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Tag: Vince McMahon

  • Vince McMahon Believed To Have ‘Noose Around His Neck’ In WWE Shareholder Lawsuit Case

    Vince McMahon Believed To Have ‘Noose Around His Neck’ In WWE Shareholder Lawsuit Case

    AEW commentator Jim Ross has shared his thoughts on the WWE shareholder lawsuit and the recent evidence-destruction ruling.

    Several top WWE executives, including Nick Khan and Paul Levesque, have been named as defendants or potential witnesses in the lawsuit, meaning the case could demand a significant amount of their time and attention during the legal process.

    The Allegations

    The lawsuit centers on allegations that Vince McMahon structured the 2023 TKO merger in a way that protected his position within WWE following the public emergence of sexual misconduct allegations in 2022.

    The plaintiffs argue that McMahon believed Endeavor was the only bidder that would allow him to remain involved with the company and claim other potential buyers were not given an equal opportunity to pursue a deal. The defendants have denied those allegations.

    If the shareholders succeed, the financial damages could reach into the millions—or potentially hundreds of millions—of dollars. The case will be decided in the Delaware Court of Chancery by Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster rather than a jury, and a final ruling is not expected immediately after the trial concludes.

    Jim Ross’ Thoughts

    Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster has found that McMahon and Nick Khan allegedly destroyed evidence by using Signal’s auto-delete feature. The court will treat five damaging facts as presumptively true at the trial that begins June 8. Jim Ross said:

    “Well, as the old cliche goes, where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and there’s fire here. I think that’s a very unique case. It’s going to expose a lot of conversations and things of that nature, I think, but it’ll be very wordy, it will be very hostile, I think, because you’re talking about, if I’m thinking the right way, a ton of money, a ton of money.”

    He then opened up on Vince McMahon’s specific legal exposure. JR said:

    “I feel bad for, you know, I don’t know Nick, I’ve never met Nick Khan, I don’t know what kind of guy he is, he’s done well for them, but Vince, he’s got a noose around his neck, it would seem to be so, and it won’t be a case that’s over quickly, I don’t think, too much verbiage, too much what you mean by this, and whatever.”

    Ross also reflected on the operational impact on WWE.

    “It’s taking people that have major responsibilities in WWE away from their designated task, and right now it’s not the time to have your eye off the ball, and that’s what it looks like, it’s traveling in that way.”

    The case is expected to draw significant attention as it could have major financial and operational implications for WWE and several of its top executives.

  • Vince McMahon Would Never Ask Talent For Pay Cuts, Says Ex-Employee

    Vince McMahon Would Never Ask Talent For Pay Cuts, Says Ex-Employee

    Ex-WWE writer believes Vince McMahon would not treat New Day as TKO.

    The TKO management has been criticised by fans recently amid reports of them asking talents to take as much as 50% pay cut while touting record profits. This move has been linked to The New Day’s departure from the company, ending the group’s decade-plus run with the promotion.

    Though they are not the only recent WWE release, as the company has also let go the entire Wyatt Sicks faction as well as names such as Kairi Sane and Aleister Black as part of their post-WrestleMania talent cuts.

    Former WWE writer Chris Dunn gave his thoughts on the topic during a recent appearance on Public Enemies Podcast. He compared the recent releases to the previous regime run by Vince McMahon, saying that under the former WWE chairman, there were talents who would never be treated like this:

    “Vince was making these cuts too. There was always spring cleaning, think the difference is, like, Vince never would have asked anyone to take a pay cut. He would have either fired the person or they would have been somebody like the New Day, who he considered a national treasure — wouldn’t job out when he was trying to embarrass Road Dogg — and keep them forever because they should stay.”

    We Can’t Have New Day Lose: Chris Dunn

    Expanding on his comments about Road Dogg, Chris Dunn recalled the 2018 Survivor Series PPV that saw Raw and SmackDown brands facing off in various matches. He explained that McMahon decided to make SmackDown lose all matches to embarrass Road Dogg, who was the head writer of the show at the time. Though he made an exception for The New Day by putting them on the pre-show instead:

    “Vince, in a meeting, decided SmackDown was going to lose every match on Survivor Series. And then we got to, I think the New Day match came up when New Day was on SmackDown. So it was like, we can’t have New Day lose, let’s put them on kickoff.”

    Dunn explained that the New Day win did not count for their brand as they were on the pre-show. Raw commissioner Stephanie McMahon opened next Monday’s episode, celebrating a clean sweep over the rival brand after winning all matches on the main card.

  • Vince McMahon And Triple H To Testify In Upcoming WWE Trial

    Vince McMahon And Triple H To Testify In Upcoming WWE Trial

    Vince McMahon, Triple H, and several other TKO executives are set to testify in a shareholder trial beginning June 8 in Delaware. The case centers on claims that the WWE-UFC merger was predetermined to keep McMahon in power rather than maximize shareholder value.

    According to Post Wrestling’s Brandon Thurston, the witness list includes McMahon, Nick Khan, Paul Levesque (Triple H), Ari Emanuel, and Mark Shapiro. The shareholders filing the lawsuit argue the merger process was designed to benefit McMahon at the expense of getting full value for WWE.

    Former WWE Executives Among Witnesses

    Other notable witnesses include former WWE executives and Board members George Barrios, Michelle Wilson, and Frank Riddick. Former WWE Board member Steve Koonin, banker Jeff Sine who advised WWE on the deal, TKO CFO Andrew Schleimer, and TKO chief strategy officer Mark Zhu are also scheduled to testify.

    Some witnesses will appear live while others may appear via video or pre-recorded deposition testimony. Stephanie McMahon, Jeffrey Speed, and Steve Pamon are among those expected to provide pre-recorded depositions.

    Liberty Media CEO On Witness List

    Liberty Media CEO Marty Patterson is also listed as a witness, as the company was among those bidding for WWE during the sale process. McMahon remained in power through the merger until January 2024, when he resigned following the Janel Grant lawsuit.

    The trial could still be settled before it begins or even after proceedings start. The shareholders claim they did not receive the full potential value of a WWE sale due to the predetermined nature of the merger process.

  • Former WWE Star Reveals How Asking For Raise Led To Release

    Former WWE Star Reveals How Asking For Raise Led To Release

    Former WWE star Rico Constantino started professional wrestling at 38 years old — and from his first day in WWE, Vince McMahon made clear he wasn’t sold on the idea.

    In a wide-ranging conversation on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, Rico opened up about the cold reception he received from McMahon throughout his entire WWE tenure, the gimmick he was handed with zero direction, and the raise request that ended it all.

    “Vince didn’t like me because of my age in the beginning. He was forced to put me there,” Rico said. “He hardly said any words to me the whole time I was there. Just hello, Mr. McMahon. Good night, Mr. McMahon. And no response. I got that.”

    The skepticism started even before WWE. When Rico attended a tryout run by Dory Funk, Jim Cornette discovered his age mid-camp.

