Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Vince McMahon

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Vince McMahon.

Vincent Kennedy McMahon is an American businessman and former professional wrestling promoter best known as the co-founder (with his then-wife Linda) of WWE, the world's largest professional wrestling promotion. Beyond wrestling, McMahon has pursued ventures in other sports, including the World Bodybuilding Federation and the XFL football league, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit across the sports and entertainment landscape.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 16, 1986: Alleged sexual assault by Rita Chatterton

On July 16, 1986, Rita Chatterton alleged that Vince McMahon tried to force her to perform oral sex on him in his limousine and then raped her.

April 3, 1992: Rita Chatterton's allegations on 'Now It Can Be Told'

On April 3, 1992, Rita Chatterton appeared on Geraldo Rivera's show 'Now It Can Be Told' and alleged that on July 16, 1986, Vince McMahon sexually assaulted her.

1992: Nailz Files Lawsuit Against McMahon

In 1992, wrestler Kevin Patrick Wacholz, known as Nailz, filed a lawsuit alleging Vince McMahon sexually assaulted him. McMahon then filed a counter-lawsuit against Nailz the same year.

November 1993: Indictment in federal court

In November 1993, Vince McMahon was indicted in federal court due to a steroid controversy within the WWF, leading him to temporarily cede control to his wife, Linda.

1993: Feud with Jerry Lawler

In 1993, Vince McMahon engaged in a feud with Jerry Lawler as part of a cross-promotion between WWF and the United States Wrestling Association (USWA). He sent WWF wrestlers to Memphis to challenge Lawler, marking McMahon's first physical interjection in a match.

July 1994: Acquittal of steroid charges

In July 1994, Vince McMahon was acquitted of charges related to steroid distribution after a trial where a former wrestler's testimony was questioned.

September 22, 1997: Stone Cold Steve Austin Attacks Owen Hart and Vince McMahon

On September 22, 1997, during a Raw broadcast from Madison Square Garden, Stone Cold Steve Austin assaulted Owen Hart. When McMahon intervened, Austin attacked him with a Stone Cold Stunner and was arrested. This marked the beginning of the Austin-McMahon rivalry.

1997: The Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series

In 1997 the Montreal Screwjob took place during the Survivor Series event. This event was the catalyst for Vince McMahon's confrontation with Bret Hart on January 4, 2010.

February 13, 2003: McMahon Tries to Derail Hulk Hogan's Return

On February 13, 2003, during SmackDown!, Vince McMahon attempted to stop Hulk Hogan's return after a five-month absence, but Hogan thwarted him by knocking him out with a running leg drop.

December 26, 2005: McMahon Reviews Bret Hart's DVD and Threatens Shawn Michaels

On December 26, 2005, during Raw, Vince McMahon reviewed Bret Hart's DVD and threatened Shawn Michaels, warning him not to make him "screw" him like he did Hart.

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January 29, 2006: McMahon Interferes in Royal Rumble, Distracting Shawn Michaels

On January 29, 2006, at the Royal Rumble, Vince McMahon's entrance theme music distracted Shawn Michaels, who was among the final six, allowing Shane McMahon to eliminate him.

February 1, 2006: Accusation of sexual harassment in Boca Raton

On February 1, 2006, Vince McMahon was accused of sexual harassment by a worker at a tanning bar in Boca Raton, Florida. He was accused of showing nude photos of himself and groping/attempting to kiss her. No charges were filed.

2006: Misconduct claims

Between 2006 and 2022, Vince McMahon made unrecorded payments to settle sexual misconduct claims.

January 2007: Feud with Donald Trump

In January 2007, Vince McMahon began a feud with Donald Trump, which gained significant media attention. Originally, Trump and McMahon were to fight themselves, but instead agreed to have representatives wrestle at WrestleMania 23 in a Hair vs. Hair match.

February 2008: Hornswoggle Storyline

In February 2008, JBL revealed that Hornswoggle was not McMahon's son but Finlay's, which was part of a scam planned by Shane, Stephanie, Linda McMahon, and Finlay.

January 4, 2010: Confrontation with Bret Hart

On January 4, 2010, Vince McMahon confronted Bret "The Hitman" Hart for the first time since the Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series 1997. They appeared to bury the hatchet but McMahon turned heel by kicking Hart.

June 27, 2011: CM Punk's Pipe Bomb Speech

On June 27, 2011, CM Punk delivered a scathing on-air speech criticizing WWE and McMahon. McMahon suspended Punk but reinstated him at Cena's request.

2011: Alleged Sexual Assault in California

In 2011, Vince McMahon allegedly sexually assaulted a tanning spa worker in California.

2019: Janel Grant Lawsuit allegations

Between 2019 and 2022, Janel Grant worked at WWE global headquarters.

