Editing WWE (section)

==Legal disputes and controversies==
===1990s drug scandal===
{{main|United States v. McMahon}}
During the 1980s and 1990s, George Zahorian was thought to have routinely distributed steroids and other drugs to WWF wrestlers, supposedly with the approval of WWF owner Vince McMahon.<ref name="SESCOOPS">{{cite web|url=http://www.sescoops.com/sex-drugs-steroids-in-wwe-cena-mysterio-grant-wishes/|title=Details On Sex & Drug Scandals In WWE|work=SEScoops |date=December 27, 2009|publisher=SEScoops.com|access-date=July 17, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120124601/http://www.sescoops.com/sex-drugs-steroids-in-wwe-cena-mysterio-grant-wishes/|archive-date=January 20, 2018}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=February 2019}} In 1993, McMahon was indicted in federal court after the steroid controversy engulfed the promotion, forcing him to temporarily cede control of the WWF to his wife Linda.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/19/sports/wwf-s-mcmahon-indicted.html |title=W.W.F.'s McMahon Indicted |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 19, 1993 |access-date=October 17, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002082943/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/19/sports/wwf-s-mcmahon-indicted.html |archive-date=October 2, 2010 }}</ref> The case went to trial in 1994, where McMahon himself was accused of distributing steroids to his wrestlers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/28/nyregion/wrestling-promoter-fights-steroid-charges.html |title=Wrestling Promoter Fights Steroid Charges |work=The New York Times |date=April 28, 1994 |access-date=October 17, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107133220/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/28/nyregion/wrestling-promoter-fights-steroid-charges.html |archive-date=November 7, 2014}}</ref> One notable prosecution witness was [[Kevin Wacholz|Nailz]] (real name: Kevin Wacholz), a former WWF performer who had been fired after a violent confrontation with McMahon. Nailz testified that McMahon had ordered him to use steroids, but his credibility was called into question during his testimony as he repeatedly stated that he "hated" McMahon.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/12/nyregion/nailz-the-wrestler-testifies-he-was-told-to-use-steroids.html?pagewanted=1 | title=Nailz the Wrestler Testifies He Was Told to Use Steroids | newspaper=The New York Times | date=July 12, 1994 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409144620/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/12/nyregion/nailz-the-wrestler-testifies-he-was-told-to-use-steroids.html?pagewanted=1 | archive-date=April 9, 2016 | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/faq/?article=nailz|title=NAILZ|work=Wrestleview|access-date=November 20, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107060111/http://www.wrestleview.com/faq/?article=nailz|archive-date=November 7, 2014}}</ref> The jury would later acquit McMahon of the charges and he resumed his role in the day-to day operations of the WWF.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wrestling Promoter McMahon Acquitted of Steroid Charges |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-23-sp-18991-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press |date=July 23, 1994}}</ref>

===1990s ring boy scandal===
{{Main|Ring boy scandal}}
During the early 1990s, Mel Phillips, WWF's ring announcer and ring crew head, was accused of molesting multiple "ring boys", under-aged children that worked as part of the WWF ring crew.<ref name=BIallegations>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/wwe-cofounder-linda-mcmahon-who-runs-trumps-biggest-super-pac-once-hired-a-suspected-child-molester-on-the-condition-that-he-stop-chasing-after-kids-he-didnt-/articleshow/78938854.cms |title=WWE cofounder Linda McMahon, who runs Trump's biggest super PAC, once hired a suspected child molester on the condition that he 'stop chasing after kids.' He didn't. |work=[[Business Insider]] |date=October 29, 2020 |accessdate=February 25, 2024 |author=Bixenspan, David}}</ref> In 1992, Phillips was fired from the WWF.<ref name=BIallegations /> Phillips had previously been temporarily dismissed from the WWF in 1988 for sexual misconduct, but was brought back that same year.<ref name=BIallegations />

On October 29, 2020, it was reported by ''[[Business Insider]]'' that Vince McMahon and his wife [[Linda McMahon|Linda]] were aware of the allegations against Phillips but willfully [[Turning a blind eye|turned a blind eye]] to them. According to [[Freedom of Information Act (United States)|Freedom of Information Act]] requests for court records regarding the ring boy scandal, Vince, under oath, stated that he was aware that Phillips had taken a "peculiar and unnatural interest in children" but refused to take action against him.<ref name=BIallegations /> Further testimony revealed that Vince, after bringing Phillips back to the WWF in 1988, had made Phillips promise to "stop chasing after kids".<ref name=BIallegations /> It was also reported by ''Business Insider'' that, under Vince and Linda McMahon's directive, the WWF began a campaign to discredit Tom Cole, one of the children who had accused Phillips of sexual misconduct, and Cole's family.<ref name=BIallegations /> In response to the ''Business Insider'' report, Jerry McDevitt, WWE's attorney, stated that the accusations against Phillips were related to his unusual "foot fetish" but did not include "anything approximating conventional forms of sexual abuse such as rape, sodomy, etc."<ref name=BIallegations /> He additionally described the claims that the McMahons knew about the accusations against Phillips but refused to take action and continued to employ him under the condition that he "stop chasing after kids" as "outlandish" and "classic libel".<ref name=BIallegations />

Tom Cole died in February 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/02/13/tom-cole-dead-at-age-50-key-accuser-in-the-wwe-wwf-ring-boy-scandal/ |title=Tom Cole dead at age 50, key accuser in the WWE/WWF Ring Boy scandal |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |author=Powell, Jason |date=February 13, 2021 |accessdate=February 25, 2024}}</ref>

===Disputes with rival companies ===
In 1996, Titan Sports, the parent company of the World Wrestling Federation, sued World Championship Wrestling (WCW) over WCW implying that Scott Hall and Kevin Nash (Razor Ramon and Diesel) were invading WCW on the WWF's behalf. This led to a series of lawsuits filed by both companies as the Monday Night War heated up. The lawsuit went on for years, ending with a settlement in 2000. One of the terms gave then WWF the right to bid on WCW's assets if the company were liquidated. AOL Time Warner, the then-parent company of WCW, canceled WCW's television shows in March 2001 and sold the company assets to the WWF.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://bleacherreport.com/articles/883214-wwe-the-5-most-interesting-excerpts-from-wwe-related-lawsuit-filings-case-law|title= WWE: The 5 Most Interesting Excerpts from WWE-Related Lawsuit Filings & Case Law|website= Bleacher Report|access-date= July 19, 2017|date= October 7, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170731155611/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/883214-wwe-the-5-most-interesting-excerpts-from-wwe-related-lawsuit-filings-case-law|archive-date= July 31, 2017|df= mdy-all}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=February 2019}}

