Vince McMahon is facing unprecedented challenges after a bombshell lawsuit filed on Jan. 25 accused him of sexual coercion, assault, and trafficking. The lawsuit, brought by former WWE employee Janel Grant, alleges extreme and disturbing incidents, including McMahon coercing Grant into a sexual encounter involving another man and forcing her to continue being assaulted for an hour and a half.
Bret “the Hitman” Hart has been a loyal figure despite McMahon’s mistreatment throughout his career. McMahon’s actions, such as the infamous “Montreal Screwjob” in 1997 and the death of Hart’s brother Owen in 1999, did not deter Hart’s loyalty. However, the recent allegations against McMahon, including graphic details and text messages, have led Hart to distance himself and denounce McMahon.
Hart, who had dismissed previous allegations of sexual misconduct against McMahon, now sees McMahon’s downfall as a consequence of his own actions catching up with him. The article suggests that McMahon’s downfall is not only due to the structural changes, such as selling WWE to Endeavor Holdings, but also because of the detailed and extreme nature of the allegations.
It’s like Jeffrey Dahmer, Harvey Weinstein, or Jeffrey Epstein: Vince will be a joke,” Hart said. “He’ll be used for humor, and you’ll shake your head at the shock value of some joke about, ‘What did Vince McMahon do?’ He’ll always be associated with this story, especially as it gets bigger and bigger and bigger.”
The piece highlights the shift in public perception, with McMahon losing his powerful and untouchable image. The article draws parallels with other controversial figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk, emphasizing the consequences they face when their actions catch up with them.
The wrestling industry, known for tolerating exploitation and abuse, is witnessing a significant change with McMahon’s unprecedented resignation from WWE and TKO Holdings. The article concludes by noting that McMahon’s legacy may now be associated with the scandal, and the federal probe into his alleged misconduct could further impact his reputation.
Bret Hart’s change in stance, from defending McMahon to denouncing him, symbolizes a larger shift in how powerful figures are held accountable for their actions, even within industries with a history of overlooking misconduct.
“I think, despite all of the issues I ever had with Vince, I know, deep down, I always respected him; but now, knowing what kind of a weirdo he became, I have absolutely zero respect for him,” Hart wrote to me in a text message after our conversation. “I do not think I could ever shake his hand if he extended it. Too creepy.”