    “Jim Cornette comes out and he’s all red-faced,” Rico recalled. “‘I just heard you were 38 years old.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I thought you were 25.’ He stormed off.”

    According to Rico, Dr. Tom Prichard read the room immediately: “He says, ‘He’s probably going to sign you.’ And that’s what happened.”

    Cornette ran a similarly no-nonsense ship at OVW, where Rico trained alongside future stars.

    “Could you tell he was going to be something?” Rico said of Brock Lesnar. “Oh, yeah. He picked up on things so fast. So did Shelton.”

    Despite the age concerns, WWE called Rico up and assigned him to the Billy and Chuck tag team as their flamboyant stylist — with almost no guidance.

    “I meet with Vince and he goes, ‘You’re going to be Billy and Chuck’s stylist.’ I said, ‘Okay, hair stylist, foot stylist? What kind of stylist?’ He goes, ‘Flesh it out.’ And he turned around and walked away on me. And it was that night.”

    Rico credits that sink-or-swim moment for forcing him to build something memorable. He sought out Adrian Street for permission to use a flamboyant character, called Kenny Bolin for advice, and adopted the now-iconic Wolverine sideburns.

    “Think maybe hoping I fail,” Rico said of McMahon’s motives. “Well, I turned it around.”

    Even after holding the tag titles twice and appearing on nearly every show, McMahon’s assessment of Rico never changed. When Rico approached him asking for a $1,000-a-week raise — a $52,000 annual increase on top of his base — McMahon’s answer was blunt. “He told me I wasn’t popular.”

    Rico didn’t dispute the decision, but the moment stung.

    “I held the tag titles twice. I was going to almost every show and on TV. I said, ‘I want $1,000 a week.’ I thought I was worth it.”

    No, I wanted a $52,000 raise on top of the $75k. I thought I was worth it, and Charlie and I and Jackie were about to come out on the SmackDown magazine front cover, and he told me I wasn’t popular.”

    He has carried the lesson with him ever since.

    “What your mind can conceive, your heart can achieve,” Rico said. “Age is just a number, and it’s how bad you want it.”

  • Vince McMahon, WWE file Motions Ahead of Hearing in Janel Grant Case

    Vince McMahon, WWE file Motions Ahead of Hearing in Janel Grant Case

    Vince McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment filed motions on Wednesday in the Janel Grant case ahead of a June 10 arbitration hearing.

    The filings were in support of moving Grant’s case, in which she accused McMahon of sexual assault and sex trafficking, to an arbiter per a non-disclosure agreement she signed.

    “She does not dispute that, according to the agreement, she read and understood its terms and her attorney explained them to her, or that she signed the Agreement in exchange for payment,” said WWE in its motion supporting arbitration. “Grant does not meaningfully dispute this. Indeed, she does not address the delegation of arbitrability to the arbitrator at all, other than to ask that, if the Court “refers the question of arbitrability to an arbitrator, it should refrain from finding that the NDA or its arbitration clause are valid on their face.”

    McMahon and WWE say the Speak Out Act and the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 aren’t applicable to Grant’s opposition to arbitration. The defendants say the EFAA is only applicable to disputes that had “not yet risen,” when they were signed, stating that Grant signed the agreement afterward.

    McMahon attorney Jessica T. Rosenberg filed an affidavit, which included an email exchange with Grant counsel asking for all of the materials that were examined by an expert witness ahead of the arbitration hearing.

    “We have reviewed your most recent filing and write to request ‘all materials ‘considered’ by Dr. Chitra Raghavan in forming the opinions reflected in her declaration,’” Rosenberg wrote. “Including, but not limited to, any notes from the purported 30 (h)ours of clinical interviews with plaintiff, results and notes associated with psychological testing performed, and the ‘approximately 81,000 texts, emails, videos, and photographs provided by Ms. Grant as well as those produced by the DOJ.’”

    Grant attorney Greg Jones declined in a reply email, stating discovery is currently stayed in the case and McMahon and WWE have opposed discovery for the hearing.

    “We will not be producing any materials considered by Dr. Raghavan for her declaration to the defendants at this time,” Jones replied. “As you know, defendants have opposed discovery in this case from the outset, including in the more narrow context of discovery related to the motion to compel arbitration proceedings. It is also notable that the vast majority of materials … should also be in the possession, custody and/or control of defendants. Finally, your reference to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26 is inapposite and unavailing, given that discovery is currently stayed in the case.”

    Raghavan testimony was part of a motion in opposition to arbitration based on Grant’s mental health when she signed the agreement. Grant recently shared FBI letters identifying her as a possible crime victim in connection with the broader case.

    The arbitration hearing is scheduled for June 10 at Connecticut District Court. Brock Lesnar’s WWE future has also been linked to the lawsuit’s outcome.

  • Ronda Rousey Calls Vince McMahon’s Era of WWE a ‘Shit Show’

    Ronda Rousey Calls Vince McMahon’s Era of WWE a ‘Shit Show’

    Ronda Rousey has given one of her most candid assessments of her time in WWE, describing creative suffocation, last-minute chaos, and a working environment that only got worse during her second run.

    Speaking with Complex News ahead of her May 16 MMA return against Gina Carano on Netflix, Rousey reflected on what it actually felt like to work under Vince McMahon’s leadership.

    “I felt like I was doing somebody else’s impression of myself. You can tell when I was allowed to write my own promos and when I wasn’t. I really enjoyed my time in the ring. I didn’t really enjoy being under the death throes of Vince McMahon’s reign.”

    She pointed to the gap between the preparation given to her debut match and the preparation afforded the historic WrestleMania main event as the clearest example of misplaced priorities in how McMahon’s operation functioned.

    “We had no time at all to put it together. We spent a year promoting it and like a day and a half putting it together. My debut match, we spent six weeks putting it together and we had all the best minds in the industry coming and giving their two cents. The main event milestone itself was incredible. The match unfortunately wasn’t as great as it could have been if we were able to put the same kind of preparation into it that I felt like it deserved.”

    Rousey and Becky Lynch headlined WrestleMania 35 in April 2019 alongside Charlotte Flair in the first women’s main event in the show’s history.

    Her second WWE run, she said, was even more chaotic than the first, with McMahon’s declining grip on reality producing a backstage atmosphere that nobody could navigate effectively.

    “Vince was just more far gone and more difficult to work with and there was a lot of inner turmoil going on in the company. It was kind of a shit show and nobody ever knew what was going on. You would get to the arena and be made to do something that somebody threw in your lap that hadn’t thought about it until 15 minutes before. Any attempt to collaborate felt like we were trying to negotiate something as opposed to partnering together to make something great.”

    Rousey faces Carano on Netflix on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood in what she has described as her final MMA fight.

  • Janel Grant: Nick Khan Knew of McMahon Relationship, Lesnar Named

    Janel Grant: Nick Khan Knew of McMahon Relationship, Lesnar Named

    In a declaration filed in Connecticut District Court on Wednesday, Janel Grant alleged current World Wrestling Entertainment president and TKO board member Nick Khan knew of her relationship with Vince McMahon soon after he joined the company in August 2020.

