Vince McMahon To Appear On SmackDown After Stepping Back As WWE CEO

Following a report revealing the WWE board is investigating allegations made against Vince McMahon, the boss has temporarily stepped down as the chairman and CEO of the company. Vince’s daughter Stephanie has been appointed interim CEO and chairwoman pending the results of the investigation. Vince will remain in charge of WWE creative, something that will likely be addressed tonight on SmackDown.

Shortly after WWE issued a statement revealing Vince will be stepping back from his duties as the promotion’s chairman, a second reveal was made informing fans the boss will be on SmackDown tonight. What exactly Vince will be doing on the show hasn’t been clarified, but as you can see in the tweet below, the implication is he will be opening the show.

Putting Vince on TV amid all this, or rather Vince putting himself on TV in the middle of all this, is quite something. Although the results of the investigation could well prove nothing actually happened, and the currently inactive chairman may well be appearing on TV tonight to deliver a sincere message, advertising the way WWE has on social media makes it feel a lot like a way to get viewers off the back of something that is currently unresolved.

As for Stephanie, the interim chairwoman has already issued her first statement since being brought back into the fold just a month after she stepped away from her previous WWE duties. “I am honored to assume the role of interim Chairwoman & CEO. I love @WWE and all it continues to do to entertain billions around the world,” Stephanie tweeted.

More details about what exactly is going on behind the scenes in WWE will undoubtedly continue to emerge in the coming days and weeks. Perhaps most notably tonight when Vince opens SmackDown. There will likely be a lot of change coming, regardless of the results of the investigation. Plus, the allegations made against John Laurinaitis still haven’t been officially addressed.

Source: TheSportster

UPDATE:

Shortly before 10 a.m. EST, CNBC’s Alex Sherman tweeted out just how McMahon would be approaching his appearance on tonight’s broadcast.

“New from CNBC: Vince McMahon will speak tonight on SmackDown IN CHARACTER as Mr. McMahon to address his temporary absence,” Sherman tweeted. “Could be a big ratings night for WWE. McMahon has torn up the script for SmackDown, which was written last night, I’m told.”

Vince McMahon Has Voluntarily Stepped Down As Chairman And CEO Of WWE, Stephanie McMahon Appointed Interim CEO 

News broke revealing Vince McMahon is being investigated by WWE’s board of directors. The main claim made against the chairman is that McMahon had an affair with a former WWE employee, and when the consensual relationship came to an end, the boss paid her a $3 million settlement to keep quiet about it.

Just two days later, that investigation has led to Vince voluntarily stepping down as WWE’s CEO and chairman pending the results of the investigation. “Effective immediately, McMahon has voluntarily stepped back from his responsibilities as CEO and Chairman of the Board until the conclusion of the investigation,” a press release issued by WWE reads, via Wrestling Inc.

As for who will fill Vince’s role while the investigation is ongoing, and perhaps for good depending on the results, that will be his daughter, Stephanie McMahon. The boss’s daughter has been appointed interim CEO and interim chairwoman of the company in her father’s absence. Vince won’t be gone completely for the time being. The press release also makes clear that Vince will retain his responsibilities as WWE’s head of creative content.

“I have pledged my complete cooperation to the investigation by the Special Committee, and I will do everything possible to support the investigation,” Vince’s part of the official statement from WWE reads. “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,” Stephanie writes. Her return to fill in as chairwoman comes just a month after she stepped back from her role as WWE’s chief brand officer.

It’s currently unclear how this will affect the day-to-day of WWE for the fans, especially since Vince has retained his role as the head of the company’s creative. That could all change depending on the results of the investigation, of course, although the duration of it also remains unclear at present. The investigation also includes other claims of misconduct made against both Vince and John Laurinaitis since the initial news about the alleged affair and payoff broke.

Source: TheSportster

MLW Fusion Preview 6/16/22

Major League Wrestling FUSION tonight at 8pm ET features the crowning of the inaugural Women’s World Featherweight Champion, streaming worldwide for free on MLW’s YouTube channel and Saturday nationwide on cable and dish on beIN SPORTS. 

