they even got an advertisement as part of LA Knight’s entrance during the show.

Vince McMahon has since been removed from WWE content to the best of their ability. His face was even blurred during cut scenes in WWE 2K24.

SEScoops will have more updates on this story, and so much more in the coming months. Keep checking back for more details on the stories you need.

It’s time for the wrestling world to move on from Vincent Kennedy McMahon, at least according to AEW commentator and ex-McMahon employee Jim Ross. 

McMahon stepped down from WWE in January 2024 due to the shocking allegations made against him in Janel Grant’s lawsuit. Grant alleges that she was sexually abused by McMahon and was trafficked to other influential men in the company. Brock Lesnar is suspected to be one of the alleged men, resulting in the Beast being pulled from all WWE plans. 

Vince McMahon’s Response

McMahon has claimed that the litigation is rife with fabrications and has claimed he is completely innocent. Former WWE executive John Laurinaitis, who is named in the suit, has claimed he is a victim, not a predator, in this situation. Brock Lesnar has not commented publicly on the allegation against him. 

Jim Ross Weighs In

Ross worked closely with McMahon for decades and in addition to being a commentator, served as WWE’s Head of Talent Relations for years. On a recent edition of his Grilling JR podcast, Ross spoke about McMahon’s sullen exit from the company he created. 

 “I’m tired of it. It’s embarrassing in a lot of ways that it’s happened this way. It’s affected a lot of innocent people. That’s my take on it.”

Ross added that he hopes the wrestling world can look to the future and leave the alleged activity of McMahon in the past. 

“It’s time to move on. It’s time to move on and cause some rest and peace for some people and it’s time to move on in my opinion.”

H/T – POST Wrestling

Mark Shapiro has once again reiterated that Vince McMahon is gone from TKO Group Holdings and that he will not return. 

While McMahon was able to force his way back into WWE in January 2023, his most recent resignation happened under much different circumstances thanks to the launch of TKO Group Holdings last September. 

Mark Shapiro on Vince McMahon

Speaking at the Morgan Stanley conference, TKO’s COO Mark Shapiro addressed McMahon’s departure and his recent offloading of TKO stock. Shapiro made it clear that TKO did not participate in the sale. Shapiro added that McMahon does not work for TKO, does not go to the offices and is not coming back to the company. 

Plans for Branding

Over the past year, WWE has seen an increase in branding usage on camera at WWE events. During the conference, Shapiro said that “not to criticize Vince McMahon” but he believes WWE didn’t utilize enough branding opportunities in arenas. UFC, the other half of TKO, uses arguably too many, according to Shapiro, who said that WWE will continue to use sponsors on WWE ring assets. 

WWE RAW & Netflix

In January 2025, Monday Night Raw will move to Netflix in a blockbuster deal that will mark the end of WWE’s flagship show on broadcast television. Shapiro said that “not in my wildest dreams” did he expect Netflix for the Raw deal, and that the conversation was originally about WWE NXT. Shapiro credits WWE President Nick Khan and TKO CFO Andrew Schleimer for negotiating the deal.

What’s to Come? 

Shapiro was pleasantly surprised by the buzz that this year’s Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber events made. Looking ahead, he said fans can expect celebrities from the William Morris-Endeavor (WME) agency at WrestleMania. Partnering with Fanatics for WWE World is going well, and can be considered a blueprint for future projects.

WWE 2K24 may be a celebration of 40 years of WrestleMania, but don’t expect to see the event’s founder Vince McMahon.

McMahon stepped down from WWE in January 2024 due to the shocking allegations made against him in Janel Grant’s lawsuit. McMahon has claimed that the litigation is rife with fabrications and has claimed he is completely innocent. Former WWE executive John Laurinaitis, who is named in the suit, has claimed he is a victim, not a predator, in this situation.

Vince McMahon and WWE 2K24

With WWE 2K24 recognizing the promotion’s past, there have been questions as to how WWE would handle McMahon’s presence in important moments. After all, some of WWE’s biggest feuds that led to matches at the Showcase of the Immortals have included the 78-year-old billionaire.

With the game’s Deluxe Edition already out, gamers have been able to get their hands on WWE 2K24. One match in the WrestleMania Showcase mode is the Women’s triple threat that headlined WrestleMania 35 in 2019.

Fans who have played the WrestleMania Showcase mode will have noticed that in archive footage for the WrestleMania 39 match, McMahon appears alongside Charlotte Flair. In the footage of the segment which saw Flair added to the match, McMahon’s face is blurred out. The narration also states WWE replaced Becky Lynch with Flair without mentioning McMahon by name.

What’s Next?

The regular edition of WWE 2K24 will be released later this week. As for McMahon, the lawsuit against him will continue forward despite his resignation from the promotion. against the former WWE Chairman.

Vince McMahon’s aggressive control of WWE programming was infamous during his time as Chairman of the Board. Now that he’s gone, things are very different.