    Grant sued Vince McMahon and WWE in January 2024, accusing McMahon of sexual assault and sex trafficking in a complaint that was amended in early 2025.

    Grant’s claim against Khan was one of several new allegations made in the case. She also laid out the timeline of when she signed the non-disclosure agreement that has been a centerpoint of the civil suit.

    Attorneys for McMahon and WWE want Grant to adhere to an arbitration hearing, which was a clause in the NDA. Grant’s attorneys say the clause violates federal law, among other issues.

    According to the 40-page declaration, filed as part of her opposition to a motion for arbitration, Grant was forced by McMahon to endure relationships with several members of WWE talent.

    Khan was mentioned previously in Grant’s original complaint, filed in January 2024, and her amended complaint last year, which alleged McMahon assigned Khan with designing an office for her and former WWE talent relations head John Laurinaitis. The designs allegedly allowed McMahon and Laurinaitis to enter Grant’s office with a passcode.

    Grant’s declaration alleged she was assaulted multiple times by Laurinaitis and McMahon. Laurinaitis, originally a defendant in the case, flipped last summer and provided evidence to the plaintiff and was expected to be a witness for Grant if the case goes to trial.

    The declaration included gruesome details concerning new and past allegations:

    • Former WWE executive Brad Blum became aware of the incident after meeting Grant.
    • McMahon and Blum were confronted about Grant by former WWE General Counsel Brad Nurse. Grant said McMahon had indicated Nurse was fired because of his knowledge of their relationship.
    • McMahon’s requests for Grant to engage Brock Lesnar and other WWE talent didn’t stop after Grant signed a non-disclosure agreement on Jan. 28, 2022, but continued.
    • Grant tried committing suicide after she was “raped” by McMahon and Laurinaitis.
    • The physical toll of the abuse against Grant led to her blacking out several times. She doesn’t recall her first alleged assault by McMahon, stating she blacked out.
    • McMahon became angry with Grant’s attorney several times when he began questioning aspects of the NDA. She said she faced “backlash” from Vince when she did share information with her attorney, which he told her not to do.
    • McMahon told Grant that Laurinaitis had previously signed an NDA due to an issue between him and a WWE talent. McMahon said Laurinaitis was demoted and the NDA cost WWE $1 million.
    • Lesnar had requested Grant to travel to Chicago to meet with him for a sexual encounter.
    • Lesnar became outraged when he learned Grant wasn’t working in the legal department (which she did previously), but working in talent relations. Grant said his outrage was due to previous issues he had with the department and Laurinaitis.
    • McMahon said that private videos and photos she had sent to him had likely been viewed by “thousands.”
    • Lesnar used the name “Polish Joe” as an alias in text messages to Grant.
    • McMahon’s efforts to connect Grant and Lesnar went from July 2021 to March 27, 2022, two months after she signed the NDA.

    Grant: McMahon said Nick Khan knew of relationship

    Khan was hired as WWE President and Chief Financial Officer in August 2020.

    “In hindsight, I view Nick’s arrival as the moment my life changed for the worse,” Grant said in the declaration. “My fears about reporting the abuse were realized when I learned from Vince that he put the company’s new president, essentially, his second in command, on notice of his ongoing sexual conduct with me.

    “Nick never asked me whether the relationship was consensual. Instead, Nick also waited for Vince to finish engaging sexually with me during meetings.”

    In November 2022, Grant said Nurse was fired. She said 72 hours after his termination, McMahon flew from Florida to Connecticut to force Grant into sex in McMahon’s office at WWE HQ. According to Grant, McMahon said the encounter in his office at the HQ was a “fantasy that became a reality.”

    Grant said WWE executive Brad Blum and Khan discussed the relationship with McMahon.

    “He said they expressed concern and one questioned whether I could be trusted,” Grant wrote. “Vince told me he provided them with assurances about my loyalty, character, that I would never do something to hurt WWE, and that I ‘would sooner jump off the balcony than hurt anyone.’ He told me that, with these assurances, Nick and Brad were ultimately supportive.”

    ‘Vince coerced me to sign an NDA under duress’

    Grant said McMahon regularly told her she was a threat to him and WWE, once telling her, “Unfortunately, you appear to have my company over a barrel.”

    She said she tried resigning several times. After a brief transfer to the XFL office, Grant said she tried to stay rather than transfer back to WWE. When notifying McMahon of her suicide attempt, Grant said he only pushed her to continue meeting with Laurinaitis.

    On Jan. 9, 2022, Grant said she met with McMahon at his apartment (they both lived in the same apartment building in Stamford). He again told Grant she was a threat to the company.

    “Vince said that he could lose his power, marriage, and home in a way that would be a public nightmare for both of us and require him to involve (Jerry) McDevitt,” Grant wrote. “Unless I came up with a solution for damage control.”

    Grant said McMahon had referenced McDevitt early in their relationship.

    “Vince mentioned that he had an attorney, Jerry McDevitt, on speed dial who was the best at making problems, including people who become problems, go away,” Grant wrote. “Vince told me he did not know the identity of the source leaking the information but expressed someone was trying to hurt him, which made me collateral damage.”

    Grant said she offered to resign “in response to a threat of imminent harm and in exchange for safety and protection.” She said Vince believed “signed paperwork” would satisfy his wife, Linda McMahon, and lead her to “call off a divorce.”

    Grant was concerned with the digital material she had sent McMahon and the people he had shared it with.

    “Vince would not answer who he shared my content with but rather said that thousands of men had probably seen it,” Grant wrote. “Vince said that the compromising pornographic material, and letters he requested, were locked in his personal safe.”

    Grant said McMahon set rules for her resignation, which included her staying away from the office and continuing to see Colker for medical care.

    Despite being a WWE employee, Grant said McMahon had circumvented human resources in her NDA and release from employment.

    “Vince replied that no one would see it because these agreements do not go through the legal department,” Grant wrote.

    McMahon allegedly told Grant that the paperwork would be handled by K&L Gates, McDevitt’s law firm, and it would be put in a “dusty drawer along with ‘the others.’”

    Grant said she couldn’t sleep during this period and had texted McMahon about suicidal thoughts and severe depression she suffered. When McMahon brought up paying her to sign an NDA, she said she was “disgusted and enraged.” She said she began developing rashes on her face and body due to the stress over the NDA.

    “I had no desire to sign paperwork or receive any money, so I would have said anything to get him to stop badgering me about it,” Grant wrote.

    Grant said her concerns with the NDA centered on not being able to share what she had been through with anyone except McMahon.

    She said she never met her attorney, who McMahon and McDevitt had called untrustworthy, which further isolated her.

    According to the declaration, McMahon moved Grant’s deadline to sign the NDA from Jan. 31 to Jan. 28. Grant said she continued to back out.

