Former WWE star elaborates on dreadful work life under Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon ran a tough ship when he was the acting WWE Chairman. He had full control of the business and helped build it into the global phenomenon that it is today. Jonathan Coachman recently touched upon his trials and tribulations while working under McMahon.
Vince McMahon, 79, is facing a string of legal troubles after Janel Grant — a former WWE employee — filed a lawsuit against him, alleging sex trafficking, among other horrifying crimes. This happened in January 2024, a few days after Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson joined TKO Group Holdings as a board member. McMahon himself was a member before finally resigning, seemingly for good.
Recently, Jonathan Coachman appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored, alongside other former WWE talents such as Vince Russo, Maven, and Charly Arnolt. He commented on the Netflix limited series Mr. McMahon that was released last month:
"I think it's accurate, but I think also that when you're talking to people like us who've been inside, I spent a total of 13 years in the WWE and also my character on camera was Vince's assistant, I think that the term 'softball' came to mind. I know Vince is very upset that it was a hit piece. I didn't find that at all. I think it was fairly accurate when you talk about the time we spent on the road, the things he made us do."
Coachman then got to how he found it excruciating that Vince had a dominant demeanor, to the point where it was hard for talents to say 'No' to the former WWE Chairman:
"I think the overriding sentiment that came out of that was the fact that none of us, at least not with me, did I ever feel like I could say 'No.' And I only said no one time in my entire 13 years with Vince. When I look back on it now, that's one of the things I regret the most, but as far as accuracy, I think it was accurate but I certainly don't think they went far enough as far as all the things that he made a lot of us do." [From 3:18 to 4:16]
Vince McMahon only had "transactional" relationships, Maven says
In the same discussion, Maven recalled his experience while working for WWE. He noted how Vince McMahon never gave time to those he considered not worthy. To the former WWE Chairman, the only people who mattered were the ones who were making him a ton of money.
"Vince is a very transactional individual. If you're making him money, and a lot of these stars were making him millions, he loves you. You talked about me being let go by Vince; I agree. When you see Vince backstage, he'll ignore you. If you mean nothing to him or nothing to his show, he'll pass you by and won't give you the time of the day. Vince made his bed and is unfortunately now lying in it," he said. [From 13:25 to 13:55]
The Mr. McMahon limited series is currently streaming on Netflix. The streaming platform will also incorporate the WWE program from 2025 onwards.
If you use any of the quotes, please credit Piers Morgan Uncensored and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.