Troubled WWE Chairman's SmackDown Promo Received Mixed Reactions

WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon is the talk of the pro wrestling world after a report came out of an alleged hush money scandal involving him and Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis.

Just a few days after the issue broke out, McMahon found time to make an appearance on the June 17 episode of SmackDown that left observers stunned in both a good and bad way.

McMahon was the opening act of the show and made no reference to the allegations or anything related to it, but he made a point to push WWE’s tagline of “Then. Now. Forever. Together” before ending the segment by saying “Welcome to SmackDown!”

Fightful Select published a story regarding this apperance, with a multitude of talent expressing their thoughts on his short promo.

“I’m happy it didn’t last long, so I didn’t have to sit through whatever [explicit] he was going to say. But it shows that he has no accountability, especially when something is directly his fault,” said a former top WWE star as quoted by Wrestling Inc.

Another unnamed backstage personality felt “enraged” and “incredulous” about McMahon’s segment.

Ringside News then put out a report about how one talent saw the surprising appearance.

“He’s basically showing through his promo that he handles what’s in front of him and he’s not running,” the anonymous personnel stated.

In the days since the scandal was brought to light, Laurinaitis was placed on administrative leave with WWE senior vice president and executive director for creatives Bruce Prichard taking on his role in the meantime.

The Wall Street Journal sent the pro wrestling world into a frenzy last week about McMahon having an affair with a paralegal during the latter’s time with the company.

The paralegal in question has since left WWE and was reportedly paid off for a total sum of $3 million by McMahon to keep their activities secret, even going so far as to sign a nondisclosure agreement with him and Laurinaitis.

WWE’s board of directors launched their own investigation regarding the matter and McMahon voluntarily stepped down from his position, allowing his daughter Stephanie to be named as the interim chairwoman and CEO of the top-tier pro wrestling organization.

As the pro wrestling world waits for more details to come out of the situation, the promotion is now scrambling to replace Rhea Ripley in the Raw Women’s Title match at the July 2 Money in the Bank pay-per-view event.