Vince McMahon retired as WWE Chairman and CEO on July 22nd 2022 ending a four-decade long reign at the head of the company he purchased from his father.
His departure came against a backdrop of allegations of sexual misconduct which had triggered an internal investigation. With McMahon relinquishing control he was replaced on the wrestling side of the company by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon was made Chairwoman and co-CEO alongside Nick Khan.
The investigation was launched into claims that McMahon paid a former employee $3 million in “hush money” after the pair had an affair. More allegations have since been made public, including claims that McMahon paid four women more than $12 million across 16 years as part of similar agreements.
On November 2nd WWE confirmed that the investigation into McMahon had been concluded, and the special committee which had been set up, had been disbanded. WWE’s Q3 earnings report also revealed that the investigation had cost the company $19.4 million.
Tom Prichard Claims Vince McMahon Is “Not An Ogre”
Aside from the allegations, McMahon held a fearsome reputation with WWE as someone who was difficult to please, and demanded that business was conducted in a specific way.
One man who worked with the former Chairman for a number of years was Tom Prichard. The former WWF Tag Team Champion enjoyed three stints with WWE, first as a performer as part of the Heavenly Bodies and The Bodydonnas before becoming a coach. As a trainer Prichard is credited as developing The Rock, Kurt Angle and Randy Orton among others.
Speaking on Story Time with Dutch Mantell, Prichard discussed his time working with Vince McMahon, giving an insight into what we was really like backstage. Prichard described his former boss as “unique” adding that he wasn’t a monster, instead just incredibly driven.
“[Vince McMahon is] Certainly one of the most unique people I’ve ever met. I’ve some unique people man. (…) He’s an intimidating guy, for me especially because I never knew what to say to him. He would disarm me when he could be nice and he could be empathetic and feel. I mean he’s not an ogre. He’s not a monster. He was never a monster. To me, he was a guy who was driven, he knew what he wanted, he knew what he expected of people. And you can’t be the head of an organization as big as WWE and not have to be stern and know what you want. You have to have a vision. He had a vision,”
Tom Prichard was released by WWE in May 2012 when he was replaced as Head Trainer by Bill DeMott.
H/t to Sportskeeda