6 Former WWE writers spoke with Rolling Stone and described their experience in the company, and accused former CEO Vince McMahon of racial insensitivity & verbal abuse. Below are the highlights.
Michael Leonardi’s Firing (2016)
– Leonardi, a former WWE writer, was fired despite receiving a promotion, raise, and positive feedback during his 10-month tenure.
– He claims the real reason for his dismissal came after Vince McMahon, then WWE’s CEO, angrily reprimanded him for making a minor change to a script that wrestlers considered racially insensitive.
– Leonardi recalls McMahon asking, “So you didn’t give me what I wanted?” before yelling at him. He left the confrontation feeling humiliated.
Hostile Work Environment
– Six former WWE writers spoke to Rolling Stone about a hostile work environment, led by McMahon and reinforced by leadership. Most of these writers remained anonymous due to fear of retaliation.
– One writer said, “WWE is a kingdom ruled by fear. It is the motivating factor everywhere: fear.”
WWE’s Response
WWE did not comment, but McMahon’s spokesperson dismissed the claims, calling the writers “disgruntled” and stating that most found WWE to be an enjoyable and creative workplace.
McMahon’s Public and Private Persona
– McMahon crafted a villainous image on WWF/E programming but, according to the former writers, his intimidating behavior was not just for the cameras. They claim McMahon created a culture of fear and tension.
– Leonardi said, “There was a very heavy layer of fear and tension, and that was directly from Vince.”
Frequent Verbal Abuse
– Writers regularly witnessed or experienced verbal abuse, not just in the writers’ room but throughout the company.
– One writer described the atmosphere: “Everybody was getting yelled at all the time… It was more saying sh*t that was humiliating or mean [couched] as a joke, but it’s a nasty joke.” If someone was targeted, “nobody stands up for you… because nobody wants to take a bullet.”
Leonardi’s Earlier WWE Tenure (2001-2005)
– Leonardi first joined the WWF in 2001 as an associate producer but quit in 2005 after being demoted for objecting to a storyline he found offensive. He was uncomfortable with a segment involving the controversial character Muhammad Hassan and The Undertaker, which aired on the same day as the London bombings.
– Though WWE eventually removed Hassan’s character due to public pressure, Leonardi says he couldn’t move past being punished for speaking up.
Leonardi’s Return to WWE (2016) & Getting Fired
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