  • Inaugural Women’s World Featherweight Championship: Taya Valkyrie vs. Holidead
  • World Tag Team Championship: Hustle & Power vs. The Von Erichs vs. 5150
  • Gangrel vs. Budd Heavy

All eyes are on the top featherweights as “La Luchadora” Taya Valkyrie goes toe-to-toe with Holidead to crown the inaugural World Women’s Featherweight Champion this week on Fusion!

Taya Valkyrie trail blazed her path to the championship bout by clearing out multiple divisions in major promotions around the globe. Now the current AAA Reina de Reinas Champion looks to add the crown jewel to her collection and etch her name in the history books. 

Becoming the inaugural Women’s World Featherweight Champion of Major League Wrestling and making history in the making is on Taya’s mind… but can she stop the undefeated Holidead?

Breaking and entering? An exclusive MLW.com story on the Samoan SWAT Team crashing El Jefe’s office. How will Cesar Duran searches retaliate? 

Mads Krugger delivers his final warning to Fatu and sets the stage for war next week in the Weapons Of Mass Destruction Match.

Two ex championship teams make their bid to reclaim gold. Standing in their way: Hustle & Power. The Von Erichs and 5150 challenge EJ Nduka and Calvin Tankman in a triple threat championship bout.

Gangrel fangs and bangs against Budd Heavy. Could the “Vampire Warrior” unleash the terror of Strange Sangre on Philly’s lovable beer guzzling brawler?

The Real 1 takes issue with a certain Samoan scratching up his ride?

Richard Holliday hits Beverly Hills and looks to cash in on his notoriety after defeating Alex Hammerstone last week. 

Holliday’s girlfriend and the other half of The Clout Couple, Alicia Atout, returns to the field with her first interview assignment in months. What deceitful motive could The Interview Queen have for picking up a microphone again?

IMPACT Preview 6/16/22

Tonight’s “Impact on AXS TV” is the last stop before Sunday night’s Slammiversary pay-per-view.

The following line-up is announced for tonight:

  • Trey Miguel vs. Mike Bailey
  • Masha Slamovich vs. Alisha
  • Impact World Tag Team Champions The Briscoes vs. Jay White & Chris Bey
  • Knockouts Champion Tasha Steelz & Savannah Evans vs. Jordynne Grace & Mia Yim
  • Impact World Champion Josh Alexander and Eric Young sign the contract for their title match at Slammiversary

The action begins Before the IMPACT, streaming this Thursday at 7:30pm ET exclusively on IMPACT Plus, YouTube and Facebook. Laredo Kid and Blake Christian take to the skies in a high-intensity bout you won’t see anywhere else! Plus, Gia Miller, Josh Mathews and George Iceman get you ready for all things IMPACT on the road to Slammiversary.

Brian Hebner Announces Impending Retirement

Brian Hebner is walking away from the business of professional wrestling.

Brian Hebner, the son of former WWE referee Earl Hebner, is a second-generation referee in the world of pro wrestling. Brian has been a referee in professional wrestling for over 20 years now and is best known for his time in WWE and IMPACT Wrestling. Hebner revealed on his podcast Refin’ It Up with Brian Hebner what his future in the pro wrestling business looks like.

“I am announcing that I am going to retire from professional wrestling as a full-time referee,” Hebner said. “This has nothing to do with anybody making me mad or making me angry, this is a move I am making about personal decisions.”

“[Slammiversary] weekend will be my last full-time wrestling gig, I guess,” Hebner stated. “I’m a single dad doing the best I can and it’s hard to be that guy when you’re on the road and missing so many things and I remember how much my son missed and it’s kind of a way of giving back to my family. But yeah, that is going to be my last show. I will finish out the day after which will be the TV tapings.”

