Stephanie McMahon “Wanted To Disappear” From WWE

Stephanie McMahon walked away from WWE in January 2023 after her father, Vince McMahon, forced his way back onto the Board of Directors. Vince had initially announced his retirement several months earlier after a report uncovered several allegations of sexual abuse.

The long-serving WWE figure had initially announced a hiatus in May 2022 but returned a month later as Interim CEO following Vince’s “retirement.”

However, over the past eight months, Stephanie has made several on-screen appearances, making her return as part of the 2024 Hall of Fame ceremony. Since then, she’s been shown in the crowd at multiple events, most recently when Raw debuted on Netflix on January 6.

Stephanie McMahon Addresses WWE Absence
During a new appearance on Pat McAfee on The Pat McAfee Show, Stephanie opened up about her WWE hiatus and her feelings about the company.

“One of the things I learned when I stepped away is I’ll never get away from WWE, ever. It is a part of who I am. It is what I love. I really did grow up in this business. It was not unusual to have shoots done at our house. I was in the first ever Saturday Night’s Main Event. I went trick or treating at Rowdy Roddy Piper’s house, which was actually our house. He was putting candy, bowling balls, breaking our candy bags. I was on that episode.

I did modeling for the catalog and we didn’t get paid. We didn’t have child models at the time. All of the employees kids, we were just dressed up. I’ve lived this amazing life with so many opportunities to meet incredible people and be part of something that is so special that connects people all over the world.

I feel it everywhere I go, in every arena I go to. It’s something so special,”

When asked if she was still proud despite stepping away, McMahon said she was, but admitted she wanted to disappear for a little while.

“I never stopped being proud, ever. I do think I wanted to disappear for a little while, and I kind of did. It was good for me. I needed it, and now I’m back.”

Meanwhile, it’s been announced that Stephanie McMahon will be fronting a new show for ESPN. The show titled “Stephanie’s Places” will be a pro wrestling take on “Peyton’s Places” where NFL legend Peyton Manning “revisits seminal moments in NFL history through conversations with former players, coaches and other key figures about football and its cultural impact.”