(Warning: This story contains allegations of sexual misconduct.)
Long-time WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon is retiring from the company. McMahon, 77, and the company released statements announcing the retirement Friday.
McMahon kept the announcement short on Twitter, merely saying it was "time for me to retire."
At 77, time for me to retire.
Thank you, WWE Universe.
Then. Now. Forever. Together. #WWE#thankful
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) July 22, 2022
In a statement released by the company, McMahon called it a privilege to entertain the fans for so many years. He thanked his family and "all of our past and present Superstars and employees." McMahon said the company was in good hands, specifically mentioning his daughter, Stephanie McMahon, and Nick Khan, both of who hold the title of Co-CEO.
WWE also announced Friday that Paul "Triple H" Levesque — Stephanie McMahon's husband — would return to his role as the EVP of talent relations with the company.
“I look forward to returning to my prior position as head of talent relations. I’m healthy, fired up, and ready to take charge,” Levesque said in a statement.
Vince McMahon retires following misconduct allegations
McMahon stepped down from his position in June following reports of alleged misconduct. At the time, McMahon was accused of having a consensual relationship with a former employee. McMahon reportedly increased the woman's salary once the relationship turned sexual. He was also accused of giving the woman hush money so she wouldn't speak about the relationship. WWE decided to investigate those allegations, leading to McMahon stepping down.
McMahon appeared on "WWE Smackdown" that evening to rile up the crowd.
Vince McMahon drops the mic during WWE smack down intro to a loud ovation pic.twitter.com/IkTQEXddMT
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) June 18, 2022
In July, a report emerged accusing McMahon of paying a total of $12 million to cover up various allegations of sexual misconduct. McMahon reportedly paid different sums to four women. McMahon was accused of paying two women hush money after alleged affairs, sending unsolicited nude photos and sexually harassing a female employee and coercing a former female wrestler to give McMahon oral sex and then retaliating against that wrestler when she resisted further sexual encounters.
McMahon's statements did not mention those allegations or the WWE investigation.
The timing of the news, especially coming just weeks after new allegations emerged, suggests McMahon's retirement is authentic, and not part of an upcoming WWE storyline.
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