Brian is currently the head referee at IMPACT Wrestling, however, he will not be holding that position for much longer. IMPACT Wrestling’s 20-year anniversary Pay-Per-View Slammiversary is this Sunday, June 19 at the Nashville Fairgrounds in Nashville, Tennessee. The event will be headlined by IMPACT World Champion Josh Alexander defending his title against former IMPACT World Champion Eric Young.

Earl, Brian’s father, last refereed over a year ago for AEW. Brian competed in one match in TNA, where Brian took on his father at TNA Capital Punishment in 2006 in a hair vs hair match. Brian walked away with the victory on that night.

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to Refin’ It Up with Brian Hebner podcast

The Latest On Sasha Banks’ Status With WWE

It was reported yesterday by Raj Giri that Sasha Banks had been released by WWE. Now, further details about Banks’ WWE status are coming out.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reports that he spoke with Giri earlier in the afternoon before the report was made and reached out to WWE. The representative he spoke to heard nothing about Banks’ release either way but did note that they saw Giri’s tweet. Regarding Banks’ status, nothing has been confirmed, but nothing has been refuted either. Contacts close to the public relations team in WWE had heard nothing of Banks’ reported departure as of 8 PM ET last night.

As of this writing, no memos or emails have apparently been sent out by the company internally regarding anything related to the reported release of Banks. There was reportedly an email sent urgently requesting her removal from an advertised live event, but nothing surrounding the current situation.

Along with her co-Tag Team Champion Naomi, Banks walked out on WWE  on May 16 before an episode of “WWE Raw.” Since then, Banks and Naomi were publicly outed on-air for staging the walkout and they were suspended indefinitely without pay. Corey Graves stated on the air that the walkout “disappointed the WWE Universe in the process” and that their actions caused them to relinquish their Tag Titles. All their merchandise has been removed from the WWE Shop and their likenesses have been scrubbed from any video advertisements or introductions.

It’s been reported that Banks’ contract was set to expire with WWE in two months’ time, and Naomi was reportedly in talks of renegotiating a contract at the time of the walkout.

Earlier this week, photos and videos were posted of Banks following a PRK eye surgery she underwent. That, along with her being seen at a Steve Aoki concert have been the only moments we’ve seen of Banks since she and Naomi staged the walkout.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Board Reportedly Investigating Vince McMahon Following Alleged Affair And Hush Payment

According to a bombshell Wall Street Journal piece, WWE CEO Vince McMahon is under investigation following an alleged affair with an employee.

Vince McMahon, WWE’s founder and CEO, is reportedly being investigated by the board of his own company after making an alleged hush payment to a former employee following an affair.

On Wednesday, June 15 the Wall Street Journal dropped a bombshell story that claims WWE’s board received an email containing details of a workplace affair McMahon conducted with a now-former WWE paralegal and the subsequent payments made in exchange for the unmanned person’s silence.

The email alleges that the female paralegal was initially hired on a salary of $100,000 per year, but her salary was doubled after she began a sexual relationship with McMahon. Allegedly, when McMahon ended the relationship with the former WWE employee, he “gave her like a toy” to the company’s general manager of talent relations John Laurinaitis.

According to WSJ’s report, the board’s investigation began in April and has discovered numerous non-disclosure agreements pertaining to allegations of misconduct leveled at McMahon and Laurinaitis.

Vince McMahon has been married to Linda McMahon, a former administrator of the United States Small Business Administration, since 1966. John Laurinaitis has been married to Kathy Colace, the mother of former WWE Superstars Nikki and Brie Bella, since 2016.

As we previously reported, Vince McMahon’s daughter Stephanie McMahon recently stood down from her role as WWE’s Chief Brand Officer.

“As of tomorrow, I am taking a leave of absence from the majority of my responsibilities at WWE,” Stephanie tweeted. “WWE is a lifelong legacy for me and I look forward to returning to the company that I love after taking this time to focus on my family.”

Source: TheSportster

AEW Dynamite “Road Rager” Preview 6/15/22

AEW presents a special “Road Rager” episode of “Dynamite” tonight.