    “Vince reacted with fury,” Grant wrote. “We engaged in several calls during which he yelled at me and threatened that we would suffer serious harm if I did not sign the paperwork by 8 p.m., including public harm to him, his family and marriage, his empire, my reputation, and my safety. Life as I knew it would ‘blow up’ unless I signed the NDA, and I would be solely responsible for the consequences.”

    Grant said she signed the NDA on Jan. 28, just before 8 p.m., sending a copy of the signatory page to McMahon before sending it to her own attorney. She said she didn’t know which version of the NDA she signed.

    “At 8:42 p.m., my attorney emailed me explaining his concerns with the NDA and the negotiation process, including the fact that McDevitt had been unresponsive that day,” Grant wrote. “Per Vince’s instructions, I did not tell my attorney that I had already sent Vince a copy of the executed signature page.

    “At 9:09 p.m., I texted Vince that I was scared about everything and begged him to call me. On that call, I cried that my life was now in his hands and begged him to let me be small and live a quiet life. I admitted to Vince that I was having suicidal thoughts and wanted to jump off my balcony.”

    Grant said she received a $1 million installment payment on Feb. 4. She said the same day she later shared with McMahon she was having suicidal thoughts. She said a week after the NDA was signed, she was assaulted by McMahon at his condo, and was left retching on the floor.

    McMahon sent Grant a bouquet of flowers on Feb. 14, and encouraged her to meet with an unnamed WWE talent for a sexual encounter. Grant said she told Vince that she was confused about the scope of the NDA, particularly who she could talk to.

    SEScoops asked representatives for Grant, WWE, McMahon and Laurinaitis for comment about the allegations in the declaration. Parties hadn’t responded by Friday morning.

    Edward Brennan, an attorney for John Laurinaitis, sent a statement to Post Wrestling.

    “My client has no need to comment on this salacious affidavit. Anyone can make allegations. Whether those allegations can withstand the harsh sunlight of cross-examination is another matter entirely. I note that after two-plus years of litigation, Mr. Laurinaitis remains the only party exonerated by an independent investigation commissioned by the WWE Board of Directors to review these matters and the only person dismissed, with prejudice, from this lawsuit. Those facts speak louder than any allegations made to buttress a suspect claim.”

    SEScoops reached out to representatives for Grant and asked what Laurinaitis’s status was as a witness for the plaintiff in the case. A response hadn’t been sent when the article was published.

    According to Grant, McMahon had violated the NDA when he or WWE leaked her identity and details of their relationship to a member of the wrestling media. McMahon asserts Grant violated the NDA.

    The arbitration hearing in the case is scheduled for June 16.

  • Vince McMahon Almost Stayed With WWE Through Saudi Deal

    Vince McMahon Almost Stayed With WWE Through Saudi Deal

    Saudi Arabia had the opportunity to purchase WWE and would have kept Vince McMahon in charge. However, they ultimately decided not to make an offer. The revelation sheds new light on how close WWE came to a dramatically different ownership structure.

    Dave Meltzer addressed speculation about WWE’s potential sale to Saudi Arabia during a discussion on social media. According to Meltzer, the Saudi government had a real chance to acquire the company before the TKO merger.

    “The saudis had an opportunity to buy wwe and they would have kept Vince in charge if they had. They ended up deciding not to make an offer. Emanuel did not make the offer he did to flip it.”

    How WWE’s Ownership Changed

    WWE remained under McMahon family control for decades until allegations forced Vince McMahon out of the company. Triple H took over as Chief Content Officer, while Nick Khan became CEO.

    The company merged under TKO Group Holdings in 2023, with Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel leading the acquisition. Meltzer noted that Emanuel did not make the offer with plans to flip the company.

    Saudi Arabia’s WWE Relationship

    Saudi Arabia has maintained a strong partnership with WWE since 2018, hosting multiple premium live events. The relationship expanded WWE’s global presence and brought major shows to the region.

    Despite the ongoing partnership and continued events in Saudi Arabia, a full acquisition never moved forward. The Saudi government ultimately decided against making an offer for the company.

    Next year’s WWE WrestleMania 43 is also heading to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

  • Report: Ari Emanuel Suggested DOJ Was ‘Former Latham Lawyers’ to Vince McMahon

    Report: Ari Emanuel Suggested DOJ Was ‘Former Latham Lawyers’ to Vince McMahon

    A report published by the media website PUCK on Monday suggested Ari Emanuel, the CEO of Endeavor and World Wrestling Entertainment parent company TKO, may have used legal connections to help Vince McMahon when he was investigated by the Department of Justice.

    Eriq Gardner, in an article about the WWE shareholder lawsuit, wrote that Emanuel attempted to “reassure” McMahon in a voice memo to the former WWE owner in September 2022.

    Among the most striking artifacts: a September 2022 voice memo in which Ari tried to reassure McMahon by saying he’d spoken with his apparently well-connected lawyer at Latham & Watkins.

    “Just F.Y.I., everyone at the D.O.J. is former Latham lawyers,” said Ari, adding that an S.E.C. civil inquiry into the hush-money payments was a separate matter, but manageable.

    “Yes, we can indemnify you and we will,” Ari allegedly said. (At a December deposition, Ari said he couldn’t recall making the offer.)

    McMahon initially stepped down as WWE Chairman in June 2022 after the company began an investigation into allegations he had sexually assaulted and trafficked former employee Janel Grant, then retired the following month. According to a 2024 article by the Wall Street Journal, a federal criminal investigation into McMahon based on allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking began the same year.

    McMahon remained WWE’s largest stockholder after his resignation and engineered his return as executive chairman in January 2023. He later guided WWE in a sale to Endeavor that closed in September 2023, forming TKO Group Holdings.

    McMahon resigned again in January 2024 after a civil complaint was filed by Janel Grant in federal court against McMahon, WWE and former WWE executive John Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis was later dropped from the suit after agreeing to help Grant’s case.

    In February 2025, an attorney for McMahon said the federal criminal investigation ended without charges being filed.

    McMahon and WWE are defendants in a shareholder lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery, scheduled for June 8.

    An arbitration hearing in Grant’s federal civil case against McMahon and WWE is scheduled for June 10.

  • Janel Grant Shares FBI Letters Ahead of CT NDA Vote

    Janel Grant Shares FBI Letters Ahead of CT NDA Vote

    Janel Grant shared letters she received from the FBI on Tuesday along with a statement on NDA legislation in Connecticut.

    Grant, who is suing WWE and former chairman Vince McMahon on allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking, said she received the letters from May 2023 through mid-December 2025. One letter said the FBI was reaching out because the agency had identified her as the “possible victim of a crime.”

    The letters surface as Connecticut lawmakers weigh Senate Bill 355, legislation that would limit the use of non-disclosure agreements in cases of workplace sexual harassment and discrimination. Grant and her attorney Erica Nolan testified before the Connecticut Labor and Public Employees Committee in March in support of the bill.

