Fightful Select reports that WWE made their staff aware of the Wall Street Journal report on Vince McMahon, sending out a mass email. As previously reported here on eWn, the email read as follows,
“The Wall Street Journal has published a report about WWE with allegations that we and our Board of Directors take seriously. We are cooperating fully with the independent investigation initiated by our Board of Directors.”
Numerous reps from WWE did not respond to inquiries for comment. The report adds that many in WWE suspected the sexual relationship between Vince McMahon and the paralegal, and she was given a substantial promotion in April of 2021, the same time as the WWE budget cuts.
She was reportedly promoted to “director” after formerly serving as John Laurinaitis’ assistant. In regards to if Stephanie McMahon, who recently took a leave of absence from WWE, was aware of the situation beforehand, she serves on the WWE board, so she would have been made aware of it. The same goes for Triple H and Nick Khan.
After the news broke earlier today, there was immediate speculation that someone within the company intentionally leaked the information. As for John Laurinaitis, he was given back the role of Head of Talent Relations in 2021. One female talent expressed frustration with the move at the time.
As for Laurinaitis’ hiring practices, many women have described them as “archaic.” One followed up as recently as today, saying, “I’d rather get all my sh*t sent to me in a trash bag when I get fired than have to deal with him, and neither are good options.”
Many within WWE are saying this is the biggest threat to McMahon’s power within WWE since the steroid trial three decades ago. Some also speculate that Laurinaitis will once again be gone soon as the latest fall guy for McMahon. One source said his “turn in line was coming.”
One wrestler who was active with WWE in the early 2000s and 2010s claimed there have been long rumors of misconduct from Laurinaitis. A former creative team writer added it was an open suspicion in the mid 2000s.
A former office employee added that they believe there will be a “domino effect,” with McMahon fighting hard to stay, but doesn’t see a situation in which Laurinaitis doesn’t resign from his duties.
Of course, Vince McMahon is married to Linda McMahon, while John Laurinaitis is married to the Bella Twins’ mother. So we’ll have to see how those situations play out.
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