Vince McMahon's biggest WWE controversies, from steroids case to Owen Hart's death

WWE chairman and chief executive is currently being investigated for alleged misconduct with a female employee

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  Vince McMahon, left, and wrestler Triple H, who is his real-life son-in-law, appear in the ring during the 'WWE Monday Night Raw' on August 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images via AFP

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  Vince McMahon speaks at a press conference for 'WrestleMania XXIV' at the Hard Rock Cafe on March 26, 2008 in New York City. Getty Images

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  Vince McMahon and his wife Linda attend the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2008 in Louisville, Kentucky. Getty Images

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  Arnold Schwarzenegger and Vince McMahon appear on an episode of 'Smackdown' in 1999. Getty Images

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  Vince McMahon speaks at the press conference held by Battle of the Billionaires to announce details of 'WrestleMania 23' at Trump Tower on March 28, 2007 in New York City. Getty Images

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  Vince McMahon, centre, congratulates winners Sarah Furhman, left, and Steve Rosenzweig at the announcement of the first McMahon Million Dollar Mania Winners at the Hard Rock Cafe June 12, 2008 in New York City. Getty Images

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  Vince McMahon hugs WWE women's wrestler Melina at the Lionsgate premiere of 'See No Evil' on May 8, 2006 in Orange, California. Getty Images

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  Vince McMahon, centre, prepares to get his head shaved by Donald Trump, left, and wrestler Bobby Lashley, right, while being held down by 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin after losing a bet in the Battle of the Billionaires match at Wrestlemania, on April 1, 2007 in Detroit, Michigan. Getty Images via AFP

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  Vince McMahon attends WWE Superstars for Sandy Relief at Cipriani, Wall Street on April 4, 2013 in New York City. Getty Images

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  Sylvester Stallone, wrestler Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon at Hulk Hogan's WWE Hall of Fame Induction at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles on April 2, 2005. Getty Images

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  Vince McMahon attends a ceremony honouring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at Hollywood and Highland on March 14, 2008 in Hollywood, California. Getty Images via AFP

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  Vince McMahon attends a press conference to promote 'Wrestlemania XX' at Planet Hollywood on March 11, 2004 in New York City. Getty Images via AFP

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  Vince McMahon attends a press conference about the WWE at the Austin Straubel International Airport on June 22, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Getty Images via AFP

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  From left, Wrestler Triple H, Vince McMahon and wrestler Shawn Michaels appear in the ring during the WWE Monday Night Raw show at the Thomas & Mack Centre, on August 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images via AFP

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  An Elvis Presley impersonator sings to Vince McMahon during his 64th birthday celebration in the ring during WWE Monday Night Raw, on August 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images via AFP

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  Vince McMahon talks about the death of wrestler Chris Benoit and Benoit's family in an interview on the 'Today' show on June 28, 2007. Getty Images

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  Vince McMahon celebrates during 'WrestleMania 38' at AT&T Stadium. Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA Today Sports

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  Vince McMahon enters the arena during 'WrestleMania 38' at AT&T Stadium. Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA Today Sports

WWE’s Vince McMahon is in the news after it was announced that he would be stepping down as chief executive and chairman during an investigation into alleged misconduct. In the interim, his daughter Stephanie will take over.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that the WWE is investigating an alleged $3 million payment from McMahon, 76, to a departing female employee, following a consensual affair. It was also looking into John Laurinaitis, the head of talent relations.

McMahon has said he would co-operate with the investigation and “accept the findings … whatever they are”.

The billionaire has long been the leader and most recognisable face at WWE for decades, after purchasing the World Wrestling Federation, as it was then known, from his father in 1982.

However, in his four decades running the company, it hasn't always been smooth sailing as there have been a few controversies along the way. Here, we take a look at some of the biggest.

The steroid trial (1994)

The link between steroids and professional wrestling reached a turning point in the early 1990s, when McMahon was indicted by the US Department of Justice on illegal activity relating to anabolic steroids. It was thought that he not only actively encouraged use for wrestlers, but that he had provided access to them too.

The charges against McMahon could have led to up to 11 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine. During an 18-day trial in 1994, in which wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior and Rick Rude testified, McMahon was acquitted by a jury in the federal district court, of charges that he conspired to distribute steroids to wrestlers under his employment.

However, the case left a dark mark on the wrestling industry, and over the years, with many former wrestlers having died young, steroid abuse is often viewed as a major culprit.

Owen Hart’s death (1999)

One of the biggest tragedies to ever happen to the WWE was when wrestler Owen Hart died during a live pay-per-view event in 1999. Dressed as his character the Blue Blazer, he was supposed to descend from the arena rafters into the ring prior to his match. However, as he was attempting the stunt, a configuration error led to his harness disengaging early and Hart falling more than 21-metres into the ring.

While the accident wasn’t viewed on live TV (a pre-recorded video vignette was being shown), when the broadcast returned, commentators Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler were left to inform viewers of what had happened. However, later in the show, it was announced that Hart had died from his injuries. Rather than cancel the show, after some delay, McMahon decided to continue. Afterwards, there was strong criticism for allowing the stunt to happen in the first place and for going forward with the live event.

“After he lost his fight for life, they just scooped him up and ordered the next match out. Where's the humanity? Would he have wanted the show to go on? Absolutely not,” said Hart’s widow Martha in an interview with the Calgary Sun in 2000.

Chris Benoit tribute show (2007)

Vince McMahon appeared on the 'Today' show to discuss wrestler Chris Benoit and Benoit's family in an interview on June 28, 2007. Getty Images

When wrestler Chris Benoit and his wife Nancy and son Daniel were found dead in their home, McMahon cancelled a three-hour-live episode of Raw and instead replaced it with a rushed tribute show. During the broadcast, fellow wrestlers discussed Benoit’s life and career and a highlight showcase of Benoit’s past matches was screened.

However, it was around the last hour that reports began to surface that it was possibly a murder-suicide by Benoit. The next day, after more details emerged, McMahon was forced to confront the backlash, giving an emotional but brief statement. Benoit has never been mentioned on WWE programming again.

WWE's workers’ rights (2019)

Stand-up comedian and political commentator John Oliver, the host of HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, took a shot at the WWE's refusal to provide its wrestlers with health insurance or workers' compensation benefits in 2019. The host claimed McMahon could get away with not providing these benefits because the wrestlers were independent contractors, and not technically employees of the WWE.

"When you take independent contractors working in a monopolised industry largely free from meaningful oversight who are able to be fired at any time, you wind up with huge potential for unsafe conduct," Oliver said. He also claimed the WWE was worse than the NFL when it came to caring about the health and safety of its athletes, calling the promotion "morally subterranean".

The WWE responded by telling Deadline: "Prior to airing, WWE responded to his producers refuting every point in his one-sided presentation... [Oliver] simply ignored the facts. The health and wellness of our performers is the single most important aspect of our business, and we have a comprehensive, long-standing Talent Wellness programme." However, it was never made public what those points were.