Vince McMahon has been the head of WWE for nearly 40 years, taking professional wrestling to new heights after taking over the organization from his father in the 1980s. But as the WWE board of directors continues to investigate McMahon for misconduct allegations, McMahon has decided that his time with WWE is over.
McMahon formally announced his retirement from WWE on Friday afternoon with a statement from the sports entertainment company.
“As I approach 77 years old, I feel it’s time for me to retire as Chairman and CEO of WWE,” McMahon said in the WWE statement. “Throughout the years, it’s been a privilege to help WWE bring you joy, inspire you, thrill you, surprise you, and always entertain you. I would like to thank my family for mightily contributing to our success, and I would also like to thank all of our past and present Superstars and employees for their dedication and passion for our brand. Most importantly, I would like to thank our fans for allowing us into your homes every week and being your choice of entertainment. I hold the deepest appreciation and admiration for our generations of fans all over the world who have liked, currently like, and sometimes even love our form of Sports Entertainment.”
McMahon’s retirement comes less than a month after news surfaced that McMahon paid $7.5 million in hush money to a former WWE wrestler who accused him of coercing her into sex acts.
The news came as a shock to the sports world, with many taking to social media to express their surprise, speculate about the reason for his retirement, or express their genuine disbelief.
what in the world is about to drop https://t.co/A6zyD2KInJ
— Matt Binder (@MattBinder) July 22, 2022
I’ll. Bet. It. Is.
⚖️⚖️⚖️ https://t.co/o05hPI6OeE— Eric Garland (@ericgarland) July 22, 2022
“Anything can happen in the World Wrestling Federation.” – Vince McMahon
For the first time ever, this is undeniably true. A day no one thought would ever come. #thankful https://t.co/PtKplWNijB
— Rasslin’ (@rasslin) July 22, 2022
A lot of people are asking questions about my “I did not retire because of accusations that I paid a woman hush money” t-shirt that I feel like are answered by my t-shirt https://t.co/NPZlqMlL4m
— Imran Khan – On Vacation, Don’t Email Me (@imranzomg) July 22, 2022
Is 77 the amount of crimes he has committed? https://t.co/VV7oENknYx
— Whisman (@WhismanSucks) July 22, 2022
yes i am sure it was your age that incited this https://t.co/kLawpUaced
— Joey Esposito (@joeyesposito) July 22, 2022
I legitimately never thought the day would come. I wonder what’s about to come out. https://t.co/PkP6GzQMue
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) July 22, 2022
Regardless of what happens to McMahon in the future, his retirement marks an end of an era for WWE.
[WWE]