    “Ahead of the vote in [Connecticut], I believe it’s important to share this letter in service of the broader conversation,” Grant said. “Multiple names appear in a grand jury subpoena in connection to settlement agreements related to allegations of sexual misconduct, including mine. This is why I received letters like this and I continued to receive them up until a few months ago.”

    Grant shared one letter on social media, dated May 23, 2023, along with FBI brochures on how to help victims of a crime and how to use the FBI’s victim notification system.

    Grant first spoke publicly about NDA reform at a Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence event in February. Her federal lawsuit against WWE and McMahon, originally filed in January 2024, remains active. A hearing to determine whether the case will move to arbitration or stay in federal court is scheduled for June 10, 2026.

  • Vince McMahon Speaks at Hulk Hogan Funeral in Netflix Docuseries

    Vince McMahon Speaks at Hulk Hogan Funeral in Netflix Docuseries

    Former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon had delivered remarks at WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan’s funeral service, with footage now appearing in the Netflix docuseries Hulk Hogan: Real American.

    The moment marks a rare public appearance by McMahon following his departure from WWE in January 2024.

    Hogan passed away on July 24 last year, prompting tributes across the wrestling industry. While McMahon did not appear during WWE’s televised memorial, he attended the private funeral service where several wrestling legends gathered to honor “The Immortal One.”

    McMahon Leads Final Standing Ovation

    The fourth and final episode of the Netflix series includes footage from the funeral service. McMahon recalled how Hogan consistently received standing ovations after his matches throughout his career.

    “At the end of every match, they give him a standing ovation. So what I’m suggesting to all of you is that we give Hulk Hogan his very last standing ovation right now,” McMahon said from the podium.

    McMahon then applauded as attendees joined in for a final tribute to the wrestling icon. The clip was shared on social media as the docuseries premiered.

    Notable Inclusion Despite WWE Separation

    McMahon’s appearance in the documentary is significant given WWE’s public distancing from him after his departure. The series features multiple wrestling figures reflecting on Hogan’s legacy and impact on the industry.

    The Hulk Hogan: Real American docuseries is currently streaming on Netflix.

  • Watch: Thank You Vince Chants Heard At WWE Hall of Fame

    Watch: Thank You Vince Chants Heard At WWE Hall of Fame

    Vince McMahon did not attend the 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony as many speculated but his presence was still felt in a big way.

    Stephanie McMahon, who headlined the Hall of Fame class this year mentioned the importance of her parents in her success during her speech. She first discussed how her mother Linda McMahon, deserved to be inducted instead of Stephanie for her work as the former CEO of the company.

    Thank You Vince Chant Breaks Out At Hall of Fame

    The female star then mentioned how she wouldn’t be where she is without her father Vince McMahon. The mention of the former WWE Chairman received loud cheer from the fans, and a ‘Thank You Vince’ chant then broke out in the arena:

    “Truthfully my mom should be the one going into Hall of Fame tonight. She was the very first CEO of WWE. And if it weren’t for her, and of course my father Vince McMahon….none of us would be here tonight. Especially me.”

    Vince McMahon has not appeared on WWE programming since June 2022. He was forced to resign from his position on the TKO board in January 2024, after former employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against McMahon accusing him of sexual trafficking, among other things.

  • Backstage News On Vince McMahon’s Status for Hall of Fame

    Backstage News On Vince McMahon’s Status for Hall of Fame

    Will Vince McMahon be seen during WrestleMania week?

    With Stephanie McMahon leading the 2026 Hall of Fame class, there has been obvious speculation about a potential appearance from her father and former WWE owner at the show.

    Recent creative decisions such as bringing Brock Lesnar back on board despite being named in the Janel Grant lawsuit and featuring the former WWE chairman in the John Cena tribute video using archival footage has only added to the feeling that a TV return for the former wrestling promoter might not be out of the realm of possibility.

    Vince McMahon’s HOF Status

    Fightful Select recently provided an update on the matter. They noted that while plans could change at the last minute, at this time, Vince McMahon is not planned for an appearance at the Hall of Fame.

    McMahon’s last appearance on TV came during the June 27, 2022 episode of Raw, where he introduced a returning John Cena. The 80-year-old has remained in news apart from the coverage of the Grant lawsuit, most recently with the release of the footage of his August 2025 car crash.

    There is no word on whether Stephanie’s brother, Shane McMahon, will be in attendance at the event, but it’s likely that the former SmackDown commissioner will join the show in some capacity.

  • Jim Ross Suspects Vince McMahon is Playing Key Role in WrestleMania 42

    Jim Ross Suspects Vince McMahon is Playing Key Role in WrestleMania 42

    Jim Ross isn’t guessing about Vince McMahon’s involvement in WrestleMania 42. He’s convinced.

    Speaking on Grilling JR with Conrad Thompson, the WWE Hall of Famer and former AEW commentator offered his most direct assessment yet of McMahon’s role in WWE creative heading into WrestleMania weekend.

    “I don’t think there’s any doubt in my mind that Vince will be instrumental in this year’s WrestleMania as far as creative is concerned,” Ross said.

    When Thompson asked point-blank whether McMahon is involved in creative for this year’s show, Ross didn’t flinch:

    “Oh yeah. Okay. Yeah.”

    McMahon Is “In the Kitchen Making Pies”

    Ross used a colorful metaphor to describe what he believes McMahon is doing behind the scenes. Pointing to WrestleMania 42’s loaded match card, Ross said he sees McMahon’s fingerprints all over it.

    “There are some massively marquee matches. And I think Vince is in the kitchen and he’s making pies, and we’re going to see how his pies taste sooner than later,” Ross said.

    He later extended the analogy, adding: “He’s hungry. If he’s making pies, we know he’s in the kitchen.”

    Ross clarified that he doesn’t think McMahon is writing scripts line by line. Instead, he sees the former WWE Chairman operating the way he always has: setting direction and choosing who to elevate.

    “How’s it going to hurt for Vince to chip in with an idea or two and a general direction? He was always really good at picking out somebody he wanted to get over and having a plan to make that happen. And I think that’s kind of where we are right now.”

    “It Will Remain That Way Until They Bury Him”

    Ross grounded his belief in decades of firsthand experience working alongside McMahon as WWE’s Executive Vice President.

    “It comes back to one person: Vince. No matter what his other issues may or may not be, all that stuff, it’s still Vince,” Ross said. “And anyone that’s been listening to this who has worked in WWE knows full well it’s all about Vince, and it will remain that way until they bury him.”

    Ross’s comments come amid the ongoing TKO investor lawsuit, which surfaced leaked Signal messages showing McMahon was actively tracking WrestleMania creative even after his departure from the company.

    Triple H also appeared on Cody Rhodes’ podcast the same day this episode was recorded, where he acknowledged McMahon was involved in creative decisions during that period.

    With WrestleMania 42 set for this weekend, Ross’s assessment adds yet another voice to the growing chorus suggesting McMahon’s influence never truly left WWE.

