Chris Jericho has shared his thoughts on the controversy that’s currently surrounding Vince McMahon.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that McMahon was under investigation for reportedly agreeing to pay $3 million to a former employee with whom he allegedly had an affair. The investigation unearthed other similar NDAs.
A second report from the Wall Street Journal revealed that McMahon alleged to pay “more than $12 million over the past 16 years to suppress allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity.” The women who reportedly received these payments reportedly “signed agreements that prohibit them from discussing potential legal claims against or their relationships.”
Jericho, who worked for WWE for over 15 years and was a main-eventer throughout his time with the company, was asked about the allegations during an appearance on the True Geordie podcast. The interview was seemingly recorded before the second Wall Street Journal report came out on July 8. He noted that there wasn’t a lot of surprise in the industry, and he pointed out that the story has cooled off in comparison to the initial reaction. The former world champion also argued that nothing will “really” happen as a result of the allegations.
“Not really,” said Jericho. “Is there surprise in any industry when it happens? When you look at it, it’s really not illegal. He had an affair, laid the lady off to not say anything and moved on. So it’s almost like okay, and? People want to jump on it, but there’s still always a undertone of, it’s wrestling, it’s just wrestling. And if you look, that story fake out with a bang and then you really haven’t heard anything since. If this was Hollywood, with Harvey Weinstein and that sort of thing, but the difference between that was, he was holding women back from getting gigs, Harvey Weinstein. ‘Either bang me or you don’t get the starting role.’
“This has never been said in Vince’s thing. There was a mutual acknowledgment of this affair and then he paid the lady to say nothing, and she took the money. So I really know Vince well, and it sucks that it happened, it sucks that he did it. But is anything really gonna happen from it? I don’t think so.
When McMahon’s subsequent appearances on WWE TV came up, Jericho noted that’s who the former chairman is. He then emphasized his belief that while the situation is not morally right, it’s not illegal, and McMahon won’t get in “real trouble.”
“That’s Vince McMahon,” said Jericho. “‘F—- you. What are you gonna do about it?’ And like I said, I think it’ll come and go. And once again, is it morally right? Absolutely not. Is it illegal? No. Is it something that is gonna get him in real trouble? I don’t think so because once again, unfortunately oh it’s just Vince McMahon. It’s just wrestling. Of course he’s gonna do that. So those things come and go, and they happen, and it’s too bad. But I really think it doesn’t really matter in the long run. Six months from now, I’ll either be right, or I’ll be wrong.”
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