McMahon, who stepped down from his role as WWE CEO and chairman in July amid revelations that he paid $15 million in hush money to several former company employees, was seen in New York for the first time since his resignation . McMahon – who kept his face from being photographed in full – was joined by a mystery woman, WWE legend John Cena and Cena’s wife Shay Shariatzadeh at the Waverly Inn. Former WWE CEO Vince McMahon tries to hide his face as he gets into his car with a mystery woman after celebrating his 77th birthday. by WWE last month amid an investigation into settlements he reached with former WWE employees with whom he had sexual relations. WavyPeter / SplashNews.com It was groundbreaking news in the professional wrestling industry when McMahon resigned from his position, which he had held since 1982 after purchasing the company from his father. McMahon dominated every aspect of WWE, from creative storytelling to finances, as he transformed the company from a regional wrestling territory into a publicly traded multibillion-dollar international company. In the wake of the departure, McMahon’s daughter Stephanie McMahon became co-CEO. The other co-CEO is Nick Khan, who joined the company from CAA in 2020. McMahon’s son-in-law Paul Levesque, who has appeared in WWE as Triple H, took over as chief creative officer. McMahon remains the majority shareholder of WWE. WWE star John Cena and his wife Shay Shariatzadeh attended Vince McMahon’s birthday celebration. WavyPeter / SplashNews.com WWE star John Cena and his wife Shay Shariatzadeh attended Vince McMahon’s birthday celebration. WavyPeter / SplashNews.com Former WWE employee also attended McMahon’s birthday celebration. WavyPeter / SplashNews.com “As I approach the age of 77, I feel the time has come for me to retire as President and CEO of WWE. Over the years, it has been a privilege to help WWE bring you joy, inspire you, excite you, surprise you and always entertain you,” McMahon said in a statement at the time. “I would like to thank my family for their significant contribution to our success and I would also like to thank all of our former and current Superstars and employees for their dedication and passion for our brand. “Most importantly, I’d like to thank our fans for allowing us into your homes every week and choosing entertainment. I have the deepest respect and admiration for the generations of our fans around the world who have loved, love right now and sometimes even love our form of sports entertainment.” In June, the Wall Street Journal first reported that McMahon had paid $3 million in “handouts” to a former WWE lawyer with whom he had a sexual relationship. He reportedly gave her a raise from $100,000 a year to $200,000. The anonymous tipster who alerted the company’s board of directors to the news said McMahon “gave it like a toy” to longtime executive John Laurinaitis, who recently left the company. one A subsequent investigation by the WWE board revealed that McMahon had paid a total of $15 million to several women who were also former WWE employees with whom he had sexual relations, including at least one former wrestler. According to the Journal, this former wrestler claimed in 2018 that years ago she was forced into oral sex by McMahon and was subsequently demoted and her contract not renewed after ending the relationship.
