Stephanie McMahon became an on-screen character on WWE television in 1999, starting as the innocent daughter of her father Vince McMahon, and eventually becoming one of the top heels.
The turn happened when Triple H ruined the on-screen wedding between Stephanie and Test. During the wedding, it was revealed that Triple H had swooped in an married Stephanie in a drive-in wedding. Fans turned against Stephanie, calling her a "slut."
"The first time we go back on TV after this whole angle happens, the crowd turns on her and they're chanting "Slut." Vince, as they're going crazy for her, he looks at me and he goes [Rubs fingers together] Meaning, 'This is money,'" recalled Triple H on "Mr. McMahon."
Vince stated, "I've got a big smile on my face because that means the audience is participating. Anytime the audience is participating, they're loving what it is you're doing. Steph became this great heel. She was willing to do anything. She's always been, 'Whatever you want, dad.' She knows what it is I'm trying to do."
Stephanie was often humiliated on screen by her babyface counterparts.
"When I was younger in my career, I was all on board to do whatever he wanted. I look back on some of the stuff I did and I'm like, 'Oh my God, I can't believe I did that.' Yeah, for sure," she said.
Asked if she thought it was weird that her father would asked her to do these things, she replied, "Yeah, sometimes, I thought it was a little bit weird, but it was a different time in our business."
Stephanie and Vince wrestled at No Mercy 2003, days before Stephanie's real life wedding to Triple H.
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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.
Victim Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline
Hours: Available 24 hours
1-800-656-4673