Triple H is now in control of WWE’s programming. As Chief Content Officer, he has also decided not to berate his announcers with constant directions. Corey Graves can attest to this fact, because he lived through the transition and is very much enjoying The Game’s time in charge.

Corey Graves Speaks On Triple H

Corey Graves is a prominent figure in WWE, particularly as part of Friday Night SmackDown’s commentary team. He remembers the days when Vince McMahon was in his ear all night, commanding him to hit certain lines on commentary. That is not the case anymore.

With experience both as a wrestler and announcer in NXT, WWE’s developmental brand overseen by Triple H, Graves expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided by Paul “Triple H” Levesque. He sees the King of Kings are one of the primary reasons he was so successful in the company.

While speaking to Short and to the Point podcast, Graves highlighted Triple H’s supportive approach and acknowledged the creative freedom afforded to announcers under his leadership.

“Triple H is another guy I owe a great deal, if not everything in my career, to. He was the one that took a chance on me as a wrestler in NXT. If I need something, I’ve never hesitated to go to him and ask. He’s cool and refreshing in the sense that he gives us [announcers] space.”

Differences Between Triple H & Vince McMahon

Graves continued to explained that Triple H recognizes the importance of allowing announcers to express themselves authentically as fans.

“Instead of being directed to adhere to specific instructions or language, Triple H understands that we’re all fans. As the industry progresses, you have to loosen the reins a bit. I still have boundaries, but they feel more flexible now.”

In contrast to Vince McMahon’s notorious habit of shouting at announcers through their headsets, Triple H doesn’t take that tactic at all. Instead, The Game has a much more cerebral approach to things.

“I’ve been on TV for seven years between RAW and SmackDown. In the last few months, communication through my headset has been exceptionally quiet and clear. I only receive feedback if I’m making a significant mistake or if a joke lands. If I say something that resonates, he’ll build on it or enhance the joke in my headset.”

Vince McMahon’s WWE Exit

Vince McMahon initially retired from WWE in 2022, amid allegations of sexual misconduct. At the time, WWE announced a special committee would investigate McMahon. However, his retirement didn’t last long, and he returned to the company to help usher in a sale/merger era for the company.

McMahon made creative adjustments remotely for a long time during that period. The whole time Triple H was still acting COO of the company.

That misconduct for Mr. McMahon was later detailed in gruesome ways with Janel Grant’s earth-shattering lawsuit. After Slim Jim pulled their sponsorship right before the Royal Rumble, Vince had no choice but to totally resign from the company.

In more recent memory, Vince announced his intention to sell over $400 million in TKO stock, leaving him with around 8% of the company in his control, which is not enough to secure his place back in the company once again if he ever tried another return.

Vince McMahon’s story with WWE may be over after he resigned from his position. That being said, the company still made him a very rich man, with the ability to cash out his massive stockpile of assets, and he decided to cash in on some of those options today.

McMahon recently sold 5,350,000 shares of TKO, worth around $412 million. It’s unclear why he needs the money, but he’s certainly getting a nice windfall of cash from this exchange.

Vince McMahon Unloading Stock

In a recent filing, it has been disclosed that Vince McMahon has sold a significantly large portion of his shares in the company. The filing reveals that McMahon has divested 5,350,000 shares of TKO, amounting to a total value of approximately $412 million.

Following this transaction, McMahon’s remaining stake in TKO stands at around 15 million shares, which corresponds to approximately 9% of the total outstanding TKO stock. This move indicates a substantial reduction in McMahon’s ownership interest in the company, although he still retains a significant portion of TKO shares.

Vince McMahon still has a ton of stock, but it’s not enough where he can re-insert himself into the WWE fold as he did before. The fact that he is selling even more stock would also give an idea that he has no intention to come back in the same way.

NEW FILING: Vince McMahon sells 5,350,000 TKO shares, a value of $412 million.

After the transaction, he has about 15 million shares, or about 9% of all TKO stock. pic.twitter.com/SropbXk5Dg

— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) March 5, 2024

Mr. McMahon’s WWE Exit

McMahon resigned from his position with the company after Janel Grant’s lawsuit included damning allegations of sex trafficking and so much more. Now, we will have to see if anything happens with that lawsuit, or if they decide to settle out of court.

Vince McMahon helped build WWE into what it became today, but he no longer has an active hand in the company’s product. It remains to be seen if he will hold onto every bit of TKO stock he has left, but he’s certainly not opposed to selling some of it.

SEScoops will have more updates on this story as they are available. 

TKO Group Holdings is not in contact with former Chairman Vince McMahon, according to TKO COO Mark Shapiro.

McMahon stepped down from WWE one month ago due to the shocking allegations made against him in Janel Grant’s lawsuit. McMahon has claimed that the litigation is rife with fabrications and has claimed he is completely innocent. Former WWE executive John Laurinaitis, who is named in the suit, has claimed he is a victim, not a predator, in this situation.

