Backstage Reaction to Vince McMahon’s Appearance on SmackDown

WWE announced on Friday that Vince McMahon would be temporarily stepping down as CEO and Chairman of the company until the conclusion of their investigation into McMahon’s and WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis’ alleged misconduct towards several former female employees. McMahon was also announced to be making an appearance on that night’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that McMahon’s segment on Friday’s SmackDown show was something that was not featured on internal full scripts for the show as of 5:30PM that night nor on the rundown script they had gained access to around ten minutes before the start of the show. One source spoken to stated that the segment did not take place as was originally planned on Friday morning.

In regards to McMahon’s mood backstage, it was reported that he was seen being in a good mood and was not outwardly reacting to the company’s investigation into his misconduct allegations. Those spoken to stated that it was “business as usual” backstage and few had any knowledge of what McMahon was going to say to start off the show.

In regards to the backstage reaction to McMahon’s segment, it ranged from confusion to disappointed to enraged over it. One top talent spoken to stated that it was “tone deaf and embarrassing” and believed it was McMahon’s way of putting himself on screen as a power move to lessen the impact of the company’s investigation findings. One former talent spoken to stated that “I’m happy it didn’t last long, so I didn’t have to sit through whatever bullshit he was going to say. But it shows that he has no accountability, especially when something is directly his fault.”

One person spoken to who had worked with McMahon stated that they were “enraged” by his appearance on the show and felt incredulous watching it unfold.

In regards to Laurinaitis, the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported in Friday’s Daily Update that he was not seen in attendance backstage during Friday’s SmackDown show. Meltzer reported that the current belief within the company is that he will be in attendance at this Monday’s RAW show in Lincoln, Nebraska.