Things continue to deteriorate for Johnny Ace.
Early on Friday morning, the Wall Street Journal dropped a bomb of an article, that has shaken the pro wrestling world once again. This time, it included three more women who had been subjected to sexual misconduct from Vince McMahon. However, the article also included an update on John Laurinaitis, who has been placed on administrative leave from the company while the investigation is on going.
The board also is investigating allegations that WWE executive John Laurinaitis had a sexual relationship with the same former paralegal, according to people familiar with the inquiry. Additionally, the board is looking at a $1.5 million nondisclosure agreement reached in 2012 with an employee involving misconduct claims against Mr. Laurinaitis, these people said.
Mr. Laurinaitis, a former wrestler known as Johnny Ace, had been head of WWE talent relations for eight years when he was forced to step down in 2012 and take a smaller role at the company. His demotion came around the same time as the $1.5 million deal with the employee, who alleged she had an affair with Mr. Laurinaitis and that he demoted her after she broke it off, people familiar with the nondisclosure agreement said.
WWE has since placed Mr. Laurinaitis on administrative leave, a person familiar with the matter said.
The Wall Street Journal
Fightful Select would add to this Friday afternoon, reporting Laurinaitis was about to be done with the company.
Everyone that Fightful spoke with continued to believe that John Laurinaitis was “done” in the company, but believes he has a “golden parachute” deal with WWE that will likely take care of him. Female talent had contacted Fightful last year upon his promotion back into talent relations expressing their frustration. One higher up told Fightful “Johnny Ace’s ninth life is about to be lost.”
Fightful Select
Time will tell if Lauranaitis will find a way to remain in the WWE, but for now it does not look good for Johnny Ace.
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