Mark Shapiro On Vince McMahon

During TKO’s recent 2023 fourth quarter earnings call, Mark Shapiro was asked about the McMahon situation and a potential impact on TKO. Shapiro made clear that TKO has continued to distance itself from the 78-year-old McMahon.

“He’ll do whatever he’s going to do, and we’re all on the sideline. We’ll have a look, we’ll see. We have no idea on timing. We’re not having any discussion with him. He’s given us no point of view on his motive or his plans to sell or not sell, or if he does, how much. So, we’re going to wait around and find out just like you.”

Shapiro did not specifically address the allegations against McMahon. Ari Emanuel, the CEO of both Endeavor and TKO Group Holdings, did not comment on McMahon. 

What’s Next for TKO?

With McMahon gone, Ari Emanuel has replaced the 78-year-old as the Executive Chair of TKO. Emanuel already serves as the company’s CEO. Steven R. Koonin has been appointed the Lead Independent Director of the McMahon allegations and how it relates to TKO. Both appointments came into effect as of February 22. 

H/T – Deadline

Could Vince McMahon have ties to the mob which led to the Chairman’s dominance in New York City for decades? Rob Van Dam believes so. 

During the territory days, McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation was based in New York. It was from the Big Apple that McMahon launched his ‘aggressive expansion’ that resulted in McMahon domination of the United States and subsequently the world of professional wrestling. 

Vince McMahon & The Mob? 

With Madison Square Garden in the heart of the city, McMahon could not have picked a better home for his base of operations than NYC. On a recent edition of his 1 of a Kind podcast, however, Rob Van Dam had a theory as to how McMahon was allowed to operate in the city that never sleeps. 

“I am expecting to hear something about Vince and the mafia eventually, you know. Yeah, you know he’s got to be tied up in the mafia.

“There were certain years you couldn’t do anything in New York without working with them, his dad worked with them they ran the Arenas and the and the entertainment business pretty much everything you know at one point, so I know there’s some stories there yeah.”

Van Dam also referenced the alleged text messages sent by McMahon, which he believes were referencing the mafia instead of lawyers. 

“When he was like, ‘Hey you can’t give me any problems on this. I have phone numbers on speed dial, I have contacts on speed dial in my phone, they solve problems instantly. 

“Things of that nature and at the time I was thinking it read like I thought he met like big ass High powerful lawyers but now I’m thinking [imitates gun] someone will knock her off.”

Responses to Janel Grant’s Lawsuit

McMahon has denied all allegations of misconduct and has claimed that Janel Grant’s lawsuit is rife with fabrications. 

John Laurinaitis, who is named in Janel Grant’s lawsuit, has claimed he is a victim in this situation and not a predator. 

Brock Lesnar has been pulled from all WWE plans. Grant’s lawsuit claims she was trafficked to a former UFC Heavyweight Champion.

TKO has given a clear statement regarding the departure of Vince McMahon who despite his exit, is said to have a significant amount of voting power. 

McMahon stepped down from WWE one month ago due to the shocking allegations made against him in Janel Grant’s lawsuit. McMahon has claimed that the litigation is rife with fabrications and has claimed he is completely innocent. Former WWE executive John Laurinaitis, who is named in the suit, has claimed he is a victim, not a predator, in this situation.

TKO Group Holdings Comments

In the 2023 Earnings filing, TKO Group Holdings had the following to say about McMahon in their “Legal Proceedings” division of the filing: 

“Vincent K. McMahon, who served as Executive Chair of the Company’s Board of Directors until January 26, 2024, controls a significant portion of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. 

Mr. McMahon has agreed to make future payments to certain counterparties personally. In accordance with the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5T, Miscellaneous Accounting, Accounting for Expenses or Liabilities Paid by Principal Stockholders (“Topic 5T”), the Company concluded that these amounts should be recognized by the Company as expenses in the period in which they become probable and estimable.

In connection with the acquisition of WWE, the Company assumed $3.5 million of liabilities related to future payments owed by Mr. McMahon to certain counterparties, of which $2.0 million was paid directly by Mr. McMahon during the period of September 12, 2023 through December 31, 2023.

“During the period of September 12, 2023 through December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $3.5 million of expenses associated with payments made directly by Mr. McMahon to certain counterparties. These costs are included within selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.

Additionally, during the period of September 12, 2023 through December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $3.5 million of costs associated with payments made directly by Mr. McMahon related to WWE’s global headquarters lease. These costs are included within finance lease right-of-use assets, net in our consolidated balance sheets. These payments are considered non-cash capital contributions and are included as a component of principal stockholder contributions in our consolidated statements of stockholders’/members’ equity.

“As of December 31, 2023, total liabilities of $1.5 million are included within accrued expenses in our consolidated balance sheets related to future payments owed by Mr. McMahon to certain counterparties.

What’s Next for TKO? 

