TMZ public phots and a brief video on Thursday, showing former WWE CEO and Chairman Vince McMahon with an unidentified woman, former WWE Champion John Cena, and Cena’s wife Shay Shariatzadeh, outside of the Waverly Inn restaurant in New York City. They were at the restaurant on this past Wednesday night for McMahon’s 77th birthday.
It should be noted that Vince’s wife Linda was absent. In the video, which can be seen at TMZ Sports, and below, shows Vince attempting to hide his face as the cameras began to flash from the media taking pictures.
TMZ noted the following:
“Interestingly enough … an unidentified woman was seen walking behind Vince as he prepared to get into his sprinter van. McMahon’s wife Linda was absent…Vince appeared to have no interest in talking … as he tried hiding his face as he was getting into his vehicle.”
This is Vince McMahon’s first public appearance since he announced his retirement from WWE back on July 22. His retirement came after the Wall Street Journal had reported that McMahon agreed to pay more than $12 million in hush money to four women over the past 16 years in what was done to “suppress allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity.” It was noted the four women were all formerly associated with WWE.
Back on August 18, WWE revealed they discovered an additional $5 million in undisclosed payments Vince McMahon agreed to make in 2007 and 2009. These payments were given to the the Donald Trump Foundation in conjunction with Trump appearing in WWE.
Vince McMahon remains as WWE’s majority shareholder.