On May 23, 2012, [[Impact Wrestling|Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] (TNA) sued former employee Brian Wittenstein and WWE. [[TNA Entertainment, LLC v. Wittenstein|The suit]] alleged that Wittenstein violated a non-disclosure agreement and shared confidential information with the WWE which represented a comparative advantage in negotiating with wrestling talent under contract with TNA. He was subsequently hired by WWE, after which TNA asserted that Wittenstein violated the agreement by downloading confidential TNA trade secrets and providing that information to WWE. Although WWE fired Wittenstein and alerted TNA officials as to the disclosure of the information, TNA claimed that WWE had access to the information for three weeks prior to disclosure and in this time, the WWE used [[Trade secret|secret contract information]] and attempted to poach their talent in violation of Tennessee's [[Uniform Trade Secrets Act]].<ref name="Burr&Forman">{{cite web|url=http://www.noncompetetradesecretslaw.com/tag/tna-entertainment-llc/|title=TNA Entertainment LLC – Noncompete Trade Secrets Law|publisher=Burr & Forman Blog|access-date=July 10, 2012|author=John Paul Nefflen|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915081303/http://www.noncompetetradesecretslaw.com/tag/tna-entertainment-llc/|archive-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref> The lawsuit was formally withdrawn without prejudice, by the plaintiff, TNA, on January 15, 2013, under a "Notice of Voluntary Nonsuit" which offers no ruling on the merits of the suit and allows TNA to potentially refile at a later date.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=TNA drops lawsuit vs. WWE this week|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_67952.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222143547/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_67952.shtml|archive-date=February 22, 2013}}</ref>

On January 11, 2022, [[Major League Wrestling]] (MLW) filed an [[anti-trust]] lawsuit against WWE, accusing them of interfering in television and streaming deals and poaching talent. Through the lawsuit, it was disclosed that a streaming deal with [[Fox Corporation]]-owned [[Tubi]] was terminated due to WWE allegedly threatening to pull their programming from the sibling [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] broadcast network. The suit also alleges that WWE pressured Vice TV to withdraw from negotiations with MLW.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/01/mlw-files-federal-anti-trust-lawsuit-against-wwe/|title=MLW Files Lawsuit Against WWE, Alleges WWE Nixed Streaming Deal|date=January 11, 2022|publisher=Wrestling Inc}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/01/mlw-lawsuit-against-wwe-details-allegations-of-poaching-talent-tubi-interference-fite-tv-and-vice/|title=MLW Lawsuit Against WWE Details: Allegations Of Poaching Talent, Tubi Interference, FITE TV And VICE|date=January 12, 2022|publisher=Wrestling Inc}}</ref>

===Owen Hart's death===
On May 23, 1999, [[Owen Hart]] fell to his death in [[Kansas City, Missouri]] during the [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]] pay-per-view event in a stunt that went wrong. WWF broke [[kayfabe]] by having television commentator [[Jim Ross]] repeatedly tell those watching live on pay-per-view that what had just transpired was not a wrestling angle or storyline and that Hart was hurt badly, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.<ref name="Tragedy">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlinggonewrong.com/video/owen_hart_tragedy.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005052506/http://www.wrestlinggonewrong.com/video/owen_hart_tragedy.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 5, 2007 |access-date=January 5, 2008 |title=Owen Hart Tragedy |publisher=Wrestling Gone Wrong }}</ref> While several attempts to revive him were made, he died from his injuries. The cause of death was later revealed to be [[internal bleeding]] from [[blunt force trauma]]. The WWF management controversially chose to continue the event.<ref name="SLAM">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/OwenHart/may24_overtheedge.html|access-date=January 5, 2008|title=Hart tragedy overshadows Taker's win|last=Powell|first=John|publisher=SLAM! Sports|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530091422/http://slam.canoe.ca/OwenHart/may24_overtheedge.html|archive-date=May 30, 2012}}</ref> Later, Jim Ross revealed Hart's death to the home viewers during the pay-per-view, but not to the crowd in the arena.<ref name="OWoWr">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/overtheedge99.html|access-date=January 5, 2008|title=Over the Edge 1999 results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120002030/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/overtheedge99.html|archive-date=January 20, 2008}}</ref> While the show did go on, it has never been released commercially by [[WWE Home Video|WWF Home Video]]. In 2014, fifteen years after his death, the [[WWE Network]] aired the event for the first time. A small photo tribute is shown before the start informing fans that Hart died during the original broadcast. All footage of Hart was edited out of the event. The statement reads: "In Memory of Owen Hart May 7, 1965 – May 23, 1999 who accidentally passed away during this broadcast."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fan |first=Ryan |date=March 10, 2021 |title=The Wrestler Who Died From a Stunt Gone Wrong |url=https://medium.com/crimebeat/the-wrestler-who-died-from-a-stunt-gone-wrong-90f3b92efc3b |access-date=March 22, 2024 |website=CrimeBeat |language=en}}</ref> Four weeks after the event, the Hart family sued the WWF over how dangerous and poorly planned the stunt was, and that the harness system was defective.<ref name="court">{{cite web|url=http://www.robbrobb.com/NewsPressDetail.aspx?Id=70|access-date=January 20, 2008|title=Deal approved in WWF case|last=Margolies|first=Dan|work=The Kansas City star|publisher=Robb & Robb|date=November 11, 2000|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207012816/http://www.robbrobb.com/NewsPressDetail.aspx?Id=70|archive-date=December 7, 2008}}</ref> After over a year and a half into the case, a settlement was reached on November 2, 2000, which saw the WWF give the Hart family US$18 million.<ref name="court2">{{cite web|url= http://www.robbrobb.com/articles_Record-Settlement-Wrestlers-Family.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822145239/http://www.robbrobb.com/articles_Record-Settlement-Wrestlers-Family.htm|archive-date=August 22, 2007|access-date=January 20, 2008|title=Record $18M settlement for Wrestler's family|last=Skinner|first=Stephanie|publisher=Robb & Robb|date=November 27, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1025827430770_21236630/|access-date=January 20, 2008|title=Owen Hart Family awarded $18 million US|publisher=CTV|date=November 8, 2000|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207053150/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1025827430770_21236630/|archive-date=December 7, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2000/2000_11_02.jsp|access-date=January 20, 2008|title=WWE Entertainment, Inc. Announces Settlement in Owen Hart Case|publisher=WWE Corporate|date=November 2, 2000|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904132236/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2000/2000_11_02.jsp|archive-date=September 4, 2012}}</ref>

===Dispute with USA Network===
In April 2000, [[IAC Inc.|USA Networks, Inc.]], the parent company of [[USA Network]], had filed a lawsuit against World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc. in a bid to keep ''[[WWE Raw|Raw is War]]'' and all WWF programming after the WWF opened up a bidding war a month prior.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-13-fi-19052-story.html|title=USA Networks Files Lawsuit in Fight to Keep Wrestling Rights|first=Sallie |last=Hofmeister |date=April 13, 2000|via=Los Angeles Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814170455/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-13-fi-19052-story.html |archive-date= Aug 14, 2023 }}</ref> [[Viacom (original)|Viacom]]'s proposed bid included a $30-million to $50-million equity investment in the company and carriage on broadcast, billboards and radio of both wrestling matches along with the then-launched [[XFL (2001)|XFL]].

