The founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Vince McMahon, has stepped down from his role within the company and its parent organization amid a sex scandal.
The decision came hot on the heels of a lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant, accusing McMahon of sex trafficking, abuse, and sexual assault.
WWE President Nick Khan announced McMahon’s resignation in an email to employees.
“Vince McMahon has tendered his resignation from his positions as a Total Knock Out (TKO) executive chairman and on the TKO board of directors.
He will no longer have a role with WWE, effective immediately,” the email read.
Grant’s lawsuit, filed on Thursday, painted a harrowing picture of her experience as “the victim of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and trafficking at WWE.”
Supporting Grant, Ann Kalis, her attorney emphasized on the company’s executives who had a tendency of sexual assaults to be held accountable of their actions.
“Today’s complaint seeks to hold 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,” said Grant’s attorney.
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Vince on Sexual Allegations
In response to the accusations, the 79-year-old, staunchly denied any wrongdoing.
“I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth,” he stated on Friday, 26,2024.
However, he acknowledged the impact on the WWE community and the broader TKO business, leading to his decision to resign.
McMahon, who has not faced criminal charges in connection with the lawsuit, expressed his departure as a gesture of respect.
“Out 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.” he added.
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Before his resignation, TKO Group Holdings clarified that McMahon did not control its gaming or oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE.
“While this matter pre-dates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally,” said the company in a statement, acknowledging the severity of Grant’s allegations.
Grant’s lawsuit encompasses a range of accusations, including sex trafficking, civil battery, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, and negligence.
WWE Founder Earlier Resignation
McMahon’s decision to step down echoes a history of controversy, as he had previously resigned as WWE CEO in 2022 following an investigation that revealed he had paid nearly $15 million to four women over 16 years to hush claims of sexual misconduct.
Despite temporarily surrendering the CEO role, McMahon had maintained control over the company as a majority shareholder.
The latest developments left the WWE universe and the broader entertainment industry in suspense.
