10-31-2024
Six former WWE writers shared the details of their negative workplace experience with Rolling Stone. They described a "hostile" work environment that they experienced from 2016 to 2022. Only one writer agreed to share their name in the article. The others feared retaliation from "the WWE, their former colleagues, and rabid wrestling fans."
Former WWE CEO Vince McMahon purportedly ruled with an iron fist. He allegedly verbally abused employees throughout the organization, including implementing a no-sneezing rule near him. The writers objected to the racist, xenophobic, and offensive storylines for some of the talent. One writer stated he made a "small tweak" to tone down overt racism in a script, and McMahon yelled at him. This incident was the second instance for this writer where McMahon expressed anger over changes made to racist content. The writer said WWE stripped his duties after complaining.
Female writers detailed unwanted touching and very inappropriate criticism of female wrestlers' bodies. These women felt fear while working in that environment and described it as a "boy's club." The women say HR held a Zoom meeting in 2020, referred to as a "women's forum," after it received widespread complaints about sexism. HR told the women to “stop acting like middle schoolers” and told them to stop complaining to HR.
McMahon resigned from the company in January 2024 after a former female employee sued him for sexual assault, harassment, trafficking, and other physical and emotional abuse. Federal investigators are currently looking into the allegations of sex trafficking and sexual assault. The writers assert that they do not believe the environment has changed even with McMahon gone because the culture is so ingrained. They stated that many of the remaining executives were complicit in what occurred.