Former WWE staffer Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against Vince McMahon for sex trafficking, rape, and more back in January. Following the lawsuit, McMahon resigned from WWE and is currently under federal criminal investigation.
Speaking during a recent interview with The Irish Independent, Becky Lynch said it’s been a bit difficult to reconcile with the Vince McMahon described in the lawsuit. She said,
“I don’t know that person, you know what I mean? That’s been hard for me. We didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but especially in my last run with him there, and when I told him I was pregnant, he was so good to me. Apart from the run-ins — but you have run-ins in every relationship, especially at that level — I only ever had a wonderful experience in WWE with Vince, for the most part. So it’s very hard to reconcile that somebody else didn’t have that experience, and that other women didn’t have that experience. Especially when I had him to thank for my dream, for my husband, for my daughter, for the life that I have now. It’s hard to see those two different people in my head, and trying to merge them as one becomes very difficult. You’re reading these horrific allegations, but about somebody that you look up to as very much almost like a father figure. So you have to listen to these things and that becomes very difficult, because you’ve had no [negative] experience and you want everybody to have the experience that you’ve had, because I would always love my interactions with him, and that becomes very, very difficult, especially as a woman who has been so driven in changing the way that women are treated in wrestling and making sure that it is a safe space, that we are seen as athletes, that we are taken seriously, that we are appreciated for our minds, for our body of work, and for what we do in the ring.“
During a recent appearance on the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, Eric Bischoff commented on Diamond Dallas Page (DDP) becoming a wrestler in WCW and why it was more difficult for him than others. He said,
“Once Page started really doing the work and putting in the time and improving so much, people couldn’t deny it. It wasn’t about whether he was my neighbor or my close friend or not, it was about what people were seeing in the ring. He will tell you; I was really hard on him. It was harder for him to get an opportunity in WCW because he was friends with me than he would have been if he didn’t have a relationship with me and he wasn’t my neighbor. I don’t think Page ever — I don’t think he was mentored by anybody outside of professional wrestling that helped give him his perspective or desire to help people. That was Page, that was part of his DNA, he was like that even in WCW to the point where he would drive me crazy.“
Former WWE staffer Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon for sex trafficking, rape, and more has sent shockwaves through the wrestling industry. McMahon, who recently resigned from WWE, is now under federal criminal investigation. The allegations have left many in the industry grappling with the stark contrast between the McMahon they know and the one described in the lawsuit.
In a recent interview with The Irish Independent, WWE superstar Becky Lynch opened up about her own experiences with McMahon and the difficulty of reconciling the allegations with the person she knows. Lynch acknowledged that while she didn’t always see eye-to-eye with McMahon, he was incredibly supportive during her last run with WWE and when she revealed her pregnancy. She expressed gratitude for McMahon’s role in her career, her marriage to fellow wrestler Seth Rollins, and the life they now have with their daughter.
Lynch’s struggle lies in the stark contrast between the person she knows and respects and the allegations made against him. As an advocate for women’s rights and safety in wrestling, she finds it challenging to accept that others may have had negative experiences with McMahon. She wants everyone to have the positive experiences she had, as she believes in changing the way women are treated in the industry and ensuring a safe space for all wrestlers.
Meanwhile, on the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, former WCW executive Eric Bischoff discussed Diamond Dallas Page’s (DDP) journey to becoming a wrestler in WCW. Bischoff revealed that DDP faced additional challenges due to his friendship with Bischoff himself. Despite being neighbors and close friends, Bischoff pushed DDP harder than others because he wanted to ensure that DDP’s success was based solely on his talent and hard work.
Bischoff also noted that DDP’s desire to help others was ingrained in his DNA, even during his time in WCW. This drive sometimes clashed with Bischoff’s own vision, but it ultimately showcased DDP’s commitment to making a positive impact both inside and outside the wrestling ring.
These two stories highlight the complexities of relationships within the wrestling industry. While Lynch’s experience with McMahon was largely positive, Grant’s allegations shed light on a different side of the former WWE chairman. Similarly, DDP’s friendship with Bischoff presented both challenges and opportunities in his wrestling career.
As the investigation into McMahon’s alleged misconduct continues, it is crucial to remember that these allegations are serious and require a thorough examination. The wrestling industry, like any other, must prioritize the safety and well-being of its performers. It is essential to create an environment where all wrestlers, regardless of gender, feel respected, protected, and valued for their talent and hard work.
Ultimately, the wrestling community must grapple with these allegations and work towards ensuring a safer and more inclusive industry for all its participants. Only through open dialogue, accountability, and a commitment to change can the industry move forward and provide a better future for its wrestlers.