On June 27, 2000, the [[Delaware Supreme Court]] ruled in favor of the WWF.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2155881/usa-cable-v-world-wrestling-federation/ |title=USA Cable v. World Wrestling Federation |id=766 A.2d 462 |via=CourtListener}}</ref> The next day, Viacom won the rights to all WWF programming for $12.6 million including ''Raw is War'' on [[Paramount Network|TNN/Spike TV]], a revamped ''[[WWE Heat|Sunday Night Heat]]'' on [[MTV]] and retained ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' on [[UPN]] after the merger with [[CBS]] in 1999. The lawsuit centered on USA's contention that it did not have to match every aspect of a Viacom offer to satisfy a [[right of first refusal]] clause in its contract that allowed its deal with the WWF to continue.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/28/business/smackdown-viacom-wins-usa-s-wrestling.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527144929/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/28/business/smackdown-viacom-wins-usa-s-wrestling.html |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Smackdown: Viacom Wins USA's Wrestling|first=Bill|last=Carter|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 28, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jun-28-fi-45614-story.html|title=WWF Wins Bid to Dump USA, Join Viacom|author1=Bloomberg News|author2=Staff Reports|date=June 28, 2000|via=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/court-smacks-down-usa-88679|title=Court smacks down USA|first=John M.|last=Higgins|website=Broadcasting & Cable|date=July 3, 2000}}</ref> In 2005, WWE's programming (excluding ''SmackDown!'') moved back to USA Network (now owned by [[NBCUniversal]]) and maintains its relationship to this day.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2005/04/05/usa-and-wwe-a-tag-team-again/fb3f30c8-4eeb-4092-8c2d-6d02310567dd/|title=USA and WWE, a Tag Team Again|date=April 5, 2005|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

===WWF name dispute===
{{Further|WWF trademark dispute}}
In 1994, Titan Sports had entered into an agreement with the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]] (also trademarked WWF), an environmental organization, regarding Titan's use of the "WWF" acronym, which both organizations had been using since at least March 1979. Under the agreement, Titan had agreed to cease using the written acronym "WWF" in connection with its wrestling promotion, and to minimize (though not eliminate) spoken uses of "WWF" on its broadcasts, particularly in scripted comments. In exchange, the environmental group (and its national affiliates) agreed to drop any pending litigation against Titan, and agreed not to challenge Titan's use of the full "World Wrestling Federation" name or the promotion's then-current logo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091907/000095013099005741/0000950130-99-005741.txt|title=Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1|author=World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc.|date=October 13, 1999|access-date=December 25, 2013|at=Exhibit 10.16: Agreement between WWF – World Wide Fund for Nature and Titan Sports, Inc. dated January 20, 1994|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226073929/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091907/000095013099005741/0000950130-99-005741.txt|archive-date=December 26, 2013}}</ref>

In 2000, the World Wide Fund for Nature sued World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc. in the United Kingdom, alleging various violations of the 1994 agreement.<ref>{{Cite journal| author=John K. Carlisle| year=2003| title=World Wide Fund For Nature vs. World Wrestling Entertainment| journal=Foundation Watch| publisher=Capital Research Center| url=http://www.capitalresearch.org/pubs/pdf/x3773144899.pdf| access-date=December 15, 2010| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429134400/http://www.capitalresearch.org/pubs/pdf/x3773144899.pdf| archive-date=April 29, 2011| df=mdy-all}}</ref> The [[Court of Appeal of England and Wales|Court of Appeal]] agreed that the promotion company had violated the 1994 agreement, particularly in regards to merchandising. The last televised event to market the WWF logo was the UK-based [[pay-per-view]] [[WWE Insurrextion|Insurrextion 2002]]. On May 5, 2002, the company launched its "Get The F Out" marketing campaign and changed all references on its website from "WWF" to "WWE", while switching the [[Uniform Resource Locator|URL]] from ''WWF.com'' to ''WWE.com''.<ref name="GetFOut">{{cite web| title=World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Drops The "F" To Emphasize the "E" for Entertainment| publisher=WWE| url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp| access-date=August 28, 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119180317/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp| archive-date=January 19, 2009| df=mdy-all}}</ref> The next day, the official name change from World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., was publicized in a press release and during a broadcast of ''Raw'', from the [[Hartford Civic Center]].

Following the name change, the use of the WWF "scratch" logo became prohibited on all WWE properties. Additionally, past references to the ''WWF'' trademark and initials in 'specified circumstances' became censored.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp|title= World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Drops The "F" To Emphasize the "E" for Entertainment|publisher= WWE|access-date= December 20, 2008|date= May 6, 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090119180317/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp|archive-date= January 19, 2009|df= mdy-all}}</ref> Despite the litigation, WWE was still permitted use of the original WWF logo, which was used from 1979 through 1994 and had been explicitly exempted under the 1994 agreement, as well as the similar "New WWF Generation" logo, which was used from 1994 through 1998. Furthermore, the company could still make use of the full "World Wrestling Federation" and "World Wrestling Federation Entertainment" names without consequence. In 2003, WWE won a limited decision to continue marketing certain classic video games from [[THQ]] and [[Jakks Pacific]] that contained the WWF "scratch" logo.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2003/2003_04_17.jsp| title=English Court Repudiates World Wide Fund for Nature; Ends Legal Block To Sale of THQ/Jakks WWE Videogames| publisher=WWE Corporate | date=April 17, 2003| access-date=June 9, 2012| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503190915/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2003/2003_04_17.jsp| archive-date=May 3, 2012| df=mdy-all}}</ref> However, the packaging on those games had all WWF references replaced with WWE.

