As WWE prepares to offer its flagship event WrestleMania 41 on Netflix for the first time this weekend, the event unfolds amid significant controversy surrounding the organisation's founder, Vince McMahon. The spectacle, known for its dramatic body slams, electrifying entrance music, and high-flying performances, will be held at Las Vegas's Allegiant Stadium before an anticipated crowd of 72,000, with an estimated global audience of 120 million tuning in. However, Vince McMahon—the architect who built WrestleMania into a worldwide phenomenon—will be conspicuously absent.
McMahon's influence on professional wrestling is unparalleled. After acquiring the then-World Wrestling Federation from his father in 1982, he revolutionised the sport by mixing soap-opera-style drama with athletic spectacle, creating a distinctive form of entertainment. The inaugural WrestleMania in March 1985 was constructed like a Hollywood blockbuster, featuring marquee stars such as Hulk Hogan and Mr T, as well as celebrity appearances from figures like Muhammad Ali and Cyndi Lauper, cementing wrestling’s place in mainstream pop culture. Over the decades, WrestleMania has launched careers for numerous enduring stars and birthed unforgettable moments cherished by fans worldwide.
Despite this legacy, the event and the WWE organisation continue to grapple with serious allegations linked to Vince McMahon. In early 2024, former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a civil lawsuit accusing McMahon of sexual misconduct, trafficking, and psychological abuse. The claims allege that McMahon sexually abused and exploited Grant, trafficked her to other men including former WWE executive John Laurinaitis, coerced her into sexual activities with WWE personnel, and disseminated explicit photos and videos of her without consent. Grant asserts that the alleged abuse frequently occurred on WWE premises and that McMahon’s behaviour escalated to degrading and violent levels over time. Both WWE and Laurinaitis are named as co-defendants in the pending lawsuit. McMahon has denied the accusations and stepped down from his roles within WWE and the UFC’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings.
Roman Reigns, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, addressed the situation in an interview with Vanity Fair ahead of WrestleMania 41. Participating in a high-profile triple-threat match against CM Punk and Seth Rollins, Reigns acknowledged the gravity of the allegations, describing them as "embarrassing" and expressing hope that Grant now enjoys safety and stability. He said, "She has to carry the weight of everything she experienced, and I just hope she feels safe and comfortable wherever she is now. It's embarrassing—this isn't the kind of thing you ever want to hear about, especially with your family involved in this industry.” Reigns also revealed that McMahon contacted him last year to wish him a happy birthday but has since distanced himself from company operations.
The legal and reputational challenges are not new to McMahon. In 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported that he had paid over £9.5 million ($12 million) in hush money settlements related to prior misconduct allegations. After a brief retirement and subsequent return in 2023, this new lawsuit forced him to relinquish his positions again. Federal prosecutors concluded a criminal investigation earlier this year into whether McMahon attempted to cover up sexual misconduct allegations, with no charges filed.
Now, the WWE under the leadership of Paul "Triple H" Levesque—McMahon’s son-in-law and the company’s chief content officer—hosts WrestleMania 41 amidst efforts to move beyond the shadow cast by the scandal. Triple H is credited with shifting WWE's focus towards in-ring quality, developing new talent, and steering away from overused narrative tropes. Wrestlers such as Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, and LA Knight represent this new era. Rhodes has notably referenced the changing leadership in promos, suggesting a separation from the McMahon era.
The controversy extends beyond McMahon himself, touching on wrestling’s long-standing issues with power dynamics and exploitation, where the blurred lines between scripted performance and reality have led to serious real-world consequences. John Laurinaitis, named in Grant’s lawsuit, has publicly denied the allegations through his lawyer, Edward Brennan, who stated Laurinaitis “denies the allegations in the misguided complaint and will be vigorously defending these charges in court, not the media,” further asserting, “Like the plaintiff, Mr Laurinaitis is a victim in this case, not a predator. The truth will come out.”
The legacy of Vince McMahon is complex: while he built an entertainment empire that showcased iconic matches and launched legendary wrestling careers, his name is now indelibly linked to scandal. A Netflix documentary titled Mr McMahon, released in September 2024, chronicled his ascent and downfall, featuring interviews with wrestling stars and investigative reporters alike. The film portrayed McMahon as a figure who thrived amid chaos until ultimately being undone by it.
As WrestleMania 41 debuts on a global streaming platform for the first time, fans around the world will witness spectacular wrestling moments that have come to define the event’s enduring appeal—from The British Bulldogs' tag-team triumphs to Kofi Kingston’s heartfelt championship victory. Yet, beneath the pageantry, the event unfolds with the knowledge that the organisation remains entangled in serious legal and ethical challenges stemming from its former leader. The WWE continues to forge ahead, navigating the complexities of its past while setting a course for its future.
Source: Noah Wire Services