On January 25, a lawsuit was filed that laid a series of horrifying and graphic allegations of sexual abuse at the feet of WWE Executive Chairman Vince McMahon. Beyond the most disturbing claims, it painted a picture of serious misconduct behind the scenes and a major abuse of power.
The man who essentially created what we know as WWE today and changed the world of professional wrestling forever when he acquired the company from his father in the 1970s later resigned from all his roles in TKO, the Endeavor-owned parent company of WWE and UFC. It's since been made clear he won't be welcomed back.
Among the word claims made by former WWE employee Janel Grant were accusations of rape, abuse, and people trafficking; as of now, this is a civil matter and not a legal one.
McMahon frequently mistreated legendary commentator and WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross during his time in the company. Some of the stories in his autobiographies are downright vile, and paint a picture of Vince as a petty, spiteful bully.
However, during a recent edition of his Grilling JR podcast, Ross shared his belief that the sexual misconduct claims are unlikely to tarnish McMahon's legacy. He also addressed the positive changes his old boss brought to pro wrestling as a whole and made it clear there are plenty of people who need to be grateful to the disgraced former WWE Chairman.
"It affects it to some degree, but not earth-shattering. It won’t be a big seismic change because he’s still Vince McMahon and he still built this amazing company that many of us are still celebrating and still playing off of. I think it’s time for all of us to move on and find happier days, and build from there. You’ll never be able to take away from what Vince built and how he’s helped a lot of people.’"
"A lot of guys making a living in pro wrestling right now can look at it in any way they choose, but if they’re being realistic, they look in the mirror and see Vince McMahon staring them in the face because he was the catalyst that created a lot of this change. The incomes went up. I just wish it was over and we moved on and all these issues are settled and we move on to happier days. That’s what the business and world needs, happier days."
"You still get that with WWE memories, at least I do. I’m very thankful I had a chance to work there and I’m more thankful I have a chance to work with Tony Khan in AEW. We have to build on the positives."
It's easy to see where JR is coming from to some extent here, but at the same time, we'd say he's way off base. The claims made against Vince are heinous enough that he'll never be viewed in the same light and, ultimately, they overshadow any good he might have done in the industry.
WWE is already moving to ignore Vince's legacy, something evident from his face being blurred out in the new WWE 2K24 video game! And moving on will be easier said than done for McMahon's alleged victims...