Vince McMahon, who retired from his role as CEO and chairman of WWE in July amid the revelation that he paid $15 million in hush money to several former company employees, was spotted in New York City for the first time since stepping down.
McMahon, who blocked his face from being fully photographed, was joined by a mystery woman, WWE legend John Cena and Cena’s wife Shay Shariatzadeh for McMahon's 77th birthday.
It was groundbreaking news in the pro wrestling business when McMahon stepped down from his post, which he’d held since 1982 after purchasing the company from his father.
In wake of the exit, McMahon’s daughter, Stephanie McMahon, became co-CEO. The other co-CEO is Nick Khan, who joined the company from CAA in 2020. McMahon remains WWE’s majority shareholder.
In June, the Wall Street Journal first reported that McMahon had paid out $3 million in “hush money” to a former WWE paralegal, with whom he had a sexual relationship. He allegedly gave her a raise from $100,000 a year to $200,000.
The anonymous tipster who alerted the company board to the news said that McMahon “gave her like a toy” to longtime executive John Laurinaitis, who recently exited the company.
A subsequent investigation by the WWE board revealed that McMahon had paid out a total of $15 million to several women who were similarly former WWE employees with whom he had sexual relations, including at least one former wrestler.