Vince McMahon

After purchasing Capitol Wrestling Corporation from his father in 1982 and pioneering pay-per-view with the first WrestleMania in 1985, the man born Vincent Kennedy McMahon reshaped professional wrestling from a regional territory business into a global sports entertainment empire. As an on-screen performer, he held the WWF Championship in 1999 and the ECW World Championship in 2007, and won the Royal Rumble that same year. His “Mr. McMahon” heel character — defined by landmark feuds against Stone Cold Steve Austin in 1998 and 1999 — became one of the most influential villain roles in the history of the business. For his accomplishments in entertainment, television, and pay-per-view, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008.

McMahon resigned from WWE and TKO in January 2024 following a lawsuit filed against him by former employee Janel Grant, alleging sexual exploitation, assault, and trafficking during her time working for him. McMahon has consistently denied the allegations and pushed for private arbitration. He is fully retired from WWE following the 2023 merger with UFC under TKO Group Holdings, where he no longer holds any operational role. He was absent from the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, even with daughter Stephanie McMahon headlining the inductee class.