Former WWE Writer Recounts Vince McMahon's Anger At Changing Racially Insensitive Segment

WWE has not been stranger to racially insensitive storylines, extremely dated segments, and inappropriate moments. Under Vince McMahon’s watchful eye, WWE programming featured many stereotypes, racist remarks, and more. In a piece for The Rolling Stone by Krystie Lee Yandoli, several WWE writers spoke regarding their time in WWE. Some revealed a hostile atmosphere created by McMahon, and several female writers opened up about feeling uncomfortable working in WWE, detailing alleged misconduct by male co-workers. 

Many of the writers spoken to wished to remain anonymous, but one who didn’t was Michael Leonardi, who shared many of his own experiences. He touched upon a segment which led him to be fired, a situation he has been open about in the past. 

This involved a segment where Neville (AEW’s PAC) was supposed to say “I have a dream, a dream of winning the Royal Rumble” on Martin Luther King Jr. Day whilst surrounded by black WWE superstars. Leonardi revealed that Neville was uncomfortable delivering this line, so it was instead handed off to R-Truth. Leonardi revealed that McMahon went off on a tirade due to this situation.

“He turned to me and he said, ‘So you didn’t give me what I wanted?’ I said, ‘I understand, I’m sorry. We all went over it and felt good about it, we just made the small tweak.’ And then he started just yelling at me. It was such an intense moment. I walked out with my tail between my legs. The script called for Neville to speak up and tell everyone else that he’s ‘got a dream too, and that dream is to win the Royal Rumble.”

A spokesperson for Vince McMahon denied this situation ever happened to The Rolling Stone, calling it ridiculous.