  • Vince McMahon Listed as Hall of Famer on WWE Shop

    Vince McMahon Listed as Hall of Famer on WWE Shop

    WWE Shop has a factual error on its hands. A product listing for a new Stephanie McMahon 2026 Hall of Fame Legacy Title Belt claims she will be “joining her father and husband” in the WWE Hall of Fame, but Vince McMahon has never been inducted.

    The belt, priced at $850, was released as a collector’s item tied to Stephanie’s induction this Friday, April 17, at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas. The product description reads: “The McMahon family has shaped sports entertainment for generations, and now Stephanie McMahon is joining her father and husband in the WWE Hall of Fame!”

    The claim about her husband is accurate. Triple H was inducted into the Class of 2025. The claim about her father is not. Vince McMahon, who resigned from TKO Group Holdings in January 2024 amid legal troubles, has never received a Hall of Fame induction. Notably, his own father, Vincent J. McMahon (Vince Sr.), was inducted into the Class of 1996.

    Stephanie McMahon’s Induction

    Stephanie was announced as the first inductee of the 2026 class in September 2025, when The Undertaker surprised her ringside at WWE Wrestlepalooza. The Undertaker is set to serve as her official inductor at Friday’s ceremony, part of WrestleMania 42 weekend.

    The rest of the Class of 2026 includes AJ Styles, Demolition, Dennis Rodman, and the late Sycho Sid as a legacy inductee.

    It remains to be seen whether WWE will quietly correct the product description or address the error publicly. The belt is currently available on WWE Shop for $850.

  • Shawn Michaels Denies Bret Hart ‘Lovers’ Claim About Vince McMahon

    Shawn Michaels Denies Bret Hart ‘Lovers’ Claim About Vince McMahon

    WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels recently directly addressed Bret Hart’s bold allegations from late 2025, flatly denying claims that he and Vince McMahon had a relationship. The NXT head spoke candidly on The Ringer Wrestling Show on April 10, 2026, marking his first public response to the controversy.

    Last year, during an interview, Bret Hart stated that he felt “caught between two lovers” and claimed that he was betrayed and “screwed over,” and argued that HBK was jealous of his position in WWE. ‘The Hitman’ reckoned this jealousy led to Michaels sleeping with McMahon.

    Michaels acknowledged hearing the claims but made his position immediately clear. He said:

    “You know, so—and I’ve heard him, yeah. So I hear about whatever—doing things with Vince—which you go like, ‘What are you going to do?’ It never happened.”

    Shawn Michaels Chooses Not to Escalate

    Rather than firing back at Hart, Michaels took a measured approach to the situation. HBK suggested the narrative is simply part of the wrestling business and doesn’t warrant serious attention.

    “But, you know, it’s the wrestling business. I don’t know what’s out there anymore. I’m never sure what’s out there to get a rise out of people or to make things—it’s the wrestling business, and I just don’t put a lot of stock in that.”

    The Hall of Famer then referenced a conversation with Hart, noting that not everyone will interpret things the same way.

    “All I know is we had a nice conversation in the room—how to put his suspenders on. He went out there. I—you know, there might be things that he doesn’t like. I understand that. And there’s lots of things people don’t like. Everybody has a right to their opinion on everything these days. I don’t begrudge anyone that,” he said.

    With Shawn Michaels now on record denying the allegations outright, the ball is back in Hart’s court if he chooses to continue the public exchange.

  • Logan Paul Doubted WWE Signing After Bizarre First Meeting With Vince McMahon

    Logan Paul Doubted WWE Signing After Bizarre First Meeting With Vince McMahon

    Former WWE United States Champion Logan Paul recently revealed details about his first encounter with Vince McMahon before signing with WWE. He described an awkward pitch session where the former WWE Chairman remained silent throughout his entire presentation.

    Speaking on the What’s Your Story? podcast with Stephanie McMahon, Paul explained that WWE’s initial interest stemmed from his massive social media following and ability to attract new audiences to the product.

    “Part of the reason WWE originally hired me was because I had a social presence—followers online. You guys do this—you bring in outsiders, bring in an audience.”

    The Silent Pitch Meeting

    ‘The Maverick’ recalled walking into WWE HQ with a clear vision focused on creating viral moments. However, McMahon’s reaction during the pitch left him completely uncertain about whether his ideas were connecting.

    “I went to the office to pitch your dad my ideas—what I could bring to WWE and how I thought I could add value. This was before WrestleMania. I was like, ‘These are my ideas—this is what I want to do. I’m big into making moments.’ I pitched him what I considered innovative, viral ideas. For me, it was all about virality. I talked for like 15 minutes in this meeting, and Vince didn’t say a word. He was just nodding, and I’m like, ‘Dude, am I resonating? Does he even know what I’m saying?’”

    The silence made Paul question whether he was even speaking the same language as the WWE boss. After leaving the meeting, a WWE representative confirmed his concerns.

    Doubts After the Meeting

    “I really wasn’t sure—I felt like I was speaking a foreign language. We talked, then I talked to my WWE rep. I walked out, and she was like, ‘I don’t think he understood a word you said’.”

    That feedback left Paul doubting his chances of landing a WWE contract.

    “I was like, ‘I know—damn.’ I was like, ‘I wonder if he’s even going to hire me,’ but apparently it downloaded some way.”

    Despite the awkward first impression, Paul signed with WWE and became one of the company’s biggest crossover stars. His journey from that confusing initial pitch to becoming a featured performer demonstrates how WWE saw potential beyond the presentation itself.

  • AEW Commentator Believes Vince McMahon Will Contribute To WrestleMania 42 Creative

    AEW Commentator Believes Vince McMahon Will Contribute To WrestleMania 42 Creative

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross feels that former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon is likely to be involved in WrestleMania 42 creative, despite WWE operating under Triple H’s leadership.

    Speaking on Grilling JR, Ross was questioned whether he believes McMahon will return to WWE creative. His answer left no room for doubt.

    “Yeah, absolutely no doubt about it. I don’t even have a question in my mind where there’s, you know, it’s the old cliche, or there’s smoke, oftentimes there’s fire, and there’s been a lot of smoke regarding VKM in WWE, and what his future may or may not be, and how he can still contribute.”

    McMahon’s Creative Vision Still Valuable

    Ross noted McMahon’s track record and mindset as reasons why the former WWE boss still has something to offer. He believes McMahon’s big-picture thinking makes him valuable for WWE’s biggest show of the year.

    “This can still contribute. He’s a big picture guy, and that takes a lot of detail work and planning, but he can do that. He can make all that happen. And you know he’s hungry, so we know he’s in the kitchen. So I don’t think there’s any doubt in my mind that Vince will be instrumental in this year’s Wrestlemania as far as creative is concerned.”

    When asked whether McMahon is already playing a role in WrestleMania 42 build-up, Ross doubled down.

