Stephanie McMahon has addressed the many times her father Vince McMahon has become the centre of controversy for what has happened in WWE both on camera and behind the scenes.
In January 2024, Vince McMahon was accused by former WWE employee Janel Grant of sexual abuse and trafficking as part of a lawsuit that was filed against him, John Laurinaitis and the company, which ultimately led to his resignation from the promotion.
The accusations were the latest in a series of scandals that have targeted McMahon, who has been the subject of controversy for decades. While many wrestling fans are very aware of the horrific events and allegations that have taken place in the professional wrestling promotion over the years, more became aware of the Ring Boy Scandal, the steroid trial and the Chris Benoit murder suicide among other disturbing stories as they were all highlighted in the Netflix docuseries Mr McMahon that was released in September 2024.
In what was her first interview since stepping down as Interim CEO in early 2023 following her father’s return to the company, Stephanie McMahon appeared as a guest on The Pat McAfee Show. During the interview, McMahon was asked about her family being the subject of scrutiny over the years and how it has affected her personally:
“It’s been my whole life. When I was in high school was when my dad was indicted by the federal government. The media came after my family in a really big and really hard way to deal with when we were in high school. I think at that time, I was filled with a lot of anger and resentment, and I had a hard time navigating all of that.”
Continuing, McMahon referenced the more recent scandals and how it has affected her own perspective in the present day:
“I think now in my later years, when all of it seems to happen again, it’s with a little bit of reverence that I can appreciate all of it because it’s just noise. We all have opinions no matter what, and that’s great. You can think you know exactly what’s going on. You can give whatever dirt you think you know. But at the end of the day, I know where I stand, and that’s how I have to just be grounded and rooted in who I am and what I believe in and try to ignore the noise.”
Stephanie McMahon Discusses Time Away From WWE
Following Vince McMahon’s first resignation in June 2022, Stephanie was named the Interim CEO and Chairwoman. Six months later, McMahon resigned from the position when her father was voted back in as the Executive Chairman of the Board in January 2023 to facilitate a sale of the company. During her appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Stephanie McMahon spoke about her time away from WWE and away from wrestling in general.
H/t to PWMania.