With McMahon gone, Ari Emanuel has replaced the 78-year-old as the Executive Chair of TKO. Emanuel already serves as the company’s CEO. Steven R. Koonin has been appointed the Lead Independent Director of the McMahon allegations and how it relates to TKO. Both appointments came into effect as of February 22. 

WWE Superstars are certainly in a tough position when it comes to addressing the Vince McMahon allegations. Not only are they talking about something that came out of left field regarding their former employer, but it was about someone whom many had a personal relationship with and in turn, changed their lives. 

However, it goes without saying that the allegations levied against Vincent Kennedy McMahon are heinous and jaw-dropping. Any person with common sense would hope that the truth of it all comes out. In this case, time is a friend to no one and questions get asked, meaning WWE talent have to wade tough waters on a subject that’s not only personal, but uncomfortable and a cobweb of legalities. At this juncture, many top names in WWE have had to address it and each have come with their varying levels of praise and criticism for how they’ve handled it.

Triple H, Bruce Prichard & Shawn Michaels

Triple H, Bruce Prichard and Shawn Michaels clearly have had a strong working relationship with Vince McMahon, but Paul Levesque has even another layer to his relationship being Vince’s son-in-law. The Game was one of the first names asked about McMahon during the Royal Rumble press conference and chose to not address the Janel Grant allegations, but rather currently look at the positive things WWE was doing that week. When asked specifically if he had read the legal document from Grant’s lawyers, Levesque said he hadn’t at the moment.

Another name asked not long after Hunter was his close friend HBK during the NXT Vengeance Day press conference. Michaels, who leads NXT, mostly focused on the safety and well-being of the talent, and made sure to say that he hopes to continue to cultivate a positive enviroment down in the black and gold.

Bruce Prichard was a third figure in power who addressed it personally on his Something To Wrestle With podcast. Prichard told co-host Conrad Thompson that he’s not at liberty to talk about the matter considering it is a legal situation.

Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens & Becky Lynch

Surprisingly enough, the first major star or WWE figure asked about the Vince McMahon allegations was Cody Rhodes, right after winning the 2024 Royal Rumble nonetheless. Rhodes happened to step up and lay the groundwork as to how a top talent should handle such a polarizing subject by mentioning how it was a “dark cloud” and credited the people behind-the-scenes as to how the situation was handled.

“This crew is very team-based, and perhaps that’s the ingredient. Everyone looking out for everyone. Being accountable.”

Moving forward, WWE has seemingly allowed their Superstars to address the matter as they see fit and Seth Rollins was another name who stepped up, stating it was a “crap situation,” and went on to mention how if the allegations are indeed true, he hopes the appropriate parties get what’s coming to them.

Seth Rollins’ wife, “The Man” Becky Lynch was recently asked about the allegations while in Perth for Elimination Chamber and provided a feminine perspective to the matter, noting that the allegations are hard to reconcile.

Another name asked about Vince in Perth was Kevin Owens who outright condemned the accusations, labeling it “shameful.”

Overall, the modern stars of WWE managed to walk that line of being professional, but also understanding the gravity of the allegations.

Randy Orton & John Cena

Randy Orton is fully an active member of the WWE roster, but he, like John Cena, have had a longer relationship with Vince McMahon than anyone aside from Michaels, Triple H and Bruce Prichard.

When asked about McMahon, Orton credited all that Vince McMahon has done and given to him, but in the same breath mentioned how heinous the accusations were.

“As far as commenting on that, it f*cking hurts my heart. It hurts my heart.” 

While Orton did directly reference the allegations outright, John Cena noted that the situation was super unfortunate and it deals with an entity and a man he loves.. While on Howard Stern, Cena spoke about accountability, but to the public eye, Cena was heavily criticized for his comments. Former WWE head writer Vince Russo even predicted that the star would get killed for his stance and believes his comments missed the mark.

With WrestleMania season picking up, one would have to suspect that several WWE names will still get asked about McMahon, even with the potential of more allegations surfacing against the former WWE Chairman. Many are still waiting to hear from current WWE CEO Nick Khan or even what The Rock may have to say about his one-time boss. One could hope they are handled as well as what many have already done and that justice will be served where warranted.

John Cena’s recent comments about Vince McMahon and the lawsuit against him will come back to haunt him, according to Vince Russo.

McMahon stepped down from WWE one month ago due to the shocking allegations made against him in Janel Grant’s lawsuit. McMahon has claimed that the litigation is rife with fabrications and has claimed he is completely innocent. Former WWE executive John Laurinaitis, who is named in the suit, has claimed he is a victim, not a predator, in this situation.

Cena’s Comments

Few WWE Superstars have closer ties to McMahon than John Cena who owes a wealth of success to McMahon’s booking of him in the 2000s and 2010s. When asked about the allegations, Cena did speak about accountability but also spoke about his deep love the the ex-WWE Chairman.

Vince Russo on John Cena

Many have taken issue with Cena’s comments, believing he put too much emphasis on his love and respect for McMahon as opposed to the allegations made by Miss Grant. Sitting down with Sportskeeda, Vince Russo shared his surprise over this blunder by the usually well-spoken Cena.