    “Oh, yeah. He’s not going to wait on anything. He’s not going to, as John Wayne would say, we’re burning daylight. Something’s going to happen. I believe that McMahon will have the will to contribute to this year’s WrestleMania… I just think that he’s going to be involved in WrestleMania in some shape, form or fashion.”

    With Jim Ross expressing complete confidence in Vince McMahon’s continued influence, the conversation around WrestleMania 42 creative has only intensified.

    While Triple H remains firmly in charge of WWE’s day-to-day direction, Ross’ comments suggest that McMahon’s presence, whether direct or behind the scenes, may still shape the company’s biggest show of the year.

  • Triple H Raised Concerns Over Vince McMahon’s Creative Role Before WWE–Endeavor Merger

    Triple H Raised Concerns Over Vince McMahon’s Creative Role Before WWE–Endeavor Merger

    WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H had expressed anxiety over Vince McMahon’s increased involvement in WWE creative just a day before the company’s merger with Endeavor became official.

    Text messages between WWE’s Chief Content Officer and President Nick Khan, disclosed in Delaware Court of Chancery filings, reveal tension within WWE’s executive ranks in September 2023.

    The exchange took place on Monday, September 11, 2023, according to a report from POST Wrestling. Triple H, who had taken over WWE’s creative team from McMahon the previous year, reached out to Khan for support as McMahon sought more involvement in the creative process.

    Triple H Stressed Ahead of Merger Finalization

    via POST Wrestling

    Later that evening, Triple H informed Khan that McMahon wanted to meet about upcoming talent releases. These releases were part of a staff-cutting initiative tied to reducing costs as promised in the merger.

    Fightful reported that McMahon and Levesque were involved with late changes to the Monday, September 11, 2023, episode of Raw. Vince was not at the event, as he had been on other occasions that year. Those other occasions included the Raw after WrestleMania in 2023, when he made wide-ranging changes to the show in-person.

    via POST Wrestling
    via POST Wrestling

    A few minutes later, Triple H told Khan that Vince McMahon had called for a meeting later that day with “Bruce and Ed,” possibly referring to senior creative team members Bruce Prichard and Ed Koskey.

    via POST Wrestling

    Two months later, on a Saturday night, December 9, 2023, Levesque texted Khan.

    via POST Wrestling

    The next day, the record shows Levesque and Khan trying to reach Emanuel, with Levesque apparently speaking with Emanuel.

    via POST Wrestling
    via POST Wrestling

    The public filings don’t show further messages between Levesque and Khan for the next few hours. It is reported that any calls or messages that might have happened in that window, whether Khan reached Emanuel, McMahon, or both, aren’t reflected in the record.

  • Big Show Recalls Vince McMahon Fining Him For Absurd Reason

    Big Show Recalls Vince McMahon Fining Him For Absurd Reason

    Big Show has revealed why he stopped showing his athleticism.

    The former WWE star recently spoke to Chris Van Vliet for a new interview. He talked about things such as his experience working with people like The Rock and Floyd Mayweather, what he is most proud of in his career, and more.

    The 54-year-old, who first became a star working for WCW in the 90s, also discussed his early career. He was asked if he thinks his athleticism gets slept on. Big Show mentioned how he used to do a lot of athletic moves at the start of his career but explained that he stopped doing them because of criticism from his peers. He gave an example, recalling the time Vince McMahon fined him for jumping over the top rope:

    “You know I used to jump over the top rope. You know why I stopped doing that? Because Vince fined me 500 bucks for doing it. Because that’s not how giants move. He was in a different mindset. That was the thing that I was battling. Vince had Andre. Vince wanted Andre. ‘Andre ruled the locker with an iron fist. Andre did this, and Andre did that…’ I’m not Andre. I’m not a raging alcoholic and I’m not a mean person.”

    I’ll Never Work With You: Big Show

    Big Show later detailed another such instance when Hulk Hogan got upset with him while he was working in Japan. He mentioned that a message from the late wrestling legend was waiting for him when he got back to his room after a match where he did a drop kick. When they connected, Hogan blasted him for the drop kick, warning him to never do it again:

    “I had Hogan call me. Rest in peace. I had Hogan call me in Japan. I threw a drop kick in Japan off the top rope and hit Yasuda with it. I got to my room, there was a blinking light in my hotel, and the message says, ‘Please call Mr. Bollea when you get to your room.’

    Oh, hell, they didn’t even say Hulk. It’s Mr. Bollea. I’m in trouble. So I called Terry collect from Japan back then, ‘Brother, did you just do a drop kick off the top rope in Japan?’ I went, ‘Yeah, I did.’ He just goes, ‘Brother, you ever do that again, I’ll never work with you.’”

    Apart from this, Big Show also discussed working with Rey Mysterio and recalled a spot with the masked star that still gives him nightmares. You can check out his comments here.

  • Bad Cow: Chris Jericho Recalls Vince McMahon’s Absurd Rejection To His SummerSlam Pitch

    Bad Cow: Chris Jericho Recalls Vince McMahon’s Absurd Rejection To His SummerSlam Pitch

    Chris Jericho has revealed the one pitch he thinks should have gotten a better reaction.

    The wrestling veteran recently spoke to GamesHub for an interview. He talked about things such as the success of the Judas song, his underrated rivalry with The Rock and more.

    During the talk, the former World Champion was asked if there was a pitch in WWE or AEW he made which he thinks did not get the reception it deserved. Chris Jericho recalled the one time he went to Vince McMahon to pitch an angle involving The Wyatt Family and Shawn Michaels. He suggested that the whole thing was doomed from the start, however, because the boss was not alone in his office and he had not eaten yet:

    “The idea was a storyline involving Bray Wyatt and Shawn Michaels. The premise was that the Wyatt Family would attack me, and the only person I could call who was crazy enough to have my back was Shawn — even after our rivalry. He comes back to confront me, and just as we’re about to go at it, the Wyatt Family attacks us both. Now you don’t know whether Shawn was going to take my offer or not, but he’s involved.”

    The Steak Killed The Whole Angle: Chris Jericho

    According to Chris Jericho, it was a solid pitch that would have led to a SummerSlam match, with the Wyatt Family going up against him and Shawn Michaels. When Vince McMahon was eating, however, he did not care for anything else, and so he rejected the whole thing without much consideration:

    “Vince just sat there eating his steak, and when I finished, he said, ‘Bad cow.’ I said, ‘What?’ He goes, ‘Bad cow — the steak is tough.’ I said, what do you think of my pitch? He goes, ‘What else you got?’ The steak killed the whole angle. But that’s the nature of working for Vince — if he doesn’t like it, you’re done. Same with Tony, to a degree. You have to please your boss.”

    Apart from this, Chris Jericho also revealed the status of his wrestling career amid his prolonged AEW absence. You can check out what he said here.

  • Kane Reveals Reason For His 2003 Unmasking

    Kane Reveals Reason For His 2003 Unmasking

    Kane has revealed why he chose to abandon his mask in 2003.

