We can say that Vince McMahon is not ashamed as the WWE president made a rare TV appearance to open Friday Night SmackDown. The move came amid reports from Joe Palazzolo and Ted Mann Wall Street Journal McMahon is being investigated by the WWE board for an alleged $ 3 million silence deal he had with a former employee of the company with whom he had an affair. McMahon’s appearance lasted only about three minutes from the time his music rang until he left the ring. He only said the mantra of his company “Then. Now. Forever. Together”, but even showing his face led to some questions. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com @SeanRossSapp Vince McMahon literally came out in the ring, explained their tagline “Then. Now. Forever. Together”, said “Welcome to Smackdown”, dropped the microphone and left.
It was really weird. Joe Odas @JoeisVeryLit I tune in to Smackdown at 8 p.m. thinking that Vince McMahon would say something important only to Vince two cut a one minute “We’re all in this together.” Promotion in early pandemic 2020 style. Thanks FOX! pic.twitter.com/Oj87YUMRmD The Anonymous Windbag @TheAnonWindbag “Here. Now. Together. Forever.” pic.twitter.com/ZU5IIA35by HSP returns this Friday !! @HighSpotPodcast Oops, what? Together?!? This is?!? pic.twitter.com/l4VHAl8T9G Matthew Rosen @ Yankees5698 This thing by Vince McMahon at the beginning of tonight’s smackdown was silly and pointless. OMSB: Fully Vaxxed-Up @Omari_Astrodrop Vince to show up at Bryan Alvarez @bryanalvarez If you’re surprised, we need to talk Russ Joy @JoyOnBroad This part of Vince McMahon is one of the strangest things I have ever seen. Matt Maisel @Matt_Maisel If you thought Vince McMahon was going to do anything less than the figurative middle finger he gave tonight, then you know nothing about how he has run his business for 30 years. WWE announced on Friday that McMahon had resigned voluntarily as CEO and chairman while the investigation is ongoing but will retain its role in creative content. Stephanie McMahon is currently acting CEO and President. Stephanie announced on May 19 that she was taking a leave of absence as Chief Brand Officer “to focus on my family.” According to Wall Street Journal reportage, a person who updated the board about McMahon’s relationship with the woman, who was hired by the WWE illegally in 2019, said he “gave it as a toy” to the director general of talent relations, John Laurinaitis. The man said in an email that his girlfriend was “so scared, so she resigned after Vince McMahon and lawyer Jerry [McDevitt] he paid her millions of dollars to keep quiet. “ The settlement, which prevents the woman from talking about her relationship with McMahon or discrediting him, demanded an initial payment of $ 1 million and an additional $ 2 million over a five-year period. McDevitt said the settlement was used by McMahon’s personal funds and the former employee has not filed any sexual harassment allegations. McMahon bought the WWE from his father, Vince McMahon Sr., in 1982.