John Laurinaitis Not At SmackDown Following Allegations
WWE was rocked this week by a report claiming Vince McMahon had an affair with one of the company's paralegals and paid them $3 million not to tell anyone about it. While that has been the accusation that has been making headlines, it wasn't the only one made, and McMahon isn't the only WWE employee being investigated. WWE's head of talent relations is tied up in all this too and has apparently been accused of some pretty serious stuff.
John Laurinaitis Not At SmackDown
Leading the charge is the claim McMahon passed off the aforementioned paralegal to Laurinaitis “like a toy” when the pair's affair came to an end. An incredibly bad look for Laurinaitis if the investigation proves that particular accusation to be true, and not only because the former wrestler is married to Kathy Laurinaitis, Nikki and Brie Bella's mother.
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Following the allegations, it was reported by PWInsider that Laurinaitis was not present at SmackDown on Friday night. The same report claims sources present for the pre-show meeting labeled it weird, largely because McMahon was acting like nothing was wrong. There was also no mention of what exactly McMahon planned on saying when he opened the show, which turned out to be just as weird.
What About Kevin Dunn?
While there have been no concrete reports on others McMahon works closely with in WWE on a daily basis, rumors circulated on social media prior to SmackDown that Kevin Dunn had been asked to leave the building. Dunn has been WWE's director, and one of McMahon's closest allies, for decades. However, it has been reported in the past that he and Stephanie McMahon, who is now the interim chairwoman, don't get along.
Since Vince is still in charge of WWE's creative direction, and the production of SmackDown this week didn't feel different at all, it seems unlikely Dunn was asked to leave on Friday. Laurinaitis's absence, on the other hand, considering his inclusion in the accusations, seems likely. Fightful reported this week that the accusations against Laurinaitis will likely result in him losing his job with WWE.
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