“I am reading Cena’s comments, and I am like, he is going to get hammered for this… I knew Cena was going to get killed for this. There is no way he is NOT gonna get killed for this. I just wish he would have said, you know, you could love him.”

Russo added that Cena isn’t the only Superstar who’s comments about McMahon missed the mark. 

“Same thing with Orton, you know, ‘made your career,’ this that and the other thing. But man if it’s me, I am gonna say all that, but I am also gonna say, ‘But if he is found guilty of these charges… he is gonna have to take full responsibility.’ At least say something like that.”

What’s Next? 

John Cena is hoping to do ‘something’ at WrestleMania 40, which is now less than 40 days away. Cena hasn’t appeared for WWE since his Crown Jewel 2023 loss to Solo Sikoa. At this time, there are no confirmed plans for Cena this April in Philadelphia. 

Vince McMahon was forced to resign from WWE a second time when Janel Grant filed a damning lawsuit that alleged him of heinous acts including sex trafficking, assault, and more. The locker room is starting to speak out on the matter, and now it is Becky Lynch’s turn.

Becky Lynch Speaks on Vince McMahon Allegations

During an interview with Inside the Ropes prior to yesterday’s WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth, Becky Lynch was questioned about the allegations against Vince McMahon.

Becky Lynch responded, “I’ve been fortunate in my career that I’ve always felt supported by the company. These allegations are horrible. It’s hard to reconcile, as a talent and as a woman, but my experience in WWE has only ever been amazing.”

The Man went on to explain that, in the beginning of her time in WWE, the company limited talent. They pushed through that, and she has had a great ride in the company. Those words were spoken in a solemn tone, because Lynch realized that not everyone can say the same about their experience. 

“Yes, in the beginning, there were some restrictions put on things. We couldn’t punch, we had to hair pull, there were weird things there. Being able to push us forward, push women forward, I’m very grateful for that and the opportunity to even have my family. This company…some of these things are hard to reconcile.”

Becky Lynch won the 2024 Women’s Elimination Chamber match. Now, she will go onto WrestleMania 40, where she will take on Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s World Title.

Other WWE Superstar Reactions To Vince McMahon Allegations

Randy Orton also addressed Vince McMahon, expressing that the allegations against him were heartbreaking. The Apex Predator further acknowledged that he owes his entire career to Mr. McMahon.

John Cena also spoke out about this situation, but he also stated that he still loves McMahon. They went through a lot over the years, and Cena was as frank as he could while speaking on the Howard Stern Show.

Kevin Owens has also reacted to the Vince McMahon allegations in recent memory. He condemned McMahon’s actions as he spoke carefully on the subject.

As of this writing, WWE has handed down no directive to any talent saying that they are not allowed to speak about Vince McMahon’s situation. Obviously, they are speaking out as this question comes up, and the number of Superstars who are speaking out on the matter is likely to grow as time goes on.

Janel Grant’s blockbuster lawsuit caused Vince McMahon to resign from the company he helped build. Now, McMahon’s memory is being erased in many ways as the world takes a step back to see the man that he tried to hide for years. Some members of the locker room are now speaking out to express their shock at the whole situation.

Kevin Owens Reacts To Vince McMahon Allegations

The allegations against Vince McMahon sparked reactions from all over. The pro wrestling bubble was busted wide-open, as main stream outlets also picked up the story.

Vince McMahon was responsible for booking Kevin Owens as Universal Champion, his WrestleMania main event match against “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and so much more. He may owe McMahon a lot for giving him those opportunities, but it doesn’t change the heinous allegations of sex trafficking, assault, and abuse that Janel Granted included in her lawsuit.

While speaking to Alex McCarthy of Daily Mail, Owens spoke out against the allegations.

“Everything that has come out is awful. Just terrible.   There’s really no words to describe how sad this makes me feel. If the people spoke out went through what they went through, that’s terrible. It’s shameful and it can’t ever happen again. That’s what it comes down to.”

Other Reactions To Vince McMahon Allegations

Randy Orton also spoke out against Vince McMahon, and he said the allegations against McMahon were heartbreaking. The Apex Predator also admitted that he owes his entire career to Mr. McMahon.

John Cena also spoke out about this situation, but he also stated that he still loves McMahon. They went through a lot over the years, and Cena was as frank as he could while speaking on the Howard Stern Show.

“I’ve openly said, I love the guy, I have a great relationship with the guy, and that’s that. It’s largely my construct of operating with honesty and communication. The whole thing is super unfortunate and it sucks. It deals with an individual I love and an entity I love.”

What’s Next

Vince McMahon will likely never be back in WWE. At this point, he has no leverage to cause a return like he saw after his first retirement stint. He cannot return with the same amount of power, and this is also comforting for some to know.

Bill Simmons is still working on his six-part Netflix docuseries about Vince McMahon. That series will likely blow the lid off a lot of McMahon’s life, as it promises to pull no punches.

