Stephanie McMahon Named Interim CEO & Interim Board Chair Of WWE As Investigation Launched Into Alleged Sexual Misconduct Of Vince McMahon & John Laurinaitis!

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Stephanie McMahon Named Interim CEO and Interim Board Chair Of WWE As Investigation Launched Into Alleged Sexual Misconduct Of Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis!

WWE news release.

WWE® & BOARD OF DIRECTORS JOINT RELEASE

STAMFORD, Conn., June 17, 2022 – WWE and its Board of Directors jointly released the following statement today:

Independent directors continue review of alleged executive misconduct
Stephanie McMahon named interim CEO and interim Chairwoman

Stamford, Conn. – WWE (NYSE: WWE) and the Board of Directors today announced that a Special Committee of the Board is conducting an investigation into alleged misconduct by its Chairman and CEO Vincent McMahon and John Laurinaitis, head of talent relations, and that, effective immediately, McMahon has voluntarily stepped back from his responsibilities as CEO and Chairman of the Board until the conclusion of the investigation.  McMahon will retain his role and responsibilities related to WWE’s creative content during this period and remains committed to cooperating with the review underway. 

The Special Committee has appointed Stephanie McMahon to serve as interim CEO and interim Chairwoman.

“I have pledged my complete cooperation to the investigation by the Special Committee, and I will do everything possible to support the investigation. I have also pledged to accept the findings and outcome of the investigation, whatever they are,” said Mr. McMahon.

“I love this company and am committed to working with the Independent Directors to strengthen our culture and our Company; it is extremely important to me that we have a safe and collaborative workplace. I have committed to doing everything in my power to help the Special Committee complete its work, including marshaling the cooperation of the entire company to assist in the completion of the investigation and to implement its findings,” said Ms. McMahon.

WWE and its Board of Directors take all allegations of misconduct very seriously. The Independent Directors of the Board engaged independent legal counsel to assist them with an independent review. In addition, the Special Committee and WWE will work with an independent third-party to conduct a comprehensive review of the company’s compliance program, HR function and overall culture.

The Company and the Board do not expect to have further comment until the investigation is concluded…

The Wall Street Journal originally broke the news about the January 2022 “hush money” offered to the former WWE paralegal.

WWE Board Probes Secret $3 Million Hush Pact by CEO Vince McMahon, Sources Say

Company says relationship was consensual and is cooperating with the inquiry…

WWE has also announced that Vince McMahon will appear on WWE Smackdown tonight, but no word on what he is planning to say.

Stay tuned as this story develops.

John is a long-time pop culture fan, comics historian, and blogger. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief at Comics Nexus. Prior to being EIC he has produced several column series including DEMYTHIFY, NEAR MINT MEMORIES and the ONE FAN'S TRIALS at the Nexus plus a stint at Bleeding Cool producing the COMICS REALISM column. As BabosScribe, John is active on his twitter account, his facebook page, his instagram feed and welcomes any and all feedback. Bring it on!