In January, Vince McMahon resigned from his position at TKO Group after a lawsuit from former WWE employee Janel Grant accused him of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and more. WWE and John Laurinaitis are also named as defendants in the lawsuit.
On a recent edition of his “83 Weeks” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff speculated how McMahon could be handling his departure from WWE and the allegations against him.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On how Vince McMahon feels today: “I mean, that was his life, man. I mean, from the time he was a kid, when his dad was running the business and Vince was learning the ropes, literally putting up rings and everything else that Vince did, that’s been his life. And to be persona non grata at this point, where if he tried to walk into the office he’d probably be escorted out by security? How weird is that? It’s still so hard for me to comprehend.”
On people and WWE trying to separate themselves from Vince McMahon: “He’s such a complicated individual. I mean, there’s so many weird — not weird — there’s so many aspects of Vince McMahon’s personality that are conflicting. I mean, I don’t want to make this all about Vince McMahon, but Vince McMahon has done some pretty big things for people that others don’t even know about. I’m not going to publicize it, because Vince decided and the other people involved decided that they didn’t want it known. But I’m firsthand aware — and some of this happened long before I ever went to work for Vince. So I’m not saying this because I had an insight while I was there. But there are parts of Vince McMahon that are gracious, and generous and kind. And every once in a while, you’d get a glimpse into an aspect of Vince’s personality or at least I did, where I went, ‘Wow, this guy really does have a heart. He really does, this facade that we see isn’t completely true and accurate. There is a real human being deep down inside.’ And I’ve had that thought a number of times in my interactions with Vince. I remember sitting in his office one night at one o’clock in the morning when I was there back in 2019. And subject of conversation came up, and Vince got a phone call in the middle of that conversation. From his mother, actually. And once I realized it was a personal call — it was one o’clock in the morning, I was begging for a reason to get the f**k out of there. But I started you’d up to walk out, and Vince put up his hand and, ‘Just wait a second,’ you know. And I sat there and I listened to his side of the conversation. And I thought, ‘What a wonderful son this man is. He does have a heart.’
“And then there’s the other side. There’s the business side that we all know of, at least. I experienced firsthand, competing against him legitimately. And that hard, super hardcore, aggressive, ‘take no prisoners’ — he was a killer when it came to business. He was like Genghis F**king Khan when it came to business. Very complicated guy, very complicated. And I — you know, it makes me also wonder what — aside from not being able to gain access to the WWE headquarters building, which just sounds weird even saying it really. But I wonder what his situation is with the family. Stephanie, Shane, grandkids. Linda and Vince have had a unique relationship for quite some time, nothing new there. But I’m just wondering what the relationship — is it healing, can it heal? Or maybe it’s really not that damaged as we all think it is. But wouldn’t it be interesting to follow Vince McMahon around for a couple of days now and see what he’s up to? And how he’s reacting to all of this?”
Vince McMahon’s Departure from WWE and the Allegations Against Him: A Speculation
In January, Vince McMahon, the renowned figure in the world of professional wrestling, resigned from his position at TKO Group following a lawsuit filed against him by former WWE employee Janel Grant. The lawsuit accuses McMahon of engaging in sex trafficking, sexual assault, and other serious allegations. WWE and John Laurinaitis are also named as defendants in the lawsuit.
Recently, on his “83 Weeks” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff shared his thoughts on how McMahon might be handling his departure from WWE and the allegations against him. Bischoff’s insights shed light on the complex nature of McMahon’s personality and the potential impact of these events on his personal and professional life.
One of the key points Bischoff highlighted was McMahon’s deep connection to the wrestling industry. Wrestling has been McMahon’s life since he was a child, learning the ropes from his father who ran the business. The idea of McMahon being persona non grata in the industry he helped shape is difficult for Bischoff to comprehend. McMahon’s absence from WWE and the potential rejection he might face if he were to visit the office is undoubtedly a significant change for someone who dedicated their entire life to the business.
Bischoff also acknowledged the conflicting aspects of McMahon’s personality. While many perceive him as a ruthless businessman, Bischoff shared personal experiences that revealed McMahon’s gracious, generous, and kind side. He mentioned instances where McMahon went above and beyond to help people, even though those acts were not publicized. These glimpses into McMahon’s true character made Bischoff realize that there is a real human being behind the facade often associated with McMahon.
However, Bischoff also acknowledged the other side of McMahon’s personality—the fierce and competitive businessman. Having competed against McMahon himself, Bischoff witnessed firsthand how relentless and aggressive he could be in the pursuit of success. McMahon’s business acumen and determination have earned him a reputation as a formidable force in the industry.
Beyond McMahon’s professional life, Bischoff wondered about the state of his relationships with his family. McMahon has a unique relationship with his wife, Linda, and their children, Stephanie and Shane. Bischoff pondered whether the allegations and the subsequent fallout have strained these relationships or if there is potential for healing. McMahon’s personal life remains a subject of curiosity, and Bischoff expressed interest in following McMahon around to observe his reactions and actions during this challenging time.
The speculation surrounding McMahon’s departure from WWE and the allegations against him raises questions about the future of both his personal and professional life. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how McMahon will navigate these challenges and what impact they will have on his legacy in the wrestling industry.
In conclusion, Vince McMahon’s resignation from TKO Group and the allegations against him have sent shockwaves through the wrestling community. Eric Bischoff’s insights provide a glimpse into the complexities of McMahon’s personality and the potential impact of these events on his life. As the legal process continues, the wrestling world eagerly awaits further developments in this ongoing saga.