John Cena, like many, has been shocked by the allegations against Vince McMahon but will continue to love the ex-WWE head.

Last month, McMahon resigned from WWE due to the allegations made by Janel Grant in her damning lawsuit. Miss Grant alleges that she was sexually abused by McMahon during her tenure with the promise of a high role in the company. 

Grant alleges that she was trafficked by McMahon other men in WWE. John Lauriniatis and a former UFC Heavyweight Champion (believed to be Brock Lesnar) are also mentioned in the suit.

The accusations against McMahon have put a spotlight on many in WWE and how the business ensures safety for women on and off camera. 

John Cena Weighs In

The 16-time WWE Champion appeared on the Howard Stern Show on Wednesday. Unsurprisingly, Stern brought up the disturbing scandal involving McMahon, other executives the company itself.

“I’ve openly said, I love the guy, I have a great relationship with the guy, and that’s that. It’s largely my construct of operating with honesty and communication. The whole thing is super unfortunate and it sucks. It deals with an individual I love and an entity I love.”

John Cena spoke to Howard Stern this morning. For about 5 minutes as part of their hour-long conversation, they talked about the allegations of sexual misconduct against Vince McMahon. pic.twitter.com/pnKoklkHID

— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) February 21, 2024

Cena also made clear that while he loves his former boss, there must be accountability McMahon is found to have acted inappropriately. 

“I can say this, I’m a big advocate of love and friendship and honesty, and communication, in the same breath, I’m also a big advocate of accountability,” Cena said.

“If someone’s behavior lies so far outside of your value system that the balance shifts of, ‘I can’t operate in a world where this works.’ That’s the end result of being accountable.”

This isn’t the first time Cena has addressed allegations of misconduct by his former boss. Following McMahon’s retirement in 2022, Cena said that when you love somebody, you take their imperfections. Cena was also seen with McMahon for a 2022 birthday dinner, mere weeks after his initial resignation from WWE. 

McMahon, Laurinaitis & Lesnar

Vince McMahon has denied all claims of misconduct and has stated that Janel Grant’s lawsuit is rife with fabrications. 

John Lauriniatis has stated that he is a victim in this difficult situation, not a predator. 

Brock Lesnar has been pulled from all WWE plans and has not commented publicly on the matter.

The allegations against Vince McMahon in Janel Grant’s blockbuster lawsuit sent shockwaves in the pro wrestling business that were so massive that mainstream news outlets picked up on the story. Plenty of people have commented on the matter, and now Randy Orton is speaking out as well.

Orton took a very long break from WWE as he had back fusion surgery. By the time he returned at November 2023’s Survivor Series event, things were very different.

Not only was Matt Riddle, his former partner, released from the company, but TKO was also overseeing the operation. The accusations against Vince McMahon were shocking, and Orton saw the news along with everyone else. It was also incredibly troubling news to read.

While speaking to SI, Randy Orton admitted that he wouldn’t be where he is today without Vince, but those allegations were heartbreaking to read. 

“I’ve got to say this–I wouldn’t be where I am without Vince McMahon taking a chance on me a handful of times. I would not be where I am today without Vince McMahon. But, f*ck, I’m reading this sh*t. What you’ve seen and read, I’ve seen and read. As far as commenting on that, it f*cking hurts my heart. It hurts my heart.” 

WWE’s New Era

Orton also commented on the new era of WWE, as he said that so much has happened, especially in the months that he was out of action with a back fusion surgery. In that time, WWE saw new ownership and Vince McMahon left, came back, and now he has departed once again.

“So much happened while I was out. When I left, the old guard was still doing its thing. Vince was still around. TV’s were getting rewritten over and over again. The writers were being held up until all hours in the morning. And all that changed.”

“I am excited to work for WWE. Nick Khan is amazing. Triple H being in charge of creative is amazing. I’ve had a relationship with him for over 20 years. I went to his wedding back in ‘03. We’ve been at odds before when I was a f*cked up when I was young, and I won him back. He’s seen me go from an adolescent assh*le prick who didn’t know what I was doing–I was an insecure punk, that’s what I was. I’m the oldest sibling in my family, but he’s like an older brother to me in many ways. He’s always been there and had the best of advice.”

What’s Next for WWE

Randy Orton is still going strong, as he hits another road to WrestleMania. Only time will tell what kind of match The Viper has on the card, but he will certainly give his all on the show of shows this year. 

Vince McMahon is gone from WWE, and the company is carrying on without him. Efforts are being made to erase as much of The Chairman from company history, and it’s anyone’s guess if that will ever change. 

Bill Simmons’ upcoming six-part docuseries about Vince McMahon will also likely become a breakout success on Netflix. Vince’s story is a troubling tale of success and cutthroat business. The docuseries promised to pull no punches, and it will be interesting to see how this helps WWE RAW’s upcoming Netflix deal.

