Vince McMahon, the founder of WWE, created a media frenzy when he wrestled his daughter Stephanie McMahon just days before her wedding, alongside other controversial moments.
Vince McMahon, a key figure in the world of professional wrestling and the founder of WWE, is notorious for staging shocking events on television to captivate audiences. Among his most memorable actions is the time he faced off against his own daughter in the ring.
A Shocking Father-Daughter Match on Live TV
Stephanie McMahon, Vince’s daughter, has been involved with WWE since childhood, taking on various roles from wrestler to CEO. In the late 1990s, just six days before her marriage to Paul Levesque (Triple H), Vince arranged a live match with his daughter on television.
Stephanie recalled, “I remember my mom threatening my dad that if I got hurt or broke my leg on my wedding day, she would divorce him immediately.” Thankfully, Stephanie escaped serious injury, though she admitted that her father choked her to the point of struggling to breathe during their WWE showdown.
Triple H, Stephanie’s husband, also described the situation as “completely insane.” He revealed that he was the one who conceived the idea for the forced wedding storyline with Stephanie, a plot that Vince McMahon agreed to carry out on live television.
Inappropriate Behavior Towards Female Stars
Vince McMahon didn’t stop at using his family to create drama; he has also faced criticism for inappropriate actions towards female stars on live broadcasts.
One of the most infamous incidents occurred in March 2001, when Vince forced female wrestler Trish Stratus to crawl on the mat and bark like a dog in front of the audience. This scene was staged to showcase McMahon’s power in what he called “entertainment.”
Despite the backlash, Trish Stratus later defended the segment, stating that the goal was to provoke outrage among viewers. However, wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer described the segment as “horrible,” reflecting the underlying misogyny harbored by some male fans.
The Bizarre Love Triangle
Vince also involved his wife, Linda McMahon, in another bizarre storyline. In these episodes, Linda, who was in a wheelchair and in a comatose state, witnessed Vince kissing Trish Stratus right in front of her.
Linda, a former CEO of WWE and later a government official under President Donald Trump, became embroiled in dramatic love triangle storylines within WWE. Vince later explained that he engaged in these actions to highlight his villainous role: “You can’t get any lower than that,” he justified.
Vince McMahon’s Departure from WWE
Ultimately, Vince McMahon resigned from WWE in 2023 amid a series of allegations related to sex trafficking and other illegal activities. While his career has been marked by numerous successes, his controversial decisions and offensive actions on television have cemented him as one of the most contentious figures in the history of professional wrestling.
