The women, all of whom were involved with WWE, signed agreements with McMahon that “prohibit them from discussing potential legal claims against or their relationships with the 76-year-old executive.”
The report of the hush money, which the Journal said was paid over 16 years, is the latest part of a corporate firestorm for McMahon.
The WWE did not immediately return CNN’s request for comment on this story.
“I have pledged my complete cooperation to the investigation by the special committee, and I will do everything possible to support the investigation,” McMahon said in a statement last month. “I have also pledged to accept the findings and outcome of the investigation, whatever they are.”
McMahon’s daughter, Stephanie, is serving as interim CEO and chairwoman.
Yet McMahon has not shied away from the spotlight: He has retained not only his input on WWE’s creative content, but also his in-ring persona. The company said last month that McMahon would continue to appear as his character during matches as the investigation continues.
“Those four words are ‘then,’ ‘now,’ ‘forever,’ and the most important word is ‘together,'” he said. “Welcome to Smackdown!” McMahon then left the ring to the tune of his theme song, “No Chance in Hell.”
— CNN Business’ Jordan Valinsky contributed to this report.