A new report has suggested that there’s “no real pressure” on Vince McMahon to leave WWE despite the allegations recently levelled against him.
In June it was reported that Vince McMahon was being investigated by WWE’s Board of Directors over claims that he had given a $3 million “hush payment” to a former employee with whom he had an affair.
After news of this investigation was made public, McMahon stepped down from his responsibilities as CEO and Chairman of the Board. He was replaced on an interim basis by Stephanie McMahon.
Then on July 8th more claims were brought to light. The new report alleged that McMahon paid more than $12 million to four women formerly associated with WWE over the course of 16 years. One claim alleges that McMahon coerced a female wrestler into performing oral sex on him. It is also claimed that McMahon demoted the wrestler when she ended their affair and failed to renew their contract after she turned down further sexual advances.
It is alleged that McMahon paid the woman $7.5 million in exchange for her silence.
Due to the severity of the allegations, many believed that McMahon would be under pressure to leave the sports entertainment giant. However, it appears that won’t be happening any time soon.
Writing in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Dave Meltzer notes that there is “no indication” that there will be any real change within WWE.
“From the outside, you would read the article and think they have no choice but to make a change, but there is no indication at all that will happen. And there doesn’t appear to be any real pressure for it to happen.”
Meltzer added that Stephanie McMahon becoming interim CEO and Chairman of the Board was merely a “cosmetic change.”
“Stephanie McMahon, who had left the company, suddenly returned to take both of those positions. The belief is that this was more of a public and cosmetic change than a real change, and Vince McMahon remains head of creative and has continued to run everything related to television backstage during the shows.”
Kenny McIntosh of Inside The Ropes recently sat down with Jim Cornette to discuss the situation around Vince McMahon and what the future might hold. Cornette, who worked alongside McMahon for a number of years, suggested that his recent appearances on television were nothing more than an act of defiance.