The relationship between Vince McMahon and his son Shane McMahon was detailed in the Netflix docuseries "Mr. McMahon" with interviews from both men.
While Stephanie McMahon remained involved in the business throughout Vince's time as the owner, Shane would leave the business for years before returning. The two reportedly clashed at the 2022 Royal Rumble over ideas Shane had, that Vince was against.
Speaking on "Mr. McMahon," Paul Heyman recalled a creative disagreement the two men had and Vince's words to Shane.
"Most definitive moment I've seen between Vince and Shane was a creative argument that happened one night. Shane had an idea that he really believed in, and Vince totally disagreed with it. With most things that happen with Vince, once they start to escalate, they escalate really fast. Vince finally turned to Shane, and he said, 'Not while I'm alive.' Vince, who was eating something, took his knife and handed it to Shane. He said, 'Right there [points to heart]. Come on. Right there. If you want this so bad, stick the dagger right here. That's what you're going to have to do to make that decision. If you don't stick the dagger right here, then I'll know you're not man enough to do it, and I have to take that into consideration as well. Or you can buy me out, the way I bought out my father. If I don't get out of your way be prepared to get rid of me the way I would have had to get rid of my father when he wasn't doing things my way at all,'" said Heyman.
Shane returned to WWE at WrestleMania 39, but suffered a torn quad while doing a leap frog.
Janel Grant, a former WWE employee, filed a lawsuit in January against Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis. The lawsuit accuses McMahon of sexual assault and sex trafficking. On May 30, Grant agreed to pause the lawsuit for six months while the federal investigation continued against McMahon, who resigned from TKO/WWE following the lawsuit being filed.
Victim Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline
Hours: Available 24 hours
1-800-656-4673