Starting with the [[WWE Raw 1000|1,000th episode of ''Raw'']] in July 2012, the WWF "scratch" logo is no longer censored in archival footage due to WWE reaching a new settlement with the World Wide Fund for Nature.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/25935/WWE-Reaches-Settlement-With-World-Wildlife-Fund/ |first1=Kenny |last1=Williams |title=WWE Reaches Settlement With World Wildlife Fund |publisher=Wrestlingnewssource.com |date=August 8, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215607/http://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/25935/WWE-Reaches-Settlement-With-World-Wildlife-Fund/ |archive-date=October 4, 2013}}</ref> In addition, the F in WWF initials are no longer censored when spoken or when written in plain text in archival footage. Since then, full-length matches and other segments featuring the WWF initials and "scratch" logo have been added to the WWE website and the [[WWE Classics on Demand]] and eventually the [[WWE Network]] service. This also includes [[WWE Home Video]] releases since October 2012, starting with the re-release of ''Brock Lesnar: Here Comes The Pain''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.wwedvdnews.com/will-wwf-scratch-logo-appear-future-wwe-dvds/28264/| title=Exclusive: Will the WWF "Scratch Logo" Appear on Future WWE DVDs? | publisher=Wrestling DVD News |first1=Daniel |last1=Bee | date=October 10, 2012| access-date=August 10, 2013| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317184837/http://www.wwedvdnews.com/will-wwf-scratch-logo-appear-future-wwe-dvds/28264/| archive-date=March 17, 2013| df=mdy-all}}</ref> Although the WWF initials and logo are no longer censored in archival footage, WWE cannot use the WWF initials or logo in any new, original footage, packaging, or advertising.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=71245&p=1 |first1= Mike |last1=Johnson | title=Update On The WWE Scratch Logo Situation| publisher=PWInsider.com| date=August 19, 2012| access-date=August 10, 2013| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220457/http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=71245&p=1| archive-date=May 12, 2014| df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Harry Slash and the Slashtones lawsuit===
[[Harry Slash & The Slashtones|Harry "Slash" Grivas]] and Roderick Kohn filed a lawsuit against WWE in June 2003 due to the music being used for its programming and DVDs without consent or payment. It also asserted a violation of the rights to original music used by ECW that WWE had been using during [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|the Invasion storyline of 2001]]. The case was resolved on both sides with a settlement that saw WWE purchase the catalog outright in January 2005.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://rajah.com/node/2273| title= World Wrestling Entertainment Purchases Another ECW Asset |first1=Niel |last1=Stephens | publisher=Rajah.com| date=February 1, 2005| access-date=August 18, 2014| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090214/http://rajah.com/node/2273| archive-date=August 19, 2014| df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Ultimate Warrior-related disputes===
In 1993, [[Jim Hellwig]], known in the WWF as "The Ultimate Warrior", legally changed his name to the [[mononymous person|mononym]] Warrior.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KUsJAwAAQBAJ&q=ultimate+warrior+changed+name&pg=PA305 |title=Historical Dictionary of Wrestling – John Grasso – Google Books |date= March 6, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2014|isbn=9780810879263 |last1=Grasso |first1=John |publisher=Scarecrow Press }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ufOINU177dEC&q=ultimate+warrior+changed+name&pg=PA148 |title=The Death of Wcw – R. D. Reynolds – Google Books |access-date=April 11, 2014|isbn=9781554902552 |last1=Reynolds |first1=R. D. |year=2004 |publisher=ECW Press }}</ref> This one-word name appears on all legal documents pertaining to Warrior, and his children carry the Warrior name as their legal surname.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/ultimate-warrior-legend/story?id=23254308|title=Why the Ultimate Warrior Was Such a Legend|access-date=April 9, 2014|publisher=ABC|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409205541/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/ultimate-warrior-legend/story?id=23254308|archive-date=April 9, 2014}} "The Ultimate Warrior, born James Brian Hellwig, legally changed his name to Warrior in 1993 ... It's also the last name of his wife and children."</ref> Warrior and the WWF engaged in a series of lawsuits and legal actions in 1996 and 1998,<ref>[http://sec.edgar-online.com/1999/12/13/15/0000950130-99-007020/Section7.asp World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. – WWE Quarterly Report (10-Q) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703015917/http://sec.edgar-online.com/1999/12/13/15/0000950130-99-007020/Section7.asp |date=July 3, 2008 }}. Sec.edgar-online.com (December 13, 1999). Retrieved on January 5, 2012.</ref> where both parties sought a declaration that they owned the characters, Warrior and Ultimate Warrior, under both contract and copyright law. The court ruled that Warrior was legally entitled to use the gimmick, costuming, face paint designs, and mannerisms of the "Warrior" character.<ref name="Flynn3">{{cite web|url=http://flynnfiles.com/blog/warrior/warrior3.htm|last=Flynn|first=Daniel|title=Interview with the Ultimate Warrior – Part 3 of 4|publisher=FlynnFiles.com|access-date=May 18, 2008|date=June 28, 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419060342/http://www.flynnfiles.com/blog/warrior/warrior3.htm|archive-date=April 19, 2008}}</ref>

On September 27, 2005, WWE released a DVD documentary focusing on Warrior's retrospective wrestling career, titled ''The Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior''. The DVD featured clips of his more notable feuds and matches along with commentary from WWE stars past and present (most of which are unflattering). The DVD has provoked some controversy due to Warrior's allegations of libel by WWE against him. Originally, Warrior was asked to help with the production of the DVD, but as he refused to work with WWE, there had been some resulting animosity between Warrior and WWE over the Warrior claiming bias on the part of WWE.<ref name="Sokol">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/07/05/1127823.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101005403/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/07/05/1127823.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 1, 2013|last=Sokol|first=Chris|title=Warrior speaks his mind in new shoot|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=May 18, 2008|date=July 5, 2005}}</ref> In January 2006, Warrior filed another lawsuit against WWE in an [[Arizona]] court over the depiction of his wrestling career in ''The Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior'' DVD.<ref>[http://www.wrestlemag.com/2006/01/19/wwe-ultimate-warrior-files-lawsuit-against-world-wrestling-entertainment/ WWE: Ultimate Warrior files lawsuit against World Wrestling Entertainment] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128174017/http://www.wrestlemag.com/2006/01/19/wwe-ultimate-warrior-files-lawsuit-against-world-wrestling-entertainment/ |date=January 28, 2008 }}. Wrestlemag.com. Retrieved on January 5, 2012.</ref> On September 18, 2009, Warrior's lawsuit in Arizona was dismissed.

Warrior returned to WWE to be inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]]. During his induction, he mentioned that WWE should create an award to honor those behind the scenes called the Jimmy Miranda Award, named after a long time WWE employee who died. Warrior died three days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. WWE decided to create the Warrior Award, an award for people "who embodied the spirit of the Ultimate Warrior." The award was later given to [[Connor Michalek]] (a child who died from cancer), [[Joan Lunden]] (a journalist who was diagnosed with cancer), and [[Eric LeGrand]] (a former college football player who became a quadriplegic after an in-game injury). In October 2017, WWE used the tagline "Unleash Your Warrior" when promoting [[Breast Cancer Awareness Month]]. Since Warrior's death, WWE has been accused of whitewashing and ignoring Warrior's bigoted and controversial past comments.<ref name="Vice" /> ''Pro Wrestling Torch'' described Warrior in real-life having made public "vile, bigoted, hateful, judgmental comments", citing as an example that regarding Bobby Heenan's cancer diagnosis, Warrior said, "Karma is just a beautiful thing to behold."<ref>{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Unleash Your Warrior under fire |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/10/27/kellers-take-unleash-warrior-fire-vice-revisits-warriors-vile-comments-heenan-getting-cancer-karma-just-beautiful-thing/ |website=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=October 27, 2017|access-date=November 4, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028150030/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/10/27/kellers-take-unleash-warrior-fire-vice-revisits-warriors-vile-comments-heenan-getting-cancer-karma-just-beautiful-thing/|archive-date=October 28, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' wrote that "completely whitewashing his past and elevating his likeness to a bland symbol of corporate altruism is shockingly tone-deaf, especially for a company that's at least outwardly trying to appear progressive, inclusive and diverse."<ref name="Vice">{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/wwe-is-whitewashing-the-ultimate-warriors-bigoted-past/|title=WWE is Whitewashing The Ultimate Warrior's Bigoted Past|website=Vice Sports|date=October 27, 2017 |access-date=November 4, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108213020/https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/59y3nb/wwe-is-whitewashing-the-ultimate-warriors-bigoted-past|archive-date=November 8, 2017}}</ref>