The AEW Tag Team Championship will be on the line in a ladder match. Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus will defend against The Young Bucks. The match was originally announced as a 3-way with The Hardys also challenging for the gold. However, The Hardys were pulled from the match after Jeff Hardy was arrested over the weekend and subsequently suspended without pay by AEW.

The following line-up is announced for tonight:

  • AEW Tag Team Championship Ladder Match: The Young Bucks vs. Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus (c)
  • All-Atlantic Championship Qualifying Match: Ethan Page vs. Miro
  • Hair vs. Hair: Chris Jericho vs. Ortiz
  • Dax Harwood vs. Will Ospreay
  • Dr. Britt Baker vs. Toni Storm
  • 20-on-1 “Class Action” Handicap Elimination Match: Wardlow vs. 20 Plaintiffs
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi and Jon Moxley face-to-face

Jeff Hardy’s Court Date Rescheduled

Jeff Hardy is set to be arraigned after being arrested and charged on three counts, including driving under the influence.

Hardy was arrested on Monday, June 13th, and was eventually released from jail after posting a bond of $3,500. Hardy was originally set to stand before a judge on Tuesday, but that hearing was rescheduled. The Volusia County, FL County Clerk’s Office records now list Hardy’s hearing as being scheduled for July 5th, at 2:30 pm local time.

Due to this being Hardy’s third arrest for DUI in the last ten years, under Florida law, he could be looking at up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Hardy was arrested on Monday morning after he was seen swerving along I-95 in a white Dodge Challenger. Dashcam footage shows that Hardy was clearly intoxicated in his encounter with law enforcement, and he failed a field sobriety test. Officers administered a breathalyzer twice and received readings of 0.294 and 0.291 respectively, both over three times the legal limit of 0.08.

Originally scheduled for a ladder match this Wednesday, All Elite Wrestling has suspended Hardy without pay and will not allow him to return without a proven commitment to sobriety.

Hardy signed with AEW earlier this year, after being released from WWE amidst a cloud of controversy about the wrestler’s mental and physical shape. Hardy was sent home from a live event due to erratic behavior and reportedly turned down an offer from WWE for rehabilitation before his release. According to Jeff’s brother Matt, while they offered, WWE didn’t feel the need for rehab was immediate, and that Matt agreed at the time.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Tony Khan Releases Official Statement On Jeff Hardy DUI And Status In AEW

Tony Khan and AEW have released an official statement on Jeff Hardy’s DUI and what will happen now with his contract in the company.

AEW has addressed reports that Jeff Hardy was pulled over and charged with a DUI just days prior to his scheduled match on Wednesday’s Dynamite. Speculation was that AEW would be distancing themselves from Hardy and clearly, Wednesday’s Triple Threat tag match is now no longer taking place as originally advertised, but on Tuesday, AEW President Tony Khan has released a statement about the incident and Hardy’s status with the company moving forward.

The statement reads as follows:

“We were able to resume contact with Jeff Hardy this afternoon. AEW does not condone Jeff’s alleged behavior. We’ve made it clear to Jeff we will assist him in getting treatment for substance abuse issues, which he has indicated he’s open to receiving. In the interim, he is suspended without pay, and he can only return to AEW upon successfully completing treatment and maintaining his sobriety.”

The statement goes on to share a help hotline number for anyone who might be dealing with or knows someone dealing with similar issues.

AEW removing him from the active roster and offering help is the key takeaway from this statement from Khan. That the most important thing is to help him get the treatment he clearly needs is glaring at this point. That Hardy has also acknowledged that he needs and is open to getting help is also important. He declined going into rehab when WWE told him it was accept treatment or be released from his contract.

Addiction is clearly an issue for Hardy and it appears to be something he needs help with. AEW requiring he get that help before being able to return to work is the right first step in this whole process. Whether he’s able to maintain his sobriety is another thing and the hope is that he can because there are a lot of fans pulling for Jeff and want to see him back and wrestling again in AEW.

For those who need help with substance abuse issues, please call 1-800-662-HELP.

Source: TheSportster