    The WWE Hall of Famer recently appeared on the River City Wrestling Con panel. He discussed things such as his early career, working with Vince McMahon and more.

    During the talk, Kane also opened up about his 2003 unmasking. The former World Champion revealed that the whole thing was his own idea:

    “It was my idea. I talked to Vince about it. Vince liked it—probably not so much for the reasons from my perspective.”

    One of The Most Important Things: Kane

    Kane started showing more personality at the start of 2002. The then Raw co-General Manager Steve Austin offered the fellow Attitude Era star a World Heavyweight title match against Triple H at the June 23, 2003 episode of the show if he rejected The Game’s offer to join Evolution.

    The other co-General Manager Eric Bischoff then stipulated that the brother of Undertaker will have to lose his mask if he failed to win the title, leading to Kane’s unmasking and subsequent heel turn.

    The Devil’s Favorite Demon explained that the mask restrained his ability to tell stories, including limiting his promo abilities. So he ultimately decided that it was time to let the mask go:

    “My perspective was as a performer, and yeah, I felt that being under the mask—I don’t want to say run its course because, you know, it was a really cool character and it still worked—but there were constraints and limitations that it put on me. Obviously, the biggest one is I couldn’t use my face to show people emotion, which is one of the most important things.”

    Apart from this, Kane also revealed how the debut of his character was result of a late WWE star’s arrest. You can check out the full story here.

  • John Morrison Reveals Why Vince McMahon Changed His Original WWE Name

    John Morrison Reveals Why Vince McMahon Changed His Original WWE Name

    John Morrison has revealed why his WWE name was changed.

    The 46-year-old has used over a dozen different names in his wrestling career, and even today, he uses a different moniker based on the promotion he is working for. This unique trait started very early in his career when he went through multiple name changes in the first few weeks of his WWE main roster run, before the company settled on the name Johnny Nitro. This new moniker lasted a couple of years before it was changed again.

    During a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, the wrestling veteran told the story of this name change. John Morrison revealed that Vince McMahon had never liked the Nitro name because of its connection to WCW:

    “When I won the ECW championship, I was Johnny Nitro. Prior to that, Vince had mentioned a few times that Johnny Nitro is not a champion’s name, or not a good name, ‘You got to change it.’ [I responded]’Why do you think that, Vince? Is it because it reminds you of WCW Monday Nitro?’ [Vince said] ‘Yes.’”

    I Like It, That’s It: John Morrison

    John Morrison won the ECW Championship at the 2007 Vengeance: Night of Champions PPV. Chris Benoit was originally supposed to face CM Punk for the vacant title at the show but after the late WWE star failed to show up at the event, the decision was made for Morrison to replace him and win the belt.

    The week after he won the title, Mr. McMahon insisted on changing his name, and he did not give the new champion a lot of time to think about it. After being put on the spot, Johnny Nitro came up with the name that would stick with him for the rest of his WWE career:

    “The week after, Vince walked up to me in catering, which is rare, and said, ‘You got to change your name.’ Put a paper down on the table and a pen and said, ‘Just make a list of names.’ So I was really on the spot, and I just started writing down what could be an M and M name that fits?

    Then I was like, maybe Johnny Brando, John Morrissey, John Morrison, couldn’t think of very many Ms, so I made a list of kind of like celebrity, Brando, Morrison, Johnny Brando, stuff like that. The first one that I’d written down was John Morrison, and a couple of hours later, I handed this list to Vince, and he just went like this and read the top was like, ‘John Morrison, I like it. That’s it.’”

    Elsewhere in the interview, Morrison also discussed the emotional effect of finding out that his ECW title victory was result of the Chris Benoit tragedy. You can check out his comments on the matter here.

  • Comedian Spoofs Vince McMahon Car Crash in WWE-Themed Skit

    Former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon\’s car crash in 2025 has been the subject of a new parody by comedian AJ Hapanney. Hapanney posted bodycam skits on Instagram, mocking the incident with references to McMahon\’s WWE history.

    The skits include jokes about McMahon\’s limo explosion on RAW in 2007 and his \’Kiss My A**\’ club. In the parody, the McMahon character also asks to be taken to a \”local medical facility\” instead of a hospital.

    AJ Hapanney Mocks McMahon

    In one of the clips, the comedian recreated a sobriety test scene where the parody version of McMahon could be seen struggling to cooperate with officers.

    The character couldn\’t walk in straight lines and began to do McMahon\’s signature strut. Hapanney, as Vince McMahon, says:

    \”What’s good in the hood? I don’t typically drive this car. I drive a limo but it blew up in 2007. You can’t see me. You just want to see my magnificent ass.\”

    The scene continues as the character tries to talk his way out of trouble and even pitched one of WWE’s most infamous Attitude Era storylines to the officers — Kiss My A** Club.

    “Wait just a damn minute, if you let me go I’m gonna invite you to an exclusive club… it’s a kiss my ass club.”

    Vince McMahon Car Crash

    Vince McMahon was involved in a car accident last year, where his 2024 Bentley Continental GT priced at over $300,000 crashed into a 2023 BMW 430. The accident was reported in the Connecticut area on Thursday July 24th, and it happened only hours before the news of Hulk Hogan\’s passing was made public.

    Fortunately, there were no serious injuries from the incident. Vince McMahon was issued a misdemeanor summons and was released on a $500 bond at the time.

  • Vince McMahon, WWE Execs Face Sanctions Motion Over Alleged Destruction of Evidence in TKO Merger Lawsuit

    Vince McMahon, along with Nick Khan and Paul Levesque, are facing a motion from plaintiffs in the TKO Group – WWE merger lawsuit seeking sanctions. The motion, filed in Delaware Chancery Court and obtained by Brandon Thurston of Post Wrestling and Wrestlenomics, alleges the destruction of relevant evidence, including Signal messages.

    The plaintiffs are requesting the judge assume the missing evidence would have been unfavorable to the defendants. The motion alleges that McMahon, Khan, Levesque, Stephanie McMahon, and Brad Blum failed to preserve communications despite notices from WWE\’s legal team.

    The plaintiffs describe McMahon\’s July 2022 resignation as \”pretextual,\” claiming that the merger process was \”rigged\” in favor of Endeavor.

    Visit Brandon Thurston\’s Post Wrestling report for a more in-depth breakdown of this story.

    Signal App Usage

    Nick Khan is alleged to have spearheaded communications on Signal, which allows users to set messages to auto-delete. He is also accused of deleting conventional text messages related to merger discussions.

    The plaintiffs are seeking to extend discovery and investigate potential Signal group chats.

    According to Delaware Chancery Court filings, a previously undisclosed meeting allegedly occurred on December 13, 2022, between Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Nick Khan, Ari Emanuel, and Mark Shapiro regarding a potential merger.

    The plaintiffs argue this meeting supports their claim that the TKO merger was predetermined by McMahon with Emanuel\’s cooperation.

    The case is ongoing, with a trial scheduled for June 2026.