===Morals clause violations===
Under Section 9.13(a) of WWE's booking contract, commonly known as the "morals clause", the company has a zero-tolerance policy involving domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. Upon arrest and conviction for such crimes, a WWE talent shall be immediately suspended and their contract terminated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/who-we-are/talent|title=Talent|website=World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. |url-status=deviated |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220727095215/https://corporate.wwe.com/who-we-are/talent |archive-date= July 27, 2022 }}</ref>

*On May 10, 1983, Nancy Argentino, the girlfriend of [[Jimmy Snuka]], then 39 years old, died in their hotel room, hours after Snuka defeated [[José Estrada Sr.|José Estrada]] at a WWF TV taping at the [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh County]] Agricultural Hall in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]]. Snuka was arrested 32 years later on September 1, 2015, and charged with [[third-degree murder]] and [[involuntary manslaughter]] for Argentino's death.<ref name="charged">{{cite web|url=http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-jimmy-snuka-grand-jury-announcement-20150901-story.html|title=Wrestling legend Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka to be charged in girlfriend's 1983 death|last= Gamiz |first= Manuel Jr. |date=September 1, 2015|work=[[The Morning Call]]|access-date=September 1, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901214649/http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-jimmy-snuka-grand-jury-announcement-20150901-story.html |archive-date= September 1, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="6ABC-charged">{{cite web|title=Former Pro Wrestling Star 'Superfly' Snuka Charged in Girlfriend's 1983 Lehigh County Death|url=http://6abc.com/news/fmr-wrestler-superfly-snuka-charged-in-girlfriends-lehigh-county-death/965659/|website=6ABC | date= September 2, 2015 |publisher=ABC Inc. ([[WPVI-TV]]) | location= Allentown, Pennsylvania |access-date= January 19, 2017}}</ref> This eventually led WWE to suspend his Legends contract (a long-term deal to make infrequent, non-wrestling appearances) and removed his Hall of Fame page from its website.<ref name="RS">{{cite magazine |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/sports/news/jimmy-snukas-contract-suspended-by-wwe-after-murder-charge-20150903|title=Jimmy Snuka's Contract 'Suspended' by WWE After Murder Charge|first= James| last= Montgomery|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=September 20, 2015| date= September 3, 2015}}</ref> However, Snuka never stood trial due to his poor health, and he died on January 15, 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://popculture.com/wwe/2017/01/24/wwe-jim-ross-apologizes-for-controversial-jimmy-snuka-comments/|title=WWE: Jim Ross Apologizes For Controversial Jimmy Snuka Comments|work=Pop Culture|access-date=November 9, 2018|language=en}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=February 2019}}
*In June 2003, [[Umaga (wrestler)|Eddie Fatu]] (then known as "Jamal" and later "Umaga") was released after his involvement in a bar fight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/rosey.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714125232/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/rosey.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=Rosey bio|access-date=August 18, 2007|quote=And then, in June, Jamal was released by WWE stemming from an incident at a night club, leaving Rosey on his own.|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref>
*In the aftermath of [[Chris Benoit]]'s [[Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide|murder of his wife and son, along with his suicide]] in June 2007, the WWE removed mentions of Benoit in its broadcasts and its merchandise.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_06_25.jsp |title=WWE Superstar Chris Benoit Found Dead |publisher=WWE Corporate |access-date=May 21, 2008 |date=June 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516081401/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_06_25.jsp |archive-date=May 16, 2008}}</ref><ref>''[https://www.cnbc.com/2007/06/26/wwes-mcmahon-should-have-apologized.html WWE's McMahon Should Have Apologized]'';by [[Darren Rovell]]; by [[Darren Rovell]]; ''[[CNBC]]'', June 26, 2007</ref>
*On November 30, 2012, [[Thom Latimer]], then known as Kenneth Cameron, was charged with [[Battery (crime)|battery]] of a law enforcement officer and disorderly intoxication in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]] which led him being released from his NXT contract by the WWE. Latimer had previously been arrested in January 2011 for [[driving under the influence]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Mike|title=WWE TALENT ARRESTED, RELEASED|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/73674/wwe-talent-arrested-released.html?p=1|publisher=PWInsider|access-date=December 1, 2012}}</ref>
*On December 10, 2017, [[Rich Swann]] was arrested in [[Gainesville, Florida]] on charges of battery and kidnapping/false imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://florida.arrests.org/Arrests/Richard_Swann_34994531/|title=Richard Swann Mugshot 12/10/17 Florida Arrest|website=Arrests.org|date=December 10, 2017|access-date=December 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/114098/205-live-star-arrested.html?p=1|title=205 Live star arrested|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=December 10, 2017|access-date=December 10, 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> The victim was identified as his wife, [[Su Yung|Vannarah Riggs]]. According to the arrest report, Swann and Riggs had gotten into an argument over Swann critiquing Riggs's performance at a show that night. When Riggs tried to get away from Swann, witnesses state that he grabbed her in a [[headlock]] and dragged her back into his car.<ref name="ArrestDetailsWON">{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/rich-swann-arrested-domestic-battery-and-false-imprisonment-247726|title=Rich Swann arrested for domestic battery and false imprisonment|last=Currier|first=Joseph|date=December 10, 2017|access-date=December 10, 2017|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref><ref name="ArrestDetailsPWI">{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/114100/more-details-on-rich-swann-arrest.html?p=1|title=More details on Rich Swann arrest|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=December 10, 2017|access-date=December 10, 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> WWE suspended Swann indefinitely and was released on February 15, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rich Swann and WWE part ways|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/rich-swann-wwe-part-ways|work=WWE|access-date=February 15, 2018}}</ref> He was originally scheduled to face Drew Gulak in a match to determine the number one contender to the Cruiserweight Championship, [[Enzo Amore]], the following night on ''Raw'', but the match was canceled in light of his domestic violence arrest.<ref name="ArrestDetailsPWI" />
*On January 22, 2018, the [[Phoenix Police Department]] confirmed that [[Enzo Amore|Eric Arndt]] (Enzo Amore) was under investigation for an alleged sexual assault that was reported to authorities in October 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last=Satin|first=Ryan|author-link=Ryan Satin|url=http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/enzo-amore-rape-allegations/|title=Enzo Amore Suspended Over Sexual Assault Allegations, Incident Under Investigation By Police|date=January 22, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2018|website=Pro Wrestling Sheet}}</ref><ref name="USAT firing">{{cite news|title=WWE fires Enzo Amore fired after police open sexual assault investigation|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2018/01/23/wwe-fires-enzo-amore-fired-after-police-open-sexual-assault-investigation/1060184001/|access-date=May 16, 2018|work=[[USA Today]]|date=January 23, 2018}}</ref> Later that day, Arndt was suspended by WWE due to violating their zero tolerance policy for matters involving sexual harassment and sexual assault. WWE released a statement indicating that he would remain suspended until the matter was resolved.<ref name="WWE suspension">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/enzo-amore-suspended?sf179957021=1|title=Enzo Amore suspended|publisher=WWE|date=January 22, 2018|access-date=January 22, 2018}}</ref> In an interview on January 23, a woman accused Arndt of raping her in a [[Phoenix, Arizona]], hotel room on October 19, 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Enzo Amore Accuser Speaks Out, 'I Said 'No' Countless Times'|url=https://www.tmz.com/2018/01/23/enzo-amore-accuser-philomena-sheahan-rape-wwe/|access-date=January 25, 2018|work=[[TMZ]]|date=January 23, 2018}}</ref> As a result, his scheduled title defense against [[Cedric Alexander]] at the [[Royal Rumble (2018)|Royal Rumble]] was canceled.<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/01/22/wwe-pulls-cruiserweight-title-match-royal-rumble-lineup/|title=WWE pulls the Cruiserweight Title match from the Royal Rumble lineup|date=January 22, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2018|website=ProWrestling.net|publisher=Last Row Media LLC}}</ref> Arndt was fired from WWE the next day and the title was vacated.<ref name="WWE firing">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/enzo-amore-released|title=Enzo Amore released|publisher=WWE|date=January 23, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Satin|first=Ryan|author-link=Ryan Satin|url=http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/enzo-release-reasoning-update/|title=Update on Reasoning Behind Enzo Amore's Release From WWE|date=January 23, 2018|work=Pro Wrestling Sheet|access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref> On Twitter, Arndt "fully and unequivocally" denied the allegations against him.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Schwartz|first1=Nick|title=Enzo Amore releases first statement after being released by WWE|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/01/enzo-amore-releases-first-statement-after-being-released-by-wwe|access-date=January 25, 2018|work=[[USA Today]]|date=January 24, 2018}}</ref> On May 16, 2018, the Phoenix Police Department ceased their investigation due to insufficient evidence.<ref name="drop">{{cite web|last=Satin|first=Ryan|author-link=Ryan Satin|url=http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/enzo-amore-investigation-dropped/|title=Enzo Amore Sexual Assault Investigation Dropped Due To Insufficient Evidence|date=May 16, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2018|website=Pro Wrestling Sheet}}</ref>