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Multiple WWE higher-ups allegedly pressured male talent to perform sexual acts with other men, according to ex-Superstar Paul Roma. 

McMahon re-signed from TKO and WWE last month, following a lawsuit filed by ex-employee Janel Grant. Miss Grant claims that McMahon was sexually abusive to her and that he trafficked her to others in the company, including a former UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Paul Roma on WWE’s Accusations

With the Grant lawsuit, McMahon’s practices with WWE Superstars have been under severe scrutiny over the past month. Speaking on News Nation, Paul Roma said you would hear talk of McMahon being inappropriate on a regular basis. 

“Yes. It was pretty regular. You heard it on a regular basis for the most part. Then you wouldn’t hear it for a while. Then it would come full circle. But it wasn’t so much Vince, as it was people that he had surrounding him. You’re talking about an industry where you have young, good-looking well-built men in the ring. Half naked, three-quarters naked actually. So yeah it left a door open. 

“He had a lot of people around him. Vice Presidents and bookers that were very much into that. And they put you in a really bad situation. Especially once you started making some money. You kind of get comfortable with that. Then you find out that your job’s on the line. Do it or get fired. And I witnessed quite a few walk away. The money wasn’t worth it.”

When asked to clarify what the male talents were asked to do that led to some walking away, Roma said that he saw talent being pressured to perform sexual acts. 

“They were asked to do things, sexual things, with other men, that they did not want to do. My former partner being one of them. I was actually in a cab ride in Washington, and we were coming back. The gentleman next to me kept saying it’s not worth it. It’s not worth the Benjamins… The next day we were filming for our second TV taping and he was gone. He jumped on a flight and went back home and never showed up again to wrestle.”

Roma was asked if the person in the cab ride with him was coerced by a member of management and said there would be no one else in the company who’d do such a thing. 

“Let’s leave it this way. That’s all it could be. If somebody is going to give you money, it has to be that. There is nothing else. It’s not going to be one of the boys that you’re wrestling with. They’re not going to offer you money.

“Even my former partner. They offered him money, drugs. ‘Just lay on your back you don’ have to do a thing.’ And he came running right to me when I came to TV and I said ‘Dude. What are you going to do?’ He told me ‘I’ve already spoke to Arnold.’ And I say ‘Well why would you do that? You just killed our team. What do you think he’s going to do? He’s going to go to the people who propositioned you.'”

When the host Ashleigh Banfield spoke about a prior interview with Mario Mancini, she reiterated a claim that there is at least once incident from years ago that are worse than any allegations in the Grant lawsuit. Roma said he was aware of the claim but did not feel it was his role to speak publicly on that specific situation. Roma added that the alleged victim may have their reasons for not coming forward. 

“We’re surprised no-one has come forward but on the flip side, I think that they’re of an age now. They may be married and have kids and they don’t want to open Pandora’s box. And I don’t blame them. And I said that to Mario. Can you blame them?” 

Former WWE wrestler Paul Roma joins @TVAshleigh to discuss the sex-trafficking allegations against CEO Vince McMahon and the WWE. MORE: https://t.co/dLQeMJvpVq #Banfield pic.twitter.com/5mIJjgZvMn

— NewsNation (@NewsNation) February 20, 2024

For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops. 

It may be some time yet before fans see Netflix’s docuseries on the life of Vince McMahon, due to the allegations against him. 

McMahon re-signed from TKO and WWE last month, following a lawsuit filed by ex-employee Janel Grant. Miss Grant claims that McMahon was sexually abusive to her and that he trafficked her to others in the company, including a former UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Netflix Docuseries Delayed? 

In 2020, a docuseries focusing on McMahon was announced, though a lot has changed since this project was first revealed. While it was reported in 2022 that the project was scrapped, it was later confirmed that this was not the case. 

On a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed the future of the Netflix project. Meltzer said that while the project was set to be released soon, the resignation of McMahon may have resulted in the project being delayed. 

“I haven’t heard anything about [the release of] the doc. This changes the whole doc 100%… They were done. It was going to be out very, very soon. I don’t know how it can possibly be out very, very soon now.”

WWE And Netflix

It’s unclear when this project will be released, but WWE is set to have close ties with Netflix in due time. In January of next year, WWE Monday Night Raw will move to Netflix as part of a five billion dollar deal with the streaming service. Fans outside the U.S. will also receive SmackDown, and WWE NXT, as well as Premium Live Events. 

Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE continues to receive a spotlight from outside the pro wrestling bubble. As many still examine this situation, there is now additional details.

Mystery WWE Executive

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that there is a lot of talk about this lawsuit, especially within WWE. One big thing that remains a mystery is who the other executives in the company that Grant mentioned in her lawsuit. 

Regarding the unidentified executives under speculation, their identities remain a mystery to many within WWE. Nonetheless, it was reported that a credible source within the company indicated that one of them may have departed from WWE a while ago.