2019: Hush money payments

Between 2019 and 2022, Vince McMahon made undisclosed hush money payments to two women while he was with the WWE.

2019: Jon Moxley criticizes McMahon

In 2019, Jon Moxley (Dean Ambrose) left WWE for AEW, citing WWE's creative process and singling out Vince McMahon as the problem.

2019: Feud between Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston

In 2019, Vince McMahon involved himself in the feud between Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston, refusing Kingston a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania.

September 2020: Eric Bischoff Reveals McMahon's Actions During Monday Night War

In September 2020, Eric Bischoff revealed that Vince McMahon was petitioning for Ted Turner and trying to embarrass him during the Monday Night War.

2020: Sexual Assaults

During 2020–2021, Janel Grant alleged that she was subjected to "extreme cruelty and degradation" by McMahon, including being defecated upon during a sexual encounter.

2021: Sexual Assaults

During 2020–2021, Janel Grant alleged that she was subjected to "extreme cruelty and degradation" by McMahon, including being defecated upon during a sexual encounter.

April 2022: Investigation of $3 million hush-money settlement

In April 2022, the WWE board began investigating a $3 million hush-money settlement that Vince McMahon paid over an alleged affair with a former employee.

June 17, 2022: Vince McMahon Steps Down as Chairman and CEO of WWE

On June 17, 2022, Vince McMahon voluntarily stepped down as chairman and CEO of WWE pending an internal investigation, with his daughter Stephanie McMahon named as the interim CEO and interim chairwoman of the WWE. McMahon continued to oversee WWE creative and content development.

October 2022: Disclosure of unrecorded payments

By October 2022, WWE disclosed $19.6 million in unrecorded payments Vince McMahon made to settle sexual misconduct claims between 2006 and 2022.

December 2022: Settlement of Chatterton's lawsuit

In December 2022, Vince McMahon settled the sexual abuse lawsuit filed by Rita Chatterton, with his attorney stating that he maintains his innocence but settled to avoid the cost of litigation. It was reported that McMahon agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement.

December 2022: Lawsuit by tanning spa worker

In December 2022, a lawsuit was filed against Vince McMahon by a tanning spa worker alleging sexual assault in California in 2011.

2022: Hush money payments

Between 2019 and 2022, Vince McMahon made undisclosed hush money payments to two women while he was with the WWE.

2022: Wrestling popularity decline

In 2022, Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Newsletter commented that wrestling had declined in popularity due to the dwindling viewership since McMahon purchased WCW.

2022: Alleged NDA Agreement with Janel Grant

In 2022, Vince McMahon allegedly agreed to pay Janel Grant $3 million in exchange for a NDA, but stopped payments after $1 million was paid.

2022: Leonard Inzitari corroborates Chatterton's allegation

In 2022, former wrestler Leonard Inzitari corroborated Chatterton's 1986 allegation of sexual assault in an interview.

January 2024: Resignation from TKO

In January 2024, Vince McMahon resigned from TKO Group Holdings after allegations of sex trafficking and sexual assault.

January 2024: Janel Grant Lawsuit and Resignation from TKO

In January 2024, a lawsuit was filed by Janel Grant alleging sexual coercion, trafficking, and assault by Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and a WWE wrestler between 2019 and 2022. Following the report, McMahon resigned from TKO.

January 26, 2024: Vince McMahon Resigns from TKO

On January 26, 2024, Vince McMahon resigned from TKO following a report about alleged sexual assaults committed by him.

February 1, 2024: Laurinaitis Accusations Against McMahon

On February 1, 2024, John Laurinaitis accused Vince McMahon of sexual misconduct, claiming McMahon held "power" and "control" over him and made "dictatorial sexual demands."

February 2, 2024: Federal Investigation into Sexual Assault Allegations

On February 2, 2024, it was reported that federal authorities in New York had launched an investigation into sexual assault and sex trafficking allegations made against Vince McMahon, including a search warrant for his phone and a subpoena for documents.

March 2024: McMahon Files to Sell $411.95 Million Worth of TKO Stock

In March 2024, amidst allegations of sexual assault, McMahon filed to sell $411.95 million worth of TKO stock, following a previous sale of shares worth $670.3 million in November.

September 25, 2024: Release of 'Mr. McMahon' Documentary Series on Netflix

On September 25, 2024, Netflix released a documentary series titled "Mr. McMahon", detailing aspects of Vince McMahon's legacy, including his business impact and controversies.

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January 10, 2025: SEC Fine

On January 10, 2025, it was announced that Vince McMahon was fined over $1.7 million by the Securities and Exchange Commission from undisclosed hush money payments from 2019 to 2022.