Content Warning: This article contains reference to suicide.
Vince McMahon, the infamous on and off screen boss of WWE, has racked up his share of juicy scandals during his decades in charge. McMahon purchased what would become WWE from his father in the early 1980s, then almost immediately began a quest to destroy the old territory system of wrestling and create a truly worldwide company. McMahon accomplished that goal only a few years later thanks to huge successful events like WrestleMania and the cultivating of top stars like Hulk Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage.
McMahon has often been labeled a genius when it comes to the professional wrestling business, although he would likely insist he be called a genius of "sports entertainment" instead. Unlike most bosses, McMahon was also an on-air talent, spending years as a commentator before inventing the evil Mr. McMahon character that did epic battle with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin during the Attitude Era. Unfortunately, just how much of Mr. McMahon is based on Vince's real persona has never really been clear, and various scandals he's endured are not helping matters.
Most recently, it was reported that McMahon was under investigation by the WWE corporate board for allegedly having an affair with an employee, increasing her salary during the affair, and then paying her $3 million to keep quiet after she left the company. It remains to be seen how much of these accusations will be proven true, but even if they all are, McMahon's voting power on the board would make him hard to force out. Also working in McMahon's favor is all the similarly upsetting scandals he's been part of in the past and managed to survive.
The U.S. Government Vs. Vince McMahon Steroid Trial
Vince McMahon is master of his own kingdom in WWE, but in November 1993, McMahon was indicted by the U.S. government on charges that he not only actively encouraged but personally distributed anabolic steroids to WWE wrestlers. Such drugs are of course illegal when not prescribed by a doctor for a legitimate medical purpose. Unfortunately for the prosecution, several important aspects of their case against McMahon fell into doubt, leading a jury to acquit him on all charges in July 1994. A TV docudrama about the trial is currently in the works.
The Montreal Screwjob of Bret Hart
In one of the biggest controversies in wrestling history, Vince McMahon elected to "screw" reigning WWE champion Bret Hart out of his title at Survivor Series 1997, demanding the referee ring the bell when challenger Shawn Michaels had Hart locked in his own Sharpshooter hold. McMahon's reason for doing this was that Hart was about to leave for competitor WCW, but had refused to lose to real-life enemy Michaels, and McMahon was wary of Hart taking the WWE title to WCW TV. This finally led to the full onscreen acknowledgement that McMahon actually owned WWE.
The Tragic Death of Owen Hart
A popular upper mid-card member of the WWE roster in the 1990s, Owen Hart - Bret's younger brother - was exceptionally skilled in the ring, and many pegged him as a future world champion. Sadly, that dream ended at Over the Edge 1999 when "The King of Harts" fell to his death as a result of a high-flying entrance stunt that went wrong. McMahon infamously opted to continue the pay-per-view after Hart's death, and while WWE wasn't found criminally responsible, Owen's widow Martha Hart did win a wrongful death lawsuit against the company. Owen Hart was recently honored by AEW with the Owen Hart Cup tournament.
WWE's Live Interview Of Brian Pillman's Widow
Continuing Vince McMahon's rather sad history with the Hart wrestling family, Hart Foundation stable member Brian Pillman suddenly passed away due to a heart issue in September 1997 on the day he was scheduled to wrestle at the Ground Zero pay-per-view. In a move that was heavily criticized at the time and remains so to this day, surprisingly frequent WrestleMania competitor McMahon conducted a cringe-worthy live interview with Brian's widow Melanie the next night on Raw, one in which he seemed to be trying to absolve WWE and wrestling of any responsibility for Brian's death. Melanie Pillman herself recently passed away at only 56-years-old.
WWE's Response To Chris Benoit
In perhaps the most infamous and tragic crime to ever be connected to wrestling, Chris Benoit murdered his wife Nancy and son Daniel in July 2007, before taking his own life. While WWE was not responsible for his actions, Vince McMahon's decision to rush out a 3-hour Chris Benoit tribute on Raw when the facts of the case were still being revealed turned out to be a disastrous one, as not long after the show it became clear that Benoit was to be found guilty. McMahon was forced to confront the backlash head-on the next night on ECW, giving an emotional but brief statement. Benoit has since been treated like a non-person by WWE.
WWE's Alleged Cover-Up Of Jimmy Snuka's Murder
In the 1980s, one of WWE's biggest babyface stars was Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, an innovator of the high-flying aerial style so many make use of in the ring today. In May 1983 though, Snuka's girlfriend Nancy Argentino was found dead in his hotel room, seemingly beaten to death. Despite that, Snuka was not charged at the time, and would not be until 30 years later in 2015, although a trial never occurred due to Snuka being deemed mentally unfit. As noted on the popular show Dark Side of the Ring, many allege that McMahon paid off local police to get Snuka off the hook for his crime, though this has never been proven. Snuka passed away in 2017, leaving the case unresolved.
Vince McMahon Says A Racial Slur On WWE TV
On the Survivor Series 2005 pay-per-view, McMahon appeared in a backstage segment with John Cena, who was then not far removed from his rapper gimmick. McMahon then casually said a racial slur to Cena, followed by a reaction from Black WWE performers Booker T and Sharmell. This moment has since been edited off the WWE Network on Peacock.