Insight On John Laurinaitis

John Laurinaitis has been vocal through his attorney, a development anticipated by some insiders. One long-serving WWE employee regarded Laurinaitis as McMahon’s “fall guy” since the summer of 2022, assuming he had financial safeguards in place. However, the potential filing of actual charges was seen as a significant turning point by many within the company.

Another source said “I’m sure he thinks he’s doing himself favors by saying management knew and proper WWE protocols were followed, but too many things happened there under his watch.”

Ashley Massaro’s Addition To The Situation 

The recent resurgence of headlines involving the late Massaro stemmed from a Vice article. It was reported that Fightful spoke with Massaro in March 2019 to arrange an interview at Starrcast II in Las Vegas that May. She intended to discuss her plans to resume in-ring training and weigh whether to delve deeper into her allegations of rape during a WWE Tribute to the Troops tour. Tragically, Massaro passed away just two weeks prior Starrcast.

Based on conversations with WWE talent, they have reportedly not been instructed to refrain from discussing the lawsuit in interviews or public appearances. Several have been queried about it. While no other companies are reportedly participating actively in the investigations, talent from various US-based companies have been given permission to address issues or participate in investigations if they choose to do so.

We’ve spoken to one former talent who has indicated that they’re weighing the options of whether to tell their story via the media, or whether or not they wanted to take legal action. We will not provide their identity unless they approve of such.

SEScoops will have more updates on this ongoing story as they are made available. There is already a lot to unpack, and there will likely be even more before this situation is over.

Stephanie McMahon was fully aware of the alleged assault of Ashley Massaro in Kuwait, according to the best friend of the deceased WWE diva. 

Before taking her own life in 2019, Massaro had alleged that she was the victim of sexual assault during a WWE tour of a U.S. military base in Kuwait. Massaro claimed that a man posing as a doctor assaulted her and while WWE apologized, they persuaded her to not report it to the appropriate authorities. Following her death, WWE claimed they had never been informed of the allegations. 

Addicted to Painkillers

Given Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, there has been a renewed spotlight on the ex-WWE Chairman’s handling of women during his time in command. Speaking to News Nation, Cara Pipia, a friend of Massaro, claimed that the rigors of wrestling and WWE’s willingness to share muscle relaxants led to a battle with addiction.

“When Ashley first started working for the WWE, she told me that in the locker room, they handed out Soma like it was candy. Soma, it’s a muscle relaxant. So it is what they’d give the wrestlers when they were injured because there was no not wrestling. You had a broken arm, you take a soma and you wrestle.

“And at that point [when the assault happened] she had become addicted to Somas. So she was already in this state, and whatever they administered to her rendered her helpless. Her body was useless to her but her mind was there and she saw what was happening.”

Left in Kuwait

During the interview, Pipia recalled Massaro telling her that WWE had left her in Kuwait after the alleged assault. Pipia said that while WWE did eventually get Ashley home, it was not the company’s priority. 

“They got her a flight, days after everyone was already home. She was left alone. Because they had to go back to work. Vince wanted them back in the USA because they had work to do.”

Stephanie McMahon Knew of Assault

“She spoke with Vince McMahon many times. Vince had his daughter [Stephanie] take his place because she was a female, a woman, and to make Ashley comfortable. And they just played with her. They played with her because everything that Stephanie said made her feel comfortable. Safe. As soon as they walked into this board room meeting, Ashley was on her own completely. And she was threatened, and there was no… there was no compassion. There was no sympathy. There was nothing.”

Cara also mentioned that Ashley had some support within WWE but those who were sympathetic to her had no notable power to stop WWE from pressuring her to keep quiet. 

“Right before she walked into that boardroom, she talked to the locker room doctor who was aware of everything and she was actually very sympathetic to her but he had no pull. He gave her the advice that he could, but that was it.”

Responding to John Lauriniatis

While WWE claimed at the time of her death that they were unaware of the alleged assault, John Lauriniatis recently claimed that most upper-level management were aware of the allegations. Pipia was asked about John Lauriniaitis’ statement, and how it feels to hear a former WWE exec say people knew of the allegations after years of WWE claiming that was not the case. 

“It’s about time somebody had a conscience. Because there was never a single moment of time that I didn’t believe a word that Ash had told me.”

A Message to Vince McMahon

When asked what she’d say to Vince McMahon, Pipia made her point perfectly clear. 

“‘Shame on you. How do you look at yourself?’ Obviously, he’s got problems. Obviously, he’s a sexual deviant. He needs help, he’s not well. The problem is that people with that kind of sickness and that mindset are power, why do they thrive for so long?

“Why doesn’t anybody stand up? Why are there so many people in that company aware of what’s going on to all these women? Women who keep committing suicide year after year after year. And nobody stands up and says anything. Nobody tries to protect these young women? Why? Because it’s not just Vince, it’s the whole frickin’ company!” 

In her final question, Pipia was asked if she believes the alleged assault on Massaro contributed to Ashley’s suicide and said “99%. Absolutely.”

For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.