Vince McMahon Seen For First Time Since Retiring From WWE
Vince McMahon, who stepped down as WWE CEO and Chairman in July after it was revealed that he paid $15 million in hush money to several former company employees, was spotted in New York City for the first time since his departure.
McMahon was joined for his 77th birthday by a mystery woman, WWE legend John Cena, and Cena's wife Shay Shariatzadeh, who blocked his face from being fully photographed.
McMahon's resignation from the position he'd held since purchasing the company from his father in 1982 was historic in the pro wrestling industry.
Following her father's departure, McMahon's daughter, Stephanie McMahon, was named co-CEO. Nick Khan, who joined the company from CAA in 2020, is the other co-CEO. McMahon is still the majority owner of WWE.
The Wall Street Journal broke the story in June, reporting that McMahon had paid $3 million in "hush money" to a former WWE paralegal with whom he had a sexual relationship. He allegedly increased her salary from $100,000 to $200,000.
According to the anonymous source who broke the news to the company board, McMahon "gave her like a toy" to longtime executive John Laurinaitis, who recently left the company.
Following an investigation by the WWE board, it was discovered that McMahon had paid a total of $15 million to several women who were also former WWE employees with whom he had sexual relations, including at least one former wrestler.