===Concussion lawsuit===
Starting in 2014, numerous former WWE talent filed multiple lawsuits against WWE alleging that WWE did not protect and hid information from their talent about [[concussions]] and [[Chronic traumatic encephalopathy|CTE]]. The former talent claimed physical and mental health issues as a result of physical trauma they experience in WWE. The lawsuits were filed by attorney Konstantine Kyros. US District Judge [[Vanessa Lynne Bryant]] dismissed many of the lawsuits in September 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/09/19/lawsuit-against-wwe-concussions-thrown-out/| title= Judge throws out lawsuit against WWE by ex-pro wrestlers over concussions|last=Collins|first=Dave|work= [[The Denver Post]] |access-date=September 23, 2020| date= September 19, 2018}}</ref> In September 2020, the lawsuits were dismissed by the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/018105b0a317dd35bdf679e2dca0507b| title= Former WWE wrestlers' lawsuit over brain damage is dismissed|last=Collins|first=Dave|work= Associated Press |access-date=September 23, 2020| date= September 9, 2020}}</ref> The [[Supreme Court of the United States]] subsequently declined to hear the case in April 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/connecticut-head-injuries-lawsuits-wrestling-injuries-a5d36523a5435dce920cb263155ee122|title=Supreme Court declines to hear wrestlers' brain damage cases|last=Collins|first=Dave|work= Associated Press |access-date=July 14, 2021| date= April 26, 2021}}</ref>

===Relationship with Saudi Arabia===
{{main|WWE in Saudi Arabia}}
The events promoted in Saudi Arabia by WWE have been subjected to criticism due to allegations of [[sportswashing]]. WWE has been accused of contributing to Saudi Arabia's [[LGBT rights in Saudi Arabia|discrimination of LGBT people]] and [[Women's rights in Saudi Arabia|women]] by holding events in the country.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Barrasso |first1=Justin |title=An expert's take on WWE's Saudi Arabia partnership |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/09/26/wwe-news-saudi-arabia-crown-jewel-kenny-omega-new-york |access-date=April 10, 2021 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=September 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926222223/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/09/26/wwe-news-saudi-arabia-crown-jewel-kenny-omega-new-york |archive-date=September 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Andersson |first1=Jasmine |title=WWE is hosting Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia and LGBT+ fans are not happy about it |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/04/26/wwe-greatest-royal-rumble-saudi-arabia-women-lgbt-rights/ |access-date=April 10, 2021 |work=[[PinkNews]] |date=April 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211051540/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/04/26/wwe-greatest-royal-rumble-saudi-arabia-women-lgbt-rights/ |archive-date=February 11, 2021}}</ref>

WWE's relation with Saudi Arabia has been condemned by activist groups such as [[Code Pink]] and several politicians.<ref>{{cite news |title=WWE: End Your Partnership With Saudi Arabia! |url=https://www.codepink.org/wwe |access-date=April 10, 2021 |work=[[Code Pink]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419002644/https://www.codepink.org/wwe |archive-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bixenspan |first1=David |title=Why Is WWE Creating Propaganda for Saudi Arabia? |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/wwe-saudi-arabia-wrestling-propaganda/ |access-date=April 10, 2021 |work=[[The Nation]] |date=November 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101201402/https://www.thenation.com/article/wwe-saudi-arabia-wrestling-propaganda/ |archive-date=November 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Martínez |first1=Sebastián |title=Super ShowDown: los fans amenazan con darse de baja de WWE Network – Reacción de Bill Goldberg|url=https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/87827-wwe-super-showdown-los-fans-amenazan-con-darse-de-baja |access-date=April 10, 2021 |work=[[Solowrestling.com]] |date=February 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228112602/https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/87827-wwe-super-showdown-los-fans-amenazan-con-darse-de-baja |archive-date=February 28, 2020 |language=es}}</ref><ref name="WON2019">{{cite journal|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/march-13-2020-observer-newsletter-40th-annual-awards-issue-305806|title=March 13, 2020 Observer Newsletter: 40th Annual Awards Issue|first=Dave|last=Meltzer|author-link=Dave Meltzer|journal=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|date=March 5, 2020 |access-date=March 8, 2020}}</ref>

