Vince McMahon has resigned from his role as executive chairman of TKO, the parent company of WWE, following disturbing allegations of sexual assault, trafficking and physical abuse.
The allegations came to light in a lawsuit filed by a former WWE staffer, Janel Grant, who worked at the headquarters of the wrestling behemoth McMahon founded.
McMahon has denied the allegations, and said he is prepared to defend himself in court. But, in a statement Friday, McMahon said that he has resigned.
鈥淥ut of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary TKO business and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all of the employees and Superstars who helped make WWE into the global leader it is today, I have decided to resign from my executive chairmanship and the TKO board of directors, effective immediately,鈥� McMahon said in a statement.
Reports that McMahon had paid out settlements to multiple women while serving as WWE鈥檚 CEO and chairman have been circulating since at least 2022, but the lawsuit, filed by Grant Thursday, sheds new light on the extent of McMahon鈥檚 alleged misconduct.
In the lawsuit, Grant alleged that McMahon dangled a job offer at WWE 鈥� and later promotions 鈥� in exchange for sex. Grant鈥檚 lawsuit also alleges that McMahon trafficked her to other men inside and outside the company, including John Laurinaitus, who worked in the company鈥檚 talent relations department and is also named as a defendant in the suit.
McMahon engaged in acts of 鈥渆xtreme cruelty and degradation鈥� toward Grant during her time at WWE, the lawsuit alleged.
TKO remains silent on allegations
TKO Group Holdings has not commented on the allegations. In an email to staff, obtained by CNN, WWE president Nick Khan said simply that McMahon tendered his resignation from his executive chairman and board member positions.
鈥淗e will no longer have a role with TKO Group Holdings or WWE,鈥� Khan wrote in his email.
On Thursday, after Grant鈥檚 allegations were made public in a lawsuit, the company said, 鈥淢cMahon does not control TKO or oversee day-to-day operations at WWE.鈥�
McMahon鈥檚 second resignation
McMahon鈥檚 exit marks another turning point for the wrestling entertainment company he created more than 40 years ago.
He initially retired from his role as CEO and chairman of WWE in July 2022 amid allegations of sexual misconduct. At the time, WWE announced a special committee would investigate McMahon.
However, his retirement didn鈥檛 last long. The investigation was closed in November 2022 and McMahon returned to WWE鈥檚 board in January 2023.
Grant鈥檚 lawsuit raises questions about the culture at WWE, which she claims actively worked to conceal McMahon鈥檚 wrongdoing. She alleged that the special committee assigned to investigate McMahon never interviewed her or requested any documents, despite Grant鈥檚 alleged willingness to cooperate.
McMahon had served on the board of TKO, which was officially formed in September when WWE merged with its competitor, UFC, owned by Hollywood power-broker Ari Emanuel鈥檚 Endeavor Group. The deal valued the new company at over US$21 billion, with WWE shareholders owning 49 per cent of the combined company. McMahon was WWE鈥檚 largest shareholder.
Disturbing allegations
One disturbing incident in the lawsuit detailed an alleged sexual assault among Grant, McMahon and Laurinaitis that occurred at WWE鈥檚 headquarters in 2021. The two men allegedly pulled Grant behind a locked door, forcibly restraining her. As she begged them to stop, one of the men allegedly said to her, 鈥淣o means yes.鈥�
In a statement to CNN on Thursday, Grant鈥檚 attorney, Ann Callis, said the lawsuit sought to 鈥渉old accountable two WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked Plaintiff Janel Grant, as well as the organization that facilitated or turned a blind eye to the abuse and then swept it under the rug.鈥�
Attempts by CNN to reach Laurinaitis previously did not yield a response.
New business partners
McMahon鈥檚 exit comes as WWE inked several lucrative business partnerships in recent days.
This week, Dwayne 鈥淭he Rock鈥� Johnson, a former WWE wrestler himself, announced he would join TKO鈥檚 board of directors.
McMahon touted the partnership in a statement on Tuesday. 鈥淰ery few people on the planet understand the convergence of sports, entertainment, media, and business like Rock,鈥� he said.
WWE will pay Johnson US$30 million in stock awards to promote the brand as part of the deal.
Netflix also recently announced it would become the exclusive home of 鈥淲WE Raw,鈥� starting in January 2025. According to a filing from TKO, the 10-year deal is valued at more than $5 billion.
Neither Netflix nor representatives for Johnson responded to CNN鈥檚 request for comment this week.
This story has been updated with additional developments and context.
