Here we go again.
The Wall Street Journal discovered more hush-money payments made by Vince McMahon in excess of $12 million over 16 years to four women who worked for WWE. The former paralegal, the subject of the Wall Street Journal’s initial report on McMahon’s sexual misconduct is included.
Three more women and over $9 million in addition to the $3 million WSJ reported on June 17. A $7.5 million settlement was reached with a former WWE wrestler who claimed McMahon “coerced her into giving him oral sex and then demoted her and, ultimately, declined to renew her contract in 2005 after she resisted further sexual encounters, according to people familiar with the matter.”
Reportedly, the wrestler and her attorney approached McMahon in 2018, and the two parties came to terms “in return for her silence.” There are a handful of female performers whose tenure with the company fits the 2005 timeline, but we’re not going to mention their names here.
Vince McMahon voluntarily stepped down as WWE CEO following the June 17 report. Vince is still the head of creative content. Stephanie McMahon was named interim chairperson and CEO until the board of directors completes their investigations.
Between the two Journal reports and the newest Rita Chatterton article by New York Magazine, it’s time for Vince McMahon to go.
Despite all of the facts, not allegations, but facts that have come to light, it will take a performer to come forward and tell their story. However, what should happen and what will happen are two different things.
It will take a brave person to come forward as they will be forever linked to this story and have to relive the dehumanizing circumstances. The attention and backlash the individual receives will be bad enough if Vince McMahon is forced out of his company, but even worse if nothing happens.
Stories and allegations of this sort against Vince McMahon are nothing new. This is known. Having a name and a face to the story makes it easier for the mainstream media to sell and for the public to digest. Otherwise, the story most likely stays within the confines of pro wrestling space.
Ringside Logic 