===Ashley Massaro affidavit===
Prior to her death on May 15, 2019, former WWE wrestler [[Ashley Massaro]] alleged that she was sexually assaulted at a US military base during a 2006 WWE tour of [[Kuwait]] by a man posing as a doctor, and that WWE officials persuaded her to not report it to the appropriate authorities as they did not want it to affect the company's relationship with the military.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/11/12/former-wwe-diva-joins-lawsuit-alleges-sexual-abuse-brain-injuries/DxKRDb8reXsjH5ACJZExKN/story.html |last=Hohler |first=Bob |title=Former WWE diva joins lawsuit, alleges sexual abuse, brain injuries |date=November 12, 2016|access-date=November 12, 2016 |work=[[The Boston Globe]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114001446/https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/11/12/former-wwe-diva-joins-lawsuit-alleges-sexual-abuse-brain-injuries/DxKRDb8reXsjH5ACJZExKN/story.html|archive-date=November 14, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> WWE officials would later claim they had no knowledge of Massaro's alleged sexual assault.

After her death, an [[affidavit]] by Massaro describing the sexual assault allegations in detail was subsequently released by the law firm that represented her.<ref name="wwestatement">{{cite web |last1=Nason |first1=Josh |title=WWE releases statement on Ashley Massaro sexual assault claim |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-releases-statement-ashley-massaro-sexual-assault-claim-284421 |website=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] |access-date=February 9, 2024 |language=en |date=May 22, 2019}}</ref> In response, WWE said that their executives had not been previously informed of the allegations described in the affidavit.<ref name=newsweek>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newsweek.com/wwe-ashley-massaro-abuse-allegations-1434051 |title=WWE Issues Statement on Ashley Massaro Sexual Abuse Allegations |first=Phillip |last=Martinez |magazine=[[Newsweek]]|access-date=May 26, 2019 |date=May 23, 2019|archive-date=November 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128214837/https://www.newsweek.com/wwe-ashley-massaro-abuse-allegations-1434051|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite previous denials from WWE about having knowledge of her allegation, in February 2024 an attorney representing former WWE Head of Talent Relations [[John Laurinaitis]] stated that: "most upper level management at sometime became aware of the [Massaro] allegations and ensured all proper WWE protocols were followed, including privacy for the alleged victim."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carey |first1=Ian |title=John Lauriniatis lawyer: WWE knew about Ashley Massaro rape claim |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/john-lauriniatis-lawyer-wwe-knew-about-ashley-massaro-rape-claim |work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] |access-date=February 9, 2024 |language=en |date=February 7, 2024 |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207210052/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/john-lauriniatis-lawyer-wwe-knew-about-ashley-massaro-rape-claim |url-status=live}}</ref> That month, [[Vice News]] reported that the [[Naval Criminal Investigative Service]] had investigated Massaro's allegations from June 2019 to January 2020, although no further information about the investigation other than its existence is known.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marchman |first1=Tim |title=Despite Denials, WWE Management Knew Wrestler Said She Had Been Raped on Military Base |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/ashley-massaro-vince-mcmahon-john-laurinaitis-rape-cover-up-wwe/ |publisher=[[Vice News]] |access-date=February 9, 2024 |date=February 7, 2024 |archive-date=February 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209012635/https://www.vice.com/en/article/88x7ex/ashley-massaro-vince-mcmahon-john-laurinaitis-rape-cover-up-wwe |url-status=live}}</ref> A further report by Vice News revealed that Massaro had accused Vince McMahon of "preying on female WWE wrestlers" and that she believed he had tried to sabotage her wrestling career after she rejected an advance from him.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Currier |first1=Joseph |title=Ashley Massaro accused Vince McMahon of preying on female WWE wrestlers |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/ashley-massaro-accused-vince-mcmahon-of-preying-on-female-wwe-wrestlers |work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] |access-date=February 12, 2024 |language=en |date=February 9, 2024}}</ref>

===Misconduct allegations involving Vince McMahon===
{{see also|Vince McMahon sex trafficking scandal}}
One of the first allegations against Vince McMahon was made on April 3, 1992, when [[Rita Chatterton]], a former [[Referee (professional wrestling)|referee]] noted for her stint as Rita Marie in the WWF in the 1980s and for being the first female referee in the WWF (possibly in professional wrestling history),<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/sexliesheadlocks00shau/page/116|title=Sex, Lies, and Headlocks: The Real Story of Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation|last1=Assael|first1=Shaun|last2=Mooneyham|first2=Mike|publisher=Crown Publishers|year=2002|isbn=0609606905|edition=1st|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/sexliesheadlocks00shau/page/116 116]|oclc=49276567|author-link=Shaun Assael|name-list-style=amp}}</ref> made an appearance on [[Geraldo Rivera]]'s show ''Now It Can Be Told''. She claimed that on July 16, 1986, McMahon tried to force her to perform [[oral sex]] on him in his limousine; when she refused, he raped her.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/sexliesheadlocks00shau/page/115|title=Sex, Lies, and Headlocks: The Real Story of Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation|last1=Assael|first1=Shaun|last2=Mooneyham|first2=Mike|publisher=Crown Publishers|year=2002|isbn=0609606905|edition=1st|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/sexliesheadlocks00shau/page/115 115–117]|oclc=49276567|author-link=Shaun Assael|name-list-style=amp}}</ref> Former wrestler [[Mario Mancini|Leonard Inzitari]] has corroborated Chatterton's allegation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/vince-mcmahon-1986-rape-allegation-143500212.html | title=Vince McMahon 1986 Rape Allegation Resurfaces as Former Wrestler Corroborates Story }}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Several years later, on February 1, 2006, McMahon was accused of sexual harassment by a worker at a tanning bar in [[Boca Raton, Florida]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bocaratonnews.com/index.php?src=news&prid=14071&category=Local%20News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928094453/http://www.bocaratonnews.com/index.php?src=news&prid=14071&category=Local%20News|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 28, 2007|title=WWE chief accused of groping Boca tanning salon worker|last=King|first=Dale|date=February 3, 2006|work=Boca Raton News|access-date=July 2, 2007}}</ref> At first, the charge appeared to be discredited because McMahon was in [[Miami]] for the [[2006 Royal Rumble]] at the time. It was soon clarified that the alleged incident was reported to police on the day of the Rumble, but actually took place the day before.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=15391|title=McMahon situation to get more publicity|first=Dave|last=Meltzer|magazine=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|access-date=July 2, 2007|date=February 2, 2006}}</ref> On March 25, it was reported that no charges would be filed against McMahon as a result of the investigation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Digest|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-03-25/news/0603250062_1_consecutive-life-cancer-treatment-life-terms|access-date=March 9, 2016|work=Sun-Sentinel|date=March 25, 2006|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310024927/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-03-25/news/0603250062_1_consecutive-life-cancer-treatment-life-terms|url-status=dead}}</ref> Both Chatterton and a separate tanning spa worker who alleged that McMahon sexually assaulted her in California in 2011 filed civil sex abuse lawsuits against him in late 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwes-vince-mcmahon-faces-fresh-demands-from-women-alleging-sexual-abuse-11670945682|title=WWE's Vince McMahon Faces Fresh Demands From Women Alleging Sexual Abuse|first1=Joe|last1=Palazzolo|first2=Ted|last2=Mann|publisher=Wall Street Journal|date=December 13, 2022|accessdate=January 6, 2023}}</ref> McMahon would agree to pay Chatterton an undisclosed multimillion-dollar legal settlement.<ref name=chattertonsettlement>{{cite web |last2=Mann |first1=Joe |last1=Palazzolo |first2=Ted |title=WWE's Vince McMahon Settles With Ex-Wrestling Referee Who Accused Him of Rape |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwes-vince-mcmahon-settles-with-ex-wrestling-referee-who-accused-him-of-rape-11674149751 |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |date=January 20, 2023 |access-date=February 22, 2023|url-access= subscription }}</ref>

