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WWE Stars “Frustrated” At Vince McMahon Over Scandal

Vince McMahon

WWE Superstars are said to be “extremely frustrated” at Vince McMahon over his handling of allegations made against him and John Laurinaitis, according to a new report.

Back in June The Wall Street Journal first published reports surrounding WWE’s Board of Directors investigating Vince McMahon over a $3 million payment he made to a former employee he allegedly had an affair with.

A follow-up report on the 8th of July said that McMahon has allegedly paid $12 million to four different women over the years in return for their silence. One woman is reported to be a former on-air talent that McMahon is said to have coerced into giving him oral sex and when further sexual advances were rejected he demoted the talent before releasing her in 2005.

As a result of the investigation, Vince McMahon has stepped back from his role as WWE Chairman and CEO, being replaced on an interim basis by Stephanie McMahon. Despite this, Vince McMahon still retains control over the company’s creative direction and has appeared on-screen several times since the allegations became public.

Fightful Select has issued a new report which looks at the backstage reaction towards McMahon’s handling of the scandal surrounding him.

An unnamed source is quoted as saying that McMahon’s response to the situation fluctuates between “no-selling” and outright defiance. McMahon is said to have shouted “F*ck em!” after returning backstage following his June 17th SmackDown appearance – the same day McMahon stepped back from his Chairman and CEO roles.

The report adds that rumours of McMahon’s behaviour were known within the writing team with a former writer for the company saying that McMahon’s activities were a “half-joking” excuse as to why he was late to meetings.

The belief is that Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis – who is also under investigation – is “done” with WWE. The report describes talk of a “golden parachute” deal that will help take care of Laurinaitis and a company “higher up” stated that “Johnny Ace’s ninth life is about to be lost.”

WWE talent is said to have “expressed displeasure and extreme frustration with Vince McMahon’s handling of [the situation]” although none are able to talk publicly about it.