American wrestling, which most notably revolves around the WWE brand, owes much of its success to the influential presence of the McMahons – Vince McMahon, most of all. There is no doubt about the influence he had on wrestling and the way he turned the likes of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, John Cena, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and Hulk Hogan into household names, as well as his role in creating the blueprint for pay-per-view programming. However, in the wake of the legacy he has left behind, are allegations – a dirty laundry list that includes sexual misconduct and lawsuits claiming his abuse of power.

For more than four decades, he was both an executive and a performer in his own show, acting as the diabolical “Mr. McMahon.” But to what extent does the fiction intertwine or blur into reality?

Tune in to Episode 64 of The Great Fail to hear the story. Special thanks to Abraham Josephine Riesman for her contributions to this segment. 

Episode Resources

VINCE MCMAHON TRAFFICKING LAWSUIT LABELED AS A ‘SAD FALL FROM GRACE’

Vince McMahon Cuts W.W.E. Ties After Sex Trafficking Accusation

The career rise and fall of WWE billionaire Vincent McMahon, who retired amid an investigation into alleged misconduct

Vince McMahon’s Polarizing Return To WWE Creative Is Inevitable

Vince McMahon: The Rise and Fall

Vince McMahon controls wrestling history in order to control all of wrestling

Business Owners to Learn From: Vince McMahon and the Meteoric Rise of WWE

How Vince McMahon upended the worlds of wrestling and business

The WWE knew Vince McMahon was a liability. So why did it bring him back after his scandalous departure?

How WWE’s Vince McMahon reinvented his persona, his business and American politics

With Vince McMahon down for the count, what’s next for the WWE?

How Vince McMahon Built an Empire

How Vince McMahon First Started Out In The Wrestling Business, Explained

Wikipedia: Vince McMahon

The Misunderstood History of American Wrestling

Vince McMahon wants $9 billion for his wrestling empire

Wrestlemania 39: What are the WWE rules? Are there any?

Special Guest

Abraham Josephine Riesman, Writer
Abraham Josephine Riesman is an American reporter and essayist based in Providence, Rhode Island. She is the author of two biographies, True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee (2021), and Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America (2023).