In 2014, activist investor [[Emmanuel Lemelson]] stated that he believed the company had made material misrepresentations in its [[Financial Reporting|financial reporting]]<ref name="WSJCA">{{cite news |last=Copeland |first=Rob |date=October 28, 2015 |title=Hedge-Fund Priest: Thou Shalt Make Money |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/hedge-fund-priest-thou-shalt-make-money-1445918531?mod=mktw |access-date=December 19, 2015}} (Subscription required)</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Gary |title=World Wrestling pummeled four out of five rounds this week |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/markets/2014/04/07/world-wrestling-gets-wall-street-style-take-down/7418043/ |access-date=April 3, 2021 |work=USA TODAY}}</ref> and called for new leadership or a sale of the company.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Kline |first=Daniel B. |date=June 7, 2014 |title=Should the McMahons Still Be Running WWE? |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/06/07/should-the-mcmahons-still-be-running-wwe.aspx |access-date=July 31, 2021 |work=The Motley Fool}}</ref> Lemelson's analysis was credited with an $800 million drop in the [[market capitalization]] of the stock.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schiavo |first=Amanda |title=Why World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Stock Finished Down Today |url=https://www.thestreet.com/markets/why-world-wrestling-entertainment-wwe-stock-finished-down-today-12667421 |access-date=July 31, 2021 |website=TheStreet |date=April 11, 2014 |language=en-us}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Gary |title=Kulicke & Soffa shares surge after investor urges buyback |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/markets/2014/04/22/kulicke--soffa-shares-rocket-after-investor-urges-buyback/8016399/ |access-date=July 31, 2021 |work=USA TODAY}}</ref>

In April 2022, the WWE board began investigating a $3 million hush-money settlement that McMahon paid over an alleged affair with a former employee of the company. The investigation also revealed other nondisclosure agreements related to misconduct claims by other women in the company against McMahon and executive [[John Laurinaitis]], totaling $12 million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Calia |first=Mike |title=WWE board investigates secret $3 million hush payment by CEO Vince McMahon, report says |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/15/wwe-board-investigates-secret-3-million-hush-payment-by-vince-mcmahon.html |access-date=June 15, 2022 |publisher=CNBC |date=June 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mann |first1=Ted| last2=Palazzolo |first2=Joe |title=WWE Board Probes Secret $3 Million Hush Pact by CEO Vince McMahon, Sources Say |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwe-board-probes-secret-3-million-hush-pact-by-ceo-vince-mcmahon-sources-say-11655322722 |access-date=June 15, 2022 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=June 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1 =Palazzolo|first1 =Joe|last2 =Mann|first2 =Ted|last3 =Flint|first3 =Joe|title =WWE's Vince McMahon Agreed to Pay $12 Million in Hush Money to Four Women|work=The Wall Street Journal| date =July 8, 2022| url =https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwes-vince-mcmahon-agreed-to-pay-12-million-in-hush-money-to-four-women-11657289742| url-access = subscription| accessdate = July 23, 2022}}</ref> This eventually led to McMahon retiring from all of his positions on July 22, 2022, and a change in leadership of the WWE for the first time since 1982;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2022/07-22-2022a|title=Vince McMahon Retires|work=WWE|date=July 22, 2022|access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/22/business/vince-mcmahon-retires-wwe.html|title=Vince McMahon retires from W.W.E. after stepping down amid a board investigation.|work=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 22, 2022|access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/wwes-vince-mcmahon-says-he-is-retiring/2022/07/22/808096d4-0a04-11ed-80b6-43f2bfcc6662_story.html|title=WWE's McMahon says he is retiring amid misconduct probe|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=July 22, 2022|access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref> he would later return to the company in January 2023 as executive chairman.<ref name=chattertonsettlement />

The company would eventually report $19.6 million in unrecorded payments made by Vince McMahon between 2006 and 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stebbins |first=Jack |title=WWE discloses another $5 million in McMahon payments, delays earnings report |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/10/wwe-discloses-5-million-in-mcmahon-payments-delays-earnings-report.html |access-date=October 19, 2022 |website=CNBC |date=August 10, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2024, McMahon's history of having a role with the WWE ended amid new allegation by ex-WWE employee Janel Grant.<ref name=mcmahongone>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wwe-founder-vince-mcmahon-resigns-ex-employee-accuses-lawsuit-sexual-a-rcna135981|title=WWE founder Vince McMahon resigns after ex-employee accuses him in lawsuit of sexual assault, trafficking|first1=Emile|last1=Dorn|first2=Diana|last2=Dasrath|first3=Jamie|last3=Knodel|publisher=NBC News|date=January 26, 2024|accessdate=January 27, 2024}}</ref> Grant accused McMahon and John Laurinaitis of not only sexually assaulting her, but also sex trafficking.<ref name=byebyevince /><ref name=mcmahongone /> The allegation also led to Slim Jim pausing its sponsorship of WWE events.<ref name=byebyevince />