Rolling Stone released a report on Saturday evening, indicating that six former writers for WWE have come forward, accusing Vince McMahon of creating a hostile and sexist work environment during their time in the company.
One former writer – Michael Leonardi goes on record with Rolling Stone, while the other five writers chose to remain anonymous, due to “fear of retribution from the WWE, their former colleagues, and rabid wrestling fans.”
Per Rolling Stone, Leonardi claims he was fired due to making a change to a 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Day WWE Raw skit, in which Neville (currently known as PAC in AEW) was to reference King’s famous “I have a dream” speech. Leonardi alleges PAC did not want to say the line and that the line was instead given R-Truth. It was further said while Leonardi’s boss at time who was Dave Kapoor approved of the script change, McMahon did not like the change was and lit into Leonardi. He was eventually fired for being “not fit for the role.”
The report also notes that through a representative, McMahon denied any wrongdoing as it pertains to that specific incident or any of the accusations being made by the writers. His team told Rolling Stone the following:
“Scores of writers could share tales of what an enjoyable, creative and freewheeling environment the WWE writers rooms were. This handful of (obviously disgruntled) individuals aren’t representative in any way of the consensus — or of the truth.”
McMahon’s team specifically denied Leonardi’s account of the incident, with the following statement:
“The spokesperson acknowledged that McMahon had “an extremely hands-on approach” with WWE scripts, adding, “That’s why the idea of him suggesting or approving the use of a famous Martin Luther King, Jr. quote for a punchline to be used by a white British character is so ridiculous. It simply didn’t happen.”
Rolling Stone further notes that a majority of the former writers that spoke to the publication, worked on both Raw and SmackDown from 2016 to 2022 with time in the company which was that of four months and five years. Each of the former writers detailed to Rolling Stone on what they considered a hostile environment to be on the road and in the corporate headquarters of WWE.
“The writer adds that there was something about McMahon’s changing directives that felt almost sadistic: “I think Vince enjoyed the manipulation. He liked changing things. He liked keeping people on their toes. I genuinely felt like, this isn’t to benefit the show or the storyline, Vince really just enjoys making people squirm.”
Accusations from the specific six writers extend out to other writers who were in higher positions with more power. They were said to have created an environment where writers were either for McMahon’s ways or against them, causing the writers to turn on each other. The accusations don’t stop there. They also include unwelcome comments and physical contact that took place within the creative team.
“They would touch me where they would have me come closer [to them],” she claims. “They would pull me by my waist to come somewhere or move closer to them. I’m just super aware that it’s kind of close to my butt and most people don’t touch me by the waist ever. I thought, ‘This is strange.’”
Two former female writers were said to have gone to the Human Resources Office within WWE regarding the specific allegations. One of those female writers shortly after, was fired. It was further added that following a Zoom meeting with the female writers about the issues, the reaction was said to have been positive.
“After the Zoom meeting, the writers who spoke with Rolling Stone say, there was an in-person meeting with the entire writers room in which senior leadership allegedly told everyone they were “acting like middle schoolers” and not to go to HR if they have any future problems.“
Rolling Stone also notes that none of the writers in the report said they had direct knowledge or any of the information that detailed in the Janel Grant case. Grant, who is a former WWE employee filed a lawsuit back in January against WWE, Vince McMahon and former WWE Executive John Laurinaitis, alleging sexual abuse, harassment and sex trafficking.
McMahon specifically denied Rolling Stone’s request to stand up to the publication.
*The main source for this report is F4WOnline.